20 years of dance training has paid off!

For those of you who have been to African church, know that it is a one of a kind experience rife with music and singing, shouting through a tinny-sounding PA system, and my personal favorite--dancing. The dancing can be both organized and spontaneous. Collecting the offering has a dance of its own even. This dance involves a lot of booty-shaking and gyrating. Beyonce would be proud.

This morning I had the privilege of attending African Catholic Mass. The county north of Monrovia is called Boimie County. Father Gary has been living there and working with the Liberians for 34 years. My newest cabin mates (Caroline & Sue) were going up this morning to take him a load of supplies and invited me to go along. The compound was quite impressive. Father Gary and the Catholic church have established a school, a clinic, and a technical school. They also have farming and agriculture regions with livestock. Of the children that go to school there, 65 of the boys live in the boarding houses. Most of the 65 boys are former boy soldiers who have been disarmed and are now receiving an education.

The war is a part of everyday conversation here. It is still very freshly felt by the Liberians. Every Liberian I have met has a relative who died in the war. I find it very sobering. Going to the mission today reminded me of how many people are in Liberia trying to make a difference. I find myself thinking about when Africa Mercy leaves Liberia more than when I leave. I know that when I leave here in September, the work will go on; effortlessly picked up by someone else. I was unsure about what will happen to the people of Liberia when AFM leaves. This is one reason why I have tried to get involved in the programs that existed pre-AFM and will be here once we leave. Because isn't that what Africa needs, sustainability? I have been blessed to see a part of these programs. A great deal of work remains to be done, but there are many people both native and expatriates committed to rebuilding a thriving Liberia.

On a more personal note, the AFM crew have suffered a tragic loss in the last week and we need your prayers as we try to move through it. A young man, Collin Carrol, drowned while swimming in the ocean last Sunday morning. He was 21-years-old, a recent graduate of Texas A&M, and the assistant dental coordinator aboard the ship. The three people who were with him when he died traveled to Texas with his body for the funeral, which was held yesterday. Please keep Collin's family, the three young adults, and the crew of AFM in your prayers. I would also ask you to pray specifically that God would be glorified through this tragedy.