Dear Friends,

YES!!!!!!! We have arrived in Monrovia with every single piece of luggage. (We had 15 checked and six carry on pieces and if you think that wasn't a sight as we loaded, lugged, and counted.....) The actual plane ride was uneventful and we were met by Michael Sie, newly ordained minister, attending the Virginia Theological Seminary and currently serving as coordinator for the office of the Bishop of Liberia.  He has been invaluable to us as we have planned this trip and will be making sure we are able to accomplish all of our tasks here in Monrovia. Michael, with van and driver, successfully negotiated the various pitfalls that can occur to travelers so obviously "not from here" and gave us a narrated ride into town. The road from the airport is paved, but I did not see very many other paved roads until we arrived in Monrovia proper which is about 45 minutes from the airport. The way was crowded with Friday traffic, teaming with kids playing ball, selling palm wine and coconuts, and shops of all kinds along the roadside. The shops are mere shanty buildings with sides of corrugated metal and tin roofs, certainly not anything like The Outlet Mall in Leesburg. It is a quite something to see the many women carrying everything from baskets filled with peanuts, corn or coconuts to 3 gallon water jugs carefully balanced on top of their heads and so many in the most beautiful dress. All outfits are  handmade of brilliant colors in many different fabrics and textures. Each is individual and personal to the owner. The headdresses, which allow them to cushion the heavy loads on their heads, are made of matching fabric and the parade of women along the roadside make a breathtaking show.

We start our work tomorrow with a trip to BW Harris where we will meet the principal, see the rooms where we will be teaching, and review our program, making sure that we have prepared well for the work days ahead.We ask that you pray for God's guidance as we review our training materials. Ask him to make sure we are meeting the needs of the teachers who will be arriving on Monday.

Many thanks for your prayers,

Jaq and the Team