Our First Volunteers
June 27, 2008
Our First Volunteers
The Liberian construction workers had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first volunteer team. They were eager to meet the American visitors and learn additional construction skills from them. But when the team from Michigan arrived, the Liberians started saying to each other, “These men are too old to work. What are we going to learn from them?” By the end of the first workday, their comments had changed: “These men can work!”
Photo gallery →
Relationships formed immediately. Both groups talked about their families, their respective countries, their skills, and their beliefs. At the end of the week, both groups had a time to share what they had learned and what they appreciated about one another. The Liberian workers were grateful that the men worked side-by-side with them, not treating them as mere assistants.
Skills weren’t the only things exchanged. Before the volunteers left, they sat in a circle at the staff house, passing Bibles to each person. The Bibles were gifts to the Liberian workers, many of whom did not have their own copy. The team wrote encouraging words and verses of personal significance in each one.
It was tear-jerking to watch as each team member handed Bibles to the workers. It’s been wonderful to attend morning devotions and to watch the men pull out their Bibles from the black plastic bags they use to carry them around. They hold them like fine treasures, and we pray that many of the workers will come to know Jesus Christ through these gifts.
Previous entry: Communicating Visually
Next entry: Past and Present
PROFILE
Joni Byker
Volunteer Teams CoordinatorSamaritan’s Purse-Liberia
Joni Byker arrived in Yekepa, Liberia, on March 26 as a volunteer teams coordinator with Samaritan’s Purse. Before joining Samaritan’s Purse, Byker worked as a photographer for another missions agency in West Africa and said one of her desires is to help rebuild a Biblical foundation in Liberia, which recently emerged from a 14-year civil war.
Field Journals
|
BoliviaSheldon YoderProgram manager Sheldon Yoder is bringing clean water to indigenous people living in Bolivia's highlands. He describes the unique culture of this region and what Samaritan's Purse is doing to help those in need. Read More |
|
CambodiaIm HaiChurch mobilization manager Im Hai describes how Cambodian Christians are reaching out to those living with HIV/AIDS Read More |
|
HondurasWilson CloterWilson Cloter is addressing HIV/AIDS in Honduran communities through education about the disease, voluntary counseling and testing, and Christ-like compassion. Read More |
|
KosovoDonika SokoliProgram manager Donika Sokoli writes about how Samaritan's Purse is helping Roma children obtain an education. Read More |
|
|
LiberiaJoni BykerOur volunteer teams coordinator tells the story of post-conflict Liberia through images and African Bible College reconstruction project. Read More |
|
MongoliaEmily ManghamAs a member of the Children’s Heart Project team, Emily Mangham identifies youth with heart defects and helps organize transport to a North American hospital that provides life-saving surgery. Read More |
|
SudanLori BryanProgram Manager Lori Bryan describes the needs of South Sudan, a nation recovering from 20 years of civil war. Read More |
|
United StatesKathy SchrieferArea coordinator Kathy Schriefer has been packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child since 1995. This year, she hopes to exceed her 6,000-box goal. Read More |
|
ZambiaDr. Matt CothamWorld Medical Mission Doctor Matt Cotham describes the triumphs and challenges of practicing medicine at Mukinge Hospital. Read More |
