My day with Lucy!

Remember last Wednesday when I introduced you to Lucy, well today I was able to hang out with her and her family. If you read my previous post on her you would be informed of the fact that I helped her get a replacement tooth, and her way of thanking me was asking me to come to her home for the day.

Let me tell you one thing right off. When A Liberian asks you to come to their home they know who to treat you, well at least Lucy does.

The day started at 9am. Emily and I stood on the side of the road waiting with excitement for Ms. Lucy to come pick us up. We waited and waited and waited and an hr and half later we frowned in disappointment and head back the the ship. We were well aware that African time is even later than my time... ahah but we figured after an hr and half with no Lucy probably meant that she is not coming. Wrong! Half way back to the ship we heard this excessive honking of a horn, as we turned around to see what the noise was we saw Lucy hanging out the side of the SUV waving and yelling at us. HAHAHA We both looked at each other and said here we go, let the day begin.

As we were getting in the car Lucy was apologies for being late. We made our way to her house which took 45 mins with no traffic. The entire time we were driving Lucy was explaining to me that she has to take 3 different taxi's just to get to work, and it takes her anywhere from 45mins-2hr depending on the traffic every day! Could you imagine.

Anyway we arrived at her house she changed her clothes and off to church we went. When we arrived at the church Emily and I were escorted to the front row of the preachers section which was located to the right of the stage. After a brief introduction from Lucy we were asked to say a few words. Not being prepared to speak I got up, grabbed my bible and Emily and I stepped to the front of the church. I stared speaking read a verse spoke some more and we sat down. I can not tell you what I said, because I don't remember. Thank God for his promise of giving you words to speak. We listened to the sermon, gave offering and before the end of the service both Emily and I were asked to pray.

At Church with the Preachers.

After church we walked a small small distance to Lucy's aunts house. As we were walking Lucy explained to us that her aunt had suffered from a nervous break down after the war and was very weak. She explained the she goes to visit her every once in a while. We arrived at her aunt's house did introductions and the first thing the lady asked was can Mercy Ships help me with me disease. I informed her that even though I am sorry she is sick, unfortunately we do not have the means to help her. She said thank you, we hugged and were off walking again. As we were walking away Lucy said thank you, I have been trying to tell her for months now that Mercy Ships only does surgeries, but she never believed me. Now that you told her she believes me and knows that I was not lying to her.

We arrived back to Lucy's house she fed us rice and hot dogs and surprised Emily and I each with a dress she had the tailor make us.Oh and she also gave us water in NEW glasses that she bought just for us. She said I know you people wash your cups in the washer with hot water to clean them and since I don't have one of those machines I bought you new cups. No one has ever drank out of them. WOW!!! Talk about treating your guests with the best. We talked for bit and then she called her husband to tell him we were ready for our ride back. This was at 1:00pm. He said ok I will be back small.

Our Dresses

Lucy then walked us down the road to a Catholic Church compound were they were having their Harvest Sunday Celebration. We spent the next 2 hrs talking, dancing, playing with children, sitting, taking tours of the church, meeting the DJ of the party, and visiting the Catholic Church Rehabilitation Center for Children.

Emily and I were sitting talking to children and Lucy walked up to us and asked us to follow her. The word had broke out that two white girls from Mercy Ships were at the celebration. We followed Lucy across the road to the REALLY nice clean building. When we walked inside we were greeted by 21 children who were being treated at this Rehab center funded by the church. It was sad to see these children in their current condition, there were babies with burns, a little girl with a missing leg, a little boy with a cast on his leg, and list goes one; however it was good to see this facility and the care they were providing to these children for free. The head nurse took me on a tour of the building and it was really encouraging. The kids had clean beds, they received baths, and food, and clean clothes, they had toilets, nice rehab equipment. I told the lady I know your job is hard but thank you for all your work you are doing here. It was a sad/happy moment.

The kids at the Rehab Center

After our visit to the rehab center we head back to Lucy's house. her husband was 7 mins away. Mind you It is now 3:00, her husband said at 12:30 he would be there soon. Again African time! haha Once we get back to her house we sat out side and talked and an hr later her husband comes. We take a few photos and get in the car to head home or at least we thought.

The kids and me.... Where in the world is Jess? Oh there I am in the middle of all the African kids!

On the way home we made a stop at the beach for a few more photos, and then made a stop at an ice cream place were Lucy and her husband treated Emily and I to ice cream.

What a day! Lucy is such a blessing, and I am honored to be able to spend the day with her. She gave so much to us when she has so little. I might have forgot to mention 15 people live in her 4 bedroom home.

Anyway Thank God for friendships..... I will miss my Lucy Lou come December 13 when the ship sails away from Liberia, but I am so thankful God has placed her in my life for this time. She has taught me what it means to be generous without expecting anything in return. She has taught me what it means to live life in the moment and she has taught me what it means to give everything.

Who would have thought that 2 white girls could have had such an impacting Sunday with Lucy!

Thank you Lucy and Family!