Nov 21st and 22nd

Nov 21st and 22
Friday & Saturday - Took a tour of the city and the river at the edge of town before leaving. Still in many stages of repair as they had war here, at times, till 1993 so the roads have need of a lot of repair. We are off to the meeting, picking up people on the way. All of them going to the meeting also. John has seats for 3 and picked up 7, some in the back of the truck sitting with the gear to camp. On the way we stopped to see the Dorm Laveen Baptist helped fund. They have a church, rest rooms, cooking area and eating area. The 4 dorm rooms are about 10x12 and they sleep 15 people per room. Everything here is concrete mixed by hand and blocks are made using the sand on site and a hand block press. Cement is $14.00 US dollars per bag. When they build it must be concrete or the rainy season will start to erode the structures. We drove 8 hours to get there and set up tents in the dark as the locals laughed at us for using tents. They just lay on mats made of reeds. I didn’t know that till later as I don’t speak the language. To the right you will see a picture of the people at the Pastor's Conference. I am way in the back. Look closely. Dinner was fixed, a ball of corn meal or 2 with beans in the bottom. You break off the cornmeal and mix it with the beans and eat it. This is done with your fingers. After dinner they sang. They had about 60 youth there also from 9 to 16 years old. All singing till about midnight. Went to bed about 2 am it started to rain so I had only a screen on the top of the tent and had chosen not to bother with the rain fly so then I had to put it on in the rain and dark. Hard to hold the flash light and work at the same time. Got started and out came John his windows had no covering so we put his on as well. 30 minutes later the rain stopped. The next morning they started the meeting at 9am went till 4pm. I got to do a devotional and used John 12:26 as it fit what I’m doing and why I’m here. Loaded up everyone that came with us and headed back, made good time and got back at a little after 9pm. I will go to church tomorrow with John & Wanne at 7am then off to the airport to Johannesburg for another adventure. God is so good and I want again to thank you for praying for me and the people I have come in contact with.

Nov 18th - 20th

Nov. 18th Tuesday - I left the guest house in Johannesburg and headed to the airport - arrived 11:30. Check-in was smooth. I went to the gate, waited an hour and then they changed the gate to the other side of the terminal where I started. I guess long walks are good for me. There was no seats in this area so we stood for 45 minutes until boarding. Landed in Maputo and went through immigration and baggage claim. They were having people open there bags and checking through them then they pushed on the front of mine and said go, so I went. The flight to Quelimane was moved up 2 hours which I thought was great. We left in the rain and the ride is bumpy but the flight was not full so I had an empty seat to the side of me. That always helps to have elbow room. The gentleman sitting in the row with me is part of a group putting in power lines and equipment across Africa. He was from Canada. The Dina’s met me at the airport no immigration no passport check. This was the easiest stop yet.

Nov. 19th Wednesday - Nice place. I’m going with john to a meeting today about 120 miles away. It will be interesting because they speak Portuguese. We left at 6 am and picked up people along the way. The terrain changed 3 times in the drive from flood plan for rice fields to coconut palms to what they call forest. The place we went to is mud huts sitting on logs held up by branches that had the Y standing up. The meeting lasted 5 hours. No more complaining about padded pews. Lunch today was white rice and chicken. You eat with your fingers and that is messy and some what different. You wash your hands in a bowl with everyone else before and after the meal. Then the long ride back to the house and dropping off people on the way. We saw Baboons crossing the road ahead of us. We stopped but they ran off before I could take a picture. Back at the house we had spaghetti and salad there were some deep fried pastry with meat filling. I got on the internet an talked with Sharon and read my emails. It's nice to hear from people and know they care enough to send a word of encouragement and know that they are enjoying hearing some of the thing happening here.

Nov. 20th Thursday - No place to have to go so today, it was fix it day. The truck need some attention battery cable repair, lock repair, body work straightening some dents. Now we are ready for a long drive for a 2 day meeting - sleeping in a tent overnight. Here the rainy season starts in Dec. and lasts through March. That is mosquito season as all the low lands flood and causes a breading ground in the rice fields. John says they get so thick that you wipe them off not smash them. You can’t keep up. And at times you can hardly eat if you are outside. Hard to imagine. They are barbecuing tonight, wild game of different types. This will be interesting.

Nov 11th - 17th

Nov. 11th
Tuesday - Too much to do and not enough time. I was distributing the supplies to the medical team and Dr. Tomarken called and asked about getting some computers set up so I got 2 desktop computers up and running. They have XP pro installed so that is a blessing as I had no idea what to expect. I thought maybe the hard drive might have been wiped clean since they were coming from an office in the states. These were some computers that came over on the container. Need to get step-down transformers tomorrow for the monitor, baby scale and incubators so they are working for a long time to come. The picture to the right is those items in the nursery. It is a blessing to have my computer because I’m listening to worship music as I’m writing. This helps to bring the whole thing back in perspective and set my focus back on the fact that I’m here for God not me or man. The glory is all His. I should know by now He is in total control.

Nov. 12th
Wednesday - Today was a good day. I have seen more progress today. I think we will make it in the time I have left. We sent much of the supplies to the pharmacy so the doctors can get what they need. Much of the overstock was put in the newly renovated part of the hospital in a clean and safe place. It will be gone in about 3 months or less. Had time to talk with Dr. Tomarken today about this entire process we have had to go through to get the contents of this container. Project C.U.R.E. wants a report about this container and how it was handled. He was very upbeat about it and told me I was welcome anytime. He said I was good for the people and he claims I have given them encouragement to do things as they now see that none of what they thought could not be done could, but only if they try and ask questions when necessary. Now many think I should stay another month. There is enough to do but they can manage if they keep the "I can attitude".

Nov 13th
Thursday - I got an email today that someone is funding another container and they want a list of items for it ASAP to send it out right away. Isn’t GOD Great! Now the real issue is, what will do the most good here. I need a real tour tomorrow of the entire hospital that’s working with what was sent (this container) by the people here in the US. My only regret here is that I really never got to see much of the country with me not being able to drive myself around. Went to the Reeves home for dinner tonight and it was good. Rice and beans, not to hot. She had the hot in a bowl by itself. It rained here tonight again. The rain is nice but it raises the humidity and that is hard to deal with. Everything sticks to you, and sleep is hard when you just lay there and sweat. And then no shower in the morning just put on your dirty clothes and go, few! Tomorrow is my last day to make a difference here. May GOD grant me Grace through the Prayers of His people.

Nov. 14th
Friday - The last day at JFK started at 7:30am in the warehouse trying to see how to get the most done. Had to install some step-down transformers for the major equipment. We put out some incubators and a baby scale. Dr. Julie said that the scale alone will save babies lives as they didn't have any before. You don’t just go buy a scale here. Now they can do medications by the weight not a guess and hope it's right. She said that if you miss the weight by 3 lbs they might possibly die. This is really how basic the need is here. Being here this long is really the only way to see the true need but even more than that the true need of the people to change there mindset to care for what they have. It seems to me that maybe a loss of hope has lead to a loss in caring which makes this circle. It must be broken to really affect change here. My belief is that it will only come when others come along side and show the people that there is hope, in a physical sense, then you may show them how God can do that in their lives.

Nov. 15th
Saturday - I finally got a tour of the city per-say. We when down town and went on a walking tour of the street vendors and sights from the edge of that part of the city. It reminds me of a very large flee market. I could see the port from this point and saw the Mercy Ship in port. It has spent 10 months here and is leaving about the first of the year. Just shortly after that JFK should be reopening the areas that are being remodeled. Went to a few more places and it was time to get to the airport to leave Liberia. My plane was to leave at 5:50pm for Accra, Ghana and we arrived at the airport at 4:45. Sat next to a missionary lady from Sudan and she was going on to Nigeria. She was on her way back from teaching and training on the Mercy Ship for a week. When I got off the plane my baggage was nowhere in site. I prayed that God would help me find my luggage and a man came up to me and led me to where it was. God is Good!!

Nov 16th
Sunday - Had Breakfast and took a walk around the city a little. Not so many people out in most places as this is Sunday. There are still many street vendor though. Went to the hotel until I got a ride to the airport for my 11:00pm flight to South Africa. Had a great flight because the plane was less than half full so I had 4 seats to myself. First class at coach fair, not bad. All night flight.

Nov 17th
Monday - Arrived at Johannesburg Airport about 7am. It took 90 minutes to get through customs and baggage claim and got my luggage. Hooray!! Found Stan, that is from the guest house where I will be staying until the next flight, and off we went. This is basically a motel. It is nice and the rooms are set up like a church camp. 2 rooms with 2 or 3 beds, common kitchen and each room has a bathroom. Have Internet which is Great. I have been able to talk with Sharon on skpye this afternoon. It was like a phone call. Did my wash, have to iron them to finish drying them due to rain. Ready for the next journey to the Dinas' and praying that the flights work out as they have had some changes since I got to Africa. My plane leaves at 1:50 pm on Tuesday. I walked down to get some dinner and it rained so I’m a bit sore tonight but it's all good. The whole day has been busy work and walking. I am readying for the next leg of this journey. Thanks again for praying for me. God has protected and kept me healthy.

Nov 8th & 10th

Nov. 8th
Only 1 week left here and now the crunch has hit. I have spent the day in the warehouse trying to separate things. There are NO gloves, masks, gowns or foot coverings in the hospital so they would be more than happy to get a container of these type of items than anything else. Mercy Ship is here now helping Liberia. Christen, one of the doctors in charge, is the main person I will be dealing this week to distribute all the contents of the container to the doctors and departments. I walked up the street today to one of the hotels close to JFK and found they have a outdoor deli for lunch time. When I leave in the morning, sometimes I don’t get to eat till late evening. This may work well. The doctors are also going to send us updates and photos of how this makes a difference here. This is affecting the hearts and not just the lives and to GOD be the Glory! Well, it's 6pm I better send this off to Sharon via email and get a ride home. The internet has made this a much easier trip. My ride was delayed till 9pm so I sat and talked to the people who came and went. Most of the state side doctors are here through a foundation called HEART they are part of Harvard, Princeton, Yale, etc. and associated hospitals. So there are top notch people here.

Nov. 10th
Arrived at 7:30am, found Doctor Tamochan about 8:30 and he took me to see Mrs. Dr. McDonald who is the head administrator at the hospital. We talked about what needed to be done and she agreed to meet me in the warehouse to start moving things out. I kept the inventory and they call the departments and divide up the list as to who needs and gets what. You would have thought they were kids on Christmas morning that just got what they wanted and more in some cases. I needed to distribute the boxes of gaze and bandages first as they are a large amount 100 cases and many needed it right away. Then syringes as there are 20 cases of different sizes. Some sizes they don’t have. This process has taken all day. 4:30pm and my ride is was suppose to be here, must of got side tracked, showed up at 5:30 with other places to go so got back at 6:30pm. I was told that what I am doing here is good because they have never had anyone come with the container and never had one with so much right stuff in it. Not just what someone thought but things that are needed. It is raining this evening that means tomorrow will be muggy along with mid 90s. This was a very Blessed day. I can't tell you all how much it means to me that you are praying. Thank you!

The container is at the hospital. Praise God!

Nov 7th
Praise GOD at 5pm the container arrived. Unloaded in 2 ½ hours, not bad.

Nov 3rd, 4th & 5th

Nov. 3
Monday many things happened today. The architect and the contractor for the remodel of the hospital came in. The architect is doing his work for free. He put the “not using machinery here” in prospective. If you employ equipment then people who have nothing now will have less because that is their job and how are they to eat. It won’t save lives though. Most just exist on dirt floors, walls of whatever, a tin roof and no windows. That is 75 percent of the people here. Working people at the hospital average about $100.00 or a little more a mouth. And gas is still $3.30 per gallon USD. 100 lbs of rice is $35.00 and I have seen no milk here. But they have coke! Going with the kids in the morning I see so much disperse as we take back streets. Back to the hospital, I am still working on the incubator. Got the transformer back and I still can’t get it to light. I went to the maturity ward to see if there were any others like this one. Did not find one. They did have 5 there but they did not have a light. 1 had heat and 2 didn’t work at all. I saw 2 babies in there. We are going back Tuesday and pull out what does not work for them. Julie, the doctor, was in today and she was so happy to see someone, she said thank you. Got the specks off the internet for an autoclave that they said was bad. Turns out it needed to be cleaned and the water levels had to be set right and it works fine now. I needed a plug and cord, got lights, put in a portable O/R light and it works. These were all considered junk. They are not hard fixes it just took time because I didn’t have the right tools but it was not impossible. This is, without question, a full time job for someone.

Nov. 4th
Got up early went up stairs to read, not by the front door like most days, and my ride with the children forgot me so now I’m waiting for a way to town. Not driving here puts a hardship on getting things done in a timely fashion. I got a ride in with Mr. Snow. We had to make a stop and there were a large group of people standing around talking about the elections and if Obama wins he will bring world peace. This is when knowing God is in charge makes all the difference in the world. The rest of the day has been uneventful. White rice and egg sandwich for dinner. Talked with Sharon on Skype, my life line, and at this rate I may learn to type a little better as we have to type to talk.

Nov 5th
Traffic was bad this morning. Try to imagine road work, no lights and no traffic control. I just received a call to say that 2 of the 3 boxes we sent from home have arrived. Now which ones. I have spent the day in the office and it has turned out to be a good thing as I have had Doctors in and hospital management as I was disappointed because every thing in container was going to a warehouse. Now, by God’s grace, it is going to the doctor that really needs the stuff and now I know another reason I’m here seeing where this stuff is to go. The PRAYER is now Friday morning as I will have the doctor’s help to be sure things get where they are needed. I guess thanksgiving came early for me. I can’t express my thanks to GOD for the knowledge that this will not be in vain through my eyes. Now I know that these things will really help the people and I told them I want to take photos. They had no problem with that and they are as happy to get the items as I am to hear that we will really do some good. I’m sure right now if I was not here the contents in this container would sit in a warehouse and probably never get used. I also got to talk with the peds doctors about Rafiki and they and Doctor Tomakian want to help, at least, on a weekly bases. That is also very good news and I believe that will happen in GOD’s Grace and timing. The ride home tonight was about 7 miles and 2 hours because of a traffic jam. Glad I was not driving. Container now set to get for before 12 noon Friday. Thanks again for all your prayers.

Oct 31st & Nov 1st

Oct. 31
I went to JFK at 7am and had to ride with the children to school. There are no school buses so they pick up and drop off children and people all the way to town. Really different way. Found an incubator that looked like it might work so I found a cord (every thing that is considered bad they cut the cord off )found the lights to be working. UV started so I had it cleaned up and had to find wire send out, buy a plug, clean cord, attached plug, then plugged it in, start the UV and the transformer burns out then had to take it to a shop to have it rewound. I asked Dr. Julie how the baby is doing and is the UV light still needed in the morning when the lights first came on baby still needed it so after taking the transformer in then they called another Hospital to see if anyone had a UV bulb we could use for a short time and found that a whole unit was available, no one had asked. Best part by this time the condition of the baby has turned around and will not need it. PRAISE GOD!! This is the power of prayer and we will now have one more working unit. That turned into an all day project when getting a nut off with pliers in a small space leaves you to improvise, it takes a lot of time and effort. No tools. I’m suppose to get picked up at 4pm with the children. At 4:40 I called to see if there is something holding them up. No, they forgot me. They sent a car about 5:15 and got back about 6pm. I found it was wash day. Great, they washed everything but what I’m wearing. It stated raining this afternoon so I now have clean but very wet clothes as hanging them is the only way to dry them. Will see how this plays out. Was told now should get the container early next week. Here everything is later. Got to Mr. Snow’s home they fed me African gumbo with a yam base.This was good, not spicy! Now at 7pm they want to know if I want dinner oh boy, too full. Maybe some fruit later. Sharon Emailed me an update on the boxes. Now they say 1 left New Jersey on the 24th, 1 on the 26th, and 1 on the 29th. We will see if they ever arrive. It would be nice.

Nov. 1st
Pastor Sam & I went to the Rafiki Center today. When we arrived I was surprised to see how nice it was. It is away from the city, toward the airport and down a dirt road. Got to the gate explained who we were to the guard, he called and a Mr. Dave Veneman came and asked who we were. He said, "Paul Olsen, I read your name on a list here, come in. Once in side the compound, he and his wife Babs were new volunteers of 5 mouths, they directed us to the clinic. They have no staff for it yet, but the Medical Kits are a great start even for short term mission help. Took photos of them opening the cases then they showed us around and explained at this time they have 12 children.They only take true orphans no mother or father that are living and from 18 months to 5 years. One young man's story is that he was found on his dead mother's back who was trying to get to Seralion, a neighboring country. Someone took him there then someone else brought him back to Monrovia and he was found sitting on a street corner and was then advertised if he belonged to anyone. No one claimed him so he is now at Rafiki. Anyone who knew of him said he was called the survivor as he should have died many times from spending time on his mothers back after she died and all the way through his journey to Rafiki. Right now they have room for 90 children and will grow to 180. Only have staff for 30 right now. Each cottage will house 10 children and what is called a "Mother" must be 18 or older with no husband or children under 18. CHRISTIAN with a good church background. They have a guest house for short term missionaries and housing for the full time staff and missionaries. We met the director, her name is Joanne Colvin. She was very nice and asked if we would like to meet the children and house mothers. This was a GREAT day for everyone of us. This was the first step since I arrived that will truly touch lives and make a difference. I now know that I will ask the staff at JFK if there is any who may want to put some time out there once in awhile. God has shown me great things here and there is a long way to go. It stayed dry here today so I think most of my clothes are now dry so I will have something clean to wear to church tomorrow. I’m sure my time here is not wasted in God's eyes but to me it will only help if I can help others avoid some of the down time for things that should have been done 2 weeks before I arrived. Thank you for continuing to pray for me while I am over here.

Oct. 29th Wednesday
This was one of those days that all I felt I did was spin my wheels. I started trying to find a way to JFK then when I did I had 10 minutes to be out the door. Took a dry egg sandwich with me (dry means egg on roll that’s it) and a bottle of water. Got to JFK and ended up being supervisor over putting up a sign in the emergency room for nurse procedures as they used plexi glass to cover it. Had to tell them how to not crack it. When that was done I walked around the hospital taking photos. Try that in the US. I did not go in where there was people. I will do that when the equipment is installed and in use. The ER was packed like the US for the same reason, NO money to pay for health care. The difference is they are citizens not aliens. I found some equipment in the hallway and storage room. I think I found a light on a discarded incubator that looks like it still works. I showed them how to test it and what can be done if it works. By now it is 2:30pm and they go home at 3pm so tomorrow (menyona) I hope they will do it. Providence was to pick me up between 3:30 & 4:00 and they didn’t show - called Sam, said the driver went home sick he would get someone. At 6:45 I get picked up to go to the church then back across town the Snow's home. At 8pm water was on so I got to shower only cold water here but it still feels good as you don’t get one every day. Only when the generator is on and the pump is turned on. It rained here today. It has been raining but only at night. I did find a way to send photos to Sharon. Hope that she can see them well.

Oct 30th
It has rained most of the night and is still raining this morning. Was told this is unusual for the rainy season to last this long - should be hot and dry. Am Blessed I get to have my bones ache with stormy weather to help remind me who is in charge. I have some time this morning while waiting for Pastor Sam as I am going to the seminary with him today. He is teaching there. This maybe my only chance to see it. With God's Grace they think the container should be release on Friday 31st. That means on Monday we will get to open it. Also found out that some of this should have been done before the container hit port. It would have made the wait shorter. More learning! Was told between March & July Delta will be flying direct. I have heard that before and maybe it is true this time. P.M. - Went to the seminary with Pastor Sam today, he teaches classes there and found out that the Southern Baptist Convention has left here and the Liberian Baptist are who operate it at a diminished capacity. His classes were interesting as to the points of view and what they use to study with. I didn’t have time to tour the campus but hopefully I will before I leave. Sharon Emailed me that our Great post office, after 2 ½ weeks, still have my boxes, with my clothes in them, are in New Jersey. I am trying to get what I put in my back pack "carry on" washed but rain has hampered that. You have to hang them out to dry with 98% humidity making them slow drying so it's now my cleanest dirty clothes. No word on what day we will get the container. Most who have gone through this say "tomorrow-Friday", which means here, if I get it Friday it will be Monday before I will get help to unload it. Just had dinner and their version of steak and French fries are fried to shoe leather, thinned then fried in a pan. But it doesn’t have the African spice so I will not complain. My stomach is much better now that they have been trying to feed me more American type food with out the spice. I do miss having real shoes. Sandals and clogs are hard to get used to but they are still more than most have here so I am grateful for that. I must thank everyone for their prayers as I know that is my safety net here. I am the odd man out but most remember my name and are very nice to me. I got to see Sam & Alice’s new home site and plans. They are putting in the foundation right now and it's two story will be a nice home.

Oct24th 8pm
I have just returned from an afternoon at the hospital. Much different than I had been told. They do have some equipment but are in not so good shape. When I was in the maternity part of the hospital, I saw nothing to support a child. Two nurses were working on a man's amputated leg that was severely infected in the parking lot. Then when they were done they put him out the gate. The gentleman that was showing me around told me that whoever shows up at the hospital are near death before they will come. I was told that much of the problem is the living conditions do to no running water, no sewer & electricity. I traveled at night for the first time. That puts a new perspective on things. People standing on the road in pitch black and no driving rules. Driving here is something you would have to experience as a demolition derby has more rules yet they say, "not that many accidents." I am alone again tonight to eat but the help here are doing better about not making so much for me. Jisu (our Korean student living with us) fixed new foods for me and now I get a new menu of African food. Like hers I had to ask for not so much spice. (sissy) Tomorrow is Saturday. God is making me wait. His plan not mine!!!!

Saturday came and went. I am here but doing nothing - beautiful beaches - not the right clothes or shoes - No sunscreen - got burnt the first time I went out for a short time and still not better.

Sunday Oct 26th
Got up early to watch the sunrise but couldn't see it because of the rain clouds. The temp here is about 92 with 98% humidity. Went to church services from 8am to 12 noon. They do not have evening church but are having a classical music night starting at 5pm. Music here is loud and due to the (accents) I don't understand most of the words. I have a hard time with a lot of the people when they speak. I have to ask them to repeat and slow sown. Others I do not have as much trouble, there are only phrases I don't get. It is 2pm and just had lunch. African food over rice much better than flan which is a starched base, almost like dough but more jelly texture and no flavor. You have to put hot sauce (wow) or soup on it for flavor. *I just want a sandwich*
Still have not heard from Effort Baptist Church and do not have a number to contact them. Am praying God's grace for the containers to arrive tomorrow as I want to see this project move forward.

Oct. 27th
Spent most of the day at JFK working with people and trying to find out what we can salvage and what is trash. Most of the problems stem from the power system. They are now a 220 system and much of what is here is 110 and people forget to use converters. I have meet several Americans here working on long term bases (1 or more years) and puts what I am doing in perspective. One of those persons is Julie Herlihy MD,MPH from Massachusetts General. She is the new pediatric doctor. At the end of the day she found me to ask about some of the equipment. I had found out that the first container has arrived Oct. 23rd and I was trying to get to the Vice President to get it here ASAP. What she had to say is, she arrived on Fri. and has a new born with jaundice and will die without an incubator with a UV light. We have 8 in the containers and only GOD can change this ending. I went to Providence Church for a church planning meeting. When I return to the place I am staying I received a call that I was to meet with the Vice President in the morning to talk about the containers.

Oct 28th
Was picked up by Rev. Langford and taken to the Vice President's office. He made some calls then had us go talk to with the Minister of Health who lead me back to JFK and their broker who I was able to talk to. He is doing the paperwork and the cost to get it out of the port is $1,100.00 US dollars. JFK is paying that fee. With God's grace we will get it in a couple of days. Now it is 1pm and an elderly man introduces himself at Mr. Mathews. He was one of the Bio Med techs before the war and sometime during he was educated in the US and China. He walked me through the items that are just sitting and telling me what is wrong with them and what parts are still in the hospital to repair some lights and small items. He gave me a history lesson. At the end of talking with him the driver from Providence was there to pick me up for a meet at the church till 7pm. Got back to where I am staying at 8pm and catching up on my writing while waiting for dinner. Dinner was great. Pancakes, scrambled eggs with bacon in them. I hope that this is a new trend. I got a chicken sandwich for breakfast. I like being at the hospital all day. I only have 2 meals a day and this way 12 hours apart - much better. Do, though, miss my cookies and I have not had any COFFEE since I left. I guess not a bad thing, no ill affects that I know of.

Paul's Trip So Far

Monday October 20th 7:30pm
I am half way to Accra - left Phoenix Arizona at 6:30 am. There has not been to many things to try my patience, some lines - mostly to check baggage. I know now it is much harder to legally leave this country than to get in. I have not had too much problems sitting on the planes. They have not been full which makes a little more room - 2 people, 3 seats not that bad. Dinner was chicken that was eatable :-). Talked to Sharon when I landed in New York and found that there is a hang up getting the first container out of customs. Am sure that between Michael Fry from Project CURE, Sharon and Rev. Sam they will have it worked out by Wed. when I arrive. Not sure what to expect when I arrive in Accra, Ghana as I received a call from the travel agent to say I would have to find the bus to get to the hotel. This was not what I was told before I left home and I understood someone was to meet me when I arrived in Ghana. *Surprise #1*
That is it until I land.

Tuesday Oct 21 8:30pm - Africa time.
This has been a good day after landing in what you would expect to see in a WWII movie. You get off the plane on roll away stairs to walk in to a building that reminds me of a concrete milk house (I was raised on a dairy farm) as they heard you through the check point that was manned by the army. Took a ride though the streets with horns going instead of blinkers. People standing in the street selling and begging even in wheel chairs and little children that I would think should be in school. I chose to go for a walk around the hotel. I am in the middle of the capital city and the poverty is scary when you come from the USA. South Phoenix is luxury. I witnessed babies playing next to the street and mothers pulling up there shirts to feed their children in the open. In mid day you could buy anything from a new suit to fried fish and I saw both men and women carrying things on their head. The people there were nice. I am now sure that GOD has something for me to see and do. Tomorrow on to Liberia

Wednesday Oct. 22
The flight to Liberia was good and I had 3 seats to myself. It was a 1.5 hour flight. Customs was a little more trying in Liberia as I did not have an address and I had to explain why the Project C.U.R.E. stickers were on my bags and that I was not there to work. They finally understood that Providence Baptist Church was where I was going to see Pastor Sam Reeves then they let me go. In Ghana they charged me $50.00 for over weight bags for the Medical Kits. Never said anything about my carry on items. I am not staying with the Reeves I am staying with a member of government, Edwin Snow - Former Speaker of the House now a House Member as the Reeves are working on their home. They told me that at the end of the month they will have room for me. Not yet sure if there are any other reasons for my staying here with Mr. Snow but much has been talked about on how to fund and outfit all the hospitals and clinics in Liberia. God is working in many ways and I don’t know where this road will lead. I came here to serve but I am being served and it makes me uncomfortable as my life style has never been about expecting people to do for me. Too much food served to me and I can’t eat it all which I hope is not rude but I did tell Mr. Erwin Snow that I am not a heavy eater. I still have no internet to send any thing so I hope to do that by Friday when they take me to the hospital. I do have a bathroom and running water here and the power is still a generator that runs from 7pm to 6 am. Mr. Snow tells me that it costs 3000 a month at 50cents a gallon. And he has to have 3 generators working to be sure of power as they break down often. Sam and Alice had dinner here tonight that is why so much talking. I will stop this for now as it is 11:30pm and the house has shut down.

Oct.23 Thursday morning 9:00am
I am already bored as Sam is teaching and the container has not been located so Sam said to take the day to rest. WHY? I need something to do. God's graces have not allowed me to have jet lag at this point. I was told that there are things to do at the hospital even without the containers. I think that, at this pace of things, it's going to be hard for me to accept - miles from nowhere and nothing to do and my wife not with me - not the top of my wish list. I took a long walk on the beach this afternoon and the people on the beach are mostly fishing families. They were very nice. Later went to town with Mr. Snow he showed me hospitals including JFK also Providence Baptist Church. There are as many different stages of reconstruction as you can imagine. Street vendors all over and much of the living conditions would turn most people’s stomach. It is strange, I am now eating most of my meals alone. Tomorrow will be a new chapter, going to work in the Hospital and see first hand what they have at this time. Thank you for praying for me and all the work that needs to be done over here.

Paul made it to Liberia

Paul called from Liberia this afternoon and said he had made it. Paul said that God has allowed the trip to be smooth. "You could see Him working everything out with every step". What a relief to have him there with Pastor Sam & his wife Alice. The container's Bill of Lading was found and now they can hopefully start the unpacking and installation of the precious cargo. We cannot say it enough - Thank you all for your prayers!!

He's Off

Well, Paul is in the air and headed for New York where he will have a couple hours layover and then head to Ghana. He will have to stay in Ghana until the 22nd and then fly to Liberia. I will keep you all up to date on any new information when I hear from him.

Container News:
I (Sharon) got a call early this morning from Pastor Sam Reeves in Liberia and he told me that one of the containers has arrived. Great News!

Thanks to all of you who are praying for Paul. I know it means a lot to him.

Africa Mission Trip Update

As of Oct 5th 2008 I am still waiting on my last visa from Ghana. By God's grace I have received both my Liberia visa and my Mozambique visa. I was given a phone number of what turned out to be the senior consulate in New York City by Pastor Sam in Liberia. God's grace with the Mozambique visa, it was just a turn around with a letter of invitation from John Dina. The suitcases have been bought for the medical kits which will be packed Saturday Oct. 11th. These will be going to the Rafiki Orphanage in Liberia. They are my check in luggage as this is the best way to get them there. This is all in God's hands at this point as only He can make all the parts of this come together at the right time and place.

Oct 12th I have all my visas. GOD’S Grace I have the gotten multiple entry good for up to 2 years (not sure what God has in store with this) Now some of the trials have started to grow my faith I had a tooth pulled as it became painful and may have been a problem with over 23,300 miles to fly on this journey. We are finding that shipping my luggage is challenging as cost and the contents are hard to know what is allowed and why costs are so high. The reason for sending them is my check in luggage will be the medical kits. I know that this is to show me to be ready to wait on HIM as I have been told many times, “Time is not that relevant in Africa as it is in the US.” I will need much prayer that I will slow down and hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit. More to come as I prepare to leave.

They Made It Home!!

Yes, they made it home on Thursday. Thank you for your prayers for safe travel for Marty Tait and Paul. They were tired but they came home blessed. It took longer than expected to drive back because of vehicle (battery) problems. The pictures below are of the warehouse in Houston and the packing of the container itself. They had it so full that 3 of them had to push on the container doors to close them. Paul said they could not get a match book in this one either. Liberia is going to be well equipped for their hospital. Everything from beds to incubators to operating room tables to medical supplies and much more. We are defiantly excited to see what God is going to do next as the containers are due to arrive October 19^th in Liberia an Paul shortly after (exact date not yet confirmed).

Houston, TX - Second Container Packed 9-2-08

Project C.U.R.E. in Houston, Texas

And they said it would not all fit.

Thank you Marty Tait for you huge help!!

Stuffed, Stuffed, Stuffed

Left to Right: Lane, Paul, Marty, George & 4 volunteers

Tempe. AZ - First Container Packed 8/23/08 & Shipped to Houston, TX

From left to right in back- Bobby Joe, Steve Coffee, David Thompson

Front - Paul Olsen, Malissa & Ben Calnon. They had more to put in.

New update on the container to be shipped will now load in Houston, Texas on August 30th set to arrive in Liberia on October 12th. Please be in prayer that there are no more delays. If there are anymore delays it will result in Paul having to cancel the trip until next year.

This is the Project C.U.R.E.'s BioMed room in their warehouse in Phoenix, Arizona. This is were the equipment is tested before being boxed and shipped to all parts of the world.