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

On Saturday we traveled to the Detroit area and went to a home where we were leaving our car and would be taken to Detroit Metro Airport. When we got to the airport we checked in and went through customs. We met Rev. Tom Robinson, former chair of the Detroit Conference Liberia Task Force and Rev. Bill Haggard, Grand Rapids District Superintendent in West Michigan. They are attending the Liberia Annual Conference also. We left Detroit and flew to Dulles International Airport in Virginia. In a short while we boarded a United plane headed to Brussels Belgium. It left at 5:50 pm Eastern time and lasted 6 1/2 hours. We had cheese and crackers as an appetizer.  Then in a little while we had dinner. We did not watch a movie but we did sample the games and some TV shows.   Then we slept or rested for several hours. We were wakened with a breakfast croissant and an hour later we landed. The time was 6:45 am Brussels time – 12:45 am Eastern time.   So we missed the night as we flew over the Atlantic Ocean. To get to the gate for our next flight we had to go to a different terminal. We went to waiting area then took a shuttle to the other terminal. Now we are lounging and waiting several hours until our flight to Monrovia which leaves at 12:15.

Last Sunday at our local church Wagarville Community United Methodist Church, Rev. Vince Nader commissioned us for our Liberia Trip. These were the words of commission. Duane and Diana, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I charge you to serve as our representatives for the mission you are about to undertake. Go with joy. Witness for your Master. Represent the Church of Jesus Christ. Represent us. Encourage and inspire all of us in our Christian commitment. And may God richly bless and keep you on your mission. Amen.

This gives a good perspective to keep in mind as we at times frantically get ready to go.

(Pastor Vince is wearing a coat because the furnace wasn’t working that day.  It was about 46 degrees.  Quite a contrast to the temperatures in Liberia.  It was 88 degrees there today.)

We have been planning to go to Liberia again.  In November of 2015 the Fourth Annual Liberia Partner Summit met in Farmington Hills, MI.  Duane had been in charge of the logistics for the event.  He had been in communication with many persons around the US and in Liberia making arrangements.  Bishop John G. Innis and his wife Irene were able to come and be a part of it.  Duane and I were invited by the Bishop to attend the Liberia United Methodist Church Annual Conference February 10-14 in Buchanan, Liberia.

After our arrival in Monrovia Sunday Feb 7th, we will travel to Buchanan on the 8th.  After the conference we think we will be going back to the Monrovia area until we leave for home Feb. 17th.

We have been busy getting our flights and getting our immunizations up to date.  Recently we have been packing what we will take so we can determine how many bags we need to use.  Keep us in your prayers as we journey forth.