Welcome to Liberia

It was crazy at the airport and good to be back!

If you ever want packing done right just have a Liberian do it! We couldnt believe how they fit 11 50lbs bags plus 10 carry ons plus 5 people and the driver in a 7 passenger van! whew!

And we are off!

Welcome to Liberia Denise! :0)

We are staying at the Corina Hotel...so far our recommendation is DONT stay here. While it is better than staying in a tent in the outdoors here... it is not much better above that. They are not very nice to their guest and not very accommodating.Perhaps we were just spoiled by our other stays at other hotels.

We ate at Sam's barbecue next to the hotel that night. It was good! we were so ready to eat and to sleep.

The next morning we were preparing for our events for the day. As you can see everyone looks a little bit more brighter...

Christina- I got to step where??????? We were headed to Varney's house.

Poor Varney- his head just keeps getting bigger. He really needs help fast! Pray that a hospital comes through for him soon.

This is Josephus with Favour. She is doing so well.

Tanya with Favour

Surprise is doing very well too. He laughed up a storm. I think he is the favorite of many.

Little Melvin is learning to walk. He cant hear but is catching up in other areas.

This Korpu. She loved her little blanket from her sponsor Carey. She was so sweet and tiny..

Barry LOVED his new wheels. He can now get around abit better. He has a wonderful foster dad who enjoys playing with him.

Little Abagail is still needing a family to sponsor her to help her stay with her mom. She is very malnourished. I think she gets thinner every time we see her.

How wonderful Nye looked. This is the little boy who came to the states on a medical visa and has since returned to his foster family. He was enjoying himself during our brief visit.

This is a boy named Brown who is getting a medical visa soon. We met him for the first time.

And Kenneth..noticed I didnt take many of him. Need to go back and take more.

Beautiful Patience. She is slow to warm up but then laughs her belly laughs when entertained.

This is Isaiah who needs a medical visa as he drank caustic. He has been in the hospital for over a year and is not doing well. There is nothing more they can do for him in Liberia as dilation's are not working for him.

This little girl is Mary who shares a room with Isaiah. She too has been in the hospital for over a year as there is nothing they can do for her either. She needs a medical visa which we are working on.

And yes Tanya handed out ALOT of Suckers. I think it was the high lite of her day-haha
We had to go to the store to buy many more.

Denise with some kids just loving some attention.

Kari holding a little boy at one of our visits. Easy to fall in love with all of them.

We spent much of the day visiting the children in the FMN program and dropping off supplies. Here they are hanging up a children's swing at one of the foster homes.

And the day was full of laughs too. Everyone is having a great time. Tomorrow it is going to the beach with kids.

**I will post several awesome pics this week of us being out and about and taking pics of people and of Liberia. Everyone has taken some great pictures and will try to share some of them later.

In Memory of Mardea

Sweet little Mardea came to us by recommendation from a hospital where Mardea was abandoned. She is a tiny little girl with many health issues. We were happy to be her family if only for a short time and give her the love and support she deserves. Little Mardea passed away early this morning from complications while staying in the hospital for recent care. She will be very much missed by her foster family and her FMN families.

Habukkuk's Well is making progress..

Progress Report on the Water Well and Hand Pump Construction in Kpeletayama Town , Suakoko District, Lower Bong County

The Hand Pump project in Kpeletayama Town being funded through the Global Orphans Outreach and the Global Front Foundation is progressing as scheduled.

As you would see in the attached photos, the well for the Hand Pump has been dug (65ft) to reach static water, and another (15ft) below static water – i.e. all year round the well will have water -. 40pcs of 0.9M culverts with thickness of 3” were produced and used in the well. The requisite chemicals to purify the water has been acquired and administered. A couple of day has to be allotted for the chemicals to proper dissolved and purified the water, thus making it safe for human consumption. Back filling of the culverts has also been completed.

Two males residents of the village were identified and have been working closely with the engineers in doing the well, while at the same time they are been trained in carrying out simple maintenance and repairs of the hand pump. A general workshop cover the maintenance of hygienic environment, especially around the hand pump is being planned for April 3, 2010. Amongst those to be in attendance at that workshop is a traditional birth attendant (midwife).

Other topics to be cover will include HIV/AIDS awareness: causes, prevention and treatment. A few of the Caustic Awareness posters will be taken along for the villagers.

Generally, residents of Kpeletayama Town as well as others from nearby villages have been very supportive and involved with the hand pump construction. “Young men were on hand to tote materials for the hand pump from where the vehicle normally stops into the village, without requesting a dime. I was encouraging.” said Mr. A. Mohammed Sheriff, Chief Engineer of the Global Water Sanitation and Supplies Company, who is leading the construction of the hand pump. He also lauded the attitude of the villagers sharing their food and homes with his team.

Over seventy to seventy five percent of the work has been completed. Finishing touches which will include the installation of the pump head, building of the foot slap and conduct of a workshop are planned for this weekend up to next week

Regards

George

G.O.O. UPDATES

Here are some updates of the going ons of Global. So much happening. 5 of us are headed to Liberia next week. We have a full week of events planned so stay tuned to the blog and follow us as we post each day the activities. These are a group of kids not attending school due to lack of schools built and funding. We will be sharing with you about a school being built for them and how you too can become involved.

This little boy named Brown is in the Interior. His parents want him to be adopted. Adoptions are still closed in Liberia. So we are hoping to look at other options for him instead. Medical visa perhaps.

Forget Me Not Childrens Homes has taken in 2 more children. Here is Korpu who was with an orphanage helped by Orphan Relief and Rescue. She has had failure to thrive. Korpu is loving her new home and continues to make strides in her health.

And this is Melvin. We are told he is blind- this is yet to be confirmed. What a sweet boy! He was referred by the MOH.

End of December- a band that helpes get the word out about Globals work in Africa is going to be playing at Sunshine Fest in Minnesota this summer. This is a Christian Rock Concert. What a great opportunity for them to spread the word about Christ and also put out God's work in Africa through Global and the many families working through that.

And here we are at the Christian Exp. Julie and her daughter are running the tables. We were able to share about the work in Liberia and give out alot of information. Also able to educate about the needs of Liberia.

Ministry Expo this weekend!!

Global Orphan Outreach will be there... Wausau, Wisconsin

Special needs children and Liberia

I recently received this email letter from one of our foster moms. How sad that this has to be a battle within a Christian community in Liberia=

HI,

HOPE YOU ARE FINE AS WE ARE TRYING TO BE HERE.

I WISH TO INFORM YOU THAT I AM FACED WITH A KIND OF EMBARRASMENT IN MY COMMUNITY CONCERNING A CHILD I CARE FOR, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.

THE PROBLEM IS, EVERYONE IN MY COMMUNITY ACCUSES HER OF BEING DEMON POSSESSED. EVERY CHURCH WE GO TO THE SAME THING IS SAID ABOUT HER AND THE PASTORS WILL ASK ME NOT TO CARRY HER TO THAT CHURCH AGAIN, NO ONE VISIT US FOR FEAR OF HER. I CAN CALL PRAYING PEOPLE TO COME AND PRAY WITH US BUT AFTER TWO OR THREE TIMES THEY WILL SAY THAT THE GIRL IS POSSESS SO THEY WILL NOT COME AGAIN.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR LONG BUT I JUST TRIED TO BE PATIENT TO SEE IF THERE WOULD BE A DIFFERENCE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND PLEASE PRAY ALONG WITH ME.

XXXX