Living in the Between

I have been intending to write some concluding thoughts about our most recent trip to Liberia, but that feels too much like an ending.  This trip felt so much like a beginning that I am unwilling to do anything to change that.  The focus on the future and taking intentional steps together towards solutions was such an encouragement to my heart and soul!

Since we have been back home we have continued moving forward, working together to solve one challenge at a time.  We have launched our “Giving Store”, where we saw curriculum resources purchased for every teacher within the first 48 hours!  We are also well on our way to the purchase of all the block that will be needed to start building our school space later this year.  

In Liberia our management team is moving forward with the official Incorporation of Rise Liberia, and the teachers are integrating the use of new learning materials and teaching strategies.

Together we can reach the goal of a sustainable school system in Liberia, and I hope you will join us in this journey!  

Tackling the Challenges Together

Today we had a very productive time with the teachers here on this Rise Liberia trip.  We spent some time hearing from them about the challenges they face in the school and their priorities.  

It was so good to come together to strategize and look for solutions in the here and now as we work towards the larger vision, and make decisions about first steps.  

After we spent some time on teaching strategies that could be put into place immediately, and joined together in prayer for our school, we went outside for a fun photo shoot.  

In addition to a really powerful time tonight, hearing God’s word shared by John and blessing the children, one of our favorite moments was shared in the schoolyard during recess.  The kids gathered around and sang us a song.  We will look forward to sharing the video when we are home!

The Burden is Light

These moments, right here, are what this is all about! 

Today we met with many of our sponsored students here in Liberia, including Tata, who our family sponsors.  It was so good to hear from them, though it’s hard not to be stiff in front of the cameras.  Seeing their smiles and starting to break through those formalities to get to know their hearts made today such a bright time.  

Most of the school day was spent with our students, and then in the afternoon we met as the Rise Liberia team again, adjusting vision and strategy as we worked to define our goals and what success means to us.  It is a blessing to work with this team, who so clearly share a genuine love for the children of Liberia and for education.  

This evening I spoke at the meeting and shared the joy and rest found in Jesus’ invitation to come.   The burden He gives us is light when we are yoked to Him, and allow Him to carry the weight with us.  This is how I feel tonight, the burden on my heart for Liberia is a joy to carry because I know that He shares it.

Walking Together

Today I had the privilege of experiencing first hand the challenges our teachers face in our Rise Liberia school.  I had a story time with each class, from the 5th/6th grade class to the Nursery class.  
There was great enthusiasm for the stories, with some classes clapping after every page.  We also had some good discussions about innnovation, creativity and kindness.  All of this is done at highest volume though, as you are striving to be heard above the enthusiasm of every other class and student in the school!  

I was glad when recess came and I could spend some time with the students outside.  

We also had the opportunity to walk over to the section of land that Pastor Washington has for the school to use for agriculture.  It is beautiful land, and it was lovely to see some of the vegetables already growing.  

The children always love an opportunity to have their picture taken, especially if they can then get a peek- just like our kids in America!  

We even got to see a bit of a soccer game in the school yard before everyone went back to classes, and we switched gears to begin interviewing our sponsored students.  

Interviewing the students is giving us an opportunity to get to know the kids of Rise Liberia on a more individual level, and that is a blessing.  We look forward to sharing the interviews and pictures with sponsors when we are home. 

Our day came to a close with our second Revival Meeting, and oh what joyful worship we shared.  

Now to rest up for another full day tomorrow!  

Rich in Relationship

Today was a blessed day, full of rich relationship and connection.  We started the day in the school, observing the classes and soaking in the presence of these precious children.  
As I stood in the midst of the cacophony of children learning I was overwhelmed by the potential and eagerness of their hearts and minds.  Although there are many challenges ahead I am encouraged by what God is doing here at this beautiful school.  

Chief among the challenges is the need for more space, as classes are separated only by chalkboards, requiring teachers and students to shout above the class next to them to be heard.  As of now, the school is meeting within the church, and doing the very best with what they have, but a designated space will allow them to grow in so many ways.  

After the students went home we met with the Rise Liberia Management team and had a very fruitful time sharing vision and strategizing about the way forward.  We discussed curriculum and innovation as well as finances and administration.  This is a strong team with a great balance of gifts and personality.  

I will be sure to get a good picture of the team in the coming days, but for now I will leave you with one of my favorite images from the day- a kindergarten student coming forward to giver her answer.   What you can’t hear is the round of applause her classmates gave.  Pure joy!

And We’re Off!

We are off and ready for new adventures and building relationships in Liberia!!  Bill, John and I are on the road, at the start of nearly 30 hours of travel.  We are energized and excited to get started on what God has for us during this coming week in Liberia.  We’ll see how we are feeling when we arrive- praying that energy remains!  

I will be staying connected and making updates as frequently as WiFi connections allow. Thank you for all of the support and prayers!  

My family sent me off with a rare group hug- and I will cherish it all week. ❤️

An Opportunity for Giving

Many people have asked me, since hearing about our projects and my time in Liberia, how they could help.  "What can we send?  What can we do?"  I am so thankful that many of you are interested in participating in this way, and now I have an answer for you!

While presenting the Environmental students' research and lesson plans on Liberia we were talking about how the kids there play with tattered soccer balls, because that is all they have.  They just can't withstand the conditions of rough terrain and jagged garbage strewn across the "fields".  One of the people listening mentioned that they had just heard about a ball designed specifically for third world countries in Africa, which sent me on a quest for more information.

That quest led me to the website for the One World Futbol Project, and I am excited about what I found!  They have created a soccer ball (futbol to the rest of the world), which is virtually indestructible, to survive the conditions children play in across the world.  And it gets better, for every ball that we purchase, they will send another one to children in another third world country.  We can share the joy of play with children across the world!!

If you would like to help us in raising money to purchase some of these balls to send to the children in Monrovia, Liberia please contact me at olsons@lkgeorge.org.   Thank you for your continued support for our efforts to improve the lives of children in the school and children's home that we are connected to in Liberia.