Leaving Liberia

I will soon be leaving Liberia. The more I spend here the more I miss home but also the more I know I will miss Liberia. I have had a chance to spend more time this trip living and being with the locals. I have been living on a compound of about 40 people mostly children ranging for ages 9 months to 23 years old. I have enjoyed this experience greatly. I have gotten to know some young girls and women that will cherish forever. It is now Tuesday afternoon and we will be leaving Wednesday evening. I pray that when I return all of these people will still remain here safe and healthy. My work here is coming to an end. I am still at the office waiting for a man named Victor to bring me some information I requested last week. After that I believe my survey will be complete. Once I return home the work will be on me to compose the application and pray for funding of the first clinic.
If you are reading this from the States you will appreciate this: last week I had my toothbrush inside a travel holder and inside a closed ziplock bag and came in my room later that afternoon to find it still covered in ants. I was smart enough to pack extra toothbrushes this time because to buy a toothbrush at supermarket in Monrovia is about 8 US dollars. How do the ants know how to get into a closed ziplock bag I do not know, but they must be smart. It seems as if the rain is coming sooner than usual this year. I pray that the carpenters and door makers are able to get enough lumber cut before the rain comes. I don't know if you know that Liberia only has two seasons, six months of rain and six months of dry. Imagine that! I am sitting here with my friend Satta, and she says you have 4 seasons and we only have two. She came to bring me fresh fried plaintains and cold coke. I will miss her greatly.
Now about the clinic, Sarah and I were in contact with the people of Mt Barclay and were able to get a good survey of the area. Our only problem at this time is obtaining a map of the area. They only have maps of the counties. Which this county is very large which when they showed me a map it was like looking for Spencer on an Indiana map. So the men at NIMAC is going to have to land survey and draw us a map. Due to the census they can not provide it to me for another couple of weeks. I am planning on visiting another clinic that is being sponsored by FAME here in Monrovia on the way to the airport. I pray that that goes well and I am able to get a better idea of what they are trying to provide.
I want to thank all of you for your encouragement and prayers while I was here. I hope that you will continue this journey with me in prayer and continue to read updates as we proceed.

Liberia, Liberia

Well, the work here in Liberia is exhausting at times. I am enjoying the conversations I am able to have with the women of Liberia. They are so intelligent and have great knowledge of the word. Of course, in Liberia when you are not feeling well only time will tell if it due to heat, food, water, or lack of sleep. I was awaken last night with stomach pain that did subside, but I am left with nausea. I have only eaten a banana today so we will see how things turn out. Continue to pray for health. Sarah and I have been working on the application and information that I have come here for. Another bump in our road has been that the man that was preparing some of the information for us has left the area to work on the census. They are paying around 50 US dollars for the two weeks to help with the census and they can't turn down that money. I want to thank you all for the comments of encouragement and prayers. I also want to say thanks for you that have taken care of and checked in on my husband, Ryan. The last request I have today is for courage and safety of me driving in Liberia. I will have to take our vehicle with Sarah and go to the clinic area tomorrow. Only Phil has been driving and he will be in a meeting during this time, so to expand our time here I need to suck it up and drive like the Africans. Thank God for all the blessings here.

Arrived in Liberia

Hello Everyone! Welcomes from the hot and sunny Liberia. It is definitely fun and sun in Liberia, where the sun is hot, the mosquitos are hungry, and the people are happy. Both myself and Phil and Karen had interesting trips in Brussels where we met. We have both decided that we are going to avoid Amsterdam in the future! It is a nightmare. My flight out of Indy was delayed due to a girl on the plane sick. After sitting on the runway for an hour they decided to turn around and take her back to the terminal where the paramedics met us. So then we were an hour late getting to Detroit, which was fine for me because I still had 3 hours there. Of course it was like a blizzard in Detroit, so once we did leave it took them over an hour to de-ice the plane. The problem then began with the fact that I only had an hour in Amsterdam before my plane left. So was pretty sure I was going to miss my flight. We did make up some time but we didn't arrive in Amsterdam until 6:30am and my flight was leaving at 7:00am. Once I got through customs, my termial was at the opposite end of the airport. I began to run, and I heard on the intercom Joni Woodlee you are holding up your flight to Brussels. Over and over they announced this until I finally arrived they had to bus me out to the plane. What fun huh? Once I met up with Phil and Karen in Brussels I came to find out that they had a very similar experience in Amsterdam as well. But Thank God we are here. The Kangar's have been very gracious to host me and take care of me so far. We have found some bumps in our road where the government here is conducting a census. They are asking everyone to return to your original village and country to conduct the census. Of course, this doesn't make sense to anyone, but we are trying to deal with it. We are just not sure how accurate we are being at this point due to people scattering. Please continue to pray for us here. We doing great things here, but are feeling the power of the warfare. Satan does not like that we are trying to further the Kingdom here. Pray for strength and courage, and health. I will keep you updated as I am able to here. Thank you all for your comments. It helps me to stay encouraged.

Leaving for Liberia

Hello everyone!! As some of you know I am leaving this morning for my journey back to Africa. I am very excited to get there. I am ready for some warm weather and to get away from this ice and snow. I will be working with Sarah Kangar, our Liberia Medical team leader, for the next two weeks. I ask that you pray that things go smoothly and we are able to get all the work done needed. I also just ask that you pray for health, courage, and smoothly travel for me and Karen & Phil Eckart. I will try and post as often as I can from there, so Keep Checking over the next two weeks.
Joni Woodlee

Pastor Needs Help This New Year

Hello all! I am going to enclose an email from Phil, the President of Revive Liberia. I don't think I could have said it any better. I met this pastor last April and he is a great man. And the children of his church were amazing. They began to sing worship songs for me and sang for almost an hour. He is doing a great job there. It angers me what is taking place in Liberia right now. The devil is at work here and he is trying to stop those who are honestly and humbly trying to make Liberia a better place for their people. We are so fortunate to start this New Year off with a home for your family and somewhere to worship if we choose to each week. The pictures are of the children of Isaac's church. If God has blessed you this year and you are able to give for this cause then please either email me or call Phil, or check out our website with donation information.

Dear friends of Revive Liberia, I write you with a heavy heart. Many of us know the scriptures well when it comes to sacrifice. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus says "If anyone would come after me he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me." The teachings of Christ are full of what can be the real cost of discipleship. Not many of us are called upon to literally give up everything for the privilege of following what we know is right. I know of a man who is doing just that. Most if not all of you know of the problems we at Revive Liberia have had this year. Part of that problem was the fact that our pastor support program was being corrupted. Much of the money needed for our pastors to continue in their work was being misallocated. This money is given by kind Christians in their calling to give to the Kingdom. On our recent trip to Africa Mark and I interviewed many pastors about this issue. Many told us that they were not receiving all the funds that were allocated to them. It is very hard for us to understand, but even before we left Africa some of these same pastors changed their stories. They even signed a paper stating that they had received all the funds allocated to them. The powerful personality involved here cannot be discounted. We feel these men were intimidated into signing this paper. Two pastors alone remained faithful to the truth. One, pastor Yates, we are not sure of what his future will hold. The other, pastor Isaac Glaybo, is the reason for this letter. I have known Isaac since February of 2004. He is a very gentle and humble servant of Christ. I have had the privilege of spending several hours, over the years, talking with Isaac. The spirit of Jesus is present around this man. Now, because he refuses to aid corruption, he is losing everything. Isaac has a wife and four children. The economic conditions in Liberia have not gotten better since the war. The political situation has improved drastically. There are signs of much economic growth in the future but for now the common folk are really struggling. A place to live is no small thing. Isaac is losing his. Sometime in early January Isaac and his family will be evicted from their home. His house is owned by an organization where we have had trouble. Not unlike some U.S. Churches, the parsonage is not owned by the pastor living there. Isaac's home is very modest to say the least. But now even that will be lost. Issac's congregation will no doubt follow him to a new church. A new pastor has been assigned to his post. What he needs immediately is a new home and church building. From our eyes in the states this seems like a tall order. But our men on the ground have done a careful accounting of what this would cost and it is a modest $2000.00. We do not want to see everything Isaac has tried to build in his home town of Buchanan lost. The congregation could scatter very soon. Please pray concerning this matter. Isaac has put his faith into practice. Only in heaven will we know the results of what we do here when we follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. If you feel the need to help, just let us know and the funds will be allocated for that. As always there is no administrative cost in our work. There is a picture of Isaac on our web site, reviveliberia.org. It is in the year end report section.

Thank you,

Phil Eckart

Revive Liberia Missions

Plywood King Inc.

584 Shefield Rd.

Spencer In. 47460

812-876-4348

Fundraising for Trip

Some of you may know that I am participating in a fundraiser at my church called scrip. Lets say I buy a $100 gift card to Kroger groceries, now Kroger gives 5% back to the church's mission fund and they split that with me 50%. So the church gets $2.50 and I get $2.50 and plus I get my $100 Kroger card. Sounds like a great plan right. SO... since the Holidays are coming up and you are already going to be buying gift cards or using gift cards to buy Christmas gifts then why not help me earn some money to go back to Liberia this spring. There is about 1600 different stores that participate so if you have any questions you can email me or check the website for details. www.glscrip.com Here is a Holiday Gift Idea flyer from Great Lakes scrip to jumpstart your mind. I order all gift cards on Sunday and pick them up the following Sunday, I would have them mailed to you buy that next day. So act fast because Christmas is coming soon!!! Merry Christmas.

Great Lakes Scrip Center
2007 Holiday Gift Guide

Gifts For Mom
Pamper Mom with a Spafinder gift certificate ($25), redeemable nationwide at the Spafinder network of luxury spas. Or, give her the gift of timeless classic clothing with a Talbot’s gift card ($25). If she enjoys cooking, she’ll enjoy a gift from Williams Sonoma ($25), the place for cooks. Moms like to shop, so set her loose at the mall with a gift card from Macy’s ($25/$100) or JCPenney ($25/$100). Pier 1 Imports ($25) has personal and home items from around the world. Finally, don’t forget Bath & Body Works ($10/$25), the store for personal gifts of skin care, fragrance and home decor.

Stuff For Dads
Get Dad off the sofa with a Cabela’s ($25) or a Golfsmith ($25) gift card. Dad probably has a fix-it list around the house, so give him a Sears gift card ($25/$100/$250), where he’ll find a big selection of Craftsman tools, or Lowe’s Home Improvement ($25/$100/$500) where he’ll find the supplies. L.L. Bean ($25/$100) has the clothing to make Dad look great, and Borders ($10/$25) has the books and music he loves. And don’t forget his favorite electronics stores - Best Buy ($25/$100/$250) and Circuit City ($50/$100) where you’ll find DVDs, computer stuff, or that HDTV he’s been dreaming of.

For Young People
Start your holiday shopping at Staples ($25) for electronic gifts like digital cameras and MP3 players. Your young friend loves new music, so give him or her an iTunes gift card ($15). Speaking of entertainment, send them to AMC Theatres ($25) or Regal Theatres ($25). After the movie, how about a snack at Coldstone Creamery ($10) or Jamba Juice ($10). Finally, your college kid is more likely to call home if

Teacher Gifts
The holidays are a great time to show your appreciation for teachers. Start her day with a treat from Starbucks ($10/$25). Barnes and Noble “Teacher Card” ($20) is something she’ll enjoy, and AMC Theatres ($25) has holiday movies she wants to see. After a hard day at school, how about dinner out? Popular favorites are Panera Bread ($10), Max & Erma’s ($20) or TGI Fridays ($25). Or maybe teacher needs a relaxing night at home. Blockbuster Night Cards ($12) can be redeemed for 2 movie rentals, popcorn, and beverages. And the Dominos Combo certificate ($14) is good for a delicious large pizza and a two liter Coca-Cola product delivered free.

Remember The Babysitter
Claire's ($10) is holiday headquarters for girl stuff - jewelry, handbags and funky accessories. She’ll be sure to find fragrance or skin care products at Bath & Body Works ($10/$25). How about a movie? A Regal Theatre Single Admission is just $9.00 and a Blockbuster Single Rental is just $3.79 Of course, your babysitter likes music, so why not give her some with an iTunes ($15) gift card. And for a really special treat, send her to Build-A-Bear Workshop ($25) for a one-of-a-kind custom teddy bear.

For The Person Who Has Everything
If you’re stumped on what to buy, give a gift certificate to Amazon.com ($25) - Amazon offers books, movies, DVDs, electronics and much, much more. Or how about a gift card to Macy’s ($25/$100), redeemable at 800 stores nationwide. Brookstone ($25) offers hard-to-find gift items. Or how about the gift of travel? Send your loved one on a trip with Marriott ($50/$100), American Airlines ($100/$250) Best Western ($25/$100) or Disney ($25/$100/$1000) gift cards, And if you’re still stumped, no one can resist a “one pounder “ from See’s Candies ($14.50), redeemable for one pound of See’s treats).

Use Scrip For Business Gifts, Too
Celebrate the holidays and show your appreciation for business associates. Fannie May Candies ($10) will be welcome in any home or office. Hickory Farms ($10 ) offers tasty gourmet gifts. A Harry & David ($25) luscious fruit basket makes a wonderful impression. Send them out for dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse ($25). You can even get the traditional ham or smoked turkey from your friends at Honey Baked Ham ($10).

The beginning!

April 2007, my life changed when I stepped foot in Liberia, Africa for the first time. I never could have imagined the impact these people or this country was going to have on my life. The once beautiful country has been ripped to shreds by a long civil war. A civil war has left their own country without running water, sewage system, electricity, or means to make a living. My job??? To find the need (which wasn't difficult) and what it would take to build and run a clinic. What I found out??? I was way in over my head and these people needed much more than just a clinic. They needed food, jobs, schools, churches, shelter and the list could go on... I met with several people and clinics to see what a third world clinic looks like (and we are not talking state of the art here). I gathered enough information to be able to come back to the states to start this project. I've done countless research, visited a few churches and networked with a few other organizations on other clinics. I want to thank my friends at St. James' UCC Church in Louisville for the money they collected to help us start this project. We are needing much more where that came from. We have shipped a container this past month over to Liberia containing some medical supplies that have been donated so far. The Lord has continued to bless us according to this project and I praise him for that. I ask that you continue to pray for Liberia and the people there, the clinic project, and for Sarah Kangar PA, who is overseeing the clinic in Liberia. If you have any groups or churches I could share my story of these people with please let me know. We are still looking for monetary and medical supply donations. Please keep praying for we know the Lord will provide.

Joni Woodlee