“I just know that they will tell me the good news!”

The people of Liberia never cease to amaze me.  They are such a resilient people.  It is fascinating to listen to the stories of those Liberians who remained here during the war.  Their tales are horrifying, seemingly out of an action movie:  fleeing their homes in the country to seek refuge in Monrovia, living for years in a one-room tent with 10 other people, watching loved ones die from hunger, disease, or gun fire, and praying for an end to the madness.  The crimes committed during these years are unspeakable.  What amazes me the most though is how each Liberian that I speak with about this ends their story with a statement of faith and hope.  They are SO happy to see their country getting back on her feet again.  While it is easy to get frustrated with how slowly this rebirth is happening, these folks remind me just how far they have come.

In a country torn apart by war, it is astounding how united the Liberians are now.  Liberian women take care of each other’s children as their own.  On the pediatric wards, when one mother has to leave to go get food, another mother is quick to come to the bedside of her crying child to comfort him.  Today on the wards, I was a part of a beautiful display of hope, faith and unity.  We were discharging three patients from the ward today (a good day for sure!).  As the three families packed up their few belongings, other mothers came to wish them well.  One of the mothers whose child was leaving (a foster mother actually), requested that the entire ward gather round for a final prayer for all of the sick children.  The entire ward fell silent except for the hum of the one fan.  She asked us all to bow our heads and she began her prayer.  “We thank you father for ALL that you do for us.  We thank you for giving us health.  We thank you for giving us these doctors and nurses to make our children well.  We are so GRATEFUL to go back home now and we know that these other children will go home soon too.  When we see these people again, when we pass them on the street, I just know that they will tell me the good news!  We are safe!  We are well!  We are home!  Amen!”  Everyone raised their heads and shouted, “Amen!”.  Whether you are a believer in God or any higher power, this strength and hope is undeniably inspirational.  It seems to spring eternal from this nation.  This hope keeps them going day to day.  Liberia longs to be the phoenix rising from the ashes.  Each day they inch forward with this attitude.  It is simply beautiful. : )