This year I decided to revisit Liberia. It was a good moment to visit the people on site at MOWCF, especially since MOWCF is currently constructing a new home for the children. It was my desire to oversee some of the construction and to get first-hand knowledge of the situation on the ground. Also, we planned on going inland to visit a cassava farm meant to make MOWCF self-sufficient and independent from external donations.
On the 13th of December after some months of planning and waiting, my plane left from Duesseldorf to Monrovia with transits in France and Ivory Coast. With one look at the airport, it was obvious that it was quite some time since my last visit because the airport actually looked like an airport. It used to look like nothing more than a chicken shack. Also this time was during the dry season, meaning I was greeted by just heat instead of heat and moisture Jerry ( Emmanuel ) came to pick me up, and we went to his house, where I was greeted by his family and the kids who were excited to meet me again.
On Sunday we went to visit the construction site of the new MOWCF orphanage. The plots of land are a little distance removed from the bigger roads. After seeing the progress of the orphanage, we left to see other nearby construction sites where members of the volunteers are constructing their own future houses to live near the new construction site.
Afterwards, we left to see a part of Emmanuel’s family, who were mourning a lost family member. We had a nice prayer together with the family, praying for the success of our work together and the unity of the group for MOWCF’s continued work. Since my stay was short and I wanted to also spend some time with my new Liberian girlfriend and share the time with my work for MOWCF.
Monday we revisited the construction site to oversee the construction while the walls were being pulled up. We discussed the future plans of a chicken poultry, a school, a playground and the government’s future legal framework of operating with orphanages, which thankfully seems to change little if anything at all for MOWCF in its operation and goals at the moment.
I spent Tuesday through Friday together with my new Liberian bride. Thursday was my last day and night with her a few days to bond and be together. On Friday I stayed with Emmanuel again because early in the morning Saturday we left for Zwedru, a journey through the countryside and the worst roads I have ever seen in my life. We were stranded at the immigration office in Zwedru because my passport had been left at the Ghanian embassy, and we forgot to bring along photo copies of my Liberian visa and my passport. Thus, we had to report every day to the immigration until I could get a photo copy of my passport and visa. Also, I was able to meet Emmanuel’s uncle, James Tweh, who is the pastor at a local church. We visited him for dinner and went to a local hotel.
On the second day in Zwedru, we visited James’ church, and afterward we met up with Emmanuel,s family from his mother’s side. They were coming together for a huge celebration of his great grandmother who is now over 110 years old.
After resting for the night, we woke up and visited the cassava plantation and discussed its future potential for MOWCF. We then visited the church, and I was blessed to be a guest speaker.
On my final day in Zwedru, we spent the day with Emmanuel’s family celebrating their great grandmother.
On Thursday early in the morning we got a ride back to Monrovia, which took us all day, so we spent the night at Emmanuel’s place. I spent my final day with my future bride, then on Saturday, I left to return home.
This stay in Liberia was so short-way too short. I got only a very quick glimpse of the work done by MOWCF and the construction of the new site, .but still, it was very exciting. The future could be a successful operation, helping and doing our part for a more children and vulnerable families in need. MOWCF is doing all it can to be independent of charity, but there is still more work and aide needed to reach this goal. The work I did see left a positive and hopeful feeling of the future, and God willing, this organization will make a difference in many lives in the years to come.