Grandpa

I never thought I’d come to Liberia and find a new Grandpa, but I have…meet Wilson Glee, a.k.a. Grandpa.

Grandpa wandered into the EQUIP office long before Kyle and I got here, but he had been gone for a long time. Evidently a few threats from EQUIP’s Liberian staff sent him on his way (where, we don’t know because no one seems to know where he comes from or where he goes when he leaves). Rumor had it that he was a bit of a clepto, but I believe that a man can be reformed so I don’t mind if he hangs around…as long as I can keep a careful eye on his sticky fingers…Like literally his fingers are sticky…gross…

He’s got some sweet dance moves, a voracious appetite and well, the name- He’s Grandpa. Here are a few shots of the fun we had with him in the office the other day. Unfortunately the perennially slow internet keeps me from uploading the carefully choreographed music video that Grandpa and I made.

Cheesin’ with Carl

Fuzzy self-portrait

Yes, that is what missionaries do in their spare time, make music videos with children named Grandpa. Stop me before this gets weird.

No Christmas Cards in Liberia...Except!

It was difficult being away from home for the holidays. Especially when you get "cards" from family like this one. A little explanation is needed- Kyle's mom calls us her "Roaming Gnomes" hence the gnome statue, the flag I hope you will recognize as Liberia's and finally all the names are from the Hoover side of the family. Needless to say this put a big smile on our face!

Wordless Wednesday on a Thursday

This isn't even the half of it. Packing for a year...it's harder than it looks.

Wordless Wednesday...afternoon

SWO folks note the t-shirt. Alaskan's note the Xtra Tuffs.

Wordless Wednesday

Believe it or not this is a water filtration system, a bio-sand filter to be exact. Imagine if our friends nose was running...that's where the water comes out! If you'd like to learn how to make this filtration system check out Equip International's website for details and a course schedule.

Wordless Wednesday

Christian Health Ambassadors (CHAs) receiving training from Dave Waines. Equip Liberia has 1,000s of CHAs working to bring physical and spiritual health to the Liberian people.

Wordless Wednesday

Musu is a little girl who lost her arm during the war. The effects of Liberia's civil war are far reaching and life long for many.

Wordless Wednesday

Wiped Out

So we're watching Wipeout on our last night in High Point, NC (at least until the end of October). Kyle and I have decided that we will eventually be trying out for Wipeout. Wouldn't we be great? Personality, blind stupidity, enthusiasm...we've got it! We could really use 50 grand...then again who couldn't?

On another note... I'd like to take this moment to commit to providing everyone with a few more pictures on this blog. So there you go-our commitment to provide you with more play by play of this journey from here to there- otherwise known as Liberia. It will be wonderful to have pictures of the real thing in less than two months. We'll be back next week with a Wordless Wednesday post.

In the meantime- read her blog and pray for our friend Melanie who just returned to Thailand for four years. God's given her such a beautiful heart for Thai people and we just know that God is going to do mighty things through her obedience.

Later folks, we're headed for Andrews...

Wordless Wednesday: Liberian Highways

Equip Liberia's vehicles are able to navigate even in less than ideal conditions, aka; a bridge in Liberia.

Wordless Wednesday

Late post this morning...and unfortunately no pictures on Wordless Wednesday. The internet connection just won't allow such tomfoolery so I have been reduced to words. I had a picture to post, but will save it for next week!

So far this week we (primarily Kyle) have managed to clean off my Grandmother's roof, remove hundred year old items from her backyard, dispose of ancient hazardous chemicals and visit with a couple of good friends (thanks for the pizza and conversation LJ and Amy!).

No word yet on our departure date. Please pray that all those details will work themselves out in the near future. In the meantime we will enjoy the slower pace of our life and the opportunity to spend time with friends and family while taking care of all the details!

Most of you should get a prayer card from us in the near future. Tack it up on your fridge next to the Papa John's magnet and your grandkid's masterpieces and please, please, please pray for the work in Liberia!

Wordless Wednesday

Welcome to the shed! A little known secret about us is that on many occasions we have driven through the parking lots of Lowes and Home Depot scoping out the utility sheds. No, not for extra storage...for a home. So when we were asked to stay in a shed at The Knoll we thought that it might be our chance. Here is the proof! We only hope that our accommodations in Liberia are this nice!

(inside)


(outside)
What you don't see is the beautiful river that serenades us every night!

Wordless Wednesday

Meet Dead Ernest (Ernie for short) Ernie gets a lot of abuse around here...We have put NG tubes down his throat and would have done much more if it hadn't have been for actual human dummies...Ahhhhhh, MMI...

Wordless Wednesday

Now presenting! The Hoovers new prayer card! Coming to a mailbox near you during the month of August! Sure to spruce up your refrigerator or bathroom mirror!



Huge thanks to our SWO friends, Tanya McSween and her loyal assistant/husband Harry McSween for taking the photos and doing the design work! Check her out at McSween Photography!

Wordless Wednesday

Photo Courtesy of Leah Slack Gillen
Beautiful Liberian women! Can these women dress, or what?!
Check out Leah's journey to minister to these women on her blog @ PanthersandPetals4Him

Wordless Wednesday

This is Equip Canada's training center/retreat lodge. This is where we will be for three weeks starting July 8th- suffering for the Lord (minus the snow).

Wordless Wednesday: Liberians Heart America

This picture was first published in Time magazine. This picture is for those of you wondering about the attitude of Liberia towards America. Liberians think of America as their Big Brother. Pray that this attitude continues and that because of that relationship doors and hearts will be open to the Gospel and discipleship.

Wordless Wednesday: You're Gonna Wanna Watch This

Once again this week...not wordless...just speechless.

This is why we are going to Liberia, not just to nice things for hurting people, but rather to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in WORD and DEED with those whose spiritual need is greater than their physical need. Might we see ourselves as no different.

"Church we are Plan A and there is no Plan B."- David Platt

Wordless Wednesday: Sliding Liberia

I was looking for a good Wordless Wednesday picture to post when I came across something that made me speechless. I figured being speechless was the next best thing to a true Wordless Wednesday picture. Enjoy this video it is from a larger 2008 documentary called Sliding Liberia. It follows 4 young surfers during their time enjoying the waves that lap up on Liberia's shore while coming face to face with the resilient Liberian people in their war torn country.

Wordless Wednesday: Nimba County

Photo found on Wikimedia Commons
Liberia is broken up into counties similar to our states. The blue highlighted region is Nimba County. The majority of Equip Liberia's work is focused in this interior region that border's Guinea. We will be stationed in one of two villages in Nimba County.