Monday, March 22nd

Every morning and evening I met up with new and old friends who heard that a "de la Haye" was back in Liberia. Many came for miles to visit and pray together. Trokon Garway met my sister Joy on facebook. He told me his story of how God protected him during the war. He would hide in the bush for days. When he heard anything, he would cover himself with tall grass and lay as still as he could and just pray.

Dan, Tom and I drove around Monrovia as Dave and Herbie when for meetings at the Ministry of Health. We walked down Carry Street looking for a Liberian shirt for Dan and Tom. While they were getting their shirts, I was making friends with the tailors in the shop. All of a sudden there was a loud commotion. An ex-combatant with only one arm got in a fight with the owner of the store who was trying to move him away from Dan and Tom. The ex-combatant was trying to get a 'dash' from them. He became so angry, that he took his shirt off, pulled a razor blade and started slashing it around. Dan and Tom quickly moved away, as they were at the front of the store, but I was inside and couldn't get out. The angry man rushed into the store, pushing a man in front of me who fell back on me. I fell back onto a sewing machine, my shoes flew off. I wasn't hurt, but realized all the tailors encircled me protecting me from this very angry fellow. They moved me out of the store and down the street. We left thanking God for His protection, and two new shirts! There is a good end to this story. Two days later, Dan and Tom went back to get another shirt they ordered, and the same ex-combatant was there and he apologized.

We went to the top of the hill where the Dukor Hotel still stands as a shell of it's former self. It is a place where criminals and ex-combatants lived after the war. It overlooks the sea and the city of Monrovia.

It is surrounded by many cannons from the slaving days. The statue of the first President of Liberia, Joseph J Roberts and the bronze sculptured wall of history still stands as a tribute to the beginning of Liberia's independance in July 1847.

Canons lay silent under the underbrush as a reminder that freedom doesn't come with guns and war, or tribal differences, but under the forgiveness and restoration of our homeland and people through Jesus Christ.

We also saw the Mahogany wall that still stands where the restaurant used to be, that overlooks the pool. This was where I had my High School graduation dinner with my family after graduating from College of West Africa. Old memories, sure are different now.

We saw the new plans for the reconstruction of the hotel. Sure hope they keep this wall!

Just had to get Dan taking a dive in the pool ... just for old times sake!

We were able to talk to the next generation of kids off from school and invite them to the youth rallies. They are the future of Liberia!

Driving through Monrovia with sights, sounds and smells ... was so precious. The streets are so full of more cars and people now. So many have moved into the city hoping for new opportunities.

Old churches and buildings have signs of war, but still stand!


Seeing the old Mansion and Centennial Pavilion where I used to go visit CooCoo as a teenager, brought fond memories. I remember when Queen Elizabeth made a visit to Liberia, I went with my parents to a garden party here.This is where Steve and Dan Snyder's parents were married!


YFC was started almost 50 years ago in Liberia. This is where the Saturday night rallies used to be held. Many still talk about the "Teen Time Quiz" and how it influenced their way of studying the Bible, even to this day.



Government buildings are being repaired and put back into use again. There is still much to be done in Monrovia and all around the country. But a lot has happened since so much destruction. It is taking time, but it is happening.

Christine and I visited the Vice President in his office at the Capital Building. Please pray for those in government places that they will be able to hold true to the values and calling to rebuild Liberian into a truely Christ-following-Nation.

Hearts are to be changed before a nation is changed.



The Lutheran Church is still a lighthouse where Christ is known, even after the massacure of over 600 church goes during the war. Many churches stand as places of worship to the true and living God who calls people to forgiveness and restoration of people and land. Our hearts were blessed by many stories of this very thing.


As we drove through the streets on our way back to ELWA, we rejoiced to see how hundreds of school children and young adults there were. Please pray as there are so many supplies, text books, teaching helps, libraries, desks, and teacher training needed in the country. Many of the schools we visited just have a roof for cover, sand on the floor, no chalkboards, and very few books.

When we got back to ELWA, Ben Mannuel came to visit.


YFC came to set up for Rally #2 at International Church of Monrovia ICM at ELWA Campus. Pastor Moses Gwoley is the Pastor. There were about 75 HS and College age kids. 2 made a commitment to Jesus. Pastor Gwoley says that the possibility of working with YFC in the future was an answer to prayer.

I met King who was one of Ray's (my brother) students when he and Marcia lived and taught at ELWA Academy. How precious to see friends like this. Ray meant a lot to King.

We got back to the guest house about 10:00 pm after a very full day for our chop dinner! What a happy day to celebrate what Jesus has done!