Just Another Thursday

When I woke up this morning I thought today was going to be just another Thursday. How could I think a day in Africa would turn out to be just another ordinary day? This morning when I arrived to the clinic I started getting my stuff ready for the day and found out that the light bulb in my light was burnt out. So I got to clean teeth this morning with a head lamp. Hahah I am sad to report that I missed the opportunity of taking a photo of this very funny looking event in history. Then after lunch my cavitron was out of order. If you know anything about dentistry or dental hygiene you know that the cavitron is the heart on my job. Without it (especially in Africa where the calculus is harder than cement) there is no work for me.

So0000 I was able to head out to the street of Monrovia and see what I could get myself into. Don’t worry I did not go alone. This morning we had a journalist from the states come and take pictures and talk to us about our work. She is living here for 5 months with the mission’s organization called SIM. Her goal is to find stories that she will be able to send back the states so people become informed of the situation in Liberia. She was very nice, and I am so glad I was able to spend the day with her.

So this afternoon with no patients and nothing to do in the clinic….Christine and I hit the streets of Monrovia in search of a story. I must admit that I enjoyed playing news lady/journalist for the day. I felt like I was working for National Geographic or Newsweek. Anyway we wanted to know more about the electricity problem in the city. There is very little electricity in the city and what little electricity there is comes from generators.

This is what we found out….. We ran a crossed a business owner. His name was Prince. Prince is in the business of renting DVDs and renting out electricity. Yes renting out electricity. He has one generator that 10 other businesses pay him to run wires off his power supply to their businesses so they in return have power. He told me that it cost him about $7.50 USD to fill his generator with fuel. That supplies him with power for the next 12 hours. The businesses that buy power from him pay him $4.00 USD to run the wires for electricity to their businesses. He also rents DVDs for $25 Liberian dollars each 60 Liberian dollars equal about $ 1 USD. I asked him if people don’t have power where do they watch the movies at. He then walked us a little further down the street to this old small building…. And sure enough it was a theater. The business owner of the theater rents the DVDs from Prince and then in return plays them in this building.

The theater is open from 11am-11pm. You pay $10 Liberian dollars and that gets you a ticket to sit in and watch 4 movies. While we were there S.W.A.T was playing. The owner said people come and watch the movies so they stay out of trouble. It keeps them busy. We asked if we could look inside the theater and he agreed. When I say theater or that something in really nice like for instance the beach….ALWAYS keep in mind I am talking about Liberian post war nice…. Not home USA nice. - Just a disclaimer.

Anyway behind this old holey curtain was a room full of Liberians sitting on wooden benches watching S.W.A.T. I would say there were around 50-100 people in that small room. It was VERY bizarre.

Prince also told us that the government is in the process of getting street lights up. He said that would be great for the community. Not only would they be able to see at night, but the community would also be a lot safer. He said it would be nothing but GOOD for the area.

It amazes me that as I sit here and type this blog that I don’t have to worry about electricity and the people outside of this ship…. Are sitting in the dark enjoy just another Thursday. It also amazes me that the people of Liberia turn everything into a business or money making opportunity. They will do anything/ sell anything just to make a buck, because that buck might put food on the dinner table for their families.

As we enjoy movies at home in our nice comfy homes on our nice comfy couches this weekend let’s pray and remember the people of Liberia. Pray that the Lord continues to give the leaders strength, wisdom, and knowledge on the rebuilding process of this country.

Thank God for this what I thought would be just another ordinary Thursday!


Below are photos of children we came across on our journey today.

Have a good weekend…. I am on HOLIDAY for the next 4 days….which means no work and all play and relaxation until Tuesday. Thank God for that as well….. It is much need break time for the people on the African Mercy.

Until next time Goodbyeo