Our Liberia Mission Team left on June 12^th and they are having a great time teaching first aid, hygiene and leadership classes and playing with kids. They return on June 28^th. Please keep them in your prayers and check out our Serve the Children Group on Facebook to stay connected with us and the team as they post updates about the trip and their experiences. Here are some thoughts from the team on their trip so far.

You would think that after going to Liberia 16 times since 1997, I would be used to the heat, humidity, wind, rain, epic storms at night, the unfamiliar smells and food, bucket showers, the joy of finding a flushing toilet, etc., but no.  Every trip is like a new experience and I enjoy every one of them.

It’s all about the kids and the people. They are so appreciative of us being here. They treat us like royalty even though they have so little and we have so much at home. But we all have the same purpose; to give hope and a future to the future leaders of Liberia.

In Liberia, about twice as many males as females over age 15 can read and write. Today in one of the two classes I taught on leadership, I challenged the girls with the idea that they have the potential to be the next female president of Liberia, but to be successful in what they do, they need to use their minds, have a heart of passion for their country, and a strong relationship with Jesus.

-Doug

I am blown away by how loving and accepting the kids are of us.  They just want to play and interact with us.  They are very curious and they love to touch our skin.  One kid even tried to rub off my tattoos. I have really enjoyed being in the classrooms, asking the kids questions and reading to the kindergarten kids, and teaching first aid and hygiene.

This trip has really opened my eyes to how imaginative these kids are. They do not have cell phones to stare at. They play soccer with a plastic bottle and are very satisfied that they have a plastic bottle to play with.  They find ways to entertain themselves and they are smart.  They pick up on stuff so quickly and they understand it.  For me, to be here in Liberia with them means a lot because something that I may teach them will stick with them for a long time.  I am grateful for my experience.

-Shaun

Our time in Liberia has been amazing and eye opening.  Hearing their stories and building relationships with Christians that live in such an unforgiving environment and have so little yet are so willing to do anything to make us comfortable has been very humbling.

The kids in the school are incredible.  Education means so much to them.  Some of the kids walk long distances to come here every day, and others will go all day without eating just to be in school.  What blows me away is they choose to do this in pursuit of a better future. How many kids in the US are so self-motivated at seven years old?

Overall, this trip has made me so grateful for the family and life that God has blessed me with.  I will be sharing the stories of the beautiful people I feel blessed to have met here for a long time.

-Ricky

Today, June 18th, was exciting because the kids were really into learning about the first aid and hygiene concepts we were teaching.  The 9th grade class asked lots of questions on bleeding and bandaging wounds.  I feel blessed and humbled to be around such loving and caring people.  Their faith is second to none.  We talk a lot about faith in the US, but they live in faith every day.  I have learned a lot being around these wonderful people.  I plan and hope to come back many more times.

-Rondell

What hits me about this trip? In this part of the world, free, quality education is tough to come by. Serve the Children provides that. I love the opportunity to be in this environment with these people, both American and Liberian. And I’m always impressed with how little I really know when I come to spend time with children in developing countries.

On this trip, lots of water has been consumed, food has been enjoyed, many kids have been high-fived, hugged, and celebrated. The guys and I have had many interesting, enjoyable conversations between power outages, bathroom breaks, car rides, spider hunts, you name it. I think we have been successful in loving children practically by engaging them in and out of the classroom and by spending time with them and staff throughout the day.

Mission trips have changed my life radically. I’m amazed how much I can prepare for a trip like this but still feel overwhelmed with the cultural and language barriers between us and our hosts. This is my third trip to Liberia, chump-change compared to Mr. Collier’s 17 tours to the country. With all my travels with STC, I’ve seen lives transformed for the gospel, both American and in-country, I’ve seen friendships blossom, I’ve seen the word of God preached in the most practical way possible, I’ve seen the benefit of this sort of trip and I’m better because of it.

-John K