Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller

  Thoughts from a good day. “Isn’t life amazing, we go somewhere seeking to be a blessing. Instead, the folks we’ve ‘come to help’ are the blessing to us. It’s a paradox of giving that always amazes and humbles me.” I had the privilege of speaking today at the Southwest Louisiana War Veteran’s Home in Jennings. It is a first …

Prospective Cover for A Good Place This is my 201st post on Creekbank blog. To all of you who read, encourage, and comment I extend my heartfelt thanks. This beautiful painting by my uncle, Bill Iles, hangs in the living room of my sister Colleen’s Dry Creek home. It reminds me of nearby Crooked Bayou and the area called “The …

“We sang ’til the cows came home.” I can’t recall a better time than what we had at last Saturday’s “Clayton Iles Singing.” I’ve posted photos below and links to YouTube videos (of some of the performances). Be sure to visit You Tube to see Vance and Tim “get down” on Dueling Guitars. No one can tickle the ivories quite …

Liberian Grass Cutting- A lesson in Perseverance. This video shows the Liberian method of grass cutting. It was really neat to see the skill and hard work of these men who used this cutting tool to mow literally dozens of acres at Ricks Institute. Click play button to view video (Above right) My grass cutter I brought home. Click on …

  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.