Liberia coming to Appleton - redux!

I pretty much want to re-post mostly everything written in my last post - with maybe a few future tense -> past tense switches!

OR&R is just a cool organization and it was great to have the chance the chance to hear more stories and learn more about the work they're doing. Andrew spoke at both services, and in between hung out with some caffeinated and well-sugared middle- and high schoolers. That was probably my favorite part, actually, because the kids had interesting questions and were just plain fun to hang with!

Have I mentioned that Liberia is an amazing, beautiful place? There is so much potential and so many challenges.... Several folks started talking about maybe going to Liberia next year to help out with some of OR&R's work. Whether it's giving money or going ourselves or something in between, I kind of have the feeling that whatever we can do to "help" people there will really end up helping us here even more - to better understand ourselves, others... a bit of what God is doing in this crazy world, and how we just might be privileged enough to be a part of that.

Liberia coming to Appleton!

While I don't know what's next for me and Liberia, I wanted to share this as a way that those of us who live outside Liberia can help. During my visit there, I met a couple of folks from Orphan Relief and Rescue. I got to see some of the projects that they're working on and learned a bunch about the challenges of construction in the country.
I like the video below because it gives great background info on Liberia, and explains what OR&R does. I'm excited about their work because I've seen it, and because it focuses on both immediate and sustainable help for hungry and poor people.
Here's the really exciting news: Andrew (the guy in the video) is coming to Appleton! He's going to be sharing at my church on Sunday, August 30. I hope if you're in the area you'll come to meet him and hear his stories!

vis a vis apropos of nothing

7/30 - last ditch effort from Angela:
Wondering if you have any word of time frames or updates on the project at all? I'd like to be able to communicate with my employer about the realities of where the project is at, so any information about the process or current status would be greatly appreciated.

Hope you're adjusting well and are staying somewhat dry! I've heard that it's been one of the sunniest rainy seasons on record?

8/7 - response from Richard:
As in earlier messages, all I can report is that IRD still does not have a signed project or a final budget with USDA. As before, the practicalities of delivering on the various commitments we have vis-a-vis the potential donor have required us to revisit the budget. Production of the biscuit and beverage are feasible, but more expensive than originally estimated.

You should not make any definite plans until IRD has final word from the donor and until IRD would make final arrangements with all possible partners. Our primary requirement vis-a-vis the donor is to find practical ways to deliver on all the list of commitments we have, as best we can with the funds approved, and I should flag again if approved. IRD does not yet have this information.

Thank you and kind regards,

So that's that (for the foreseeable future)! I still have my job at ThedaCare; I still haven't sold anything major, and now all that remains is to get my head back in the game here - once I've figured out what that is and which team I'm on!

my heart is heavy

As I write this my heart is heavy. We still have not heard about the funding for the project. The last I heard was them was a message from Richard two weeks ago: "Please do not make any firm plans yet, as there is still no signed agreement with the donor. IRD/DC staff I know are discussing with USDA ways of fulfilling overall obligations vis-a-vis donor under what is a very tight budget." This after I'd been feeling increasingly tense about the lack of communication and the fact that approved funds hadn't been granted since like April/May or sometime due to difficulties between IRD and the USDA attorneys in scoping out the project. I know this must be a challenging one for them, but the lack of communication about what's going on - or even time estimates - has made the project (from my perspective) feel very shaky indeed. My boss at ThedaCare has agreed to hold off on posting my job till this coming Monday, Aug. 3, so I've spoken with Mustafa about it asked him to plan on finding someone else for this project manager role after that date.

I'd really appreciate your prayers about this; while there will of course be a bit of relief at the thought of not having to go through all the crazy changes anticipated, I will also be devastated. I don't doubt that God knows exactly what He's doing, but I don't. And that's ok, but I wouldn't say it's easy. I hope most for the very best for the people of Liberia, and would only want this project to go through if that's what it lead toward.

Thank you, friends.

don't know when I'm going but it's no use missin' the boat

Here's the plan. Head to a country called Liberia where it's hot all the time and where amazing people speak a bewildering version of English and wear Obama jeans. Where I'll be stretched in ways that intimidate me now. Where I'll learn a ton and hope to be of actual help.

Sound good?

So I know the where, but the when (mid-September is still the best guess) and a good bit of the how have yet to be determined. Much of that rides on the final agreement for a contract between IRD and the USDA. They're working on ironing it all out, so hopefully it won't be too terribly long before logistics can start to be solidified.

I did talk to Richard today, the IRD guy who will be in Liberia in charge of the whole project. He seems like a good guy, from the 20 minutes I spent on the phone with him. That will be a big deal as I'm guessing I'll be working with him pretty closely. He heads to Liberia this weekend and will be there on Monday.

whispers of some quiet conversation

Hiya! I know I've been quiet lately, but - as you can probably imagine - I've been weighing and thinking and praying quite a bit. A couple of updates:

1) I need to tell my work about my decision by THIS FRIDAY, and
2) The project start date has been moved to Oct 1, which means (if I go) I'd probably be heading off in mid-September sometime.

Many thanks to those of you I've talked with about this decision. So appreciate the listening ears, encouragement and wise insight. Can't tell you how much, really!

And apologies if I seem to be making this too drawn out or dramatic; once decided, it will be whatever it is. It's just big in my life.

Prayers appreciated!

Never Loose Hope

One of my favorite things as a total newcomer to this beautiful crazy place has been the sayings on the backs of taxis. So we started trying to catch photos of 'em as we'd drive along. Usually Mustafa was in the front seat, so I'd see one and toss the camera up to him quick, and Abee would slow down while Mustafa tried to get the picture. Toward the end of the trip we got pretty efficient at the process!

Here are the photos we managed to capture (with a few non-taxi ones thrown in for good measure).