My husband Gary has always been adventuresome, from the day he married me to the years we raised our children. Gary has taken his family on hikes sliding thru muddy dark caves, trekking up steep cliffs through seemingly uncharted trails, sliding down slippery ravines, and balancing thru rock filled streams. He has prodded us along in freezing weather and in scorching temperatures. Adventure was the name of the game!
Gary still has this adventuresome spirit. The other day, on the spur of the moment. Gary suggested to Enoch and Morris (our Liberian friends) that we stop to look at some property for sale along Cooper Beach. They both agreed, so Enoch parked his car along the highway, since the road leading to the beach was impassable. As we began walking down the muddy slushy road, it started to rain. Of course we had all forgotten our umbrellas! The walk was invigorating; I enjoyed every minute of it. It took us about thirty minutes to arrive at our destination. We viewed the beautiful beach property, then sloshed back to our vehicle, arriving just after sunset. Wow, God’s creation is gorgeous!
The highlight for me of this adventure was what Morris told me after we were back in the car�. “Ruth, the people in their huts were talking about you as you walked past them. I understood their dialect. They were saying ‘That white woman has an African body——she can walk fast and is strong. She not lazy. O’” What a complement these Liberians gave me. I was thrilled!
August 1st, 2007
“Please, come and share with our small group one-on-one discipleship,” came the plea from Ezekiel the Evangelist from Kakata.
And so we came: Gary, Enoch, and I —bumpety bump down the rain soaked country road. Our car rattled as Enoch skillfully maneuvered it around giant pot holes; several times we stopped to pour water into the boiling radiator, or push and shove the stalled car to start up its engine again. But thanks to Jesus, our car made it to Kakata every time!
The very first time we met for one-on-one discipleship, God was at work. For the evangelist was so excited about the insights God had taught him, that he shared these with his wife the following day. The next time we met for classes, Ezekiel could not even wait to go home before he shared. Instead, he preached a concise twenty minute sermon on the spot to his group, full of personal examples and applications, summarizing what the Holy Spirit had taught him from the past two sessions!
Ezekiel’s enthusiasm did not stop there. Being fired up by the Holy Spirit, he continued all week sharing with people in his community. Then Ezekiel launched out into a neighboring village, leading people to Jesus.
“We cannot be content to just stay in Kakata; we must take the Good New of Jesus Christ to this village also,” Ezekiel challenged his group. “And as the villagers are born into God’s family, we who are being discipled now can in turn disciple them.”
Wow, Ezekiel the Evangelist is fired up for Jesus! He has already introduced Gary, Enoch, and me to the Chief of this village, who has given Ezekiel land on which to build a church! Gory be to God, Who alone is worthy of all honor and praise! Amen !
August 1st, 2007
It hardly seems possible that Gary and I have been back in Liberia for two months now; I am having so much fun! Every day seems to be filled with more excitement than the day before. On rainy days I watch with glee as our household hen protects her baby chicks. When the African rain begins to fall, she clucks until all her peeping babies have found their way under the safety of her warm wings.
On sunny days I enjoy interacting with friendly Liberians as they walk along the street or sell produce in the market. We exchange smiles and waves, or greetings and conversations. What a joy it is to be in Liberia again. God is so good to me!
August 1st, 2007
