..."Educating without Jesus is just creating a really smart devel."

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December 19,2011

America has obviously placed its hand in Liberia in many areas - but the education system is not one of them.

Today we woke up and explored some then headed to "Jungle Farm" in the country were two schools gathered for a Christmas party. Many oth community children and some parents came as well. The cement buildings had three classrooms which looked more like prison cells. Each room only contained a chalkboard. Outside was a tent made from bamboo where about 150 students sat.

Though it was difficult to tell, the children's ages seemed to range from about 3-15.. Surrounding these children all in uniforms were many other small children in very tattered clothes. To attend a public school in Liberia it only cost $35 a year, yet many people still cannot afford it.....these children are the ones in tattered clothes, looking upon the more privilege, wishing they too could go to school.

The children played games, performed songs, heard speakers, an there favorite - ate. We prepared plastic bags with Orange flavored water and popcorn cooked outside over a fire. Through hours of sitting still in Africa's scorching heat these children - even the 3 year old - behaved perfectly.This is probably because they are forced to take care for themselves at a very young age.

We also feed them a full meal consisting of rice and foreign looking chicken and sauce, which for most of them would be the only meal they received today. They all patiently waited until they received theirs. 

The children not in school gathered around with the saddest, hungriest eyes. When we were served out meals they begged for it. Here...no one hesitates to ask you for what they want. I had to ignore dozens of people today which breaks my heart.

When me and Kelsey decided to give our food to one of the boys, the rest flocked. They shared, the youngest boy even spooning rice and placing it in others mouths. It was a huge wake up call to see six boys sharing one bowl of rice.

One of the speakers said this while addressing the school..."Educating without Jesus is just creating a really smart devel." He told them this generation was not going to view God like all the past, but instead have a personal relationship with Him. It is the only way the future will be fixed... AMEN!

While interacting with the children I thought, "What language are they speaking?" and the looks on their face seemed to be asking the same things. Come to find out they just speak Liberian-English and we speak hick-English. Really the same things. Though they obviously did not understand our speech they did understand one thing.... we were white!

They stared at us for a majority of the time. I would smile back at them and returning would be a huge grin on their faces. Such a sweet way of communicating. I said "hello" to one boy who was about two and he burst out into tears...the other children laughed. He had never seen a white person before.

One girl I am pretty certain asked me to preach. Though I did not it was so sweet to know we loved the same Jesus. They also replied Merry Christmas when I spoke Merry Christmas to them. it means so much coming from someone with no tree, no presents, and no santa!

Going back, we stopped at a market to get dinner. Either because we were white or because we were in a land cruiser, people flocked us - begging. One man said, "If there is a God why do you not give to me?" .... that was hard to hear - Liberia is a hurting place.

The effects of the war which fairly recently ended is still evident. School systems suffer because most teachers wereklled during war, so they had to re-start the system. There are not really anymore exotic animals because they were all eaten during war.

All together today blew me away for more reasons than I can explain. Community really matter here - I have not seen seem a person alone yet. There are no such things schedules here - they all do whatever, as the day goes by. They are HARD WORKERS! At 8am a young boy was cutting the grass (with a blade) while another boy was making mud bricks from holes he had dug. Electricity is a huge luxury and not very common. Going to the bathroom means walking to the field or finding a bush. Trash cans do not exist - neither do left overs. Women's neck muscles are strong - and their heads sources of transportation.

I have been writing for a hour but still have so much to say...Gods blessed me and made me grateful today. Here is one scripture spoken to m today by Vania, that sums everything up...

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." Ephesians 3:20