Missionary Ladies' Outing

This was so funny I really had to share it with you. Thursday afternoon this group (plus one more not pictured) ventured out to do our grocery shopping. Well, mostly we were exploring a new store that is far enough away that we decided it was a proper "outing" (and the store has offered to deliver for free so we wanted to see what they had to offer). But it seemed like a picture would illustrate my point in the last post - what a difference to have so many more missionaries around. 6 of us were SIM missionaries! This is a big change.

Where in the world are Rick and Debbie?

Back in Liberia.

We arrived August 27th - nearly two weeks ago now. Thanks to all who helped get us moved, packed and on our way. We really couldn't do this without the support we get from friends, churches and family.

After a few days of greetings and errands, Rick was back at work at the hospital of course. And on call this past weekend, so he is fully into it again. I'm getting a much slower start, but beginning to feel settled enough to think about what else I am ready to do besides cleaning and unpacking. There are a couple of home improvements on the list that I don't want to put off too long, but I'm beginning to feel ready to get involved at the ELWA Academy and our church again soon. Jared and Caleb started school right away last Monday, so they also got right back into a routine. Max has already been in school for 4 weeks in Senegal and well, we don't hear from him much, so I guess that means he's having a good time!

It's been a very different arrival for us this time. There are so many more missionaries! Nearly everyone on our team is in transition- moving into a new house, fixing up a house, building a house, getting ready to leave or just coming- so that is a little tough for us all - no one is settled in enough to be the support for the transitioning people. The dust will settle in a month or so, I'm sure. I think that in our next post, we'll have to let you know just who is here that we are talking about.

In the meantime, sim.org has a new feature on Liberia. http://www.sim.org/index.php/content/sim-liberia-five-years-after-the-war

Pray for our team as we get to know each other and redistribute responsiblities that Rick and I were shouldering before. Pray for the Carrs and the Chapmans who have some major work to do on their houses- Chapmans have just one month to finish their place before the resident of their temporary quarters returns. And Carrs really don't even have good temporary quarters so they want to get their place in some kind of shape very soon so they can move out of the guesthouse.

Sorry for so much text and no pictures - just wanted to let you all know that we have arrived and you'll be hearing from us more often again. Thanks for your prayers.

Debbie for the Sacras

While you were away....

We're back home in MA. now. On the Thursday night before we returned, lightning struck a huge pine tree just 30 feet or so from the house. Since the beginning of summer, we have had thunderstorms here like we have never seen before - more like what I grew up with in Ohio. Here is a picture: the middle third of the tree is the ripped apart piece on the ground and the top third is the brushy part in the background. Thank God it fell away from the house. And I think we are also thankful we were not here.

God's handiwork is awesome

Deb and the boys and I are in Seattle, visiting Deb's sister Laura and some other friends (thanks Laura for hosting us!).

Yesterday we drove down to Mount St. Helens... amazing and awesome, the power of the earth and the hardiness of life--all God's handiwork. Here we are, with the view of Mount St. Helens' crater in the background, as we rested at a a spot called "Devil's elbow" on Johnston ridge.


We're enjoying these family times, but also thinking a lot about Liberia, as we'll be headed back next month. Praying and reflecting.... Rick for all of us

Sacra travels

It's been great as the summer gets going to connect with family and friends. We made a visit to the cape with Uncle Dave.

(This is Uncle Doug with Caleb on the Cape)

The boys went to camp in New Hampshire for two weeks. And we went to the Catskill mountains in New York for a couple days... just the two of us! That was nice. Very interesting--visited the homes of some early American landscape painters, Thomas Cole and Frederick Church, and hiked around the Catskill lakes, cliffs and waterfalls that they were inspired by.


And now we have just arrived in Seattle, to visit Deb's sister Laura and her husband Shad. No pictures yet--we just got here! We're beginning to think about Liberia, as we'll be headed back there by the end of August. Good to get the emotional gas tank filled up!

ELWA Academy is growing!

Right now is a pretty exciting time back in Liberia.
A team from Cedarville U. in Ohio is at ELWA working on the water system.
Steve Kejr (an SIMer who lived in Liberia for around 30 years, and now works at SIM USA in Charlotte) is working on overhauling one of ELWA's generators.
James Kesselly and the ELWA Team are working on developing their central finance and management office for coordinating key aspects of the ministry.
The ECUL Churches just held a pastors training seminar, in partnership with a team from the US, and over 90 pastors and leaders attended!
And... the ELWA Academy is growing! Up until now, the Academy, a Liberian Christian school run by the ELWA management, has been making use of the buildings that belonged to the SIM-run missionary-kid school in the 70s and 80s. There are 392 students there in nursery through 7th grade. But now, they have filled all those classrooms and need 2 additional rooms to get up through 9th grade. Pray along with us for funds to complete this project! Here is a picture, taken today, of the new foundation for this new 2 room Kindergarten extension.

Prom Night

So we got a cute little video camera free when we signed up for our internet service. Rick says we'll pay for it when we have to cancel early in August. Anyway, it's so easy to use and then I could edit the clips. So here is what I ended up with on Max's prom night. He was asked by a junior girl, Kennis Forte, from church. They had a great time.