My husband, Eddie, and I recently returned from Liberia after a 12 day trip in country. Although jet lag is real and the snow today in MN is disappointing, I am very glad to be home and with my son. My first trip to LIB was with Eddie 10 years ago to meet his family and have our wedding. Five years later, we were able to return for Eddie to get back to his home soil (five years is a long time to be away from your homeland) Both visits were times of reunion with friends and family, eating the local food and the daily test of the 95% humidity and heat. This recent trip still had the excitement of seeing our family and the sweet joy of being called "Auntie Greta" by a group of beautiful young people including our new great niece (Miriam) and great nephew (Eddie). Liberia visits are exciting and a little adventurous, but also heartbreaking and exhausting. The overwhelming poverty and struggling infrastructure can leave me thinking, "what can I ever do that would make a difference?"

However, this trip back to Liberia took on a different element involving our work with our new non-profit, Covenant International. My immediate excitement was the joy of getting to be in LIB with my old friend, Jaye. There is such comfort in sharing new experiences with old friends that gives me renewed energy (or at least endurance). As Eddie and I were spending time every day with visits to our family and friends, we also had the privilege to be a part of some founding meetings between the Covenant Academy team and Covenant International founders (that's me, Eddie and Jaye). There was true excitement and nerves as we tried to communicate clearly the hopes and dreams of the non profit work with them. What I have learned in my life with Eddie, as well as my work in developing countries, is that dreaming is a privilege. I am not talking about the subconscious time our body is resting each night, but to actually think or move towards something that at the time seems like a dream. It truly is a privilege to look beyond your daily needs of food, water, shelter, safety and clothing. Many in the world wake up each day with the same unmet basic needs, and there is no time for dreaming or imagining. Although the dream of building a school seems impossible for us, with God all things are possible. He can bring together people and resources with uncanny excellence. I am looking forward to being a part of this project to see God at work in big ways. Most profoundly, as always, is the journey of my own transformation when being involved in something bigger than me.

Can't wait to share how you can get involved with this little project across a big ocean that has potential to have lasting impact.
Peace,
Greta