Liberia - All of the spiritual teachings I have studied for decades stress this, even-mindedness. Notice the emotions that appear. Watch them like clouds passing in the sky. Let them pass vs being drawn into them. Just notice. I am acutely aware of this practice here and how challenging it is for me this time in Liberia. The extremes of great grief and great joy are present everywhere. Complete and utter disappointment and tremendous gratitude to God for surviving ebola. Such extremes. I am challenged to be in even-mindedness.
I received a note from son Moses yesterday begging for another chance, filled with sadness and regret for his behavior. He has stolen money from everyone and every place I have sponsored him since 2006, including from me. He says he has had an awakening. Have I educated a future contributing member of Liberian society or a criminal? Supporting or enabling? Helping or loyalty to a fault?
I am reviewing every aspect of my commitment to the work here, to the people here, to this country. This is my 10th year connected to Liberia. It is the beginning of a new chapter for this country in so many ways, time to create a new normal after such unbelievable trauma. And it is a new chapter for me personally after so many unbelievable change in the last 27 months. May the next chapter be from a place of even-mindedness.
My dear friend and our FFWL COO David and I had a long and serious conversation today. If something would happen to me, who would he reach out to in America? Who would take over this passion, this committed purpose, this work here? I did not have an answer…
I am working on a second book, Surrender. My constant practice. May it all be God’s way, not my way; may it all be for the highest good of all beings…
I started writing very reflectively early this morning before my first appointment of this Thursday at Benson Hospital. The film crew and I had an appointment to visit the auntie of a Liberian MD who practices in San Diego; Iyabo and I have become friends due to ebola. Angela Benson and her fellow-doctor husband have been operating the hospital for the last 15 years in Monrovia. I was so anxious to meet her! And meet her I did! After passing the health screening, I waited for Dr. Benson to appear – and when she did, we hugged each other instantly despite ebola protocol and signs throughout the hospital, “No Touching.” I had helped her niece fill a container of medical supplies and protective gear shortly after returning from Liberia last August due to the crisis. There were so few supplies to meet the ever-increasing demand as the ebola cases where dramatically rising in number. The appreciation expressed today was far beyond the effort given to fill the container.
Then a tour of the hospital and my awe for this woman grew exponentially with every step. Doing so much with so little. Helping so many whether they are able to pay or not. The suggested registration fee to see a doctor is L$20 or about US20 cents; too much for so many.
I left Angela Benson and her hospital and her patients after an hour, completely amazed by what I had experienced. I am so grateful Henry and Armah were with me to document the conversation and film the reality – the world must see what I was blessed to see today. I am so honored to be able to share.
The women of Liberia – I am in awe – Marie and her agricultural project and leadership, Gladys and her survival and determination despite the most challenging circumstances, Angela and her hospital, Tee Tee who started out teaching five students and dreams of 10,000! All of these conversations in just the last 24 hours. Awe. Despite ebola, despite Monrovia being named in a recent UN agency report as one of the five worst poverty cities on the planet, despite it all, I am completely in awe of the women and people of this country. And I use them as a role model for even-mindedness; they just do what needs to be done without emotion, just prayer…
With love and gratitude and inspiration from Liberia ~ Deborah
I am reviewing every aspect of my commitment to the work here, to the people here, to this country. This is my 10th year connected to Liberia. It is the beginning of a new chapter for this country in so many ways, time to create a new normal after such unbelievable trauma. And it is a new chapter for me personally after so many unbelievable change in the last 27 months. May the next chapter be from a place of even-mindedness.
My dear friend and our FFWL COO David and I had a long and serious conversation today. If something would happen to me, who would he reach out to in America? Who would take over this passion, this committed purpose, this work here? I did not have an answer…
I am working on a second book, Surrender. My constant practice. May it all be God’s way, not my way; may it all be for the highest good of all beings…
I started writing very reflectively early this morning before my first appointment of this Thursday at Benson Hospital. The film crew and I had an appointment to visit the auntie of a Liberian MD who practices in San Diego; Iyabo and I have become friends due to ebola. Angela Benson and her fellow-doctor husband have been operating the hospital for the last 15 years in Monrovia. I was so anxious to meet her! And meet her I did! After passing the health screening, I waited for Dr. Benson to appear – and when she did, we hugged each other instantly despite ebola protocol and signs throughout the hospital, “No Touching.” I had helped her niece fill a container of medical supplies and protective gear shortly after returning from Liberia last August due to the crisis. There were so few supplies to meet the ever-increasing demand as the ebola cases where dramatically rising in number. The appreciation expressed today was far beyond the effort given to fill the container.
Then a tour of the hospital and my awe for this woman grew exponentially with every step. Doing so much with so little. Helping so many whether they are able to pay or not. The suggested registration fee to see a doctor is L$20 or about US20 cents; too much for so many.
I left Angela Benson and her hospital and her patients after an hour, completely amazed by what I had experienced. I am so grateful Henry and Armah were with me to document the conversation and film the reality – the world must see what I was blessed to see today. I am so honored to be able to share.
The women of Liberia – I am in awe – Marie and her agricultural project and leadership, Gladys and her survival and determination despite the most challenging circumstances, Angela and her hospital, Tee Tee who started out teaching five students and dreams of 10,000! All of these conversations in just the last 24 hours. Awe. Despite ebola, despite Monrovia being named in a recent UN agency report as one of the five worst poverty cities on the planet, despite it all, I am completely in awe of the women and people of this country. And I use them as a role model for even-mindedness; they just do what needs to be done without emotion, just prayer…
With love and gratitude and inspiration from Liberia ~ Deborah
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