Rising From The Ashes

(Above: Verses from Proverbs written on a wall and a little girl's shoe in one of Monrovia's many abandoned buildings, a blind panhandler led by a child, and a member of the UN peacekeeping force beneath an anti-war bilboard)

Liberia is slowly recovering from war, but it is clear that it is a long, difficult process. Signs of the war are everywhere and life is still very hard for the people of Liberia. The most disturbing evidence of the war here is its presence in the psyche of the people. They lived it and are trying to pick up what pieces are left. Some bear physical scars from the war. Many lost family members during the conflict. Many were unable to leave there homes for fear of being killed or forced to fight and some died of disease as a result. The war is over, but still there is need here and brokenness to the point of overflowing, and it is impossible to go out and not be confronted with it. But life is going on. People are laughing and living and pushing though the difficulties of living in a city where there is little running water or electricity (except that which is produced by gas-powered generators). Brokenness and suffering are everywhere in Monrovia and I believe that most Liberians would agree, but beauty is just as prevailant in the colors of the fabric, encouraging words written across the bumpers of taxis, and in the faces of its people. God made them and loves them and I'm so glad to have met some of them. May He continue to be merciful to them and lift them up.

John