Greetings from Camphor!

I have now been at Camphor for one week and it has been full of new and interesting experiences. My primary assignment is at the clinic, where I have been learning from the staff about how the clinic is run on a day-to-day basis. I started seeing patients on my own on the second day and have been prescribing treatments and medicines, which is challenging for me as a nurse from the US because I have never done this before. I am relying on the clinic staff a lot for help, as well as my medical books! The staff and students here have welcomed me heartily to Liberia and to Camphor Mission. Paul and Lucia have been wonderful hosts; Paul has taken me around to see many of the agricultural projects at Camphor such as the cassava and rubber tree farms, palm oil processing and coal-making areas, and has given me some fascinating and informative lectures on Liberian history! Lucia is a wonderful cook and has made some delicious Liberian dishes for me including fufu, palm butter, and sweet potato greens. I spent some time with the vocational students a few days ago and learned how to make soap from palm oil and how to make shortbread. I plan to spend a day “going to school” with the elementary and junior-high students some time next week, also. I look forward to sharing more with you next time!

Sarah

Long term UMVIM Volunteer to Camphor!

Hello!
My name is Sarah Forsyth, and I am coming from the state of Maryland in the USA to live at Camphor for two and a half months starting next week! I will be there from May 14th until July 31st. I found out about Camphor through the UMVIM General Board of Global Ministries Individual Volunteer Program. I felt the desire in my heart to serve the Lord on the continent of Africa for the last several years and when I heard about the Camphor Mission, I knew it was the opportunity God had in mind for me! I am looking forward to getting to know you all and living and working at the mission. I am a registered nurse by profession and I will be working at the Camphor Clinic. My background is in emergency medicine and I have worked in a hospital emergency room for the last four years. I have seen and heard about the great things you are all doing at Camphor from the Mission website and from talking to the Dickriedes and Paul Glaydor. I hope to contribute to life at Camphor Clinic and in other areas of the Mission as well. I love to be outdoors and to help build things. I also enjoy music, especially writing some of my own music, playing the piano and singing with others.

See you soon!

Peace,
Sarah

Words from Bishop Innis

I am very pleased with Paul Glaydor's work performance. In a short space of time, he has brought great transformation to Camphor Mission. I am satisfied with Paul's leadership with the support of the students, teachers, parents, nurses, the St. John River District and its District Superintendent, Rev. Goah and our donors. I went to the Camphor blog and read every piece of information he has provided for Camphor. Great job! Keep it up and may God bless you and your family and those committed to working with you.

Also, I am grateful to Kathy and Danny for the sacrifices they made during those months they were at Camphor. They really worked hard. They exposed Camphor Mission globally especially in the United States. I am happy that while in the United States, they will continue to advocate for Camphor Mission. I am thankful to the Garfield Memorial United Methodist Church of Pipper Pike, Ohio, for their support. The Garfield folks have been long time friends of Camphor Mission. From Rev. Dr. Larry Kline's leadership to the present leadership of the Church, great and good things had and continue to happen in the interest of Camphor Mission and its ministries. The recent visit of Sandy made a big difference. Their sister Church, Garfield is putting up a new look. How great and wonderful to be in Jesus Christ.

I am also deeply impressed with the work being done on the Judy Olin Guest House. Many thanks to Dr. Gary Olin, Dr. Matt, and all who made the trip to Liberia, especially for the quality time they spent at Camphor. They were followed by Linda Koleman and her team from Minnesota. Providing a gift of $10,000 for the Guest House project and at the same time using their hands and skills are means of expressing their love of Jesus Christ with the Camphor Community. We rejoice in the name of Jesus Christ for the work of the people called United Methodists in Liberia and the United States.

May bless all for doing good always in the name of our Lord and Savior. Paul, continue to lift the spirit of the children so that will love and appreciate the gift of a Christ-centered education.

Bishop John G. Innis

Class of '64

Classrooms Connect

A fourth grade class in Idaho is connected with the fourth grade class at the JF Yancy School at the Camphor Mission. Teacher Rochelle Killett from Idaho and Abraham Roberts from Liberia have been having their students write letters to one another. Hand delivery by volunteers traveling back and forth is the only way to make this happen. The students are learning about one another. No smart boards, computers, or other advanced technology needed. Just a pen and paper and a willingness to make a new friend all the way around the world.

"They were so excited. To get a response from letters they'd written and sent so far across the world was wonderful. Last year we had sent letters via regular mail and apparently they never arrived which was a huge disappointment. Now we have the letters in a three ring binder in the library to share with all the students in our school," says Rochelle Killett.

Construction of the Judy Olin Guest house is well on course. We are keeping a close eye on the time-line of completing and dedicating the first two units by mid May, 2010.

Plastering internal and external walls is ongoing. Mr. Gbarr, masonry contractor says plastering will be completed this week-end because he is only left with the external walls of both units. Interior walls of both units have been completed. Windows and door frames have been installed. Doors, jealeusy window sets complete with louvers and breaker bars will be installed on the first unit early next week. The electricians have commenced the final phase of electrification and hopefully will complete by the week-end. Running of water pipes in the building has also been completed. Laying of tiles will be the next and final phase of the masonry contract. First phase of painting (whitewashing) could begin next week.

Balance funds in account up to date are USD $5,066. Provision for floor tiles was inadvertently omitted. We however had to renegotiate (cut back) all labor contracts in order to save funds for tiles. We were successful at doing this. We have funds available for tiles.

Do keep us in prayer. Yours in Mission, Paul J. Glaydor, Sr. Mission Station Superintendent and Principal

A Sunday morning at Camphor Mission and Garfield UMC

Church is the place to be on Sunday morning at Camphor Mission.

To begin, our 45 minute walk from the village had us arriving totally soaked in our Sunday best but our sweaty bodies were more noticable to us than anyone else! What acceptance of all people just as they are! The "church bell" was a tank hanging from a tree but rang true to start the worship. Families walk hours to get there some carrying their own chairs up the steep steep hill to the church as pews were destroyed in the war. Many just stand or sit on the dirty dusty floor.

Arthur our "adopted parent, guide, and brother" greeted and registered the offerings that were so full of weath as given with cheerful hearts, Service erupted with song, dance, and praise and never let up. Our worship included the good bye to Rev Roosevelt as he took new assignment, the welcome of Rev Kulah, guitar music by Matt and Jamelle, babies sleeping at our feet and a spirit that lifted us off our seats more than once.

How we did not want this time to end. Until next time we keep all in heartfelt prayer.

Written by Sandy VerDuin, Garfield UMC

Bible Beat, Garfield's ministry with Garfield at Camphor

"Being showered with so many blessings as we spent time building community among our brothers and sisters in faith is my most treasured gift from our service at Camphor Mission." Sandy

Bible Beat

Ten young adult students on the day wer arrive spent the afternoon building a base for our team to lead the week's daily VBS program for 100 students in the HOT afternoon hours. Ice breakers, games, discussions, food, smiles and God's grace and love bonded our hearts together to make an amazing week of ministering to the children ourselves and each other. How blessed we were to be in their presence. No work just working on friendships, acceptance and loving one another.

The next day we came together again and did Leadership Training- yep just like in the states to help empower them to have confidence, compassion and have teaching tools to be group leaders for our three age groups ranging from 4year-20+. They were such good leaders! naturals! How wonderful it was to see them take ownership, how eager they were to be treated as the responsible, fun and energetic adults they are. One 7th grade student leader was older than Matt and has asked for a man's suit so the students will know that he is a teacher to lead them through the Bible!

Bible Beat was the first program at Camphor to have physical rotations so each leader received a watch to be sure to rotate on time. WOW what an esteem booster from a $10 watch! After each day we met and reflected on what went well and what could be betters. It only took one day for them to learn that this wasn't our program but theirs and by the end of the week all were participating with ideas and discussion. WIth new Bibles in hand and notebooks, they quickly seized the opportunity to be heard and lead. What holy moments to have walls fall down and get the spirit ignite such growth!

The week went so well, the kids had such a good time, scripture was taught and learned, and 10 leaders were born. Paul, the director and principal at the Camphor Mission, personally thanked each one and with them and the religious teacher, they are implementing a Bible Beat class every Friday! Now we just need to get them lots more curriculum. Yes, we brought program ideas and supplies but we received such wealth in seeing them take it and make it their own. Working together, seeing and hearing how God works in others to help our journey continue. Thank you Lord.

Reflections by Sandy VerDuin