7.17.08

So here I sit. On the eve of the release of The Dark Night. Technically I could go get a pirated copy off the street for 50 Liberty (Liberian Dollar) or just under $1 USD. But I cant do that. I have to experience it on the big screen.
Oh man, Ive already been here 11 days! Time flies. I get home exactly 3 weeks from today. I'm excited but there is still so much for me to do. I forgot to mention in the Indiana Jones entry that I saw quite a handful of malnourished children and babies. Not a sight for the weak minded. It was tough for me to handle let me tell you. Made me think about just how important getting fed everyday as an infant is and having the right nutrition around to grow strong. Saturday, I head to an orphanage called Grand Bassa. Its going to be one heck of an experience.
Not much has happened since I got back from the whole jungle fiasco. The other night when the All-Star Game was on I stayed up until just after 4:30am to watch it. It started about 12:45am Liberia time. I went to bed just after the 12th inning was finished when Nate McLouth threw out Dioner Navarro to save the game (at least until the AL took it in the 15th). Pretty boring game but it was the only Live baseball Ive had in weeks. Gosh I take baseball for granted. Everyday I realize something little I take for granted. Tiny stuff you wouldnt even think about. Like soap or butter or cinabons. Haha.
Ok so since Im being made fun of because about the whole fabric thing (*cough* Mrs. Norton) let me explain that. On Monday I was taken to the market by my older sisters (they treat me like their little bro, just a tad annoying but its ususally fun) and we all bought African fabric. The fabric is made by Liberians in their villages and then sold at Water Street Market for $2.50 per lapa. A lapa is an amount of cloth. I took the cloth I bought to a tailor across the street from the port and Im having 2 nice dress shirts made from it for $10 a piece or 620 Liberty. There you go, now no more laughing at me.
Ok so now thats explained, Im going to give you a little history lesson. After the American Civil War was over. The US government deported alot of African slaves to Liberia. I cant remember the number but it was like half a million former slaves I believe. The US dropped them off here on the coast of Liberia. As a result there is alot of American influence here. The capitol of Liberi, Monrovia, is named after James Monroe a US president. You can also see the influence in the countries name itself. There is a town called New Georgia after the state of Georgia. Its not just the name of the cities. The only music they know comes from the US .There favorites are Akon, T-Pain, Alicia Keys, Kanye West and Chris Brown. My partner I work with sings songs I never wouldve guessed he knew. Since I know he does I blast my iPod so we both can hear it. Its funny cause people will walk by and we're rockin out to like Chris Brown or Alicia Keys. Its hilarious. So thats just a little taste of the culture here. Im not done, I just wanted to give you a taste.

Indiana Jones

I know Im crazy. Its almost midnight here but Im staying up to watch the MLB All-Star Game. I have to. I hardly get any baseball here. I saw Josh Hamilton rise from hero to legend last night after in blasted 28 home runs into the New York Sky Line during the first round of the Home Run Derby. Anyway, I had the best day today so far since Ive been on the Africa Mercy. The whole day was like Indiana Jones. Filled with off-roading with jeeps, weaving in and out of trees, dodging mud puddles and having to cross really really rickety bridges. And oh, crazy wild savages shooting blow darts with poison on them at us...jk not really. Almost though. So today I went out with Paul Waldron who is one of the key members on the CDS team (when I find out what that stands for Ill let you know). So what he does is go into villages cerca Monrovia and helps the villagers build and teach them to maintain wells. Its fun. Today I helped him pick up some sand in order to make some cement so put around the new well. We did that but then in turned into driving all through the jungle helping villagers with minor tasks, fixing wells, teaching them how to farm effeciently and almost tipping over off a bridge (twice) and into a river 10 ft below. Crazy. For a few seconds I thought I might die. By the way Im not exaggerating this one bit. We left the port around 830 this morning and arrived back at 515. Long day. On our way back to the main road from the jungle we saw (and tried to run over) this massively long snake about 12-15 ft long. We missed. But I think when I saw that I literally thought I was Indy searching for some treasure, lost long ago but an ancient forgotten tribe. Im not done. It rained all last night...terribly hard. It was crazy. I think we're about to get a hurricane soon or something. As we drove through the jungle it rained on and off all day. For a while we thought we might get rained in and have to spend the night. But God showed us a way out and around. We drove through puddles that were easily waist deep on me. It was nuts but such an amazing day. Paul said he had never had such an eventful day in Liberia. It was crazy.
Yesterday I went to the market with a few friends. It was almost as nuts as the jungle. As we entered the market this Liberian started screaming at us, yelling at us about something (I had no idea what it was). For a while I thought it was some selling technique and I was like, ''If this is how the market is going to be, I want to leave now.'' I ended up finding out that he was probably mad because the doctors mightve had to turn away a loved one of his because they were unable to help them. Youd be surprised how much that happens. Anyway, we spent maybe an hour and half in the market. I bought some fabric and Im getting dress shirts made by a local tailor. On the way back to AFM we rode motorcycle taxis. That was fun. There was life 4 of us (2 Americans, 1 Canadien, and a Philipino). We tried to race. At the tailor we went to their was birthday party going on and we were invited to join. That was a blast. The last two days have been incredible. If the rest of the trip goes like this Im going to go loco. #

I promise that all the stories above are 100% true.

Time to Catch Up

Hey everyone. Not much has been happening so I didnt really have a whole lot to report about. But now I do. Work is grueling, somedays the bathrooms are still nice and clean and others...ugh lets not go there. Today I felt like I was going to see my breakfast and lunch. It wasnt fun. Ive met so many people here. Its incredible how genuine and sincere everyone is here. I met someone with the same birthday that came in the day before me so we've kind of clicked. Its super easy to make friends cause everyone is in the same boat (literally). Last night we had a church service and it was so cool to listen to God's people from all over the world be united in worship. This morning my alarm actually woke me up. Thats a good sign because I think Ive finally adjusted to the time change.
Today was a interesting day. I worked and slept on and off all day. There was not much to do until just before dinner when Charles (Liberian co-worker) and I had to clean the mens/womens showers on deck 2. That was not fun. It was really dirty and disgusting. Charles threw up two or three times. After that I took a nap and then went to dinner. Let me tell you the food can be really good or terrible. They serve left over dinner the next day for lunch. Bleh. Anyway, tonight was really good because we had pizza. It was decent, but still it was pizza. After dinner I sat down in the Starbucks lounge and read Do Hard Things. Let me tell you, this book is rocking my world right. Its causing me to look into my life and see if Im truly living how God wants me too. In the little things in my life I get an F but in the big things I get a C...not doing to good. It definitly challenging me to live differently.
On Sunday we have someone leaving us (although, people are continually coming and going everyday) so we went out to dessert at 7:30. The place was so nice. We all just sat around and talked. Got to know some people alot better and get to know people I hardly knew. I cant get over how everyone is accepting and open to meeting new people and getting to know them. We left Krystal Point Hotel (name of the place) at 10:50 and just got back. It was so much fun. I dont have a whole lot going on tomorrow other than maybe joining Prison Fellowship, but I dont know if thats going to work out. Well thats it. TTFN, ta-ta-for-now!

First Day on the Job

Well, today I had my first day on the job. About 10 this morning I met my boss Sherry Carpenito. She showed me the expectations and explained what the job holds. I work from 8am-5pm everyday except Saturday and Sunday.
Today Sherry had me work with one of the day crew members (Liberians who come onto the ship everyday and hold a position in a department) and we mopped Deck 2 and 3 and then I cleaned a vent and dusted the stairways. Not much to do but I only worked half the day. Tomorrow will be my first day working 8 to 5. Well thats work...let me tell you about the people Ive met.
My bunk mate is a 19 year old from Seirra Leone one of my roomates is from Oklahoma. Across the hall there is room full of like 8 girls who range from 19-22 or so. Im just going to tell you where theyre all from: Columbus, Georgia Fresno, California Chicago, Illinois Calgary, Canada and right now Im drawing a blank on the rest. Sorry. Ive met a few guys from England and a girl from Liverpool, England. I work along side of guy from Switzerland, a woman from Norway and Sweden. There are so many people from everywhere that I cant keep track. Its hard. Well I have to go. Im having problems getting my pictures to work and my videos up. Im getting some help. Hopefully in the next few days Ill get them up for you to see the ship. Well adios for now.

Finally In Liberia

3 flights, 2 connections and 30 hours later Ive finally arrived on Liberia. Its rainy, humid and hot here. Its pooring like there is no tomorrow. Its kind of cool.
So let me tell you about my last 35 hours. After arriving at LAX I made my first flight on time. But when we went onto the run way and were abour to take off the pilots told us there was maintenance problems and we were headed back to our gate. When we got there we sat there an hour waiting for them to fix the problem, but as they fixed the first they found a new one and then another one and another one. Finally they decided they were going to take that plane out of commission and so let unloaded us on and put us on another flight. When I landed in Chicago our gate was occupado and I had 20 minutes to make my flight to Brussels, Belgium. I was fortunate enough that, once we got to the gate, someone overheard me talking about my flight and the amount of time I had to make it to my gate that they told everyone to let me get off first so I could make it. I made with just a few minutes to spare. 9 hours later I landed in Brussels. Called the folks to let them know I was alright and then got some lunch (cost me $15!, stupid bad economy), and charged the ole iPod. The flight to Monrovia, Liberia had no problems and I fortunate enough to have the Director of Development for Mercy Ships on my flight. She was escorting Rookie NFL Star Malcom Kellie to the Africa Mercy. He'll be here a week and a half. So when we landed Malcom had a press conference with the Liberia Media. They spent half an hour asking him questions and then we got our baggage and jumped in some jeeps and drove an hour and a half to the ship. Let me tell you. Its nicer than I expected. Im sharing a room with three other guys and they are super nice. Right now Im in the internet cafe updating and waiting for an open line to make some calls home.

More new on my trip coming Tuesday.....

Last Day

So today is my last day in the US for 33 days. How fitting is it that my last day is our great nations birthday? It couldn't have been better.

I sit here at my computer knowing that in 5 hours Ill be headed to the airport to start my great adventure. For all those that don't know, I'm flying out of LAX at 7:30 am. From LAX I head to O'Hare, Chicago where I will connect on an American Airlines flight to Brussels, Belgium. From there its to Monrovia, Liberia and then to Mercy Ships. My total flight time is 19 hours and 10 minutes, and total time just about reaches 30 hours. Yikes. Just keep praying that God will allow for good weather and smooth travels.

I want to thank everyone for making this happen. My actions on this trip represent everyone's generosity and commitment for our Savior. Thank so much for all your prayers and support. I couldn't be more grateful.

In Africa I will be keeping a calender and on each day I will be praying for someone different who contributed to my trip.
Thank you all so much. God Bless.

Wes

Just Waiting

So now that Graduation and Grad night have come and gone, Im starting to think more and more about my trip to Africa. The other day while I was getting ready to leave the house I started thinking about the trip - really what it would take to get there - and it hit me that Im traveling half way around the world to the poorest country on Earth by my self. It made me think, "Wes, what are you thinking?!" I wouldnt say Im scared or afraid of going into international airports trying to find my way to my gate on my own, I would say Im nervous.

I can definitly say the travel alone is going to test me and my faith. I know that Satan sees this is as an opportunity to attack my faith and who I am in Christ as Im a young kid fresh out of high school. I know that Im just going to have to stand firm and trust God in anything that is going to happen. I have to be flexible.

My biggest prayer requests are that I will find my gates no problem, the traveling will be smooth and safe and that I will trust God through all situations on this trip.

Genesis 15:1
"Some time later, the Lord spoke to him and said, "Do not be afraid for I will protect you."