I don't have time to type of a lengthy blog and I'm on a German computer which has been messing me up a bit.
Anyways, I'm currently in Ganta, Liberia after a 5 hour trip along bumpy roads. I'll be here til next Tuesday, but if I can't find a way back to Monrovia, I could be here longer.
Your assignment readers is to locate where Ganta is so that you know where your dear Uncle Joshua currently is.
Pray for me please.
Sincerely,
Uncle Joshua
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
The Water Definitely has a Taste...
Some answers to some more questions...
What’s been the best thing and worst thing so far?
Best so far was the time I spent at the Youth Camp I mentioned in my earlier post. Getting to know the kids and know about what life for a none pastors family is like, because so far the schedule of dawn devotional and then another devotional before bed is not the usual schedule for most families, even Christian families, in Liberia. Though I really enjoy the short devotional and worship sessions we have in the house.
Worst thing so far... everytime I'm told to do something by Rev Kulah and I get confused because it's difficult to hear and I think I was told something else, or because they have different expectations. Even when I think I'm going above and beyond with somethings, I still might have done it wrong and they don't really recognize effort, where I see all the effort. So that's discouraging and frustrating, but I get by.
Have you met someone yet who’s like your favorite person there?
No. Not one favorite. I love the Kulah children. I also love John Harris, the guy who handles all the driving. He taught me many things and I hope to learn more. The was the old driver of the van that took us up to the Youth Camp. He looks like seventy, but to me he had the swagger of a 20-something. I met the Kulah's cousin, Natalynn, at the camp, and she was one of the silliest young ladies I'd ever met. She was strangely insistent on me putting mayonaise in everything, though I never saw her use the stuff. Also, I don't trust mayonaise in this environment. She also was persistent on trying to read my journal, so I let her just read my impressions of the Nigerian airport. There was little Linda who plays with the other children in our neighborhood. She's about 3 years old and I have deemed her cutest little girl in the whole wide world.
Do you meet a bunch of new people everyday, or do you see about the same people?
To me I meet a bunch of new people everyday, but from what I've gathered I've actually introduced myself to the same people multiple times. It's just in my first few days I was meeting tons of people, and now I can't remember if I'd already met them. So I just introduce myself. But mainly it's the same people for now, just a couple here and there each day. I met with the principle of a school and some teachers the other day. Because I don't have a full itinerary yet, I haven't been too active with different groups.
What’s your daily schedule, like is every day different?
Every morning I wake up about 7:00 something. Take my bucket shower and get ready. Then we have devotional. Todays devotional went way long because they got in an argument about Jacob and Esau, and Jerry wasn't as in a hurry to get to the office.
Are you still sleeping at really strange times? Do you get enough sleep?
Only on days I'm super tired from the long hot day, then I pretty much hit the sack right after night time devotional, which is right after dinner. I think I get enough sleep. It's just the heat drains me very quickly.
What’s your fav thing you’ve eaten so far?
Favorite thing is probably these donut things they have. Like large dounut balls with sugar sprinkled on top.
My least favorite thing was the super spicy food that made me chug my bottle of water and go lay down a bit. It actually tasted good, just hurt. Also the fish bones I accidentally swallowed that tried to kill me.
Oh Jason and Kristen, a new spider appeared in the shower yesterday. Bigger than the last. Right by my head. I wasn't fully naked yet so I ran out and asked the kids what we should do! They laughed at me and said leave it, because it helps eat bugs. Yeah bugs and Josh. They say it won't bite or hurt you, but I know that it know I tried to kill it's brother back at camp, and it wants revenge.
Yesterday I was given a 'tour' of sort of Monrovia, because there was no work for me to do. So me and the California teacher guys were taken around town. I didn't enjoy it much, because I don't care much about buildings as I do the culture. So I felt very much like I was wasting time. But nothing I could do. We went to this old hotel, that at one point was a five star. Now it has big holes in it from bullets. The UN guards it now because it has radio towers for communication on top of it. While we were there rain started to pour down. And off went the clothes of some children around there. They went into the old swimming pool of the hotel, which had a little bit of water on the deepest end and they would get on pieces of plastic and slide down the slick, wet tiles bottom of the pool into the deep in. Looked fun. They were trying to show off for us, which was very funny.
Some of my favorite things I keep with me while I'm here are as follows...
My Watch: I never knew how much I check the time and it makes a little beep beep when it's a new hour. And for some reason it's like a little party for me in my head, like the beginning of a new year celebration.
My water bottle and SteriPen: It sustains me like no other. It's like my one and only companion, because I really never go anywhere without it. Especially when one individual here told me never to let it leave my sight, and that's all he said.
My Journal: When I have nothing to do or I want to just chill and expell the busy thoughts of my head after a long day, it is there to carry that burden for me. All the children comment on all the writing I do and how amazing they think it is. I'm at about 70 pages now. Should have more, but being too tired prevents me sometimes.
My draw string bag I've gotten from the Kulahs. It carries all my things that I need for the day. I enjoy having a little bag to carry all my stuff so much that I might just continue carrying one in America. I don't care if I get made fun of. It's just so nice to have all these tools at my disposal.
Also the last couple of days another companion of mine has been this book I found in Rev Kulah's office. "Great Personalities of the New Testament." It's been very interesting. Only down side about it is it keeps me from journaling some, but I have enjoyed putting some words in my brain, instead of just pouring words out.
Principle said the other day, there is only one way to speak English. I didn't say anything, but I disagree. That's destroy what makes English so wonderful, is its amazing flexibility. I had a professor once say "English is a whore." And it is. But I see what he's saying, that if the Liberian can speak english more "proper" like the Americans and English of the world, then it would help them to suceed. Just dropping some thoughts on this, because I struggle so much to understand their english sometimes. But honestly I wouldn't want them to be different from how they are.
Ok then, till next time readers...
Uncle Joshua
What’s been the best thing and worst thing so far?
Best so far was the time I spent at the Youth Camp I mentioned in my earlier post. Getting to know the kids and know about what life for a none pastors family is like, because so far the schedule of dawn devotional and then another devotional before bed is not the usual schedule for most families, even Christian families, in Liberia. Though I really enjoy the short devotional and worship sessions we have in the house.
Worst thing so far... everytime I'm told to do something by Rev Kulah and I get confused because it's difficult to hear and I think I was told something else, or because they have different expectations. Even when I think I'm going above and beyond with somethings, I still might have done it wrong and they don't really recognize effort, where I see all the effort. So that's discouraging and frustrating, but I get by.
Have you met someone yet who’s like your favorite person there?
No. Not one favorite. I love the Kulah children. I also love John Harris, the guy who handles all the driving. He taught me many things and I hope to learn more. The was the old driver of the van that took us up to the Youth Camp. He looks like seventy, but to me he had the swagger of a 20-something. I met the Kulah's cousin, Natalynn, at the camp, and she was one of the silliest young ladies I'd ever met. She was strangely insistent on me putting mayonaise in everything, though I never saw her use the stuff. Also, I don't trust mayonaise in this environment. She also was persistent on trying to read my journal, so I let her just read my impressions of the Nigerian airport. There was little Linda who plays with the other children in our neighborhood. She's about 3 years old and I have deemed her cutest little girl in the whole wide world.
Do you meet a bunch of new people everyday, or do you see about the same people?
To me I meet a bunch of new people everyday, but from what I've gathered I've actually introduced myself to the same people multiple times. It's just in my first few days I was meeting tons of people, and now I can't remember if I'd already met them. So I just introduce myself. But mainly it's the same people for now, just a couple here and there each day. I met with the principle of a school and some teachers the other day. Because I don't have a full itinerary yet, I haven't been too active with different groups.
What’s your daily schedule, like is every day different?
Every morning I wake up about 7:00 something. Take my bucket shower and get ready. Then we have devotional. Todays devotional went way long because they got in an argument about Jacob and Esau, and Jerry wasn't as in a hurry to get to the office.
Are you still sleeping at really strange times? Do you get enough sleep?
Only on days I'm super tired from the long hot day, then I pretty much hit the sack right after night time devotional, which is right after dinner. I think I get enough sleep. It's just the heat drains me very quickly.
What’s your fav thing you’ve eaten so far?
Favorite thing is probably these donut things they have. Like large dounut balls with sugar sprinkled on top.
My least favorite thing was the super spicy food that made me chug my bottle of water and go lay down a bit. It actually tasted good, just hurt. Also the fish bones I accidentally swallowed that tried to kill me.
Oh Jason and Kristen, a new spider appeared in the shower yesterday. Bigger than the last. Right by my head. I wasn't fully naked yet so I ran out and asked the kids what we should do! They laughed at me and said leave it, because it helps eat bugs. Yeah bugs and Josh. They say it won't bite or hurt you, but I know that it know I tried to kill it's brother back at camp, and it wants revenge.
Yesterday I was given a 'tour' of sort of Monrovia, because there was no work for me to do. So me and the California teacher guys were taken around town. I didn't enjoy it much, because I don't care much about buildings as I do the culture. So I felt very much like I was wasting time. But nothing I could do. We went to this old hotel, that at one point was a five star. Now it has big holes in it from bullets. The UN guards it now because it has radio towers for communication on top of it. While we were there rain started to pour down. And off went the clothes of some children around there. They went into the old swimming pool of the hotel, which had a little bit of water on the deepest end and they would get on pieces of plastic and slide down the slick, wet tiles bottom of the pool into the deep in. Looked fun. They were trying to show off for us, which was very funny.
Some of my favorite things I keep with me while I'm here are as follows...
My Watch: I never knew how much I check the time and it makes a little beep beep when it's a new hour. And for some reason it's like a little party for me in my head, like the beginning of a new year celebration.
My water bottle and SteriPen: It sustains me like no other. It's like my one and only companion, because I really never go anywhere without it. Especially when one individual here told me never to let it leave my sight, and that's all he said.
My Journal: When I have nothing to do or I want to just chill and expell the busy thoughts of my head after a long day, it is there to carry that burden for me. All the children comment on all the writing I do and how amazing they think it is. I'm at about 70 pages now. Should have more, but being too tired prevents me sometimes.
My draw string bag I've gotten from the Kulahs. It carries all my things that I need for the day. I enjoy having a little bag to carry all my stuff so much that I might just continue carrying one in America. I don't care if I get made fun of. It's just so nice to have all these tools at my disposal.
Also the last couple of days another companion of mine has been this book I found in Rev Kulah's office. "Great Personalities of the New Testament." It's been very interesting. Only down side about it is it keeps me from journaling some, but I have enjoyed putting some words in my brain, instead of just pouring words out.
Principle said the other day, there is only one way to speak English. I didn't say anything, but I disagree. That's destroy what makes English so wonderful, is its amazing flexibility. I had a professor once say "English is a whore." And it is. But I see what he's saying, that if the Liberian can speak english more "proper" like the Americans and English of the world, then it would help them to suceed. Just dropping some thoughts on this, because I struggle so much to understand their english sometimes. But honestly I wouldn't want them to be different from how they are.
Ok then, till next time readers...
Uncle Joshua
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
I'm tanner, but I still don't blend in...
Shout out to Kate Fields!
Yo Kate, I think you would like the food here, because it's mainly veggie. Though, you probably wouldn't have what looked like a live crab in my soup the other day. It looked like a belly up crab you'd see on the beach. I was told to each the whole thing, shell and all. I didn't. Also, I had some fish with what look like scales still on it and I got a bone stuck in my throat. It sucked and hurt. I had to eat a lot of rice and water to force it down. Fun.
Hey, you who have been in a class or Bible study with me know I can argue and disagree a lot, remind me not to do that when I'm in a Liberian Bible study... oh wait you aren't here to do that.
Yeah, went to a Bible study that talked about tithing and giving, big things I think about a lot, so I'm this new white boy guest, and I started asking tons of annoying questions and proposing different ideas, and even took the side of some renegade member. I apologized for being disruptive to the associate pastor who lead the study afterwards. He said he enjoyed it and it was ok. Still, I'd rather not be disruptive. I'm probably exaggerating.
I spent most of my time talking with John Harris, the guy who does all the driving for us. He's very old and awesome. He told me about all the fruits in Liberia and how to make them into jams. I also took a stroll with him down some street while he bought some grilled corn and he explained the market system. Sometimes he got to Liberian on me and I couldn't understand what he was saying so I nodded and made a 'I'm-listening-face'. He also gave me the Liberian history and told me about surviving the civil war. I also found out from him that lions and leopards are in the forest of Liberia (so someone tell Tradd it's true I indeed could be eaten by a lion).
Speaking of telling Tradd stuff...
Tell him that I found out that the Blood Diamond stuff happened in the country next door. Sirleon (something like that). And that the president in the movie was based on the bad civil war president of the civil war here. And Liberia indeed does have tons of diamonds, but it's illegal to mine them because they were the fuel for the civil war. So yeah, I'm kind of in the thick of it. The area at least.
I say tell Tradd, because he's not actually read this.
For those are interested in hearing stories when I get back, well I hit 60 pages in my journal today. Also today is the end of my first week here in Liberia. I'm gonna need to get another journal before the end of this trip if I keep up this pace.
I learned a Liberia game that the kids play. It was a lot of fun and I'll teach those who want to learn when I get back. I was playing with little kids like 10 years old, but they were whooping me. They play a lot. Good thing we were on teams. I got super hot and sweaty so I couldn't play too long. But we were playing under the shade of these mango trees, which recieves an awesome breeze. The best breeze in the area I'd say, and I've become quite a learner of breezes.
People, ask me questions so I know some things I can tell you people.
I don't have time to go into full stories, because I'm bad about taking too long to tell a story and I don't got too much time to type too much.
I've been having to go through Romans to come up with questions for this test/trivia thing for the Youth. I don't remember Romans being as crazy as it is... I want to do a study of it with some people when I get back. Remind me.
There were these two professors from California that I met today. They got in last night. Their luggage got lost. That stinks, but the church is doing what they can to help. Poor one guy was sweating buckets, it was crazy. Even though I had a fine conversation with them, they seemed so in the clouds (for lack of better words), that I didn't really feel like I had a moment of American comfort or closeness or anything. Oh well. They're here to teach some ESL classes even though Liberians first language is english, but they are doing to improve it. And one guy is a musician and is going to help english singing musicians in Liberia. But they are both mainly here to study. One the culture and the other music of Africa. I bet they would enjoy my journal haha.
I hope they find more than what they came looking for.
So I've been here for a week, but...
I still hit my head on the door ways because they are only about 5'10" and I'm about 6'1".
I still take forever taking a bucket shower.
I still can't understand them while they talk or sing (I'm getting better).
I still examine my food carefully while eating not. Not because I don't trusted, but just out of curiousity.
I don't introduce myself as Josh anymore, because they have trouble saying that for some reason. So I just say Joshua, which is what most call me anyways. Uncle Joshua is what the kids call me. It's a form of respect like Mister.
I don't wash my hands every second.
I don't reapply deet (bug spray) every other minute. Just at night time now.
OK bye. Send me some love on Facebook. I love love.
- Uncle Joshua
Yo Kate, I think you would like the food here, because it's mainly veggie. Though, you probably wouldn't have what looked like a live crab in my soup the other day. It looked like a belly up crab you'd see on the beach. I was told to each the whole thing, shell and all. I didn't. Also, I had some fish with what look like scales still on it and I got a bone stuck in my throat. It sucked and hurt. I had to eat a lot of rice and water to force it down. Fun.
Hey, you who have been in a class or Bible study with me know I can argue and disagree a lot, remind me not to do that when I'm in a Liberian Bible study... oh wait you aren't here to do that.
Yeah, went to a Bible study that talked about tithing and giving, big things I think about a lot, so I'm this new white boy guest, and I started asking tons of annoying questions and proposing different ideas, and even took the side of some renegade member. I apologized for being disruptive to the associate pastor who lead the study afterwards. He said he enjoyed it and it was ok. Still, I'd rather not be disruptive. I'm probably exaggerating.
I spent most of my time talking with John Harris, the guy who does all the driving for us. He's very old and awesome. He told me about all the fruits in Liberia and how to make them into jams. I also took a stroll with him down some street while he bought some grilled corn and he explained the market system. Sometimes he got to Liberian on me and I couldn't understand what he was saying so I nodded and made a 'I'm-listening-face'. He also gave me the Liberian history and told me about surviving the civil war. I also found out from him that lions and leopards are in the forest of Liberia (so someone tell Tradd it's true I indeed could be eaten by a lion).
Speaking of telling Tradd stuff...
Tell him that I found out that the Blood Diamond stuff happened in the country next door. Sirleon (something like that). And that the president in the movie was based on the bad civil war president of the civil war here. And Liberia indeed does have tons of diamonds, but it's illegal to mine them because they were the fuel for the civil war. So yeah, I'm kind of in the thick of it. The area at least.
I say tell Tradd, because he's not actually read this.
For those are interested in hearing stories when I get back, well I hit 60 pages in my journal today. Also today is the end of my first week here in Liberia. I'm gonna need to get another journal before the end of this trip if I keep up this pace.
I learned a Liberia game that the kids play. It was a lot of fun and I'll teach those who want to learn when I get back. I was playing with little kids like 10 years old, but they were whooping me. They play a lot. Good thing we were on teams. I got super hot and sweaty so I couldn't play too long. But we were playing under the shade of these mango trees, which recieves an awesome breeze. The best breeze in the area I'd say, and I've become quite a learner of breezes.
People, ask me questions so I know some things I can tell you people.
I don't have time to go into full stories, because I'm bad about taking too long to tell a story and I don't got too much time to type too much.
I've been having to go through Romans to come up with questions for this test/trivia thing for the Youth. I don't remember Romans being as crazy as it is... I want to do a study of it with some people when I get back. Remind me.
There were these two professors from California that I met today. They got in last night. Their luggage got lost. That stinks, but the church is doing what they can to help. Poor one guy was sweating buckets, it was crazy. Even though I had a fine conversation with them, they seemed so in the clouds (for lack of better words), that I didn't really feel like I had a moment of American comfort or closeness or anything. Oh well. They're here to teach some ESL classes even though Liberians first language is english, but they are doing to improve it. And one guy is a musician and is going to help english singing musicians in Liberia. But they are both mainly here to study. One the culture and the other music of Africa. I bet they would enjoy my journal haha.
I hope they find more than what they came looking for.
So I've been here for a week, but...
I still hit my head on the door ways because they are only about 5'10" and I'm about 6'1".
I still take forever taking a bucket shower.
I still can't understand them while they talk or sing (I'm getting better).
I still examine my food carefully while eating not. Not because I don't trusted, but just out of curiousity.
I don't introduce myself as Josh anymore, because they have trouble saying that for some reason. So I just say Joshua, which is what most call me anyways. Uncle Joshua is what the kids call me. It's a form of respect like Mister.
I don't wash my hands every second.
I don't reapply deet (bug spray) every other minute. Just at night time now.
OK bye. Send me some love on Facebook. I love love.
- Uncle Joshua
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Some Answers...
I just checked my email after I posted my last blog so I'm adding these answers to questions a friend asked me in an email...
Are they having you help with chores around the house and stuff?
No. In fact they are always trying to help me when I try to do things on my own like get my water for a bath. I'm sure eventually they will let me. The most they let me do is take dirty dishes to the kitchen. But their are so many people in this house at all times that everything gets taken care of before I turn around.
Do you help cook?
No again. It's a small kitchen and already looks crowded in there while they are fixing things. But I'm usually away or busy, and so food is waiting for Jerry and I when we get home.
Do you have a bed?
I am very blessed. I indeed have my own bed. I share a small room with the two oldest sons, Joshua and Jonathan. They share a double bed and I have a single of my own. No need for blankets because that small breeze from the window feels oh so good, I have to rotate as I sleep to put some coolness on my underside. I feel like my bags are taking up so much room in their room, but we are making it work.
Is the weather wet or just hot?
Both. One day it rain the whole day. One day it didn't rain any and was nothing but intense sun. but most days showers hit for a bit here and there at random times during the day. Honestly I think the 90s something heat of Georgia is worst, but we have A/C so I don't think about it much. It's here you can't escape it. Nicaragua was more comfortable temperature wise.
Is there running water into the house?
Only if you mean water you have to run to go get. Haha I'm so funny. No running water. just buckets filled with water strategically placed around the house (bathroom and kitchen). Some water comes from a well which is used for bathing and for pouring into a toilet to get rid of the waste. Then there is water from a pump which is used for drinking and cooking. All this water comes from people walking down the road some to fill buckets they carry on their heads back to the house.
Are there toilets?
Yes toilets and they work as I explained earlier. At the youth camp our toilet's bucket near by ran out of water and so I had to find another toilet with a filled bucket so I could 'flush' later.
Do you have to take bucket baths?
Yes I take bucket baths. You stand in a shower with your soap and a bucket of water. You wet yourself and then lather up, and then you pour the water over you. At the Kulah's house they always keep a little coal fire with hot water on top, so you can warm your bucket of water up some. It really isn't that bad.
Have you used your steri pen?
Yes, a lot. They have some bottled water, but I try to use the pump water more and just sterlize it with the UV Steripen. People look at it like it's magic or something. Then again so do I. I actually drank some water out of prepackaged bag. I was scared I was going to die after, but I was so thirsty. I have also drank after and with many Liberians, I'm not sure if that's an issue... short of mono. Man I'm sure their would be a lot of questions if I came back with mono... I was voted most attractive at the Youth Camp.
Are you totally healthy?
I am. Though they gave me some freaking spicey food I didn't expect at that camp. crazy old lady cook. I hade to drink a whole bottle of water and lay down after that. I'm not that into super spicey.
Have you seen any critters yet?
Jonathan Kulah and I were walking and he excitedly pointed out a squirrel on a roof to me at the camp. I was like, yeah so what. He had never seen one before except in a book. He'd love Georgia, so many squirrels.
Also saw something like a spider scurry across the floor one day in the house, I told myself I didn't really and haven't thought about again since. And then at the camp I was looking at the dresser and then noticed a giant spider next to my head on the furinture. I freaked out and grabbed a Bible, my sword, and tried to smush it! I removed the Bible and it wasn't there, but three feet away on a new part of the furniture. I gave up and said it won, because I was not fighting a spider that moves that quick. I then prayed to God I wouldn't get eaten by a giant spider. So far so good.
I want to mention what I did at the Youth Camp, because I didn't last time. I was asked to come an be a speaker and to speak on Goal Setting and Time Management. I thought it was strange topics for christian youth camp, but they are very much into empowering their youth here, which is cool.
So I made my talks a nice mix between practical and God inspired and made sure it was quite Biblical. I shared my stories of my trials and tribulations of just getting to Liberia to compliment what I was teaching.
But the first morning I we woke up at dawn and I was told as I was getting up that I was in charge of "Rise n' Shine". What? I said. They explained it was the exercises they do with the kids in the morning and I was to do a 20 minute workout routine as soon as I get outside. Not what I was expecting. SO I relied on my years of basketball and football pre-practice warmups. I made them do some stretches that they'd never even seen. All I could think as I was heading up to lead these exercise was my old PE teacher and middle school basketball coach, Coach Jones and how he'd yell "Exercise!" in his large hard to understand black man voice.
Then later after breakfast they informed me moments before that i would lead the 15 minute long devotional. I have no clue why they kept wanting to spring things on me last minute like that. So I whipped out 1 Corinthians 18-23, which was the verse I shared with them the night before as some of me favorite verses. Thought that would be appropriate since I said it was one of my faves.
Then I also was asked to lead some break out discussions. They talked about how they feel their churches could improve and what bad things have enter and what good things have left their churches. It was quite fascinating.
Gave my Goal Setting talk later in the afternoon, which went really well. They asked me a bunch of questions about what I talked about which was weird, because i clearly told them I was no expert on this, but some reason they kept asking like I had my Doctorates in Goal Setting. Most of my answers were, 'I don't really know, but I suppose...'
And then they told me I'd give the Time Management one later.
Later came and went, and because tons of things went too long and they had too much planned they couldn't fit in my last talk. So because of bad management of time I couldn't talk about Time Management. It made me chuckle thinking about the irony.
I later tried to explain "irony" to this young lady at the camp to show he why it was funny I couldn't give my talk on Time, because we ran out of time. She just couldn't get it and I just couldn't explain it. But I still enjoyed laughing about to myself.
But some of my best experiences were just getting to know the kids at the camp. Some would take me aside just to have a one on one talk with me. And many groups would invite me over where they would question me together. I shared so much from my life, explained my faith and what my Christian life in America is like, I prayed for a number of them (they are not scared to ask for some prayer), and I was even asked to explain Bible verses for them on number occasions sense they don't always understand everything they read in english Bibles. I had to explain at my devotional that "foolishness" means "stupid" from my 1 Corinthians 1 verses. One boy wanted to go into some 1 Samuel with me, which was fun explaining and teaching.
Ok I'm done for now. I am currently introducing the youth of Liberia to christian rap (Lacrae), among other things (fist pound and hand explode). Be scared America.
p.s.
+ 3 Kudos points to you
Are they having you help with chores around the house and stuff?
No. In fact they are always trying to help me when I try to do things on my own like get my water for a bath. I'm sure eventually they will let me. The most they let me do is take dirty dishes to the kitchen. But their are so many people in this house at all times that everything gets taken care of before I turn around.
Do you help cook?
No again. It's a small kitchen and already looks crowded in there while they are fixing things. But I'm usually away or busy, and so food is waiting for Jerry and I when we get home.
Do you have a bed?
I am very blessed. I indeed have my own bed. I share a small room with the two oldest sons, Joshua and Jonathan. They share a double bed and I have a single of my own. No need for blankets because that small breeze from the window feels oh so good, I have to rotate as I sleep to put some coolness on my underside. I feel like my bags are taking up so much room in their room, but we are making it work.
Is the weather wet or just hot?
Both. One day it rain the whole day. One day it didn't rain any and was nothing but intense sun. but most days showers hit for a bit here and there at random times during the day. Honestly I think the 90s something heat of Georgia is worst, but we have A/C so I don't think about it much. It's here you can't escape it. Nicaragua was more comfortable temperature wise.
Is there running water into the house?
Only if you mean water you have to run to go get. Haha I'm so funny. No running water. just buckets filled with water strategically placed around the house (bathroom and kitchen). Some water comes from a well which is used for bathing and for pouring into a toilet to get rid of the waste. Then there is water from a pump which is used for drinking and cooking. All this water comes from people walking down the road some to fill buckets they carry on their heads back to the house.
Are there toilets?
Yes toilets and they work as I explained earlier. At the youth camp our toilet's bucket near by ran out of water and so I had to find another toilet with a filled bucket so I could 'flush' later.
Do you have to take bucket baths?
Yes I take bucket baths. You stand in a shower with your soap and a bucket of water. You wet yourself and then lather up, and then you pour the water over you. At the Kulah's house they always keep a little coal fire with hot water on top, so you can warm your bucket of water up some. It really isn't that bad.
Have you used your steri pen?
Yes, a lot. They have some bottled water, but I try to use the pump water more and just sterlize it with the UV Steripen. People look at it like it's magic or something. Then again so do I. I actually drank some water out of prepackaged bag. I was scared I was going to die after, but I was so thirsty. I have also drank after and with many Liberians, I'm not sure if that's an issue... short of mono. Man I'm sure their would be a lot of questions if I came back with mono... I was voted most attractive at the Youth Camp.
Are you totally healthy?
I am. Though they gave me some freaking spicey food I didn't expect at that camp. crazy old lady cook. I hade to drink a whole bottle of water and lay down after that. I'm not that into super spicey.
Have you seen any critters yet?
Jonathan Kulah and I were walking and he excitedly pointed out a squirrel on a roof to me at the camp. I was like, yeah so what. He had never seen one before except in a book. He'd love Georgia, so many squirrels.
Also saw something like a spider scurry across the floor one day in the house, I told myself I didn't really and haven't thought about again since. And then at the camp I was looking at the dresser and then noticed a giant spider next to my head on the furinture. I freaked out and grabbed a Bible, my sword, and tried to smush it! I removed the Bible and it wasn't there, but three feet away on a new part of the furniture. I gave up and said it won, because I was not fighting a spider that moves that quick. I then prayed to God I wouldn't get eaten by a giant spider. So far so good.
I want to mention what I did at the Youth Camp, because I didn't last time. I was asked to come an be a speaker and to speak on Goal Setting and Time Management. I thought it was strange topics for christian youth camp, but they are very much into empowering their youth here, which is cool.
So I made my talks a nice mix between practical and God inspired and made sure it was quite Biblical. I shared my stories of my trials and tribulations of just getting to Liberia to compliment what I was teaching.
But the first morning I we woke up at dawn and I was told as I was getting up that I was in charge of "Rise n' Shine". What? I said. They explained it was the exercises they do with the kids in the morning and I was to do a 20 minute workout routine as soon as I get outside. Not what I was expecting. SO I relied on my years of basketball and football pre-practice warmups. I made them do some stretches that they'd never even seen. All I could think as I was heading up to lead these exercise was my old PE teacher and middle school basketball coach, Coach Jones and how he'd yell "Exercise!" in his large hard to understand black man voice.
Then later after breakfast they informed me moments before that i would lead the 15 minute long devotional. I have no clue why they kept wanting to spring things on me last minute like that. So I whipped out 1 Corinthians 18-23, which was the verse I shared with them the night before as some of me favorite verses. Thought that would be appropriate since I said it was one of my faves.
Then I also was asked to lead some break out discussions. They talked about how they feel their churches could improve and what bad things have enter and what good things have left their churches. It was quite fascinating.
Gave my Goal Setting talk later in the afternoon, which went really well. They asked me a bunch of questions about what I talked about which was weird, because i clearly told them I was no expert on this, but some reason they kept asking like I had my Doctorates in Goal Setting. Most of my answers were, 'I don't really know, but I suppose...'
And then they told me I'd give the Time Management one later.
Later came and went, and because tons of things went too long and they had too much planned they couldn't fit in my last talk. So because of bad management of time I couldn't talk about Time Management. It made me chuckle thinking about the irony.
I later tried to explain "irony" to this young lady at the camp to show he why it was funny I couldn't give my talk on Time, because we ran out of time. She just couldn't get it and I just couldn't explain it. But I still enjoyed laughing about to myself.
But some of my best experiences were just getting to know the kids at the camp. Some would take me aside just to have a one on one talk with me. And many groups would invite me over where they would question me together. I shared so much from my life, explained my faith and what my Christian life in America is like, I prayed for a number of them (they are not scared to ask for some prayer), and I was even asked to explain Bible verses for them on number occasions sense they don't always understand everything they read in english Bibles. I had to explain at my devotional that "foolishness" means "stupid" from my 1 Corinthians 1 verses. One boy wanted to go into some 1 Samuel with me, which was fun explaining and teaching.
Ok I'm done for now. I am currently introducing the youth of Liberia to christian rap (Lacrae), among other things (fist pound and hand explode). Be scared America.
p.s.
+ 3 Kudos points to you
Getting Personal
Dear Christine,
You're right it's a good thing I am a touchy-feely person, because these Africans love to be close and physical. I spent many minutes straight just holding hands with a African I just met. They a lot of times finish handshakes, not with letting go, but just holding hands. Piled in with 22 teenage Liberians into a van for 8.
Also, you would think everyone was yelling at you because they like to talk very loud and forcefully. I thought of you and how you would cry even though they'd only be trying to help you. I joke.
Dear D. Higgs,
The Africans don't need P90X, they are already all ripped... well a lot are.
Also, I memerized a young boy with my ability to do a bridge while shuffling. It was like magic to him. I promise I'm not stealing all their money by beating them in poker.
Dear Tradd,
The Liberian would not appreciate your bathroom habits with so many multiple visits you like to take daily seeing as the water to flush the toilet you have to pour in yourself. And that water comes from a tub and the water in the tub comes from long walks down from a river or well.
Also, someone tell Tradd to read this, otherwise he'll never see this. He probably thinks I'm dead already.
Dear Alicia,
For once people are not surprised when I tell them me and my sister are ten years apart, because most families have multiple children with large age ranges. Also many people think you and Craig are rich because he's a doctor. I tell them otherwise.
Dear Hattie,
Found no British people yet.
Dear Caroline,
A group of kids laughed at me when I told them I don't have sex. They explained that 'all' kids before my age are having sex.
And don't act surprised why I'm telling you this! No, I'm kidding I don't have a reason. Everyone else is reading along too anyways.
But don't worry I encourged them and talked with them about accountability groups in churchs. Apparently they don't do things like that. I think it would be a good idea. They agreed.
Dear Mother,
I am alive still.
Dear Everyone,
I just got back from a Youth Camp this weekend. I have learned so much about Liberia culture through the teenagers here, but of course where else would you get the truth. I have also learned about their terrible misconceptions about America. Not bad ones, they actually think to highly of us in my opinion.
"Your women are beautiful. In the movies and TV we see them and they are so beautiful." I quitckly explained that's why those ladies are in the movies and that not all American girls are that beautiful. But of course all the girls I know and are reading this blog are some of the most beautiful in the world... heh.
Also, speaking of America, they love talking about the elections. I thank God I voted for Obama, because you think they all think he's the next coming. They think he's made such great changes, but I avoid telling them that there haven't been much change yet considering that change takes time haha. But it's great they support us and optimistic for our leadership.
Speaking of beauty, I got voted and awarded "Most Attractive" at the youth camp. They had this pagent and talent show thing and at the end of the night many awards were handed out. They said they think I look like Justin Timberlake (psh JT wishes he looked this good). I was honored... I'm not sure if it was a joke though.
I made a lot of friends with those kids and I sad the camp ended. I really hope I get to see them again.
Speaking of those kids, they freaking love the song, "(Don't Make Me) Fall in Love" by d'BANJ. The artist is from Nigeria. Look up the song, it's the jam. It's the theme song of my stay here, because I've probably already heard it a hundred times. And man do they jump up and dance like crazy to the song. It really is catchy. I can hear it off in the background right now. I shall never escape it and I don't know if I really ever want to.
My home for the summer. The Kulah's residence.
This is some of kids in the van that I got very close with (on multiple levels haha) on the Youth Camp.
Here's some guys who introduced me to some popular Liberian jams, like the foreign sounds of Neyo and T-Pain...
Oh and thank you to Christine for the great messages she has left me on Facebook. She's the only one...
And don't worry Christine, I didn't get raped in the Nigerian airport while waiting outside all alone in the airport by myself.
Friday, June 19, 2009
In Liberia
I'm not going to be updating this blog as much as I wish I could. I have dial up equivilent internet speeds and I'm at the whims of my caretaker Jerry. They only have electricity between 7 and 11 pm, so right now I'm actually using the charge he has left on his laptop, but he's done using it for the day.
This is from an email I sent my family earlier. I'm doing this so you have something to read in case I have to get off soon.
I'm here safely and what not. I am forever going to be hot and oily from the hot humid weather and all the bug spray. Only time I truly feel cool is when I'm in a fast moving car and by the window.
They took my peanut butter, but I'm surviving. Kathy Cook told me to take a jar of peanut butter in case I have food difficulties when I get here. It was basically a last resort and the darn Atlanta airport took it. They are feeding me well and I really like the food. Would you like me to tell you all about it, seeing as that's what I typically do when I go out of the country? I'll just say this, lots of rice and lots and lots of cornbread. It's more like a mix between cornbread and cake, more corn less cake. But it is tasty.
Yesterday we went to a village way outside the city and there were doctors, nurses, and people with meds with us to provide them with free medical support and a number of preachers with us from around the area. The village was apparently Muslim, so the preachers talked about Jesus and said it is because of him we have brought this help and they prayed with those who wanted to. I have trouble as is speaking with educated Liberian, they have to repeat a lot for me, so I was not much help in the village I don't think. I took pictures for Jerry and helped move stuff.
Today I leave with Jerry's oldest son, Joshua, to a youth camp where I'll be speaking some.
My two biggest regrets, I didn't pack my own bag completely on my own, because it took me forever just to find a contact case, and I should have packed a book bag to bring with me. I'm always having to take so much with me everyday just for my 'survival'. I'm referring to my water sterilizer, passport, water bottles, and then if I want extra stuff like a camera, well it's a lot.
I've already had tons of moments of realization while being here, where I'm just like... "Whoa didn't expect that," though it then always dons on me that I never even really thought about it much, so I actually didn't know what to expect. The bathtub is both the sink and bathing place. It's really the only work drain in the house. But at the same time most people I have seen and met have cell phones. I'm sure it's not like that as you enter villages away from the cities.
But then again their capital Monrovia doesn't seem bigger than my home town, Snellville.
I have had encounters with some real African stuff musically from the random songs individuals will break out in, to over hearing some Outkast and Jordan Sparks on the radio. I was particularly excited about these because Outkast is from Atlanta where I'm from ( I shared this with them, they had no clue thats what they were hearing) and 'One Step at a Time' truly is inspirational. Thank you Miss Sparks.
I'm watching the two youngest of the household play Uno right now. i'm running out of things to type. I've already written about 20 pages in my journal, so clearly I have a ot to speak on, I just don't want to get into a long story right now.
I hope to upload some pictures later on here, but with this connection that could take me forever. I won't have any internet again until sometime next week.
I think the grandmother is funny, I just wish I could understand her half the time. She gave me the wierdest look today when I was stirring my water with my UV purifying device. I mean I think it's a crazy futuristic James ond type device, so I don't know what she thinks.
Jerry just told me not to tell you all that he's beating me and then he ran off while letting out his Rafiki-like (bamboo from Lion King) laugh.
Anyways, he sounds eager to eat lunch and he loves for us to eat together, though no one else ever eats with us. But I am HIS guest. So we must get to the delicious cornbread.
Keep me in your prayers people.
Till next time my readers.
This is from an email I sent my family earlier. I'm doing this so you have something to read in case I have to get off soon.
I'm here safely and what not. I am forever going to be hot and oily from the hot humid weather and all the bug spray. Only time I truly feel cool is when I'm in a fast moving car and by the window.
They took my peanut butter, but I'm surviving. Kathy Cook told me to take a jar of peanut butter in case I have food difficulties when I get here. It was basically a last resort and the darn Atlanta airport took it. They are feeding me well and I really like the food. Would you like me to tell you all about it, seeing as that's what I typically do when I go out of the country? I'll just say this, lots of rice and lots and lots of cornbread. It's more like a mix between cornbread and cake, more corn less cake. But it is tasty.
Yesterday we went to a village way outside the city and there were doctors, nurses, and people with meds with us to provide them with free medical support and a number of preachers with us from around the area. The village was apparently Muslim, so the preachers talked about Jesus and said it is because of him we have brought this help and they prayed with those who wanted to. I have trouble as is speaking with educated Liberian, they have to repeat a lot for me, so I was not much help in the village I don't think. I took pictures for Jerry and helped move stuff.
Today I leave with Jerry's oldest son, Joshua, to a youth camp where I'll be speaking some.
My two biggest regrets, I didn't pack my own bag completely on my own, because it took me forever just to find a contact case, and I should have packed a book bag to bring with me. I'm always having to take so much with me everyday just for my 'survival'. I'm referring to my water sterilizer, passport, water bottles, and then if I want extra stuff like a camera, well it's a lot.
I've already had tons of moments of realization while being here, where I'm just like... "Whoa didn't expect that," though it then always dons on me that I never even really thought about it much, so I actually didn't know what to expect. The bathtub is both the sink and bathing place. It's really the only work drain in the house. But at the same time most people I have seen and met have cell phones. I'm sure it's not like that as you enter villages away from the cities.
But then again their capital Monrovia doesn't seem bigger than my home town, Snellville.
I have had encounters with some real African stuff musically from the random songs individuals will break out in, to over hearing some Outkast and Jordan Sparks on the radio. I was particularly excited about these because Outkast is from Atlanta where I'm from ( I shared this with them, they had no clue thats what they were hearing) and 'One Step at a Time' truly is inspirational. Thank you Miss Sparks.
I'm watching the two youngest of the household play Uno right now. i'm running out of things to type. I've already written about 20 pages in my journal, so clearly I have a ot to speak on, I just don't want to get into a long story right now.
I hope to upload some pictures later on here, but with this connection that could take me forever. I won't have any internet again until sometime next week.
I think the grandmother is funny, I just wish I could understand her half the time. She gave me the wierdest look today when I was stirring my water with my UV purifying device. I mean I think it's a crazy futuristic James ond type device, so I don't know what she thinks.
Jerry just told me not to tell you all that he's beating me and then he ran off while letting out his Rafiki-like (bamboo from Lion King) laugh.
Anyways, he sounds eager to eat lunch and he loves for us to eat together, though no one else ever eats with us. But I am HIS guest. So we must get to the delicious cornbread.
Keep me in your prayers people.
Till next time my readers.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Man Who Follows Jesus, The Man I Follow...
You may find yourself, dear reader, asking yourself, "What of this Jerry Kulah? I would like to know more about him, seeing as Josh/Joshua/JoRo (take your pick) is going to be living and serving with him." Well fear not my readers, I will tell you of the man who follows Jesus, the man I will follow...
For my last entry I spent a lot of time (so sorry for all those words, they just flood out of me soaking everything in their path) talking about my past and history, and how I got all wrapped up in this crazy mission to Liberia. As I was typing that I was looking online for a picture of Jerry Kulah to share with you my dear readers (because I know I really like seeing what people look like), and I came across some articles that talk about Jerry.
I literally let out vocal exclamations as I read these articles about him. I honestly have not gotten to know Jerry as well as I would have liked before this mission trip, and after reading all this I was shocked. Shocked by the opportunity the Lord has given me to spend an entire summer doing the Lord's work with him. Goodness Gracious! God has much in store for me.
Here are some of excerpts from the online articles I read about Jerry:
Wow. That is crazy. Jerry has had quite the life and God has taken him places I would have never imagined. The other night I was reading up on Liberian history and those times during the civil war sounded bad, but I never actually imagined what Jerry in his family had to have gone through on a daily basis during that time. And now Jerry and the Lord are doing such great things for his country and people. Read this...
Who's excited with me??
For my last entry I spent a lot of time (so sorry for all those words, they just flood out of me soaking everything in their path) talking about my past and history, and how I got all wrapped up in this crazy mission to Liberia. As I was typing that I was looking online for a picture of Jerry Kulah to share with you my dear readers (because I know I really like seeing what people look like), and I came across some articles that talk about Jerry.
I literally let out vocal exclamations as I read these articles about him. I honestly have not gotten to know Jerry as well as I would have liked before this mission trip, and after reading all this I was shocked. Shocked by the opportunity the Lord has given me to spend an entire summer doing the Lord's work with him. Goodness Gracious! God has much in store for me.
Here are some of excerpts from the online articles I read about Jerry:
My own United Methodist story is similar to so many in the U.S. I grew up in the church thanks to family that had been Methodist for generations. But compare our story to the Rev. Jerry Kulah, a district superintendent in Liberia. By his own account, his experiences included “raging storms, deep waters, and blazing fire.”
Jerry was born to a polygamous family, in a Liberian village. He was among more than 25 children of one father and about seven wives, which meant a life of “competition, jealousy, hatred, and struggle for survival.” An older half brother brought him to the capital of Monrovia but had little money and often was away on military assignments. On many days, Jerry went without food or stole to survive. At age 8, Jerry became a servant to another family with hopes of being provided for. Instead, he was introduced to child abuse and slave labor, to which he was subjected for 12 years.
But Jerry attended school where he was introduced to the Bible. At age 15, during a Bible study, he became affected by “the reality of my sin, hell, and eternity.” When he got home he knelt on the floor and asked Jesus into his life. He became active in Christian youth activities but resisted the call to ministry, preferring a dream of material comforts. He earned a university degree in mathematics and got a well-paying job. In 1989, Jerry was planning a wedding with a young woman he had met in school when Monrovia was besieged by rebels, starting a 14-year civil war, during which Jerry lost nearly everything.
The government declared Jerry’s tribe to be enemies and both Jerry and his older half-brother, United Methodist Bishop Arthur Kulah, became hunted fugitives. While on the run, Jerry wore double layers of clothing, so as always to have extra clothes. When government troops finally captured Jerry, they accused him of being a rebel, thanks to his odd dress. The commander ordered a soldier to shoot Jerry, who pleaded his innocence while also praying. Amazingly, the soldier ordered Jerry to run for his life.
Several days later, Jerry again evaded arrest and likely death when compelled to give his identity card to a soldier. The soldier confusedly stared at the card while Jerry prayed the 23rd Psalm until the soldier returned the card and let Jerry pass. In 1990, Jerry recalls God telling him to escape to Nigeria. Jerry led evangelism in a refugee camp there while also attending seminary. His fiancée, Ruth, also escaped Liberia to meet Jerry in Nigeria, where they finally married in 1992. In 1994 they had their first child, whom they named Joshua. Finally, Jerry and his family returned to Liberia in 1997. He began pastoring a church in 1998, became evangelism director for the Liberian United Methodist Church in 2001, and became a district superintendent in 2007, supervising 34 churches and seven preaching points.
Today Jerry and his wife care for their four children, his mother, and the five children of Jerry’s brother, who died during the war. “God specializes in going into the interior of life and taking that which is inferior to make superior,” Jerry has concluded. He also quotes from Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Like many African United Methodists, Jerry is a first-generation Christian, ministering among many first- and second-generation Christians. He works among fast-growing churches, where the gospel is proclaimed powerfully, and where there is no dispute about the authority of the Scriptures."
--- Hope for the future By Mark Tooley
http://www.goodnewsmag.org/magazine/JulyAugust/ja08tooley.htm
Wow. That is crazy. Jerry has had quite the life and God has taken him places I would have never imagined. The other night I was reading up on Liberian history and those times during the civil war sounded bad, but I never actually imagined what Jerry in his family had to have gone through on a daily basis during that time. And now Jerry and the Lord are doing such great things for his country and people. Read this...
"Vision Liberia 2027 has been founded by Reverend Jerry Kulah and his wife Ruth. Reverend Kulah is an ordained minister of the Methodist Church (UMC) and has served in many roles including as a local church pastor in several churches and as the Monrovia District Supervisor over 33 churches. He is currently being sponsored by the UMC and is a candidate for his pHd in theology. The vision for Vision Liberia 2027 has grown out of his personal experience with the effectiveness of leadership development in creating an environment of change and his magnetic enthusiasm for believing God for a better Liberian in the future.
(Rev. Jerry Kulah and wife, Ruth)
Reverend Kulah has been instrumental in organizing the country’s non-denominational National Day of Prayer and is widely regarded as one of the most influential Christian leaders in the country having relationships with Christian and government leaders at the highest levels. Jerry was also instrumental in bringing the medical mission Mercy Ships to Liberia which has blessed hundreds in need of medical services that would otherwise be out of reach. Jerry and his wife Ruth are happily married and their union is blessed with four children and many extended family members. This couple shares a deep passion for their country and the BODY OF CHRIST as a whole."
--- Vision Liberia 2027
http://www.liberia2027.com/templates/System/details.asp?id=44489&PID=625913
Say what!?
Jerry is a part of some amazing things that God is doing and this just fires me up that I get to jump right in with him! I pray I can just give myself completely to the work that God and Jerry will give me. God is giving me such a tremendous opportunity to follow Jerry, learn from him, work beside him, and do life with him. Like freakin' for real! Ahhh I am so excited right now to see what God is going to do!Who's excited with me??
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