Liberia Update #2

I haven't heard from Rich again, but I did get a message from Bruce McDowell that he sent out to people. It gives a better update than I was able to get from Rich on our short phone call.

Dear Friends and Family,
We arrived safely in Liberia and are doing well. Leaving Philadelphia
we found out that they were not going to allow us to take our generator
on the plane with us. We had a bit of a nervous time in the London
Gatwick Airport when one suitcase had been forgotten at baggage claim
and we were a long way from there. Rich ran back and got it after going
through security and an official who did not want to help him. He raced
back to check in just in time. Upon arriving in Monrovia, it was a bit
of an ordeal getting all of our luggage loaded with all the men that
wanted to help. The place we are staying is the Baptist compound, across
the street from Charles Taylor's empty mansion/bunker. It is
comfortable, with plenty of room for our team of eight.

The country is still very much in a very dilapidated condition, with one
of the main brigdes in the city recently fallen in. On Saturday after
seeing around the city, we bought a foot pump sewing machine and lumber,
and in the evening constructed the first wooden bench for the children
at the orphanage.

Today we went to a church with walls made of mats, a zinc roof, and a
dirt floor. Rich Shoemaker taught adult Sunday school and Heidi and
Andrew taught the kids. I preached on sanctification at the service.
People came from 3 churches. We had wonderful time. Right after I
finished preaching it poured raining very hard on the metal roof, making
it very hard to hear anything else. I met with five pastors while other
team members met with people interested in their area of expertise.
After being there about 4 hours we looked at the church building being
renovated by funding from Tenth. Some worked has been completed and
they expect to have most of it finished by next Sunday. That day will
be the first service of the new church plant with me preaching.

Tomorrow (Monday) we are going to Mother Comfort orphanage home to work
all day with teaching, medical check ups, and possibly some construction
type work. Tonight we were dividing up all of our materials we brought
between the three homes.

We praise the Lord that we are all well and enjoying our time here. It
is interesting to see each day new challenges. Keep praying for us.

Bruce McDowell