admin February 11th, 2009
My first attempt at a solar installation failed due to the fact that a standard of electrical construction has no value in Liberia. The house was only one year old, and the configuration was all wrong. It takes some real odd situations to fool me and this one did. The system I installed failed. At least I will be able to use it to teach solar at Mt Barclay and also charge my electric tooth brush.
The contrast between our cultures is extensive. It’s hard to tell the difference between the suffering around basic human needs like food and clean drinking water and the need to be recognized as a person of value, which the pressure of war has left most to doubt.
It’s easy for me to know which I can address personally: it’s to try and recognize each person that I do meet and listen to their story. During the war, one Lebanese man we met made friends within all the factions warring in the city. This allowed him to travel to different areas of town to try to find food during times of need. His building was destroyed, but he was one of the few able to rebuild. Remembering a time when blacks could not be U.S. Citizens, whites are still not allowed to be Liberian Citizens. And so although born here, this Lebanese gentleman cannot be a citizen of this country and he grieves that to this day. So I listened to his stories while being treated to the best dinner, and shared conversations with a University of Liberia professor and a research colleague…what an afternoon it was.
Anja and I still dream of going home on a daily basis, mainly because of the bucket baths and bucket flushing toilets. And then there is the drinking water that always seems to run out. It’s uncomfortably hot here and we are told by the locals that the hot season hasn’t arrived yet. Wow, that’s an uplifting thought…not.
Through this time we are being blessed daily. Check out my contemplative prayer blog…I hope it will stir some thoughts to pray about in your own life.
Christ be with you.
Patrick
Tags: contemplative prayer, Electrical Construction, Prayer, Stories
admin January 22nd, 2009
First Employee
Well it’s been a week and a half and today is a good day. Anja is feeling much better and we have established a place we can call our own. Anja was sick for the entire first week and I have been worried about my business in the US, but things have been resolved and Anja is better. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.
I have begun doing business. We’ve set up an office and my employee is learning to use my computer and has already designed business cards for the company.
Anja has some meetings to go to with her Catholic contacts and will be traveling the Monrovia area to visit outreach ministries through out the region.
Washing Machine
I have had to resort to American food to keep sane during these beginning times. I’ve been asked if I’m happy, or how it’s going. I don’t have an answer…I’m just here. It’s hard to be happy in the midst of this, and it’s hard to be sad being present in it. I’ve discovered my calling right now is to interact as much as I can with the Liberian people, and focus on not reverting to a “us and them” mentality.
The Liberian way of life is tough. It’s like camping everyday. With no electricity or fresh water, chores have to be done just to eat and drink. Anja and I went to the well pump to retrieve the water we needed to drink for the day. I think we cut in line, because ten or more containers were in a line waiting to be filled. We did the usual clueless expression and proceeded to fill our container. I think next time I’ll pump for others before I fill mine. They unlock the pump in the morning but lock it up again after a time to prevent it from being dismantled for parts. I wanted to fill mine early without the crowd but the pump was locked.
Running Water
It’s like the game Sim City on the computer, but real people die. I’m hoping less of the dying stuff happens. Food and medical treatment/medicine is quite the priority here and it takes money to get them. It would take an economy to provide money… so people go hungry and suffer or die. And that is what has compelled me here to contribute my drop of help.
So far, so hard, but how bad could it be…don’t answer that.
Christ be with you all, PAA (Pat and Anja)
Tags: Electrical Construction, Medical Care, Transition
admin November 27th, 2008
Thank you for visiting our new website! There’s much work to be done in the months ahead, and we’re excited to move forward in bringing practical training in electrical construction to Liberians. We’ll begin our efforts in cooperation with the Mt. Barclay Christian School on the outskirts of Monrovia, Liberia. Monrovia is powered primarily by generators…the electrical power grid is virtually non-existent in poor communities. There are areas, usually upper class neighborhoods, where there is limited electricity. We will be training Liberians in electrical construction, which will provide jobs for the future as more electrical is restored, and bridge the wide gap between the economic classes.
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Tags: Electrical Construction, Poverty in Liberia, welcome
