I survived...I think.

Saturday was my first day running the youth program on my own. I walked into the church that morning filled with an eager anticipation of what lay ahead. Some people think I am making a huge sacrifice to be here and give of my time in this way. To me it is such an awesome privilege to be in a city that I love, working on a project that makes me feel like I am truly using my skills and passion to make a difference. If I could sum up one of my biggest goals in life, it is to make a difference in the lives of those around me. I feel like I have been handed this amazing opportunity to do just that and it is an awesome feeling.

I was set-up and ready to go by 10:30. By 11:15 (15 minutes after the program is suppose to start) there were three children present. It wasn’t until 11:40, and eight children later that I started the program for the day. From what I am told, this is going to be very typical of the Liberian mentality that I have mentioned previously. Thanks to the wonderful help of my pastor’s wife from London, Faith, and Sue who leads our Kid’s Connection program, as well as my parents, I have been able to pull together some fantastic curriculum for this program. I don’t know what I would have done without their amazing help!

The lesson went very well, and the children were very attentive. I have some students in my class that have been present for the VBS program that my family runs. One of the little girls, Faith (pictured above), was in our very first VBS program, and has attended each year. She is a feisty little five-year-old who will give you a run for your money if you’re not careful, but she also can be the most loving child that you will ever meet; provided she likes you. So far I have managed to stay on her good side, so she helps me keep the class in line by threatening to call the student’s parents and ground them if they do not listen to me.

Two of my students just arrived from Liberia last week, and so they have a hard time understanding my English as they mostly speak in their tribal tongue. Through pictures and hand gestures; however, we make it work. The program was supposed to wrap-up for the day at 1:00, but the students didn’t leave until closer to 3:00. I am going to have to get creative in having back-up things to do if this happens again next week.

After finishing up with the children, I spent the rest of the day helping set-up the church hall for a large African dinner that we were hosting on Sunday. This dinner is a celebration of the return of William Joe and his family from Liberia. I am quickly learning that ministry is often not glamorous in any way, but involves things such as wiping down tables, carrying chairs up three flights of stairs, and doing the dishes. We didn’t get home until after 8:00 and I was more then happy at that point to crash onto the couch. I am looking forward to my first taste of Liberian food tomorrow, and I am sure my first choir experience should provide great entertainment.