Here I am Lord. Send me. This song and phrase resonates to the highest for me. I want my life to be God’s song and have the ability to live through Him. By God’s love and grace I am here. A poor atheist who was born in poverty is now serving the Lord on the continent that he dreamed about. There’s not one part of me, 10, 15 years ago that would have thought this would be possible. Once I stepped off that plane and officially was in Africa, I felt my soul leap with joy. Here I am Lord. I want the next six months to be You and I working hand and hand. I want my spirit to be one with you. Six months of limited communications and devotionals for you. I’m not here to change the people but allow the people to change me. I need to be a better man for others and more importantly, be a better man for God. Thank you, God, I really needed this. 

 In Lofa county I met a pastor who is the brother of a teacher at Rick's. The interesting part is one brother is Christian and the other is Muslim and they're family. Here at Rick's they have both Muslims and Christians who are students and teachers. They work with one another, interact with one another, and respect one another's belief. This isn't a post to spark a political debate so please if you feel the need to make a comment like that, don't. But it's so liberating to witness love to be universal between the two religions here in Liberia. To be honest, if the teachers and students hadn't told me both Muslims and Christians are at the institute, I wouldn't be able to tell who practices what.

It bothers me deeply to see Muslim and terrorist almost synonymous. The man I met here named Muhammad Sanu is the physics teacher, he's the brother of the pastor I met in Lofa. Mr. Sanu and I talk on a daily basis and he's a pretty incredible person. I asked him if him being Muslim bothers him in a Christian institution. He explained how he was well aware of his decision and that he is quite happy there. Nobody here begins conflict over religion or who is right or wrong. They are showing true compassion and both.  Really I'm growing here and right now I'm learning a whole new view of how to love someone. Loving them for any belief or non belief which includes atheism and agnosticism. When I return to America I'm going to feel very different.  To God be the Glory!

Michael Perry is serving for six months at Rick's Institute, Liberia.  He was invited to serve as Special Assistant to the Principal of the school, Dr. Olu Menjay. Please pray for Michael as he serves, learns, and shares in Liberia.

International Ministries encourages volunteers to express things that they are experiencing, learning and thinking in mission. The reflections in volunteer blogs are shared with permission of the volunteer.  The views and opinions presented throughout the blogs are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of International Ministries staff, Board of Directors or supporters.