EXPERIENCING GOD
        IN
LIBERIA FOR 80 DAYS

                                                                                   return to: 80 Day Schedule

Joe's first email came on DAY 4:       January 14, 2006


Hello Everyone in California and Around the World,
 
I am safe and healthy here in Liberia. Pastor Wesley was there to meet me at the airport and I have the fill-ins for the blanks that Dad made in my 80 day journal.
 
Day 1 Question:  Joe, what is happening right this moment as you are reading this?

I am waiting for the flight from LA to London.  I read Genesis chapters 1-5
 

 

Day 2 Questions:  Joe, does it seem like God has worked around you in the Accra airport?   How? 
                               Who have you met? Why are your fellow travelers going to Liberia? 


Answers:
Yes, God is at work around me. I notice how people take care of each other.
Women and older people, and those with disabilities are not left behind.
 
I met 3 young ladies, they are all staying in Ghana providing bicycles??
 
Another young man, he is going to Liberia, has been away since '93, staying in Chicago.
 
Catherine,(a motherly woman) is going to visit friends.
 
Another is a Peruvian with the United Nations.

 
Aside for Day 2: I was led another way straight to the transit lounge.
No need for a transit visa because I am not leaving the airport.
The transit lounge just filled with pilots and attendants headed for London or Italy.

Catherine and I helped each other. She had moved on w/ out a boarding pass
and I was bargaining down from a $240 excess baggage charge.
God took me to find Catherine and we checked in together.
They still said that I had excess of either $100 or $50, But I got through paying $30.
 

 

Day 3 Question:  Congratulations! You probably have made it to Liberia by now.
                              Either way,
because you're attached to Jesus what just happened for you…in God's Time…His Way?
 
 
Day 3 Answers: Pastor Wesley met me in the airport and we went to the waiting taxi and we met Deacon George.
*from the 14th  I just got out of bed and remembered it is not about what I am doing here. What is God doing here??
 

 
Day 4 Question Joe, how has God revealed himself afresh to you so far on this trip?
                              List as many names (of the people Pastor Wesley introduces you to) as you can.
                              This will help you as the days go by. Write their names down.
                              Who/What are they? Fill up this space with good stuff, OK?
 


Day 4 Answers:     Deacon George
                                Matthew
                                Edward (Pastor Wesley wants him to go to Bible School)
                                Miss Ellie?? (Laura's Sister)
 
Earlier today we went on a short trip to view the children's home.
It was very brief but the kids looked in good health.
They need a mattress, so I will talk to Pastor Wesley about that.
 
I took a picture of Pastor Wesley's new baby,
but I cannot locate the card reader to send the picture yet.
I was showing it to Pastor yesterday so maybe he has it.
He is at the store right now.
 
More later,
Joe

Day 5 Questions: Joe,  who preached today?
                                       What was the message and the primary texts ?
                                       Were there any visitors in church today? 
                                       What was the same about their service? 
                                       Were there any noticeable differences?

Day 5 Answers:

Pastor Wesley led the Sunday School lesson on 1 Peter 3:7.
 
The sermon was on Jonah 1: 17-25
 
There were 6 visitors at the church today.
 
The main points I heard were:
 
1. God was not pleased with Nineveh.
 
2. God is awake and in control.
 
3. We should allow the discipline of God to take its proper length.
 
4. God can discipline you wherever you are.
 
5. We must submit to God's will.
 
 
The songs were sung out of the hymnal, others were seemingly spontaneous choruses.

I can understand Pastor Wesley very well, and the hymns were able to be sung.
Other parts of the service were harder to distinguish. 
There were so many people to meet and I realized that though I was hearing their names,
they were not sticking in my mind.
 
They ended the service with this slogan:

    "Greater Love Bible Baptist Church--where everybody is somebody!"


Day 5 Letter from Joe:
 

Mom and Dad (and All),
 
 I will try to take lots of pictures. Baby Moses is sleeping.

 Electricity is now in his home from 6am to 6pm approximately. 

 He sold his car. This morning we are going to go to church.
Last night after dinner I gave him $100, but I am not sure that
it is enough to feed and support me for this time.
 

 I am doing my best to focus on whatever is true or noble,
 whatever is right or pure, if anything is excellent or admirable,
 lovely or worthy of praise.

 Pray me through.

Make sure to listen to the test of the voice recorder.

Love,

Joe


   CLICK HERE for audio interview and words
        Have a hard time understanding Liberian English?
           We transcribed Joe's 1st audio interview with Pastor Wesley.
 
              

   Rob Patterson <pastorob@gmail.com> wrote:
 
Keep up the good work!  THIS IS PERFECT. Mom and I read it together...
and laughed at the Excess Baggage Bargaining process...
and enjoyed the fact that God gave you an 'Airport Catherine' for mutual support.
 
Yes. It's all about God....and ALL about US....Thank you, Joe!
 
Dad

Pastor Wesley wrote a reply to Dad on Day 4: click here


Day 6 Questions Joe, have you struggled with selfishness of any sort during the last couple days?
                                       Elaborate. This will be useful for your paper.


Day 6 Answers:
 Yes. 

I feel like I am so needy and that I am vulnerable and need to protect what I have.
 
My only lapses from selfishness are when I try to share with the children. 
 
I am asking God to help me overcome my feelings and do what I know is right.
I know it is not good to be so self-centered.

Mainly, I am trying to be thankful and smile and wave at all those around me.



Day 6  Letter from Joe:

 
Yes, since Pastor Wesley now has electric current in his home he also has the potential to be connected
to the internet from 6 am to 6 pm.
 
I have been wearing the same clothes since Wednesday because when we arrived in Monrovia.
The suitcase containing all my changes was not there. They said it would come on Sunday afternoon,
but it did not. So, I even wore that outfit to Church -- boy did I feel underdressed, but the only
one to say anything was Richard Jr. who asked "Are you wearing that?".

I do not know how to help anyone here. All of the family seems to want to help me and
will not have me lift a finger, carry my own water or anything. I feel so unworthy and do not even
know what is going on. I think that they all want something from me that I will not be able to give them.
 

Inauguration Day in Liberia covered by NBC with Video

Day 7 Questions Joe, is there any matter that you have observed
                                       which involves Pastor Wesley having to 'WAIT' on the Lord?  
                                       If not, ask him about his hopes or dreams sometime today.
                                                 How does he handle 'waiting' upon the Lord?


Day 7 Answers:
Yes, Pastor Wesley has been waiting.
                                       
                             The clinic which he began 5 years ago is still not finished,
                                                 
                             The church does not yet have a baptistry.
          
                             Consider all of the years of civil war in which he waited for God to bring peace.



Day 7 Monday/Tuesday exchange

     Hi Joe:

    We're winding down for the night here. A new day. If you're like me when
    I was in Liberia and every other mission trip I've had, your sleep schedule is still messed up.
    Get the most out of that. Do some positive writing. Be on a God Hunt...write some stuff you
    remember seeing...or conversations you made during the day.

    Now...remind Pastor Wesley that you're gonna be experiencing some jet lag for awhile so,
    nap as you need it, OK.

    I saw the Fugates today. They're still sick...Mom and I are too. That reminds me....make
    sure to drink some Airborne. Daniel breaks it up and sticks in a half-bottle of water and
    shakes it up that way.

    Write me as you can. I know Mom wrote you a personal letter...plus there's yesterday's letter from me,
    and one (public) from Rodney that's pretty important. Don't you love having email?

    OH..important question. How and when do you get on the internet?
    Is it a slow connection? Fill me in on that, OK?

    bye,
    papa


Dear Papa:

(Internet Speed: 10 mBps) I usually get on the internet early in the morning.
 
Pastor had internet access put into his house the day before I arrived
and he has electricity for half of a day.

He said that it comes from the hotel and is kind of expensive that is why he has it half of the day.
They have switched to 6am-6pm so that we can email more effectively.

2nd letter:  Now I am helping Pastor Wesley install his printer that he has had
for over a year and a half or two. But he just bought the cord the other day.

Yesterday we employed a carpenter to erect a large wooden rod with an antenna
attached for the purpose of viewing the inauguration live on the home television.



 It was not too clear the first time,
 but later it was rebroadcast over CLAR TV which has a very good signal.


 Earlier we were able to go over the external CDRW drive and teach Pastor how to record onto it.

click on photos to enlarge


Day 8 Questions Joe, has anything been accomplished quickly since you have arrived on the scene?
                                       Any thoughts on the subject?


Day 8 Answers:
 No, nothing comes quickly here in Africa.
                            
                             But I have not heard much complaining at all.

                             I hear great thankfulness about the situation and hope for the future.

                             I hear 'God is Good' and 'to God be the Glory''.

                             I see smiles.


Day 8 Note from Joe with Photos      (scroll up for photos of TV at our house)

  Hey Papa,

  I have access to the internet right now and thought that I would send you a quick note.

                             This morning I was able to help set the table. Laura Wesley is so sweet.

                             Well, I will send more information later.

                                                                     Love, Joe
(click on photos to enlarge them)

 
   1. Joe helps set the table.
                        The setting for two reveals that Joe and Pastor Wesley are eating separately.



  2. Ruth Wesley (16) pressing a pair of pants. Ruth had been the focus of attention
       from our own Veda Rackley during the last three years of her life.

      The iron that Ruth is using is heated by hot coals that are inside it.
      Notice below (in photo 7) that Eunice is holding an electric iron.
                        These are certainly days of transition for this particular family in Liberia.




  3.  Abigail Wesley at the Piano and ready for school  

                
                                                                                        
  4. (left to right) Abigail, Eunice & Richard, Priscilla

  5. (left to right) Abigail, Priscilla (holding Robbie), Richard, Eunice

6. (left to right) Abigail, Priscilla (holding Robbie), Richard, Eunice

7. Eunice Wesley 

8. Ready for School

  9. Abigail, Eunice & Robbie, Priscilla

10. Richard, Robbie, and Abigail
edward
  11.  Edward
(a member of the church?), Robbie, Richard (balancing a can), Eunice, and Abigail

  12. Robbie Wesley

 


Day 9 Questions:   Joe,  how do you  'feel'   today?
 

Day 9 AnswersGod is in control.
                               We believe that his children will not be forsaken.
                               It is not about what we feel, it is about what God's Word says.

 

Day 9  quick email exchanges between Joe and Mom:




 
Hey Papa,

 Here are some other photos from today.
 One is of the
odd reminders about the technological
 
and developmental irregularities here in Liberia.

 You will see
a very nice newer car,
 
traveling down a dirt road
     in front of a building
     that used to be used for
a church.
 
The walls are gone. Next to it is another
 home that does not have electricity.
 

 
The batteries
that I had for the camera have run out,
 but I think that I will try to use some of the other regular AAs
 until I can recharge those. I really don't know if that will work,
 but let's trust God because we need the photos.

We will need more money that is not specifically designated
      if works are to continue on
the Clinic and on the baptistry.
 
Please pray for me to have my good attitude.
I see so much good around me, yet still do not feel God's presence.
 
Pastor Wesley is so full of faith, and I don't think that he lives a lavish life.
I can vouch for his character, he loves God and is very positive about his situation.
 
My best acknowledgement at this time is that it would be
far more expensive to employ an American in this position.
 
The Wesley children sleep on mats that are very thin on top of the cement floor,
but I think they are all fine with that.
 

Mom here.        Tell us about your bathing.
                           We didn't get the second batch of photos.
                           Do you have time to write a few times right now?


Joe:                   As it appears right now, Living Waters, International
                          will not be getting their drill any earlier than April.


Mom:                Oh bummer. Dad is in bed and I'm learning how to use his gmail.
                          Did you meet Mr. Brunson?
           
                          Dad said we haven't really sent that much money for all that has been done.

                          Dad agrees with you that employing an American in Liberia
                          would be much more expensive than providing for an indigenous Pastor.
 

Joe:                   I have not met with Mr. Brunson yet because my clothes were
                          pretty useless for travel.
        
                          Pastor showed me the records and I guess that they were ok .
      
                          I still wonder if I have anything good enough to wear to church and the like.
                          I will be traveling more now.

 
Mom:               Joe, Ask Pastor Wesley to take you to a place to get a button-down shirt.
                         Did you get my long letter the other day giving you some instructions?
                         Dad wants to know which of the Wesley Kids have touched your heart.
                         Does Robbie always hold his mouth the way we see him in his pictures?

                    
                 Are you still there?

 
                        Have you heard anything about your suitcase.
                        Tell Laura you need to buy some changes of clothes. She will listen to you.

 
Mom:               I guess I'm going to bed now. Please take care of yourself!!!
          
                        Are you drinking enough water?
                        Tell us what you have been eating.
                        Can you go to the school with the Wesleys and watch?
 
                        I hope when I wake up tomorrow morning I will have a nice long letter from you.
          
                        I love you.      Mom

Joe:              I have my suitcase, is it enough what is in there??

Mom:              Why are you having a problem with clothes then? Please try to make sense to me.
                        Look through it. You have button-down shirts in there.
                        Why did you say you didn't have clothes if you have your suit case?

Mom:              Joe, Go and buy what you need for church.
                        It is important that you are dressed respectfully for them.
                        Ok, I'm going to bed. I wish you would have written back more?
                        Maybe you're talking to a friend while I'm on line. I don't know.

                        Have a good day.

                        love,  Mom


Day 9     Early Morning email from Joe to Mom:

Mom,
 
You do not understand how difficult it is to get messages back
in this context.

Anyways, I have a problem buying things but I had Pastor Wesley look at my clothes. I have those black trousers and the button down shirts. They will be ok.
 
I do not know if I have been drinking enough water.
I drink about one cupful with every meal.
I have not been too tired, but I have not been very active.
I will try to remember to drink more water.
 
Now, Pastor Wesley is taking a bath, so I can send my Devotional Answers before we have breakfast
and leave for the day. When we return, if it is after 6 pm, then we will not have any current
and I will have to wait to email until tomorrow.

Things move soooo slowly here and I am doing my best
.

                       Hey Papa:

 Today I think we are going to pay the last payment on the doors for the clinic ($45) .
     Next, P
astor wants to get some sand, that is about a hundred dollars I think.
                Then we need some bags of cement.    

 click on photo                   Pastor Wesley has so much faith.



Mom:

Ok, I was not able to go to the kid's school but I talked with them
       and looked over some of their materials.

They do not have books.

They have these little Composition pads each with about 100 pages.
 
There are 15 subjects that they study: 
 
       English, Bible, Health, History, Math, Phonics, French, Physical Education,
       Art/Drawing, Civics, Geography, Literature, Spelling,
       African Studies.
 
Ruth is in the 9th grade and her favorite subject is Math.
             
Ruth has additional information
on Computer.  
 
Priscilla is in the 6th grade and her favorite subject is Science.
             
Lately they have been studying Ecosystem.
 
Eunice is also in the 6th grade and her favorite subject is Social Studies.
             
Lately they have been studying Vegetation and the Soil of Liberia.
 
Abigail is also in the 6th grade and her favorite subject is Bible.
             
Lately they have been studying King Solomon Chooses Wisdom
                                                                      and
the 10 Commandments and Plagues.
 
Most of the classes are 45 minutes long.
     The last two classes of the day are 50 and 35 minutes.
The day ends at 2:00 pm.
 
Monday:        English, Bible, Math, Science
                                  RECESS
                      
Writing, Health and Reading
 
Tuesday:       Reading, Computer, Math, Phonics
                                  RECESS
                      
Social Studies, Spelling and Art
 
Wednesday: Reading, Bible, Math, Science
                                  RECESS
                      
French, Health,  and Typing
 
Thursday:     English, Computer, Science, Math
                                  RECESS
                      
Social Studies, Physical Education and Spelling
 
Friday:           English, Reading, Social Studies, Phonics
                                  RECESS
                      
Writing, Health and Typing
 


Thursday, January 19, 2006

  WE bought sand and cement and picked up the doors for the clinic.

       1 Load of Sand -- $110 

     13 Bags of Cement --$120

          Transportation-- $8

                         -- Joe

 
        
           CLICK on the smaller photos to enlarge them.

   


Day 10 Questions:  Joe, what is the Name
                               by which you could best describe God today?  

Day 10 Answers:    The name is Beyond Understanding.

                            Why?     "As you do not know the path of the wind,
                                                    or how the body is formed in the womb,
                                                    so you cannot understand the work of God, the maker of all things."
                                                                                                                                          
Ecclesiastes 11:5

Day 10  Note from Joe:

Daddy,
 

I am following Pastor Wesley around. Today, we went to see how the workers were doing.
They are using the cement and sand and mixing them to cover the cement blocks
with a thin layer of "plaster" that is smooth. Pastor thinks it will take them 4-5 days
and he told me that he is paying them $70.
 
I have made progress. Apathy has turned into Concern[as per Joe's editorial direction]
I am trying to focus on the positive, but I seem soooo far away. . . .[ 'a worry' is edited out]
 

I think that this trip is WAAAAAY too much for me and way too long.
My only comfort is that all of you are being so encouraging and
Pastor Wesley and Laura seem to think it is ok for me to be here.
 
I love you, Pray that GOD WILL SHOW HIMSELF TO ME TODAY... cause I really need Him. 
 
Later,
 
Joe

From Mom:

Joe,
 
One way to get rid of your concerns regarding money is to ask Pastor Wesley
how much he is spending per day for your meals. Tell him you want to eat
the same food they eat when you're not there. This will help you get rid of the
worry about if you have enough money.

Remind him that you want to live like they live.  When Dad was there,
Pastor Wesley spent more money on food than he probably should have.

Remember Joe, you are working for all of us. Dad and I have paid for your plane ticket.
WE are taking good care of Pastor Wesley and family and those around.
If they were to hire you, it would be very expensive for them.
Your helping has more than paid for your care there.
 
The truth is your very valuable to all of us. You know how to live a humble life.
You're doing that.When Pastor Wesley stayed with us, he didn't worry about what we
were spending on him. He accepted graciously. God took care of it all.

Money is tight for us right now, but God is continuing to take care of us.

I found a bunch of oatmeal that we could have for breakfast. The kids didn't complain
at all about it. I have been cleaning out the freezer, cupboard and using that food.
I made a pot of beans yesterday. Everyone ate them but Mary.
I made her eggs and hash browns.

Richard, Iona's husband, just came by and brought me some Avon orders.

Good things are happening.

Your job is to work alongside of those in Liberia and to share smiles with people.

You're my boy,

love,     Mom

Mom,

I do not think that I am living a humble life. I cannot find practical ways to help.
It seems like every way that I could work would make more work for them.

Even going to the church with Pastor Wesley means that it is harder for him
to catch a cab and costs twice as much.
 
I can play with the kids and smile at them.

I am obeying the Wesleys whenever they tell me to do anything.
 
later,
 
joe

From Dad:

Hey Joe...I'll guess that she will write you a letter soon. I just read her
blog. She mentions that James is gonna be helping to lead worship tomorrow.

It all came about because she challenged my assertion that
there is a 'homosexual agenda'
to dominate America's popular culture with acceptance of
sex-outside-of-marriage. Of course,
the GLBT agenda is diligently attempting to 'redefine'
the meaning of marriage as well.

So, we've got our issues here too. Still, Eva's challenge caused
me to write a quick email-articulation of my opinion. After that interchange
I wrote to her about what and why you're goin' through what you're goin' through.

At Wednesday night Bible Study (the 18th) we read Proverbs 18.
Of course, that leads me to the truth found in verse 2: 


   "A fool delights in the airing of his own opinion."

So, I don't know sometimes about sharing my opinion so publicly.

Lady Folly likes to post bulletins and forward the sleaze to our children
and our children's children.

Yeah, myspace was in the news here again yesterday.
Seems that the pedophiles are watching.
(as is the FBI and local law enforcement).
I hope they come across
www.myspace.com/pastorob

Not every adult who is interested in teenagers is following the satanic agenda: John 10:10

When I am mindful of the Lord's love, I try to minister the life that is truly LIFE.

Even your Mom is on myspace these days--for that same reason. She interacts with other
moms across America--taking an active interest in their hopes for their own children.

That's enough for now. I've got my own space in which to write. I shouldn't use yours....
lol
             Yeah, that's right. The devil is the accuser of the brethren. He likes to accuse
              me of being 'manipulative' in ministry. Yeah, right. You know, my opinion about that....
 


About those at the Children's Home:

 
Lovetee's  parents came back about 2 weeks ago and they were reunited.
 
There are currently 16 children at the children's home.

 
These seven children are still here. These photographs are from 2004 when there were 36 children living at the Home.

  Joseph Brown        Marwulin Brown          Friday Cole             Samuel Cole          Reuben Johns          Jerry Khangar        Pinkay Lathrobe
                             

Day 11 Questions:   Joe, has God interrupted your plan since you have been in Liberia?

                                            Give the glory to His Name by writing one long sentence with details.

Day 11 Answers:    
God has shown me that He will do what he wants and no matter what my plans
                                   have been, He can surprise me. If I plan to help people, He can show me how
                                   much help I need and how He provides for them.



Day 11 Letter from JoeThanks for all of your support, my dear family. 
          
Today, Pastor Wesley was having some tiles put into his bathroom.
           It is about a 5' by 6' space and contains a toilet and a small plasitic "tub".
           You can about sit down Indian-style in the "tub" but I am still confused
           about how I am to wash my hands.
 
I usually take two baths, one in the morning and one in the evening.
One of the ladies or children will prepare a small bucket of cold or lukewarm water
and put it in the bathroom. Then I will take myself in there and try to situate my things
in an area where they will not get wet or too wrinkled and give myself a spongebath or
carefully pour the water over my head. It gets quite interesting in the dark sometimes.
Yesterday, I even dropped my glasses in the toilet somehow, but I was able to pull them
out and wash them in the bucket with the antiseptic.
 
Keep praying for me all the time. I LOVE YOU and I LOVE when you send me emails.
           It is tough if I check and there is nothing waiting for me.
 
Oh, I also played scrabble with Matthew, Pastor and Roland. I lost terrible and I really
hate to lose, but it is alright. Then we went into town and at the third hardware store
found the rest of the tiles that Pastor will need to finish his bathroom. Then we went
to the computer place because he wanted a man there to store a logo that looks like
his church on his memory stick for when they make up flyers.
 
I was very intrigued at the looks of the computer place. It was very loud there because
they had the generator running. There were probably twenty or thirty computers or
more (old ones) and typewriters all over the place. And people were there typing and
printing up different things. I think that most of them were probably for church groups
or for people applying for loans. I noticed a church letter next to me and on the other
side it was a proposal for a business growing
Casava.
 
 
Love You all SOOOO MUCH!!!

Joe Joe

Day 12 Questions Joe, Who has shown you an act of unconditional love today?
                              What happened at church today? Sermon points?

Day 12 Answers:  Little Robbie shows me acts of unconditional love.
                               Although he likes it when I give him juice or hold him,
                               he does not smile and run at me solely for those purposes.

      There were
4 visitors at church today.
 
    The sermon was from Jonah 2:7 
 
          ● God has GOOD intentions for His children.     Discipline is good.

          ● We have to agree with God's Discipline.        God is in Control.

          ● God needs to prepare our lives so we can really be blessed.
                    (It wouldn't be wise for Him to bless us if we were not prepared for it).

          ● We always need to be thankful.
 
    I met Aletha who turned 9 today and decided that I would give her $1.

Day 12  Photos from Joe    

Hey Papa,

Here are some more pictures for you to play with.

:)     Joe       CLICK ON PHOTOS to ENLARGE
 

 
1.  Joe (far right) watching the 'plastering' of a wall in our Medical Clinic
       (just south of the church sanctuary) in Sinkor District, Monrovia, Liberia.


  
2.  More plastering

Below:
Pastor Wesley's home with new addition.
Joe is staying in the original space.                   Bathroom in Pastor Wesley's home

  

Below: Priscilla (eating) Robbie watching her;
             Eunice (I think); Joe carrying water;
             Solar/Wind Clothes Dryer in front of Wesley's home;  United Nations helicopter

          
click on images to enlarge


Day 13  Question:  

Joe, before the day is over 'make at least two investments for eternity'
          …then before tomorrow, write two prayers to water the seed you
             have sown in the field where God has plo'd.


          1.

 

           2.

Day 13  Responsive Prayers: 

             1.  Lord Jesus, As I have patiently played with Richard Jr. may you use
                                        this time in his life to grow him into the man you want him to be.
 
               2.  God, Thank you for the work that is being done at the clinic.
                                        May you use that place to bring people into your family.



Day 13  Note from Joe with photos:

I just sent you some more photos. I kept trying to tell you what they were
but Kodak EasyShare is not totally foolproof. 
 
The building is the National Police Headquarters.





 
The yellow substance in the bowl is breakfast. Served piping-hot it contains plantains
   (banana like but not as sweet), peppers, sardines, edoes (similar to potatoes).
 
 
 These white things are called  Fufu (foo-foo). It is made of cooked, ground casava
 They have the consistency of dense gelatin. It is hard for me to describe.
 Anyways, you are supposed to swallow it without chewing.
 
 




 Standing to the south of the Greater Love Bible Baptist Church,
 these men are plastering the walls of the building which will serve as the Medical Clinic.
  
    Below
are some pictures of Richard and Robbie. As you can see in one of them
   Robbie has a big smile and is not holding his lip in his mouth.  Later,   Joe
 
         CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

Day 13  email from Dad to Joe:

Joe:

We just finished morning devotions. I found your new letter and photos. WOW!

Yesterday's stewardship message was LIVING BOLDLY.

Our services were special yesterday because our first point was:

Bless the Lord (O my soul)
          
          

I showed this beautiful photo of Ashley Davis and
           Nate Sayre that I had taken from her myspace. Ashley then came up
           and read Psalm 103:1-5 and shared a written testimony.

Bless the Lord
O   Overcome our Fears

L     Laugh at the days to come
     Deliver the goods.

Yes, not only did we BLESS the LORD with Ashley's beauty and TESTIMONY,
but we 'faced our fears' together. Because after a short interlude, Robin stepped up

Overcome our Fears
             
          
Robin McCall testified about growing up in a home
         where Jesus was not in the Center. She did, however, get saved
         and baptized at age 16 but never went to Sunday School, church, etc.

         Later, she moved in with a boyfriend, had a baby...and later,
         another...but she aborted her second child.

         We showed photos from her past on the Big Screen.

         I showed your photos of you in the truck and handling the cement bags

         for

        LAUGH at the DAYS to come.....

                 and for the transition to DELIVER THE GOODS.

          I mentioned how Pastor Al had written and told you, Joe--DELIVER THE GOODS...
          (well different phrasing--same message)...I likened our current situation with that of
          Jesse telling David to deliver the cheese, bread, and roasted grain
           
to his brothers and the commanders of the army.

          .... AND then David sees Goliath!   Saul and everyone else is scared. 

                          NOT DAVID.

                          He was about his daddy's business...delivering the food...
                                                                ...... but look what God was about to do!

        remember: "Without Goliath, David was just another kid throwing stones."

       love,

        daddy


            p.s. hey, dude, update your MYSPACE.   
                 At least 'cut and paste' the 'letters from Joe' into a blog...well, see how I did mine.

Day 14 Questions

             
Joe, have you been seeking a place to be alone for a quiet time?
                
                 Describe the setting, please? (at least four sentences)
                

                             If not,
tell us why and what you'll do next.

Day 14 Answer: 

          Yes and No.

            I have been working in the morning trying to answer these
                                                              questions positively and truthfully.

              I am in the bedroom. 
 
            No, I have been too discouraged because when I open the Bible
                     and talk to God I do not feel peace. There are so many
                     distractions around and I am constantly looking for excuses
.
 
            I will begin a quiet time in the afternoon when there is less activity.

   
      
Click here: at Club 163, Miss Parlee and Sue Lopez respond to Joe's Answer


Day 14 Note from Joe:

             
Today we are going to go to the clinic and check on the workers.
              They need to be kept accountable. We also are going to go buy more concrete.

 
Yet Another Note: 5:46 p.m.
Liberia time (electricity shuts off at 6:00 p.m.)

GOOD STUFF  Work is continuing for the Medical Clinic.
  Today we went and bought 5 more bags of cement so that the workers
  will be able to finish plastering the inside and the outside of the cl
inic.
 
  Of the money that FBC Galt members entrusted to my discretion,
                        I have shared much with Pastor Wesley to work on the Clinic.
 
So far we have spent:
 
$110      On a Load of Sand
$120      On 13 bags of Cement
$   8       On transportation for the cement
$  30      An advance on the labor cost
$  10      WahWah (the platforms that the workers stand on to plaster)
$    9      Worker's Food
$   49     For 5 additional bags of cement
$   1.50  For a Straight Edge (I think this is for the wall to give it a nice straight corner)
$    2      Transportion of personnel
====
 $339.50
 
We still need to pay $40 for the final labor costs of the plastering.
 
Next, Pastor Wesley has decided to move to the ceiling because
we may have money to complete that portion.
 
After that we will need to raise support to put down a cement floor,
put windows (
complete with window bars), whitewash the building ... etc. 
We will also need to put up an eave as the front door would be at
risk from the rain when that season arrives.
 
I will keep you posted.
 
I think that we are getting more blackboards made for the Children's Home
to aid in the schooling effort there. Pastor Wesley and I will be returning
to the home on Friday.

  As you can see, Richard Jr. likes mayonnaise.   

    
  There are quite a few fires as people burn trash.
                        One came especially close to Pastor's house.
 
All the girls can balance water on their heads.
(click on photos to enlarge)
      
  
:D  (note: that is an open mouth smile)

Later,

Joe


Day 15 Questions

      Joe, you did not take the initiative to fully ready yourself for Liberia because of feelings.
             
              
Now that you are 15 days into this adventure,
                                          what have you learned about God's Way in YOUR life?



Day 15 Answers:  
God's way in my life is not always clear at the time and he does not
                                promise to keep all the bad things from happening to us. But, he has
                                given us the Bible and Godly advisors to help us so that we should not
                                fall for the Devil's tricks or give in to our own evil desires. He will show
                                us what is right, but the choice is up to us.


Day 16 Questions

           
Joe, name three people there who seem to be 'practical' in their daily lifestyle?
                Tell us something about each person.

                1.

                2.


                   3.


 

           Have you made any 'real' friendship with a