Danielle's Video Blog Updates

Now that we're home I've had a chance to upload all the little videos I've taken over the past couple weeks. Several of them are completely pointless as you'll find out, but at least they're short so you'll only have to sit through the pointless ones for a few seconds to get to the other ones that have a little bit more purpose behind them. Either way, I hope you enjoy them. I'll put them in chronological order here:

Here is Amy Lyford, who has contributed to this blog quite a bit this go around.  Here is her reaction 17 seconds into the trip.




Here we are just taking a drive through town on our way to go do some planning for our upcoming seminars.  



On our first day of Leadership Training Dave Bearchell taught on the "Diamond Life" Personal Leadership Idea, and had Jonathan help him teach segments of it.  Here we see Jonathan's bundle of nerves on display, or his he kidding?



The evil smirk on my face is because I realize that Rodney never voluntarily jumps in front of the camera. We have to make him, just to prove that he came with us.  Rodney is the President of Service to Servants which is the organization that has brought to life every Liberia project that we've thought to do this far.  Otherwise this short video is one of the most pointless in the bunch.



Here we are Erica, Zac, and I on Friday afternoon looking for a place to get some gifts for people back home in downtown Monrovia. Just ignore the hot mess that is my hair.



Here we are: Miatta, Erica, Amy and I in the backseat coming back from Diana Davies Orphanage where we spent some of our free time.  A few years ago we went their to install a generator, and we at least wanted to touch base with them while we were in town.



The Friday that we were flying out to go back to Atlanta, Dave, Jonathan, Erica, and I stopped by THINK to visit the kids that I had met a few years ago.  Here's a short little hello from them to you.



Dave is so good with these kids it's ridiculous.  These kids at this organization are all rescued from abusive situations, many of them have been traumatized, but Dave bring a light to these kids that's unexplainable.  Here he is discussing their kickball game.



Crazy to think I taught these kids this song 2 1/2 years ago, and they still remember it.  We took a group picture, and then they started to sing.  I couldn't help but video it.



Here is the last video I got in Liberia. It's a goodbye song from the kids at THINK.

We're back home!

Yup we're home! After our 15 hour flight we made it back around 5:30 this morning. Everything went well, no problems at all. It's hard to believe the trip is over, it was such an incredible experience. What a blessing it was to go back, and have such a wonderful team. It was amazing to see God so evidently throughout our time there. I can't wait to see what he will continue to do in Liberia, and how he will continue to grow us after the trip from the experiences we had there.

Now we have been resting and getting reacquainted with the U.S. again. It's always such an eye opening experience when I come back to how good we have it here in America, even little things that I never would have thought of as a luxury prior to going to a third world Country. I pray that we will not forget what we have seen and learned throughout our time in Liberia.

Thanks again for all of your support and prayers, we couldn't have done it without you all.

God Bless,

Amy

Our last meal during our stay in Liberia.

Zac and Danielle playing an intense game of chess on Zac's phone before we loaded the plane.

Look we're back in Atlanta everybody!!

The last day of seminars

We woke-up this morning and before we got in our vehicles to head to REAP we had one last meeting to make sure we were on the same page for out last seminar. After getting to the seminar we had some extra time to and Danielle and I headed to the local village to see some of our friends there and spend time with the kids. My new friend Janet showed me around and showed me her and her brothers house. While being at REAP for the past 2 weeks we have been able to really get to know the cooks and the locals who hang-out around the area. They are such beautiful genuine and hospitable people who we are going to miss dearly.

We began the seminar for the day with Miatta going over the diamond life and giving her personal touch by relating it to her personal experiences. Most of the seminar was focused around going over the business plan the attendees created together the day prior. They spent time yesterday individually creating business proposals of what project they think would be beneficial for the community and feasible to create as a team. We went through all of the proposals and the majority decided on a water well plan. So then today we went into more details of how that plan could be feasible. We also spent time going over what the attendees liked about the seminar, what they felt like we could improve upon and any questions they still wanted answered. It was great to hear all of the positive input, many people wanted to know when we will be back and wished the seminars we even longer.

After we finished for the day we had a special surprise that Pastor Tolbert presented. They thanked us for the seminar and presented us with some wonderful gifts made of wood, they gave us a thinking man sculpture a Palava Hut sculpture, and two letter openers. What a wonderful group of people we were blessed to spend time with. We built many strong relationships together and learned so much from each other and all of the speakers at our seminars. The presentation and lunch together was a great ending to the seminars. Afterwords the core team of the Liberian Leadership council met to discuss what this project will look like after we leave and how it will continue to grow.

We headed back to the compound and got some needed rest and then said bye to Miatta. She is staying in Liberia for another week to spend time with her family. We already miss her a lot, we are so thankful she has been to be apart of our team.

We had our last Liberian dinner together of my favorite rice and had a special treat of orange soda and coke! Of course we had our yummy pineapple with dinner, I'm really going to miss all of the fresh delicious fruit we've had available on our trip. Especially the Liberian plums (what we call mango's).

We had one last meeting for the day and discussed our seminars. Dave looked back on an email Tony had sent a couple months prior that laid-out the goals of our trip and as he read it, it was awesome to realize we have done what we have set-out to do. This is just the beginning of a wonderful journey here in Liberia. I can't wait to see what will continue to develop from it.

Tomorrow we are flying back to Atlanta at 5:55 p.m. (Liberian time) 1:55 p.m. (Atlanta time). Please pray for a smooth safe trip back over the pond. Before we leave we are stopping by THINK which is an organization we have worked with on previous trips that takes in sexually abused children. We are going to hang-out with the children for a little while before we leave. Well it's past my bedtime. Next time you hear from us we'll be back in America! Thank you all for your support and prayers, we can't wait to tell you more about how God's favor has shone through so evidently and all of the experiences we have been blessed with.

God Bless,

Amy

My friend Janet in front of her home.

attendees of the seminar working hard.

Pastor Tolbert showing off the gifts that he and the
other amazing attendees gave us in appreciation for our
 hard work throughout the seminars.

look at all those delicious Liberian plums!(mango's)

Tony meeting with the core group of the Liberian Leadership Council.

Danielle humbly presenting Tony with the sculpture the
 attendees gave to our team in appreciation for the seminar.

Week 2, Day 2

At the REAP facility we entered Day Two of Tony's teaching. In a reversal from yesterday, there wasn't a drop of rain poured over the entirety of Liberia. But, we did get a PA system. This certainly helped, especially when it came to answering questions. Hogan actually got behind the pulpit, adding a pulse to the seminar that helped get us through the day. Project Management has landed successfully among the Liberian crowd, and tomorrow ought to be interesting as we get to see how they plan their first community project.

In my most triumphant moment of the day I climbed the one-hundred foot tall concrete cistern. Gotta say, it was gorgeous. The clouds rolled ahead like mountains and the wind gave me a breath of some of the freshest air I've had in my lungs.

To top the night off, we had the Orphan Relief and Rescue folks over for a time of worship. Some mingling later, we played a game of Mafia with them, which was a smash hit. That's all there really is to say about today without drowning you in sweaty details. The team is doing great, health is at 1000% percent. Yes, 1000%.

So, relax. Chill. Hang out and eat a slice of pizza for all of us.

Zac

This is where Platoon was filmed

Hogan 

Discussion 

Smile with the village ladies

Our lives are in their hands

Here is a picture

A little rain can't stop us!

Last night was a beautiful stormy night, it was the loudest storm I have ever heard. It was beautiful and maybe a little scary(for me) to watch the lightning light up the Liberian sky and the Thunder roar.

In the morning we headed back over to REAP to begin the first day of our project management seminar which Tony lead. It was wonderful to see many excited familiar faces and many just as excited new faces. After starting the seminar, it began to rain heavily outside and it was very difficult to hear Tony speaking. We decided to first rearrange the tables to be closer to him, but it still was very difficult to hear him. We then moved everybody into a much smaller room. It ended-up being a very good intimate setting for the seminar. Tony did an amazing job sharing his skills and passion of project management with the attendees and us as well. The attendees were so eager to learn more that when Tony would suggest a break they would request to keep going.

During lunch we prayed for the rain to die down and for the attendees to really get involved during the rest of the day. The rain cleared-up enough to hear Tony without him having to yell and there was great involvement from the attendees! We did an activity where each attendee had a partner and they sat back to back while one partner described the shapes and the other tried to draw the exact same shapes in the same places on their paper with only hearing descriptions from their partner. It was interesting to see what some of the drawings ended-up looking like and also to see how much fun everybody was having. We also had a chance to break down into small groups to process and discuss the information together. Towards the end of the seminar Tony put together an example project of baking a Liberian cake. He connected all of the process with the project management terms and skills that he taught us throughout the day. It was a very applicable way to connect what we had learned to a real project. At the end he told us to discuss what we had learned together and that he would be right back. A minute later he came in with Ester holding cake that was baked for us!! Everybody was so excited! It was very delicous.

Overall it was a wonderful day at the seminar, it was great to see so many attendees excited about learning project management and there desires to apply their knowledge to projects that can be done all around Liberia. The possibilities are endless!! We will focus more on the business side tomorrow.

After fighting through traffic at red light in the rain we made it home for a delicious meal and relaxation time together.

Please pray that God will continue to show his favor over us and the seminar tomorrow as well as do more through these seminars than we could ever imagine. Also a couple of us have had some stomach problems (nothing serious) please pray for healing over our tummies.

Well once again I am the last man standing (last person up) and should probably get to bed to be well rested for tomorrow. Night everybody!

God Bless,

Amy

Two attendees attempting to draw what the other is describing.

Tony doing his thing.

Felicia serving our delicious Liberian cake.

I figure by now you know our morning routine almost as well as we do: wake up sweaty, eat breakfast, head out. Today was more or less the same. Actually, I'm lying. Rodney, Hogan and Tony went out to the REAP facility to get a head start on setting up for tomorrow. Tony got a chance to meet with Emmanuel, the director of REAP, exchanging thoughts and plans for the future of the leadership chapter here in Liberia. Everyone else stayed at home until around one, where we left for Orphan Relief and Rescue's Headquarters.

After meeting their team of seven, we followed them to one of their Orphanages in the area. Before we even pulled all the way into the walled-up compound we could hear the children shouting. These kids were ecstatic, like something from a Toys-R-Us commercial or something.

The whole time I was there, I really only talked to one kid, Jeremiah. I don't know how a personality like his could come out of an orphanage in Africa. He was born to perform, sticking out amongst the kids with his innate showmanship. Social, fun-loving, he was talkative, and I say that in comparison to the other children, harboring the only opinions during story time.

Now, this “story time” was fun for them, not so fun for me. As much as I love telling a story, using a Children's Bible to entertain not only fifteen kids but a few adults as well is achingly tricky. If you can imagine Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese having a conversation about crappy illustrated Bible passages, that's probably what it sounded it like.

After that was done, everyone filled to their liking with stories, we got to experience these kids dancing skills. With a slight rain accompanying them, the girls came out first to the beats of two drums. It was certainly the best piece of impromptu dance that I've seen this side of the Atlantic. To follow, was the boys, led by none other than Jeremiah. They slithered out in a line and stopped in front of us, looking like a boy band smiling to their fans. And of course, we ate it up.

The day out came to a close shortly after that, we climbed into the cars with a crowd around us handing out high-fives and goodbyes. As sentimental as it was, I think we all understood that those kids won't stay in a place like that, potential growing everyday.

At home, we crashed. After an indiscriminate amount of time (seriously, I don't know), we got up and killed some time before dinner. At this moment, eleven fifty six, it's raining. It's times like this, eleven fifty six, that I do my deep thinking, and by thinking I mean sleeping, so goodnight and good luck.

Zac

Danielle breaking it down with some of the girls

Miatta playing a rope game with some of the girls.

Me and my new buddy Jerimiah, what an awesome kid!

A delightful Sunday

What a great Sunday. :) Today we went to Robert Cuppah's Church, he is a long time friend of ours and also one of our drivers who helps us get around. It was a wonderful experience with much joyful worship and such a welcoming congregation. We had a time of walking around meeting people and shaking hands as well as each one of us standing-up and stating who we are, where we're from and who invited us. We also were blessed to be apart of the service. Dave said the opening prayer; Hogan, Miatta and I each read verses from the bible; Zac and Erica shared their testimonies; Danielle sung and played a worship song; Dan delivered the message; and Rodney said the closing benediction. The message was about servant leadership and the verses that we read were: 1Kings 12: 1-13, Acts 6: 1-4, John 17: 1-22. Dan did a wonderful job talking about the importance of servant Leadership and how to apply it to your life.

After church we said bye to Dan as he headed off to the Airport to head back home. We are so incredibly thankful to have him as a part of our team and have him teach two days of leadership training. We then headed to the Royal Hotel for a delicious Sunday buffet, we really enjoyed the food, it's amazing how much you appreciate things such as broccoli, and salad when you haven't had it in over a week. We got full on lots of yummy food from hummus to fettuccine Alfredo and of course delicious eclairs for dessert.

We then headed back to the compound and Dave, Miatta, Danielle, Zac and Erica headed to the beach for some relaxation time (except for Zac who went to do an intense running work-out). While Me, Jonathan, Hogan, and Miatta stayed at the compound- had some great discussions relaxed at the house and spent time in the neighborhood. Jonathan and Hogan played futbol with Jerimiah (who works at our compound). Miatta and I watched the boys play Futbol and walked around and met people in the neighborhood.

After we got back Tony was arriving!! We were so excited to see him and were glad he arrived safely with no trouble getting here. We had a great dinner with much laughter and random conversations (which is pretty normal). We spend some good time discussing the day together after-wards. I always enjoy hearing how God is working in everybody's lives each day and revealing himself in such unique ways.

Now I am sitting in the living room with Danielle, Zac, and Jonathan: Danielle and Zac have been having a good time attempting to writie a song together and Jonathan and I have been amused by their ideas. Everybody else is back in their rooms getting rest for the next day ahead of us. Tomorrow we'll be heading out to orphanages with Orphan Relief and Rescue to work with the younger children. Can't wait to share about it with you tomorrow!

God Bless,

Amy

Dan delivering the message.

The SEC choir during service. 

Our team at the Royal Hotel for lunch.

Walking to the Futbol field.

A local boy climbing a coconut tree.

Jonathan giving a futbol to a Jerimiah's Coach.