Having a “Learner’s Lean”   Paul had it.* (* keep reading and I’ll share more.) I want it. Throughout history, all great leaders who finished strong possessed it. For simplicity’s sake, I’ll call it the “Learner’s Lean.” Next time you’re in a meeting—whether it is a business seminar, church, or the local Rotary Club, be observant. You can always …

Facebook friends Abrahim Sarnor Student body president at Ricks (Left) Biomah Sherman (in Dry Creek cap) One of my jobs in Liberia was helping students with their Facebook pages. Many of them had pages but had been unable to post their photos on their profiles. By gimping (minimizing) their photos we were able to upload them. Here are some of …

“Hoping Liberia” A favorite saying of the teachers at Liberia’s Ricks Institute is, “Thanks for coming and hoping us.” I thought it was just Liberian/English slang for “helping us.”* But as you can see from this shirt, “Hoping Liberia” is a theme of this school. (Shown is Dean of Students James Blay presenting a shirt to Colleen.) Hope: it’s a …

Wise words from my friend, Edward Pongo. Hi Curt, I’m glad you took back with you many things from Liberia, many memories and photos, especially the graffiti (about bread, life and peace) on the wall of a former displaced Liberian. That’s how the war was like, from Sierra Leone through Liberia. I’m glad you came and you saw and you …

Graffiti on the wall of a Liberian Displaced Person’s Camp home. “He that bring(s) bread brings life.” Below it is written Proverbs 17:1 “It is better to eat a dry crust of bread with peace (of mind) than have a banquet in a house full of trouble.” I wonder about the person who wrote this. I wonder about what they’d …

Monkey Bridges and Cell Phones This bamboo bridge is over a creek near Liberia’s Ricks Institute School. It is nicknamed the “Monkey Bridge.” You can see the laden residents crossing it. They were much faster than we shaky legged Americans.We were taken to the nearby villages of Massaquio and Peterstown. Our guide was Joseph Dennis, financial director for Ricks. Mr. …

This girl balances a tray of dried fish on her head. It is amazing the items that are carried on top of heads in Africa. The donut girls have arrived. These enterprising girls found us every morning with their donuts.

A visit to the Comfort K. Doe Orphanage Brewerville, Liberia My sister Colleen with one of the youngest children at the Doe Orphanage. One of the memorable highlights of our trip was visiting with the children at the Doe Orphanage. Three of the teenage boys (Joseph, Chris, and David shown in background) attend Ricks Institute on scholarship. The orphanage began …

DeDe had an African birthday yesterday (July 14) and received this birthday pineapple from Marcus Perkins. Flooding caused near Monrovia by last week’s rains

The Liberian flag is very similar to the U.S. flag.The 11 stripes represent the original eleven signers of their declaration of independence.The one large white star with a blue background represents unity.

Notes from Africa: The Joys of a Bucket Bath   Waste not, Want not. Going green in Liberia     Steps to a great bucket bath: 1. Heat up a tea kettle and pan of water on the gas stove.   2.Pour hot water (carefully) into bucket in tub.   3. Let cool, but not too much. Get your soap …

Alvin Sompon and Abrahim A. Sarnor Words from the future of Africa. Alvin’s words on Service. Alvin is a rising senior at Ricks Institute. He is the son of the Ag teacher here. He’s been sharing with me about service. Here are a few of his thoughts: “Service is guiding the younger people to serve the older people of our …

Marcus Perkins Marcus and his Garden President Obama’s weekend visit to West Africa was big news inLiberia. We only heard sound bites from the BBC radio as we rode in a vehicle. Our Liberian friends told about the president’s words including phrases like: “We must start from the simple premise thatAfrica’s future is up to Africans.” To the youth, who …

Good eating at Ricks. This is our wonderful cook each day for lunch, Mrs. Musu. She’s cooked plenty of what I call “soul food.” We’ve had collard greens, potato greens, fish gravy (like catfish couvillian), and cabbage with chicken. This is how Ricks Institute. This is staff housing. Notice the palm trees. The palm nuts are a major source of …