LIBERIA 2010 MOLENHOUSE REPORT

After a 32 plus hour journey, we arrived in Liberia New Year's evening. On the drive from the airport, we were struck by the many new buildings, including houses and even gas stations. In the past, gas was bought in large mayonnaise jars along the side of the road. James Kesselly's wife, Serina had prepared a delicious rice and soup meal ready for us when we arrived at the guesthouse.

The next morning, we were greeted by Emmanuel, Archie and Paulina, three of the scholarship students, as well as others who are asking for scholarship help. I met with Nene Wonkollie, guest house hostess, and planned the EMA dinner which she and the guesthouse ladies would cook. We took some R and R with Dr. Rick and Debbie Sacra and their family with an overnight to Robertsport, and by Monday we were ready to get to work on all our various projects. Work is always interspersed with visits from old friends, including Samuel Sumo, Barbara Ware (Edith's daughter), Zinnah, Emmanuel, Ben Allison, Ben Manuel, Massa with her son a daughter, Rose with her baby, Stephen and Sebastian Gibson, Tony, and others. (Massa and Rose are requesting scholarships for their children).

Here is a breakdown on what we did with the various projects:

SCHOLARSHIP FUND

• We interviewed and took video of the current scholarship students as they came to visit
• Justyn and Jacob Tokeh came to see us Thursday afternoon, and we were able to interview Jacob about his scholarship, and also videotaped an interview with Archie Blaine.
• I met with Benedict Nagbe, the principal at ELWA Academy (who also heads up the ELWA Scholarship Program) to organize files for all of the scholarship students. He said that due to the large increase in school tuition fees this year, many of the ELWA staff have had to pull their children out of ELWA Academy and enroll them in alternative local schools such as Carver. In spite of the tuition increase, ELWA Academy enrollment remains high--around 400 (students from other schools which raised their tuitions to even higher levels transferred to ELWA Academy). The new school building down by the nursery school building is finished and being used. Benedict is extremely busy with his duties at the school and administering the ELWA
• Scholarship Program, in addition to attending a master's program at the University of Liberia.
• Friday afternoon, Clip, Nate, James Kesselly, Benedict Nagbe and I met for our annual ELWA Scholarship meeting. We are encouraged by the dedication of James and Benedict in administering this program for needy children. It was decided that students need to apply annually, be evaluated on the basis of need and performance, and decided to also institute home visits. At this time, the scholarship program includes k-12th grades, but due to limited funds, does not include college level scholarships.

ORPHAN JOY PARTIES

• Wednesday I met with Eric Koker from REAP to plan the Susie Guenter Orphan Joy party, while Jim, Nate, Crystal and John drove to Monrovia to buy the food for the EMA dinner on Friday.
• Thursday morning, Jefferson picked us up in his van and took us to Susie Guenter for the Orphan Joy party. Christine and her REAP staff were there with the children and staff from Susie Guenter, all sitting in a group under the trees when we arrived. After a time of singing and introduction, Clip gave a devotional, challenging us all to run the race in our Christian lives to the finish line. We then had a craft time, along with handing out stickers and balloons, after which we all enjoyed a jollaf rice dinner. Our party ended with soccer game and then handing out gifts to all of the children and caregivers. Many thanks goes to Dr. Roth, Joelle Koci, and the students at Christian Heritage Academy, Community for Christ at Wheaton Bible church and others who donated zip lock packaged gifts for the orphanages.
• Katie had 12 hour flu Friday night into Saturday morning, but PTL was well enough by the time we left for the orphan joy party at Phebe Grey (Phebe Grey is the orphanage where Crystal spent so much time in 2005 during her college internship). We started out for Phebe Grey around 9:45 am. Jefferson kindly allowed us to borrow his van for the trip. Our first stop was the gas station, but we weren't able to get gas because the gas cap was stuck, so we headed back to the guesthouse at ELWA for some tools. After another stop at Rusty's house, Jim and Nate were able to figure out the problem, and we were on our way again (only an hour late).
• The 100 plus children, their caregivers, and the REAP staff were all gathered in their newly constructed meeting room/kitchen when we arrived. They welcomed us with singing, and a little boy read a lovely welcome speech that he'd prepared. After Clip's devotional, Christine gave a beautiful greeting and challenge to the children and thanks to the caregivers. We then spent time with the kids doing crafts, playdoh, coloring, and giving out stickers (John, Nate and Eric from REAP took the older boys outside for a game of soccer). After another delicious jollaf rice dinner, we gathered together and handed out the zip lock bagged gifts. They accepted the gifts with much appreciation, and Linda, one of the older girls, asked for an extra one for one of the orphan girls who had just been admitted to ELWA Hospital with serious malaria.
• We were glad to be able to give Eric, Alice, Clarinas and Patience (the REAP helpers) rides back to town from the orphanage. On the way home, the ladies shared stories of their survival during the war. Sadly, Clarinas lost both her husband and father in the war (her husband was killed mainly because he was educated, and her father died due to a heart condition due to the war). Alice explained how they had to survive in the bush. When they would start a fire to cook a meal, the smoke from the fire would tip off the rebel soldiers as to where they were, so the men would form a circle of guards around the women and children for their safety. Many times, the food that they cooked was confiscated by the rebels, and they were just relieved not to be hurt or killed.

EMAUSA/ELWA STAFF DINNER

As our role in assisting ELWA grows, we thought it was important to spend time with the ELWA staff and SIM missionaries to get to know us and what EMA+USA is all about.

• On Friday, the guys continued their projects (Jim was trying to get the tire fixed on
• the SIM three wheeler-a real challenge), while the rest of us focused on preparing for the dinner, buying the drinks, collecting chairs, etc.
• Nene and the guesthouse ladies were busy all day preparing and cooking the food for the 40 plus people (even baking the chocolate cakes in the outdoor coal pot). We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner Friday evening. Nene and her helpers did a superb job of preparing and cooking for the dinner!
• Clip emphasized the partnership of our new organization, EMA+USA with ELWA, in promoting the needs of ELWA and raising support for the work of ELWA Radio, ELWA Hospital, ELWA Academy, as well as the ELWA scholarship program.

ELWA RADIO

• We delivered about 30 Bibles and New Testaments and Christian CD's to ELWA Radio on Sunday afternoon. Kedrick White was on the air doing his regular 12 noon to 4 pm Sunday afternoon show, but let us come into the studio during one of the breaks so that we could put the Bibles on a shelf in the studio. He said that they'll be given out to listeners requesting a Bible, and to contest winners.
• Moses Nyantee, the Radio Director, has already sent us this: Thanks a million times to you and all those who donated the Bibles and CDs to ELWA Radio. Two of the Bibles have already given out to two persons who were really in need of a Bible. Words are inadequate to express our gratitude to you. Thank you.
• According to David Gargannah at ELWA Radio, another need is for children's programming--CD's or tapes (possibly Focus on the Family Odyssey series).
• He also is putting out a request for any old recordings in the various dialects, Aunt Clara, etc (all of the recordings were lost when the studio was destroyed).

ELWA HOSPITAL

• Crystal visited the hospital one day and was able to see many of the workers and nurses who she worked with in June 2005. Frieda (she is from Canada and was previously with Mercy ships) along with Dr. Keith Chapman work in the ELWA hospital dental clinic. Frieda says that one of the biggest problems is tooth decay due to breaking teeth while chewing bones. They see about 20-30 patients a day Monday through Friday at the clinic that has been built attached to the front side of the hospital.
• The reading glasses that Judy Koci collected were well received by ELWA staff, Christine Norman, and some were given to the Sacras for use at ELWA hospital. This will be an on-going need, as we seek to help others beyond ELWA campus.
• Malaria continues to be a huge problem in Liberia. Antimalaria medicine is a MUST, and the majority of people in Liberia do not take it. Caleb Sacra, Kevin Kjer, Justyn Tokeh Jr., and an orphan from Phebe Grey all had it while we were there. It's possible to contract malaria while being on the medicine, but the sickness is then a much milder case.

REPAIR PROJECTS

• Jim Molenhouse spent most of his time on much needed various repair projects for ELWA, as well as helping David Parker at Susie Guenter Orphanage.
• On Friday, the guys continued their projects (Jim was trying to get the tire fixed on the SIM three wheeler-a real challenge),

OTHER HAPPENINGS

• Crystal, Katie, Paulina and I walked up to the market to buy some groceries while John and Nate went with Zinnah to plan in a soccer game near ELWA Junction. The boys walked back to the guesthouse in the dark with Zinnah's niece, Fatoria, who is in 3rd grade at ELWA Academy and is on the scholarship program. Fatoria's parents both died from cholera when she was a baby, and she is being raised by an aunt and uncle.
• Thursday evening, we, along with Jefferson Zeon and his two daughters Edwina and Jackie, drove to Christine and Laurence Norman's for dinner. The Normans were hosting a group of about 12 with Service to Servants from Atlanta, so it was a full and enjoyable evening for all of us.
• Our trip home was ONLY 21 hours, Sunday and Monday (we had a direct flight from Brussels to Chicago). We're glad to be home and thank you for your continued prayers for Jim, Clip, David and Seth who all return next week.