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Letters from Liberia

Page 2
Our fellow Christ Follower, Dr. Ken Magee, is now in Liberia with The Northwest Medical Teams
Here are some excerpts from his letters home.

 

July 19, 2004
Dear Jo and Others,
It has been a good day. We did admit three people to a hospital run by "Drs. Without Borders." And saw a lot of others. Saturday p.m. we spent with missionaries and others who are working in this part of the world; about 35-40 in all. It was a monthly potluck so many of them knew each other. The biggest number were Mennonites. They work largely with orphans of which there are many. They search for the parents and work on adoptions and care for them. Others were working on education; some getting books back into schools. Most of the books had been burned in the recent wars. Another was the President of a newly formed University and has adopted 9 African children of her own. There are so many interesting things that they are doing.
Yesterday we took a long journey down to Buchanan, on the coast east of Monrovia. It had apparently been a resort sort of place years ago, but is now hugely devastated. We spent some time with two policeman from the US who work for the UN. They are not optimistic about the present Liberian police force with which they work. Corruption includes not feeding prisoners often, getting out. We had to drive back after dark and over terrible roads. We aren't supposed to be out after dark so were glad to get home. There are so many things that are different.
Jo, I hope that you and others are having a grand Yearly Meeting. There are so many many things to say about this country. Did I tell you that we see very few birds? Apparently with all the people hard pressed for food they are a temptation. A bit ago I went to the hospital to see Flomo and watched some children playing a game sort of like hopscotch. I am also working at getting good at the Liberian handshake so that I can teach all of you how to do it. I also am trying to collect a variety of seashells and rocks. SOME PRETTY NEAT ONES.
Much love, Ken

July 24, 2004
Dear Jo and Others,
It is Saturday and I just walked over to visit a school in a village area called "Rock Hill." There is an old (Huge) quarry where rock was removed with dynamite and machinery and run through a crusher. Now people break up rocks with hammers by hand and sell the piles. It is a hard way to make a living. The school has primarily orphans and kids with only one parent. The Liberian government asked them to get uniforms, but the principal replied that many of the children can't even afford shoes. I asked him, "What will help Liberia to come out of its huge darkness?' His reply: Education. Then people are not so easily manipulated; Focusing on relationship with JesusGod rather than on material things; Quit acting like performing on a stage when going to church and seek relationship with Christ." He stated that sadly people are going back to their same old ways of focusing on themselves rather than God. Tomorrow after going to African church I hope to go over and take a picture of their graduation.
Yesterday was busy at Singe. We had to stop a little earlier than usual in order to get an infant with pneumonia and a teenager with bad asthma to the hospital before they died. Monday is "Independence Day" in Liberia, harking back to 1847 when they declared themselves an independent nation. We have been advised to not travel at that time as violence occurs easily. If you run into a pedestrian we have been told to not stop- as the crowd will likely kill you, but to go to the nearest police station. Hmmm.
Coming to our house by the seashore in the evenings, the winds from off the Atlantic and such are sure a help. Walking up the seashore this P.M. I got to talk with several UN soldiers from Lebanon.
Send love to my many friends. Thanks to all you for your prayers.
Love, Ken

July 26, 2004
Dear Jo and others,
This Independence day has been quiet thus far. Had a good walk near the ocean this morning. Had a lot of most interesting and good things happen yesterday and will have some pictures to show as a result. The African church service in the morning was full of rhythym and body language. Mary and I were asked to introduce ourselves and it was the first time either of us ever had both clapping and a drum roll. In the afternoon we attended the orphanage school graduation on Rock Hill.
What a neat event it was with the little folks even dressed in caps and gowns and students putting on skits, talks and singing. It was superb!
I took a bunch of pictures. There is a large rock quarry in this area but there is no longer power equipment to crush rock, so the people make their living using hammers to pound the rocks into small, usable pieces and pile them in stacks to be sold. What a difficult way to try to make a living. But it helps to provide some food.
In the evening we ate with a group of the UN police from America and Canada. In the course of the event the barbecue barrel turned over causing a bit of stir. So you can see, it was an eventful day.
Much love to you all, Ken

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Captured, a Story from Liberia with pictures