CDP

Last week we took a break from our normal weekly schedule and took it on the road. We loaded up our pick-up truck with every kind of supply imaginable and headed up-country to Sinoe County. Sinoe is one of the most remote and rural counties in Liberia. It took us 10 hours to navigate across questionable bridges, through hood-deep mud puddles and around countless holes and divots in the road--yet the total mileage equaled only 200 miles one way. Our final destination was the Hungerpillar Rural Mission and Heart of God Refuge orphanage home.

Although I love all the kids I work with here in Liberia, there are six teenage girls that have a very special place in my heart. I meet with them every Wednesday afternoon for our small group. We talk, laugh, pray, read; the activities vary depending on the day. One thing I always try to communicate, however, is that each one of the girls is special, uniquely created, and loved.

Christmas is one of the happiest and most special times of the year--especially for kids! For weeks now, the children in my small groups at the orphanages have been talking non-stop about Christmas. Their excitement is an inspiration to me. These kids won't have dozens of presents to open on Christmas Day; in fact, the bundles that they get from us are often the only gift they'll receive. Still, whenever someone mentions Christmas, the kids' eyes light up, and they all start grinning. The joy of Christmas is written all over their faces.

Every Wednesday afternoon, I go to an orphanage and meet with a small group of six teenage girls. Like many young women today, these girls struggle with low self-esteem and image issues. What’s heartbreaking is that they don’t have anyone to affirm or encourage them. The mother of the home is often preoccupied with caring for the other 70+ children living there, and the girls don’t have older sisters or other family members around that they can talk to. These girls are beautiful, funny, gifted, and smart—but they don’t even know it.

Last week, we finally received our container shipment! It was like Christmas at the team house. Not only did we receive a pick-up truck bed full of donated books, but we also got bins and bins full of Child Development Program supplies, and more than 850 pairs of underwear for the children! The amount of donations was overwhelming, and we are very excited to put all of your donations to good use with the children that we serve.

Rainy season is quickly approaching here in Liberia. Rainy season is a very difficult time of year--imagine non-stop rain for days at a time. Food becomes scarce and expensive, malaria and other illnesses are prevalent, and everything is flooded. For the children that we work with, that means no school and being stuck inside for days at a time with nothing to do. To combat rainy season boredom, we will continue our Child Development Program and also give the children the opportunity to participate in constructive activities like art and skills training.