Things that amazed me…
Some of these are big deals and some are not, but they all tweaked me with amazement as I reflect on the Africa Trip.
1. That within a few steps in the Monrovia Marketplace, we could have pictures with a full Alligator skin, a guy in a St. Louis Cardinals shirt, drinking from “old-fashioned” coke bottles, and have the chance to buy snails from a wheelbarrow (see pictures)
2. Not a single person in our group of 26 americans got sick on the trip.
3. People I had not met 2 weeks ago, I now seriously consider “friends” as we served Jesus together and shared our lives.
4. We want relationships with missionaries/church planters at Suncrest, but I/we had not ever sent a single person from Suncrest to visit the Buegar’s in their country.
5. Not only did we install a water-treatment system for the Liberians for their wells, but all the Americans drank from that water also after it was installed (and remember #2??).
6. Out of 100 children born in Liberia today, 15 will die in infancy. 25 will die before age 5. Malnutrition, unclean drinking water, and malaria account for the vast majority of this. Children who would have died soon are having the chance at life because of our medical clinic.
7. A decent Liberian wage is $4/day. Danny told me the average offering at their church of 200-250 people was $20/week. Our partnership with them is essential.
8. The huge vision and leadership that comes from Harvest Christian Fellowship in Muncie.
9. How big my wife’s heart is. I knew it was big, but I was continually impressed with Jenny on this trip. She is wise, discerning, and fun. To be challenged together by the conditions and needs (physically and spiritually) of Liberia made the whole trip amazing.
10. That this scripture from Matthew 25 had never before brought tears to my eyes:
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
.Real.Greg.Lee. 
Greg, I love your thoughts and reflections. I agree 100%. I am amazed at the time in Africa, our friendships, our experiences. I still can see the Liberian people as if I am still there. I know a part of me is. I too fear that all too soon I will settle for less than my best for those people and move on to another distraction as our country steals our attention. Thanks for sharing your heart in this blog. It is encouraging, real, transparent, and I pray it will motivate us all to strive for something bigger. We are the workers and must keep working, one day at a time.
WOW! What the Lord did through your team! I’m a member of E. 91st St. Christian Church and love Nancy Atwood (our connecting person with Danny and Bea). Many years ago while Danny was in school in Indy, he had dinner in out home. As we were eating a meal of chicken he said that his mother cooked the chicken so well done that all the nourishment was utilized even from the bones. The Buegars were in our church several years and we loved them and their children. What a blessing for them and all of you that your lives are now intertwined! I’ll never forget the 12 mission trips my husband and I made to Haiti (not too different from Liberia, I sense) and the impact they had on our lives. That explains why I had tears while reading your report and looking at the pictures.
A life-changing experience – no? And a blessing for the youth on your team. Only God knows what impact this will have on their lives. God bless all of you.
thanks, Anna. We love E91 (it’s our mother church) and look forward to continued/shared support of Buegar’s.