Joni's Journals

Chapter VI

Hi,

We were touched when we discovered upon arrival that Sam and his family had dressed up for the occasion of our meeting. He had on a white dress shirt and navy pants with a white pinstripe. His wife had on a dress and the children were neatly dressed as well. While we waited for Gilbert to show up, Sam gave us a tour of his homes, both the one he was living in as well as the one that was damaged. He pointed out Judith's room, the one she occupied as a child. A displaced person now occupies it, even though the room is hardly livable.

Several families share the burned out home. Some are tenants who pay rent. The others are new arrivals (since the summer) and have no money. Samuel lets them stay there any way. He is a minister and has a big heart.

Samuel has only been back home for a month or so. He spent the summer in an IDP camp. Over the past several years, he and his family have spent time in camps in Liberia as well as Ghana and what used to be known as the Ivory Coast. We were lucky to catch him at home!

Samuel said he had stopped calling his family in the states and it's been at least two years since he has spoken to Judith. He felt that as a man he needed to stand on his own two feet and that the temptation of asking for a few dollars was too great. From time to time he had asked them to help to help repair the family property but they weren't too keen on the idea so he just decided to move on. He suspected that they thought he wanted the money for himself. He doesn't have a phone so it is impossible for anyone to contact him.

Gilbert finally came so we went inside to escape the prying eyes of neighbors. There was very little furniture since the house had been looted. The Cole family is sleeping in the floor since all of their belongings were stolen, including, you guessed it, their mattresses. It's important for them to be there though; otherwise their property would be taken over by the IDPs.

We formally presented the letter, reading only the first paragraph; we didn't want to be nosy. We then presented them with the sealed envelope and encouraged them to open it. There was no jumping up and down or any other type of visible excitement. June cried a little and Samuel and Gilbert didn't really say much. I cried though and I am crying as I write this. I think the money was so unexpected they didn't know what to do. I told them not to tell their neighbors and to keep it in safe place. Once they were over the shock, they recorded a message for Judith. We are going to her office next week and play the tape for her. I'm sure she'll be happy. I've attached a photo of the entire Cole Family.

Edwin couldn't believe we found them. The news spread quickly throughout our little circle. It was then that we started receiving letters to take back to the states. I guess everyone decided they could trust us with their mail.

While walking through a market either later that day or the next, spontaneous cheers rang out along our path. At first, I didn't know what to make of the noise as we were in rebel country and I was already nervous. Edwin explained that word had been passed along that we were American journalists and folks just wanted to let us know they appreciated us being there. They want Americans to know what is going on there.

In addition to the suffering, what made this trip so emotional for me was the blind faith they have that America will come and rescue them. And President Bush has no intention of doing so.

A couple days before we left we discovered that our hosts had not been paid since May. Their bank closed and has not reopened so they do not have access to their funds. The supermarkets will only give credit to government employees so supplies are bought on credit with friends who have those stands I mentioned earlier. Lebanese and Indians own most of the lucrative businesses there.

Edwin, the director of communications for the church, and his family are staying with friends until their house is repaired and they can save enough money to purchase what was lost. Edwin makes about $400 per month and supports his paralyzed father as well as a nephew and an orphan that they would like to adopt. He spent his first 11 years in Italy but his four and half year old daughter had never even experienced a flush toilet until recently. George was our driver. He's married and is an associate pastor for a small church. In good times he is a nurse. Sugar (not really his name but that was the closest I could get) wants to be a photojournalist. He served as John's assistant so working with John was good experience for him.

I can't possibly share all of my experiences or retell all the stories I heard, there are way too many. I do know that while I felt safe, it was not a safe environment. That was quite evident in numerous situations where our hosts were clearly apprehensive. The fact that the former president has been banned from taking part in anything that happens in Liberia, particularly politics, hasn't stopped him from trying; he is attempting to run things from Nigeria. Even if the transitional government, which is to be in place October 14, works, there is a long, long road ahead. Think Iraq…but without 87 billion dollars. Liberians want us to think Iraq…but with no Americans being killed and with 87 billion dollars. The question remains whether or not this fragile peace will take root and hold or if it will be swept away with World War IV.

Thanks for allowing me to share. Joni