As I awake in my bed in Villa 1005 at the Kendeja - I stayed curled up under the covers – not wanting to let the light of this day interfere with my conversation with God – my prayers so big – the only conversation and reality I wanted to have, to continue… Then the ting of a text received on my US phone interrupted my total joy and gratitude. Pause. Then the second ting. I reached for my phone to find this message:
“An Icing Can Make A Cake So Sweet, A Balloon so High, A Match Can Make A Candle So Bright, I Hope That A Simple Text Can Make You Smile. Morning Ster Deborah, How Are U? Thanks U Yesterday. I Buy So Many Food That Will Take Us To The First Week in Next Month. Thanks For The Food, u Make Me So Hpy. I Don’t Know How To Say Thanks…”
My reply, “I love you Gladys.”
We met up yesterday for the first time since my return. Gladys is one of our Foundation for Women borrowers and a leader. Robbers recently took everything from her home, everything – all her possessions. Clothes, mattresses, food and cook items, computer, phone; nothing left in her home but dust. I passed her some money for food yesterday, “small, small” as would be said in Liberia. And this dear message came back to me this morning…
Though she and her children are experiencing beyond dire circumstances, Gladys came to meet me beautifully dressed, beaming a smile, and with concern about me. She had sent a text to me in November when my sister died; she has been so worried about me as she had not heard from me; somehow the text never arrived. We were so glad to see each other, to catch up – and despite ebola protocol, we just had to hug each other.
Our human family caring for each other; it happens here in Liberia. Despite the poverty, despite the lack of electricity and running water, despite ebola – love.
I am so blessed to be home. Thank you God. What a beautiful ending to my early morning prayer time with you ~ Deborah
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