Category Archives: Liberia Ann Conf Trip 2016 – D & D

Since we have been here five days now with six to go, we double checked what were going to wear the rest of the time. We each had to do a little laundry to make it come out right. Things dry pretty well overnight but it does depend on the material. I was also able to finish up two posts so I could give Bill Hubbard the flash drive again when we went to supper.

When we came back to the room, I started Post #9. We went to bed closer to 11. I had sent a birthday greeting to grandson Sam who turned 9 on Feb. 11. It took forever to get out.

During the night I woke up with a runny nose. I couldn’t get it to stop. I can’t remember if I mentioned the heat rash I’ve had on my arms inside the elbow joint. I’ve been putting Benadryl on it twice a day. So my arms were feeling a bit sensitive too.   My stomach was a little queasy. It took awhile to get back to sleep. When I woke up, I barely had stood up when I had to rush to the bathroom. So I have diarrhea too.

We decided under the circumstances I should stay in the room for a while. Duane went to breakfast and I had a granola bar. After things had settled down a bit, I’ve been sitting here and writing Posts # 9 – thru # 12. It is about 11 am here. One of the girls from hotel came into clean. There is still wet laundry in different places. She did what she needed to do and we chatted a bit too. I think I will rest for awhile. Duane said he might come back to check but I’m betting he will wait until lunch hour. I asked him to take notes this morning. He also has to bring me the flash drive since I didn’t see Bill this morning. There have been a few persons among the guests that have had some trouble. I’m the first and I hope only in our group…………

…………One of the drivers came looking for me just before lunch. I still didn’t feel good enough to go. So I ate a granola bar and some pretzels and lots of water – took my AM pills – laid down and went to sleep. I woke up at 4:30 pm feeling a lot better. The electricity had been off again so I’m a little warm. I’m going to go take a walk and maybe Duane will be back soon for his rest.

While I was out, I talked to one of the other US guest. She said that there were several persons sick today.

Bishop Yambasu presided to work through the issues a few people had with the nominations rules and who was eligible to vote. The conference was hoping that there would be a list of delegates so that everyone would know. While we waited for the list, there were some groups that were asked to give their report.

There were a number of the normal kind of reports that were on the schedule to be given. A large book about the Connectional Ministries was distributed with many of those reports. The Director of Connectional Ministries, Rev. George Wilson, presented the book and indicated that he would not take the time of conference to talk about the Ministries.   The United Methodist Women President Sarah Nah talked about some of the things they had been doing through the year. The new directress Rose Farhat came forward to be her encourager.

The Youth President mentioned a few things then referred persons to the big book. The United Methodist Men President mentioned his report was in the book.

The Bishop announced that all officers elected in 2012 would stay until 2017 so the new Bishop could have a part in selecting the officers.

The President of the United Methodist University gave his report. They had seven colleges and the Gbanga Theological Seminary which gives a graduate degree. He was supported by the deans of those parts of the University.

Afterwards Bishop Yambasu had us stand and stretch and sing the song “Hallelu, Hallelu, Praise Ye the Lord”.   The next presentation was by Dr. Troy Benetone from Illinois promoting the Hands4Hope Foundation.

After the session was adjourned, I talked with Sis. Rose Farhat while Duane talked with Rev. Paul Gartor, District Superintendent of Kakata-Farmington District. As we moved outside the auditorium, Rev. Paul introduced us to his wife Martha. We will get together with them another time. Rev. Robert Sieh also introduced his son Robert Sieh Jr to us. He is studying to be a doctor. Duane has known him since his 2002 trip. Soon we saw that one of the arrangers Sam was looking for us to go back to the our hotel. We had some down time before supper.

After the session was started, one of our new East Ohio friends Rev. Chip Freed did a very stirring Bible Study on the theme of the conference “The Lord is My Shepherd”, Psalm 23:1-6. He had the members very energized. Afterwards the Conference Secretary read several pieces of correspondence giving greetings to the Bishop and the Conference. One was from Illinois Great Rivers Conference who had been unable to send a delegation due to conflicts at home. They have had teams coming at different times already this year but not over Conference. A few students attending Africa University in Zimbabwe sent a letter of appreciation. One letter was from our friend Rev. Albert Barchue who had just visited us in January and is attending seminary in New Jersey.

Many were very concerned about the nomination and election process for getting a Bishop candidate. The rules were read again in English. Then there was complaint because some members of Annual Conference understood their tribal language better. So four persons were called up. They represented Bassa, Gio, Manio, and Kpelleh languages. The Rules person started again in English a sentence or two each time and the four translators went right down the line and translated.

The order of the day was the Hour That Inspires and Challenges. Bishop Yambasu asked Rev. Freed to say the benediction and then adjourned the session. Bishop Hopkins came up and spoke first about the election and the need for remembering that the election was about the Church not individuals. He continued with many references saying that this Conference was on Holy Ground. We don’t always know it is Holy until we look back. Rev. Scott Walsh sang the song “Holy Ground” a capella. Bishop Hopkins continued discussing Romans 5: 12 – 17. He also talked about the beginning of Operation Classroom in Indiana in 1985. The group has worked with churches connecting to the spiritual side of life, classrooms for mental aspect of education, and clinics for the physical aspect of health.

We were taken back to the guest house for lunch at 1 pm. I used Tom Robinson’s phone to call Mother’s nurse. It was 8 am there. Nikki was on duty. She explained again how Mother was doing and said the doctor would be checking her on Friday to see how things were progressing. The pneumonia seems to be less but she is on oxygen to make her more comfortable. I will probably wait until they call Nelson again.

Duane visited with some sellers of wooden carvings who had come in the guest house compound. They really weren’t supposed to be there. There were several outside. It was an interesting time.

I hurried to finish Post #8 and did not mention that Feb 10 afternoon session ended at 4:30 pm. We were taken back to our hotels to cool down. Then went to supper about 7:15. We got back to the room by 8:30. We reorganized some things before heading to bed. I exchanged some texts with our son Dave. It was around 4 pm Eastern time. They were very slow going out. I did find out that my Mother has pneumonia in addition to the dehydration she was already experiencing. My brother Nelson had been called with the information and shared it with the family.

On Thursday we woke just before 6 so shut the alarm off before it rang. Time for showers again. I am experiencing some heat rash on my arms inside the elbow joints. I am using some Benedryl so it comes and goes. I read devotions. Then started writing a blog.   We downsized our carry bags again. Soon we were off to breakfast. We have had some very interesting conversations as we share stories with other Episcopal guests. It was much cooler and less humid weather. I have not mentioned that all the Liberian clergy including the women were supposed to wear black suits at every session. The women wore skirts. Duane and a few other guests wore suits each time. So they got really warm. Others were a little less formal. Yesterday I started wearing my Liberian dresses. They are certainly cooler!

The second morning of conference was a little surprising for two reasons. Duane and I had been ushered down to the front row of the guest session and, before we could get settled, we were told by the usher that the Bishop wanted us up on the podium area. (The ushers were mostly laywomen who wore uniform dresses so they would be recognized and obeyed!!) I should say that the 22 Liberian District Superintendents have been sitting on the right as you look at the stage area. There are three large chairs in the center where the three active Bishops – Hopkins, Innis and Yambasu. – sat. To the left were several rows where different groups of dignitaries were seated in different sessions. So Duane and I moved up to the rows. We saw that there were others already up there from the different delegations. Tom and Bill were moved up also. At one point someone said something about most of the persons this morning were current or former District Superintendents in their conferences.

The second reason was that, as we settled, we realized that the electricity was off. No lights, microphones, keyboard, FANS. They were trying to figure out what to do when everything came back on.   It was interesting to look around at the crowd. There were over 450 people plus guests. Many of the laywomen were wearing very beautiful dresses and headdresses in many colors and designs. Some persons were wearing shirts or dresses that had the United Methodist Cross and Flame in the design. We all start out so crisp and wilt as the day goes on.

A delegation from Sierra Leone joined us today.  After breakfast we were all taken to the Fairgrounds building where the Laity Session had met the day before.  I saw another UMW person that I had met two years ago – Esther Yah, UMW District President of Wealah District.  After we had been seated in the front guest area, there was a processional during the first hymn. Four different choirs marched in, followed by the Bishops and District Superintendents all wearing robes.  There were large floor fans moving the air around.  The Morning Worship Service started roughly at 9 am and lasted until 12:50 pm. The music was amazing.  Bishop Innis is from Grand Bassa County which is why we are here this year for his last conference before retirement.  One of the choirs sang and drummed an anthem in Bassa style.  The Gifts of the Word were led by the speaking of the Rev. Rebecca Z. P. Hayhak who spoke in Bassa with a translator.  She was very dynamic and drew many strong responses.  Liturgy continued interspersed with choir anthems.  Bishop Innis introduced the ecumenical and governmental representativesall and all the guests from around the world.  He called up leaders of different delegations to give greetings.  There were groups from Sierra Leone and Core d’Ivoire as they are neighbors with strong United Methodist conferences.  There were four persons from Norway who have been working on self-sustaining projects with the Church, other Non-governmental organizations and the country of Liberia. (Additional Norwegians came another day.)   There were representatives of at least five United Methodist Conferences.  When the Detroit Conference was mentioned, Bishop Innis asked Duane to bring his delegation and introduce us.  We all ended up saying something about our connections to Liberia.  While songs were sung, the ushers collected the offering by passing offering baskets around.  Prayers were given.  Then the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist was held.  The session was closed by prayer.  We went back to the house of our meals.

After lunch, we went back to the session.  This was the first business session.  Some conference officers were recognized and commended.  The arrival of the country’s Vice President Joseph Boikai created a stir.  After his introduction he spoke about all the work that the Liberia United Methodist Church had done in nation building.  Then Bishop Innis gave his last Episcopal Address.  He will serve until the middle of December.  After the address, Bishop Kulah – the previous Bishop – commended Bishop Innis.  The Liberian Vice President left.

The Laity address was given by Bro. Rudolph Merab.  After announcements the session was dismissed with prayer.   And Day One of conference was over.

Tuesday afternoon Duane came back after the clergy session ended.  The Board of Ordained Ministry gave their report about Training, Pastor’s Course of Study and Scholarship.  They went through the rules about nominating candidates for Bishop. This is Bishop Innis’s last conference.  The conference will be voting on candidates for the next Bishop.  Several top candidates may be recommended for election at the West Africa Central Conference.  The tradition is that a Liberian is assigned to Liberia.  So only one would be elected.  Bishop Innis had Bishop Arthur F. Kulau preside during this discussion.

Then they discussed policies for minimum salaries and pensions.  (I realized as Duane shared that I had listed the wrong country for the District Superintendent and Lay Leader who traveled with us from Monrovia.  They are from Cote d’Ivoire and are French speaking.)  The District Superintendent from Cote d’Ivoire spoke through an interpreter to the session about how his conference has organized their salaries and pensions.

After Duane got refreshed, we went out to the lounge to wait for someone to take us to dinner.  We visited with Bishop Hopkins and others.

The Bishop came from his room ready to go to dinner.  When he realized no one had come, he made a call and then had us go in one of the cars available to him.  After we got to the guest house, we realized that Tom and Bill were not there so we mentioned it and someone went to get them.  Part of the confusion over rides was the fact that the arrangers had to go back to the airport to get more international guests.

After dinner, some of the persons went to an evening worship service.  We went back to the hotel.  It was already after 8 pm.  We got a message from Verizon about how much we were spending using the phone so we turned off all the data roaming again.

We were wakened by our alarm at 6:30 am.  I read my devotions while Duane showered.  Then I had my turn.  We agreed it was a great feeling!  We were picked up in our van and taken around the block to the guest house for breakfast.  Duane and I decided to turn on some additional data protocol on our phone so we could communicate.  Texts starting going through sometimes.  Tons of email came in too.  We logged off Facebook after we saw that our son Dave had posted to our friends that we were here safely.  Then we were taken to the sessions – the clergy in one van and a car, the laity in another car.   The laity session was meeting seemed near our hotel.  The clergy session met in a church that was a little farther away at the end of the fairgrounds where the conference was being held.

As we approached the area, we could see many people walking toward the church.  A big business everywhere are the motorcycles.  The driver takes up to three passengers behind to places they need to go.  So delegates were coming that way.    There were three laity from East Ohio, the Sierra Leone Lay Leader, and myself.  We were taken right in and seated in the first row in front of the table where the leaders were going to sit.  We watched as many people were coming in and filling the right side of the sanctuary.  I decided to talk to the tech people to try and get something posted.  They were willing to try.  They asked for my flash drive.  Unfortunately time had not allowed me to think that through to have one prepared.  I had been carrying my computer everywhere so sat down, turned in on, and transferred my blog words.  I took it to them.  Since they had a PC, it took a little bit to get it transferred to their computer and then we ran out of time before I could use their browser to boost it up.  So I let it go and went back to my seat.  Three United Methodist Women that I have known from before came to greet me – Sis. Pauline Roberts; Sis. Alfreda Anderson, the Conference Associate Lay Leader; and Sis. Sarah Nah, Conference United Methodist Women President.  It was so good to see them.  The laity session began around 9:45 am.  After the devotion time, the guests were introduced, tagged and given the souvenir program.  Usual business proceeded.  In a while, we were offered additional bottles of water.  Then asked if we wanted to rest.  None of us did.  Then a man who was helping Frances asked if I wanted to go back to the hotel.  It was very warm and I decided that I had had enough.  When we got to the hotel, Francis asked me to get the others who were already back to come so we could go to lunch.

Duane was in the room. He had gone with the clergy to their session.  He met several friends from earlier times.  All the guests were introduced.  Our friend Tom preached for their devotional time.  Then the business of approving persons for ordination and other business occurred.  Our group were brought back to the hotel to rest.

We had lunch meeting even more persons from the different US groups.  Duane was going back to the clergy session.  I needed to rest and catch up with myself so I was taken back to the hotel with another clergy spouse in the Bishop’s car.   At first the air conditioner wasn’t on.  Then I think since there were more of us resting they turned it on for the afternoon. I lost all of my connectivity in the room.  So I went to a lounge room near the front door.  I got thru to Duane at least.  Didn’t try anyone else.   I’ve been charging my computer and writing more of this.  It is now late afternoon and the electricity went off 15 minutes ago.  It will soon be time to go to the evening sessions.  More later.

We woke up about the same time  – 6:30 am Liberian time – we would have wakened up on Eastern time at home so I guess we transitioned well.  We were taken back to the same home where we had eaten the previous night to have breakfast.  Part way through Bishop Innis came to greet us.  He went back to his office to finish preparations for annual conference.  We would see him and his wife later on in Buchanan.  We stayed there a while and some persons watched reruns of the Super Bowl with French commentaries.  English is the predominant language in Liberia and French in Sierra Leone so the tv channels are a mix.

A little later in the morning we were taken on a tour of the business section in Monrovia.  There was lots of commerce in stores and on the street.   There were lots of changes through renovations in many areas – even more than when I was there in 2014.  Then we went to the Conference Center.  Frances took a few of us walking around the outside.  In the back area we saw the Women’s Training Center, the Girls’ Dormitory, the Day Care Center, the Office of the Deaf Program and other Conference offices before moving on.  We went back to the Lutheran Guest House to get our luggage.

Then we drove for 2 & 3/4 hours through the countryside to get to Buchanan.   At first we were in suburban areas where there was lots of commerce again.  There were many new business buildings and lots of new houses as well as ones being renovated.  Some were painted in bright colors.  We crossed several rivers where the bridges had been rebuilt.  All the roads were well paved.  We went into more rural areas.  Again there were several newer houses among the older dwellings. We understood that we weren’t getting lunch until we got where we were going.  We were prepared with some snack foods so we could eat and take our pills especially the daily malaria pill.

We drove past the Roberts International Airport.  Then through the Firestone Rubber Plantation.  We drove past the area where the Detroit East Mission Trip of 2008 that Duane led took place.  It was a little off the road so we couldn’t see the parsonage that the team had worked on.  The current District Superintendent will try to take us there after conference.

We kept going down the road and entered the city of Buchanan where the conference was being held.  We got to a guest house about 3 pm and finally had lunch.  Afterward Duane and I were taken to a hotel where the Bishop and his wife and other persons were staying.  Our room was very nice; included a TV, air conditioning, and running water but no Wi-Fi or internet.  Tom and Bill went to another hotel.  They had Wi-Fi and could make connections.  We had a good rest for the afternoon then went back to the guest house where we were having our meals.  Bishop and Mother Irene came and ate with us.  Then we went back to our room.  It was about 9:45 pm Liberian time.  We cooled down, put things in dressers, then went to bed.  The distraction this time that woke us up about midnight was a large party going on nearby.  It seemed to be the sound of late elementary children playing their type of football or other games.  We guessed it was cooler at that time!!

While we waited for the flight to Freetown Sierra Leone and Monrovia, we realized that there were UMC Mission Teams from East Ohio and another state.  We also met Bishop Bennie Warner, a Liberian bishop before Bishop Kulah and Bishop Innis.  He has been living in the states and came back for Annual Conference.  We realized later that Bishop John L. Hopkins from East Ohio and a district superintendent and conference lay leader from Sierre Leone were also on the flight.  There was a person, Neely Hicks, from UMCOM who was coming to work with communicators from other West African conferences on improving radio networks.  Their meeting would be in Monrovia after the annual conference.  We stopped in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where many passengers got off and others got on.   While we waited, the plane was refueled.  The flight to Monrovia was less than an hour.  Some people who got on at Freetown were going back to Brussels when the plane left Monrovia later that night.  We arrived there at 8:15, went through customs and were met by our hospitality coordinator Frances who rounded up us and our luggage into a van.  She has helped us on our earlier trips.  Another friend Sam, the director of the UM Mission Compound, was there too and went with us as we drove about 45 minutes from the airport into Monrovia.  We were taken to the Lutheran church guest house where six of us were staying overnight.  We left our luggage in our locked rooms and went to the United Methodist Mission Compound a few blocks away for a small supper in Sam’s home.  Then back to our place of rest.  Duane and I spent some time rearranging the things in our luggage so that all the church supplies we had originally spread between bags to keep the weight down were all in two smaller suitcases.  Finally we could go to bed.  It was nice to stretch out after sleeping on the plane.    We were so tired that we adjusted to the sound of the huge generator outside quickly and went to sleep.

Duane and Diana and those with them have arrived safely in Monrovia. They have not yet found Internet to get online to post an update yet, and will post an update when they get a chance.