Liberia Update

November 16, 2008 There were days right after I arrived where I questioned my sanity in deciding to come for so long but time is passing quickly. I’ve fully recovered from being sick and am back at Mt. Barclay every day. This week the kids attending Mt. Barclay Christian School will be getting reading books in their classrooms for the first time. Most of these kids have never held a book before and will be delighted to just sit and enjoy all the great books. A Christian school in Oregon also donated a large amount of text books that they will be using as well. Up to now, the kids have just copied all their work from the blackboard into their copy books. Having a text book for math, science, and reading will really be a huge improvement. Monday also begins the 3rd period of the school year and Mt. Barclay School will be adding agriculture classes to the curriculum for the first time. Each class will have their own garden and will be growing vegetables for the lunch program. This week they will be clearing the land and deciding what each class will be planting. It’s exciting to see that the administration move in this direction because it’s a way can they help support the school plus expose the kids to farming. The Women’s Empowerment Program is struggling at the moment with funding and has had to stop the practical classes where they were making soap, bakery goods, clothing, and hair pieces. They’ve returned to the “theory” part of the curriculum which is fine for the women who have recently joined but it’s frustrating for the women who have been in the program for some time. Despite the set back, most of the women still come each day and are hoping to resume with the practical training soon. I’m still spending my afternoons talking with them and visiting their classes whenever I’m free. The days are gradually getting hotter but we are still getting a good rain shower most days which I always LOVE! I usually take a chair and sit out in the rain to cool off which makes everyone crazy here because they think the “cold” rain will make a person sick. It will pour for an hour and then be cookin’ hot the minute it stops, but it’s nice while it lasts. I want to thank you all for your prayers and for the emails that many of you have sent. I know that’s what is helping me make it here. Please continue to pray for me as I head into these last few weeks. I’m missing you all so much and am looking forward to seeing you all soon! In His Grip, Jill