Journeys to Liberia

Tuesday morning we woke up feeling pretty good. After getting dressed, the six of us went next door to Princess Jusu’s apartment for breakfast. It was a great breakfast of oatmeal, eggs, juices, fruits. Duane had coffee. But we didn’t eat much. We were still cautious about what our stomachs could handle. Bill and Tom left to go downtown to check in at the Brussels Airlines. They took our passports so we didn’t have to go. Duane and I stayed and visited with Princess and Nancy Carew for awhile. Then we went back to the dormitory to wait for our day’s adventure to begin. Bill and Tom got back and returned our passports. Bill was expecting the family of his two foster Liberian sons.

About 10:20 am Kakata-Farmington District Superintendent Paul Gartor arrived to take us back to his district parsonage. This is the one that Duane’s mission team worked on in 2008. We had an enjoyable ride there because it was air-conditioned. The route was almost the same as the one we used to get back and forth to the conference in Buchanan. It was good to continue to see more of the rebuilding and colorful renovations of businesses and homes. We went past the airport and the Firestone plantation again. Then a little farther on was Cottontree, the town near the parsonage.

When we got to the parsonage, it turned out that it was not what I thought I had seen from the road on Sunday. So much for my memory. We saw Paul’s wife Martha Gartor again. We had met her at the conference. Martha’s mother was there also as were their four children. They walked us around through the parsonage and into the back yard. We went over to see the administrative center progress. It was up to what would be the roof line. We walked through the different rooms. It is really much bigger than they need. Duane said later that he was sure they had cut back the heavy grass that was growing inside since they hadn’t put a floor in yet so that we could walk around inside.

We went back to the house and had lunch. There were rice, greens and chicken. It was mild and tasted very good. Martha showed us pictures of the clergy women on the district at an event they had attended. She is working with them to learn various life skills. She gave me a brochure about it. I don’t have it right now to describe the program more. They hold dinner fundraisers so they have some money to get materials they need. I gave her $100 to help them along.

We said goodbye and Paul drove us to our next stop – Bishop Judith Craig’s Children’s Village. We had passed it on the way and now stopped in. Director Rev. Robert Sieh, a long time friend, was having a meeting with some people. He stopped to say hello then sent me down the was to where Margretta was. It was so good to see her and her daughter Sue. Her three year old grandson George was there too. We talked a long time and I looked at many of her family pictures. She was still mourning the death of her father in December and needed to share. After Robert’s meeting ended, he and Duane walked around the Village and Duane took pictures of the improvements. The painting had been refreshed on about two-thirds of the cottages.

It got late in the afternoon and we needed to get back. We said goodbye knowing we might not see each other again. A driver took us back into Monrovia. It was about an hour. This time there was no air conditioning. The windows were down part way and we had to endure diesel and gas exhaust all the way in. We got back about 6:30 pm. We discovered that they had thoroughly cleaned another room nearby and moved our things into there. Then they thoroughly cleaned the room we had been in. It took a while to get used to the new setup. We had been using twin beds, each with a mosquito net; this one had a queen size bed and only one net. But we were able to have two fans for the night.

Duane slept all night and was still tired in the morning. I was able to sleep for awhile than woke up early. We had breakfast in the dining room. Then Duane went back to bed.

Later I went to lunch with Sam, Tom, Bill, and the Ivorians to a restaurant downtown called Diana’s Restaurant. It was run by some Lebanese. Sam, Tom and Bill had been there the night before. We had hamburgers fixed in an interesting way. The bun was cut two-thirds lower and one-third for the cover. The lower part was scooped out and a lettuce concoction was put in the hole. Then the hamburger was put on, ketchup on both sides, then the lid. Unfortunately I did not want to eat the lettuce so scraped it out.   I had ordered take out for Duane. I scooped his out too. When we were done, we went back to the compound dormitory. Duane was feeling a little better. He enjoyed the hamburger.

Monday afternoon I called Rose Farhat, the Women’s Directrice and said I was back. She came over to visit. She caught me up on how things were going since the Ebola had cleared up. They had closed the Day Care Center but it needed more work before it could be opened again. They had also redone the water supply at the Day Care Area and put up a fence to keep the children from going out by accident. I told her about our United Methodist Women’s groups in the Michigan Area and the United Methodist Community House. We promised to keep in touch and see what each group could do.

Later in the evening I went to Sam’s house to have him help me get in touch with the DS from Kakata-Farmington and the director of the Bishop Craig’s Village to arrange transportation for Duane and I to go visiting them on Tuesday.

We woke up at 6 am and finished packing. We were taken to breakfast at 7:45 am. We continued to eat carefully. Afterwards we were taken back to the hotel to get our luggage put in the van. We went to the conference. As we went in for the last time, we realized that the Ordination Service was in process. It was supposed to have been Friday night but kept getting put forward. There were three who were fully ordained and 102 ordained as Elder in Associate Order. We understood that they had been through Course of Study.

There was a short time while things were rearranged for the morning worship and closing session. Then a choir sang a number. Then the Bishops went out to the back to escort in President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, president of Liberia. She is a United Methodist and had accepted the invitation of the Bishop to attend. There had been security moving around earlier and her area was set up just several rows ahead of us on the main floor.

The service did not proceed totally as programmed. There was liturgy used and some singing of hymns. Scripture was read. Since the person from Norway who was supposed to have spoken at the ordination had not been able to, he spoke first. The Bishop did not preach his whole sermon. He gave highlights of his theme. Blessings imply benefits. Blessings imply connection. We share the benefits. He mentioned again that he was going into retirement and said that the President would follow him later. (This is her last term. Elections will be in 2017.) He introduced the members of her group including the Speaker of the Parliament that had come with her.

A representative of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church spoke. In a short while the President made some short remarks. Bishop Hopkins led in prayer. Bishop Innis mentioned several of us attending again so the President would know the variety of guests he had. An offering was taken for the Advance. Everyone walked up and put their offerings into baskets. The choirs marched and sang as they walked around. Communion was held. The Episcopal guests were invited to leave for lunch before starting back to Monrovia. Later we heard that the President held a lunch in her apartment in the back of the conference area.

After lunch we started back to Monrovia. We left at 3 pm and got back by 5:30. Our friend Frances who had been with us was dropped off at her home. Then our driver took up to the UM Mission Compound where there is a guest house. Everyone helped to get our luggage upstairs. At this point there were the four of us – Tom Robinson, Bill Haggard, Duane and I plus our two Ivorian friends. I have never been able to find out their names. They spoke French – one understood English better so translated.

After what seemed like a long wait, the compound director Sam – who had taken care of us at the beginning – came and assigned rooms. Turns out he had not been expecting us for some reason. Anyway, we wasted no time in getting settled in. As soon as possible Duane went to bed. While we were all tired, he was exhausted by the ride and the heat. He slept ultimately for twelve hours. The rest of us had something to eat, unpacked a little, then went to bed.

Continuing about the voting…..When everyone had finished voting, all were invited to come back into the conference space to watch the county. They watched as the clergy and lay ballot boxes were opened and mixed together. Then one of the Norwegian visitors was stationed behind the box to pull out each ballot. Three others from the US sat in chairs near the box and held baskets.

Each basket represented one of the three remaining nominees. A fourth basket received voided ballots from time to time. Patrick Friday from the General Board of Global Ministries had the “honor” of reading the names and placing the ballot in the respective basket. It took a long time. We were amazed at the stamina of Patrick as he kept reading the names. Many in the crowd were keeping tallies.

Then the ballots in each basket were counted. The basket holder moved the ballots from one place to another while Patrick counted out loud – 1 to 100 then over again as long as it took. The drama was increased two or three times by the lights going out. Flashlights from smartphones came on immediately trained on the ballots. The lights came on again in a few long moments. When the counting was over, the tally was Rev. Samuel Quire – 581, Rev. David Tokpah – 509, and William Labala 429. That eliminated Rev. Labala. So the other two names will be sent on to the West Africa Central Conference being held next December. Liberia is the only conference that needs a new Bishop. 20 delegates from each of the four central conferences for a total of 80 will decide who the next Bishop is.

We were glad when it was over. Even though it was late, we were taken to the guest house for a late supper. Then we went to our housing where we began to do our packing.

We decided that I would still stay in the room until lunch time. Duane took notes again. The Bible study leader Rev. Freed talked about the feeding of the 5000. It played out the Good Shepherd reality. Jesus had compassion – he was sick to his stomach at the spritual need of the people. Jesus distributes bread (symbol of life) – calls for a revolution to bring people back to God. Jesus uses what they have to create a miracle. Jesus was broken like the bread to bless people and callsus to do the same.

The LUMEF – Liberia United Methodist Endowment Fund – report was given. An offering was taken for the Fund. It started with a roll call of the leaders then everyone came forward to put envelopes in baskets. They had received the envelopes in their conference packet.

There was a dedication of six cases of Bibles for six districts. Then there was quite an appreciation of Bishop Innis. Many persons made comments and brought things for him and Mother Irene.

Earlier in the morning a woman came up to Duane and had to introduce herself because he didn’t recognize her. It was Eva Barchue, Albert’s wife. So as it got closer to lunchtime, she came back and wondered if he needed a ride back to the hotel to see me. He agreed. I was sitting in the lounge when they came up. I didn’t recognize them either! I wasn’t expecting to see them. In addition to Eva, her daughter Joyce was with her. So we sat and visited for quite a while until it was lunch time. I went to lunch but ate sparingly.

The missionaries have come. They have been at a conference in South Africa.   They joined us at lunch. Princess Jusu, Nancy Carew, Helen Roberts Evans and others.

I decided to go back to the session. They are needing another vote. We sat up on stage. As they began the vote process, we visited with Helen for awhile. Bishop Yambasa explained again that the two top vote getters would be sent to the West Africa Central unless one person got over 60%.

All members of conference were sent out of the building. The District Superintendents were to stand at the door and call the names of each church pastor and his lay person. Again several international guests manned the voting and the counting. There was a clergy aisle and a lay aisle. They were handed a ballot, which they filled it out, and put it in a closed ballot box. Persons who could not write were helped.

(More Later.  Start back with Post # 9 to follow in sequesnce.  This is as far as I got before weather, the last Worship service, the trip back to Monrovia, and other things.  We are back in Michigan.  Will hope to catch up soon.)

When they went back to the afternoon session, Rev. Paul Gartor, DS of Kakata-Farmington District gave the devotions. Then highlights of Bishop Innis’ new book about the History of United Methodism in Liberia were mentioned with great appreciation by an English professor from the University who had been asked to review it.   It was going to be sold for $5. There was protest that it was worthy of much more. So it was voted to sell it for $10.

Guided prayer was given by a pastor and all prayed aloud particularly for General Conference. The Clergy Women came up, sang “We are Here” and presented a plaque to Bishop Innis. There was a motion that the Gbanga Graduate School of Theology be named the John G. Innis Graduate School of Theology. It was passed.

The Nomination Process began. Bishop Yambasu had the ballot container listed up and shown that it was empty – then it was covered. Someone had to receive 60% majority of the vote to elect.

Everyone was removed from the building. District by district – each pastor and each lay delegate was called and seated. Foreign guests were seated on the stage. At 5:55 the doors were closed. Not all got in. They would have a district that had finished voting go out so another could come in. There were more than 1500 persons voting. And it had to be equal clergy and lay. When they first determined the voters, there were three less lay persons so three pastors who had no lay present could not vote.

This is where our guide Sis. Frances asked Duane if he wanted to go back and check on me. So the next part is based on Saturday morning conversation.

All elders in good standing were eligible so there was a variety of possibilities. And we did not see anything handed out or promoted in front of all about those that had declared they were running. We did hear that there was promotion to small groups. The Norwegian Board of Global Ministries woman was asked to monitor the ballot box.

Superintendents called in the clergy and lay to sit down. They were given a ballot when they came in. 12 districts of 21 were seated. Then they came up individually then left. The next 9 districts came in and came right up and voted and left.   Then the entire group came in very quickly to get their seats and watch the counting. (See notes later about process.)

After everyone had voted, she led the opening of the box and the checking of ballots to be sure they were valid. The name on the ballot had to be the full name of the person. Some only had a last name or a first name and an initial. These were invalid. Some could not be read. These were invalid. Then several of the Norwegian and the East Ohio delegations counted the ballots by calling

When the counting was over, they had several names at the top of a list.   There was dancing and singing in the auditorium until 1 am. Bishop Hopkins took several videos and showed us. The top two would be sent on to the West Africa Conference in December for voting. The names that surfaced were not all the ones we had heard about running for Bishop. The top three were David Tokpak, James Labala, and Samuel Quire. They will vote again tomorrow to narrow it down.

Duane was invited to go to lunch with Rev. Anthony Dioh, pastor of St. Paul’s Church in Harper, Rev. George Monbo, District Superintendent of Cape Palmas, Rev. Solomon Jeh, District Superintendent of Kru Coast, and Rev. Kwia-Wleh Freeman, District Superintendent of Garroway District. These are the three districts that our Saginaw Bay District are connected to.

Mrs. Dioh and Mrs. Monbo were there also. They were sorry that I was unable to come. So was I when I heard about it.

There was discussion about the Medical Clinic being helped by our District. There was also talk about the DSs making trips to our district in three different years to share about their Districts.

Duane came back about 7:30 Fri night. He shared what had been happening during the day. Our friend Tom had been sick also. Duane was very tired so he decided to stay and rest. You will see as I share his notes and subsequent news we heard later that we both missed an exciting time.

When conference started Friday morning, attendees were told that Bishop Innis had been sick overnight, enough so that he went to the hospital. He had dehydration. The District Superintendents had been to see him at the hospital and prayed with him. He was back at the hotel in the morning. Bishop Hopkins led the conference in prayer for him.

Rev. Freed led another Bible study. Thursday’s perspective had been David as the Shepherd. Today he talked about the perspective of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. About 9:30 Bishop Innis came. The Journal report of the previous day would be ready in the afternoon. The Council on Finance and Administration gave their report and the budget was passed. Rev. Patrick Friday from the US and the General Board of Global Ministries gave a report about the 50/50 Ministry Assessment and resources. It has an emphasis on sustainability and capacity building.   It focuses on the Head – What are the abilities of persons/churches? – Heart – What are the passions? – and Hands – What are the skills available to carry out the task?.

Bishop Innis invited a young child to come up and blessed him. Then he invited a mother to bring her baby up and it was blessed. A new operating mission was approved.

Bishop Yambasu took a few of the foreign guests to review the Bishop nomination ballots and discuss procedure. The order of the day again was the Hour That Inspires and Challenges. This time Rev. Scott Walsh gave the message. He talked about Peter’s dialogue with Jesus . When Jesus asked “Do you love me?”, Peter was wanting to go back to what he knew – the familiar.   Jesus wanted him to go off in mission. An offering was taken at the end of the morning.

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.