April 7, 2010
Liberia, West Africa
We all had our noses pressed against the windows of the DC10 as we began our decent into Roberts International Airport, named after Joseph Jenkins Roberts, often called the ‘father’ of the country. We were arriving from San Antonio, TX. after a mere 26hrs of travel. We are beginning our assignment as Rafiki Overseas Staff in this country originally founded as a U.S. colony in 1822 for repatriated slaves.“Where are the lights?” I was thinking when ‘wham!’ we landed with a resounding thud!. Everyone starting clapping and cheering! Wow, maybe this was a good landing after all?
The lights in the terminal building ahead seemed dim. Then I recall that I was told there was no commercial electricity in the entire country since the war and everything operated off private generators. We ‘mashed left’ into the line for ‘Visitors’. Thirty sweaty minutes later we exited into the challenges of baggage claim. While the official language is English, I understood not a word spoken by any of the agents! I just smiled, kept saying “Rafiki ministry” and kept showing them my paperwork.
After counting several times our 13 checked bags, a quick ‘thank you Lord!’, we proceeded to customs. After opening a few bags for the agent, we were cleared. Was it my charming smile and “Rafiki ministry” that did the trick?
Outside we met Dave Veneman, village director, and Julie McKeighen, education director. After loading, counting again the bags several times, and giving a small tip to only one of several porters claiming to have assisted, we were on our way. That was a pretty uneventful trip : everything on time, all bags arrived and Dave and Julie greeted us eagerly with great smiles, hugs and greetings!
Welcome to Liberia, West Africa.
Thirty minutes later we were at the village and unloading. How impressed I continue to be with the quality of construction at the Rafiki Villages.
Having spent time in Zambia, you appreciate the results of planning, and that indeed close to US standards can be achieved, even in Africa. Rafiki is about quality in everything they do. They believe they are raising up the future Christian leaders of Liberia: Government, business, industry, and education. It is these children that must ‘raise the bar’ for their country. That bar gets set ‘high’ today at every Rafiki Village in 10 countries where Rafiki is established. “A child can (and will!) only rise to the level of expectations we set”, June always tells me. Which one of these children will be the President some day? All have the opportunity!
June and the girls (Sarah 16, Iryna 15) have already begun to integrate into the on-site school (pre-K thru 1st currently, thru 12th eventually) here for teaching and tutoring 1/2 days. Joe (12) and I are tagging along with Dave to get an overview of how the village operates and all the daily tasks. This morning I began to assist Dave’s wife Babs in the kitchen at 6:15am and soon will be responsible for kitchen supervision as well as the laundry. A math degree and 31 years in sales and marketing of computer software (Oracle, Sun Microsystems) has prepared me well! While I know there will be many challenges that lie ahead for our family, I am thankful that God called me out of ‘MY’ retirement to serve His purpose. From a beach in Kauai when I first retired, to a beach (1/2 mile away) in Liberia, West Africa, an amazing 9 year journey that has just begun a new and exciting chapter in our lives. Thank you God for this opportunity.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Stay tuned!
God’s Blessing,
Alan, June, Sarah, Iryna, and Joe
The Patty family serving in Liberia, West Africa.
June and the girls (Sarah 16, Iryna 15) have already begun to integrate into the on-site school (pre-K thru 1st currently, thru 12th eventually) here for teaching and tutoring 1/2 days. Joe (12) and I are tagging along with Dave to get an overview of how the village operates and all the daily tasks. This morning I began to assist Dave’s wife Babs in the kitchen at 6:15am and soon will be responsible for kitchen supervision as well as the laundry. A math degree and 31 years in sales and marketing of computer software (Oracle, Sun Microsystems) has prepared me well! While I know there will be many challenges that lie ahead for our family, I am thankful that God called me out of ‘MY’ retirement to serve His purpose. From a beach in Kauai when I first retired, to a beach (1/2 mile away) in Liberia, West Africa, an amazing 9 year journey that has just begun a new and exciting chapter in our lives. Thank you God for this opportunity.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Stay tuned!
God’s Blessing,
Alan, June, Sarah, Iryna, and Joe
The Patty family serving in Liberia, West Africa.
Child Soldiers during the war - 1990-2004 - Carried guns,
not books as there was no school in the country
for 14 years!
Now they have hope and a future in Jesus Christ
Their friends are future leaders, not future rebels. They sleep with
teddy bears, not guns!
