People ask:  What was it like?

My heart is so full I can't begin to tell you what it was like.

2,000+ pictures and probably over 100 hours of video and my full heart still can't tell the story. 

I'd take you there with me if I could. 

I'd introduce you to Dr. Menjay, the man who could be making 6-figures in the States, who has two master's degrees--one from Duke--and a doctorate, yet loves Ricks and Liberia and is trying passionately to rebuild his country.  Who explained to us that his whole country is suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). 

I would introduce you to Margaret, who left Liberia at 18 and has now also returned.  Who has a toothache and is hesitant to try to find a dentist in Monrovia.

I would take you to Monrovia, and I would be driving this time!  Feeling the thrill of zipping along in traffic, weaving in and out of motorcycles and taxis to take you to my new favorite restaurant, the Diana (sharing the name with the lovely lady who took us there!), and we would order Liberian-style chicken or hummas and pita and enjoy the air conditioning before venturing back out onto the crowded sidewalks to the shops. 

Then I would take you back to Ricks.  After a thoughtful night's sleep under dreamy mosquito netting, we would wake up for coffee and discussion with our hostess, Dr. Kris Keske, a retired teacher from Georgia who has given up a year of her life to come and be the principal of the school.  You would see her Jesus joy and share her frustrations as she sees such need and cannot solve the problems that would seem so easy to fix at home.

I would hurry you to the morning flag ceremony where we would try to figure out the words to the Liberian anthem and the Ricks loyalty song.  We would smile and wink at the kids who were supposed to be facing the flag, but couldn't help but look back at the new visitors.  We would go to the auditorium for singing, devotion, announcements and senior speeches.  You might be asked to give the devotion!  Don't worry, the Lord will give you something to say--He did for me!  You would laugh as the senior student monitors woke up sleepy boys or shushed talkative girls.  You would introduce yourself to kids and try to pronounce their names correctly.  You would master the Liberian handshake, snapping your fingers together with smiling teenagers.

We would go up to the library and see Shammah the librarian and follow him as he displayed with pride the improvements he has made. We would have snack with the kids during recess, sandwiches or fried plantain chips.  We would step into Ms. Catherine Weah's classroom for a 7th grade Bible lesson.  You would be honored and overwhelmed when she asked you to bring the lesson, too. 

You would find yourself standing on the tarmac about to walk up and board the plane to come home, crying because you're leaving behind the people who asked you when you were coming back, ashamed at the difference between your fear at arrival and your love at departure.

What was Liberia like?  I'll have to spend the next lifetime telling you, or you can come see for yourself.

To visit the Ricks Institute website, click here.