It's my birthday!

A birthday in Liberia – it wasn’t totally an intentional decision but when we were discussing dates, it seemed like the right time. And to celebrate in a place I was sure I was supposed to be – how could that not be a great birthday? And it was!
I woke up to birthday messages and my favorite, quiet time of the day with a cup of coffee. We went to the school, me prepared to teach 1/2 grade class. When we got there, they immediately filed the children all outside and lined them up like a choir. I got lots of hugs and high fives on their way outside and it was, of course, comical to watch them getting organized. My heart was already filled. They put me in the back, behind them, I think mainly for picture’s sake. And they sang their version of Happy Birthday and Birthday Blessings. It was JOY! And here came Hawa with a beautiful cake. I knew she had made it at home, over a coal fire – though you would never guess. Chocolate chocolate and more chocolate. With a sparkler on top!
Then the 1st and 2nd graders and I got down to business. We had several “Dick and Jane” early readers donated and they were a hit! I divided the class up so about three kids to a book read to each other. They loved it. We worked on sounding out words and learning new American names (Sally wants

to play…). And then I suggested we try writing the sentences. Oh, they LOVE to write. They all got out their notebooks and pencils and diligently copied sentences I wrote on the board. They were so studious, at times crowding the black board to read sentences aloud to one another. I managed to get our gears switched and ask if anyone had done a puzzle before. They all answered “yes!” and I soon discovered they meant “yes they were excited to try a puzzle for the first time!” I had brought a few 24-piece puzzles. We hit our first hurdle. The concept of a puzzle was totally foreign to them. They continually shoved pieces together that did not fit, the print was upside down. We were all a little frazzled by the end of this fun event. They all got the puzzles put together, some much quicker than others. Little did I know, this would be the big hit and kids tomorrow would be eager to get their turn.
During the recess/lunch, we had cake (adults only!) and Hawa had made me a Liberian lunch. I bit into a chicken foot – and can honestly say, I don’t even know what it tasted like. I couldn’t get over the thought of it. One bit was all I could do. And then, I had the afternoon off.
What I wanted on my birthday was to sit on the beach and put my feet in the ocean. The view is spectacular looking out, but this is the first time I have been on a beach with so much trash. And trash coming in with every wave. Shoes, bottles, foam, plastic, glass, hub cap. I don’t know how this gets better but it was a discouraging sight. I

started the book I have been looking forward to and continued reading all afternoon. There was no power (read no A/C) almost all day. So l laid very still in my room, enjoying the cool remnants of A/C times gone by.
The “crew” picked me up for dinner – I asked if they would do me the honor of letting me treat them a dinner out. They protested some but I got my way. The restaurant chosen was on a dock and the breeze was amazing (though Dejoy thought it too cold). We laughed and took silly photos and had a lovely time. Moses, the Prophet, was not there though, and I couldn’t quite get a straight answer as to where he was. He came with a package just as we were eating our food. We finished dinner continuing to just get to know each other. Little did I know, this was the first time the five of them had done anything “for fun” outside of ministry. What an honor to be a part of it! Then the gift came out, a large, maybe 16x20 poster of ME with a funny smirk on my face, surrounded by kids. It wasn’t just a poster but an actual gigantic birthday greeting plaque if you will. It was awesome and made us all laugh. Oh, the spirit of this new family of friends is JOYOUS!
I had power overnight, meaning A/C and many birthday wishes. It was a joy-filled day. Everyone should have a birthday in a foreign country.

Prayers:
*Tomorrow is my last day at school. I pray the kids feel loved and valued.
*Prayers for the teachers who are there, and the positions that need to be filled.
*Energy to keep working hard at relationships being present.
*Thanksgiving for a great day – and a fruitful and encouraging trip.