I'm pretty happy today because I finally made my first trip to "the bush". I don't know that a Liberian would think it was the bush, but I was definitely out of the city and to areas of Bomi County that can only be reached by foot. Rufus and I traveled with our friend Pete Williams to Royesville, about an hours drive outside of Monrovia. We visited the village of Gbogbeh where the community gathered for a presentation/meeting. They decorated their outdoor meeting place with palm branches and hibiscus flowers. It was beautiful. The leaders of the village spoke about their need for schools, particularly a high school and their willingness to donate land for the purpose. I was then presented 4 kola nuts as a symbol of welcoming me to their community with a pure heart and the mother of the village gave me an African name of Jarblon which means leader of women. It was quite an experience. The people were a mix of Muslim and Christians and an interpretor was needed for those that only spoke the local dialect.

Pete then wanted us to see the area where the people live, so we took off on foot toward the ocean to visit their homes. One important point he forgot to tell me as we were planning the day was that the only way to reach many of the people was to cross a river in a canoe. So that we did. The footpath was very narrow in places and those we traveled with seemed to comfortably know the territory and which path to follow. We walked for quite a distance and then would come to a clearing where there would be a small mud house and a hut for outdoor cooking. We stopped on two different occasions for a coconut break. At one stop, one of the young men climbed a tree and coconuts came tumbling to the ground.

We finally made it to the ocean and it was beautiful to experience it without any sort of development. I believe some of the property may be for sale and Pete promises that there is a road to the area - not just a canoe and footpath. This may be the only affordable oceanfront property on the Atlantic for anyone interested. Ha!

It was a great day and amazing to be exposed to how other cultures live off the land and develop a community of their own apart from what we know as civilization. We (Rufus, the girls and I) will be returning to the area tomorrow to conduct a brief women's seminar and children's sport activities and then have a brief program. We also hope to travel to Daniel Hoover Village in the afternoon for their anniversary celebration with one of the Hoover siblings and his family.

Unfortunately, our "goodbyes" are beginning which is terribly difficult. We took Adama home on Saturday. You would have thought he was a hero when we arrived because all of the neighborhood children came running and shouting "Adama, Adama". It doesn't surprise me that he may be a bit of a legend among his friends. The joy of his arrival home quickly turned to tears though as we said goodbye and he ran to his house. Our tears typically follow when we reach the car to drive away. We've all learned to put sunglasses on and simply give each other space for awhile.

And then, here's your three African girls. One of our traditions is to go to the market to buy African fabric and then visit the tailor to have suits made. Michal's suit needed some work, so she's wearing an older suit. Michal and Hezz also had their hair braided today (an 8 hour process). They invited the young ladies from Westside Church to join them for the day and had a wonderful time with them. We're thankful for the relationships that have been formed.

So, we're beginning to turn our minds toward home, but wanting to remain sensitive to God's opportunities these last few days. The last days in country are difficult because of goodbyes and the last minute pleas for help. We're still trying to reach the Embassy for Rufus either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. For those that are praying, please ask God about these things and for our time back at Royesville tomorrow and our longer term involvement with that community and school.

We look forward to seeing everyone in a few days!