The Collision of the American Dream and The Poverty of the Liberian Culture

One might think that Liberia is one of the saddest, most desperate places on earth.  As a first time visitor, images so filled my mind that it became like a pile of pictures scattered on a table. I was trying to capture every moment, scene, smell and thought to desperately hold on to in my memory.  I didn't ever want to forget any of it.
When we arrived at the Liberian airport, the scene was like a mob.  From the primitive customs area, to the speedy baggage carousel, the humidity and the lack of AC, I knew I was no longer in the comforts of America.  Leaving the terminal building, we were greeted by many beautiful black faces, in fact I don't remember seeing one white person other than those on our team.  I immediately thought, "this must be how my kids felt when they first arrived in America".  It was mayhem and many young men were trying to assist me as I attempted to push 5 or more bags down a ramp with a rickety airport cart.  I wondered how hard it must be for these young men to come to the airport each day with hopes of making a little money, to be able to manage another day in this post war culture.
I knew immediately I would have to shift gears emotionally.  Sympathy and pity would be a luxury and would not serve the Liberian people or myself well.  They live in their struggle every day and it would be impossible for me to save or change all of their lives.  While they might see an American as their rescuer, I know that is far from possible.  So, I knew that all I could offer to them was the hope I see in them and for them.  I saw people who are dearly loved by God and people that He knows and loves and desires to be their God.  I wanted to give them dignity.  Dignity that doesn't come from what you have, but comes from the status of being a dearly loved child of the King.
In the beautiful dark skinned faces, I saw glorious light!  Smiles, joy, simpleness and focus.  The struggle of their lives was evident but not where I found my focus resting.  Not one person complained or asked to be relieved of their pain.  Instead, I saw resilience and perseverance.  Among the children in the orphanage/boarding school and deaf children's home I saw laughing, singing, praising, and worship out of joy and love for their God for everything He has done for them and that He would never fail them.  They showed me that true worship is focused on the One worshiped.
Due to a full schedule and an conviction of the experience, I needed time to allow God to examine my heart, to unpack my thoughts, emotions and experiences.  I was truly overwhelmed in an amazing way by it all.  As I returned, I would talk with God and He gently revealed to me that I have allowed many traps and snares to capture me.The bounty of what I own and mange doesn't necessarily make my life better and it is something that is slowly rotting our own American society.  Stuff never changes anyone for the better.  For me, it just drags me away from keeping my full attention on God.  My stuff and activities have become like close friends that bring me comfort. They make me feel happy and promise me happiness, entertainment for a hour or even a moment.  It's never lasting, just temporary.  Unfortunately the more I have, the more time it takes to care for it.  Really I don't own it, it owns me.
Joy has to be found in loving the things God values and hating what He hates. When I keep myself so distracted, I slowly slip and don't even realize it.  I see the evidence of it, but quickly apply a worldly bandage and move on.  All the while, God is calling out to return to sit and enjoy Him.  To taste and see that He is good.  He is all we need and really what my soul longs most for.
Because the distractions  of "stuff" is so
minimal in Liberia, the focus or even the awareness of God is greater.  I had the privilege of meeting and relating with a slice of humanity that is really living. In my observations, these are a people who possess an unabashed, undignified love for God.  A reverence that He is responsible for all there is or every will be.  That He is Lord!  He is greater than man and that He loves them.  Experiencing God through these Liberian followers of Christ, changed me forever. While I didn't see all of Liberia I saw 
enough to taste the sweetness of God's presence there that left me desiring more.  I came home knowing that God's heart is grieved over the sin of greed and pride that has so devastated this people group.  I believe more than ever that Liberia and many African nations are attacked by spiritual forces of the enemy because the people of Africa are sold out to their God.  They love Him and want Him to be glorified.  They recognize that He is God - Lord of All His Creation.  They haven't removed Him from their schools or their laws.  They haven't made Him a side note or placed Him along other gods as we have allowed here.  I saw "Lord", "God" and "Jesus" proudly displayed on buildings, taxis and businesses, not just churches.  These statements were not trendy or merchandised, they were just proclamations to what God means to them.

My heart for anyone reading this is:  please consider going to a third world country.  Don't talk about it.  Don't pat others on the back who have gone.  GO!  You don't even have to pray and ask God if it is His will.  It is!  Matt 28:¹⁸“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,^[b] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. "Go into all the world and make disciples".  Yes, people are broken here and America is desperate to be saved (from ourselves).  But, the influence you have as an American is a gift.  I chose to go and share the love of God.  It was a privilege and an honor.  However,  I believe God sent me to change me.  Once again, I am confronted by many areas in my life that have slipped away from making God the center of my universe.

My heart is pounding as I have written these words.  I am not a writer, I have just opened my journal to you.  I have tried to share with you a small part of what God is doing in my heart.  Hold me accountable to this.  I look forward to all that He will say.  I challenge you again, will you go?  What could possibly keep you from an experience like this?  No trip I have ever taken has brought me more fulfillment than when I experience God among the the poor.

God brought me to this today:

Deuteronomy 8:11

Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. ¹² For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, ¹³ and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! ¹⁴ Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. ¹⁵ Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! ¹⁶ He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. ¹⁷ He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ ¹⁸ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

 ¹⁹ “But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. ²⁰ Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed if you refuse to obey the Lord your God.

This was written to the Israelites, but I believe it resonates to us.  No matter what home or where you live in America, you are privileged.  Just to have running water, sewage and electricity is considered wealthy to most countries.  I pray you thank God for your shower today.  Bless Him, yes BLESS Him for the provisions He has given you.  Also, perhaps as He reminds you, lift up the country of Liberia.  Pray for them.  Specifically, pray those in authority might once again allow American parents to adopt orphaned children, as the country will no longer allow this.

My Prayer:
God, be blessed today by those who love You.  We bless you for your love, acceptance and gift of salvation.  Salvation that offers us a relationship with You, that allows us to begin life eternally today.  I praise You for you goodness, patience and ever pursing love for me.  I pray that you will gently and lovingly provide obvious opportunities for those reading this to experience you in an overwhelming way.

I Love you all and Love that God has brought you in my Life!!