not MIA

No, we aren't Missing In Action...we've been so busy. Josh has been back in the States for a little over a week now and we are back in the full swing of things. Josh had a bible study on last Wednesday night and basketball on Monday. He's been trying to finish a bathroom remodel and should hopefully finish this week. Saturday Tim, Josh's dad, came down and I got off work a 5! I came home to find the two of them upstairs playing guitars and banjo. We rented and watched a movie later that night. It was good to see Tim, even if it was for a few short hours. I know they enjoyed their Sunday together.

Sunday night we went to a cookout at my dad's house. I was a little late, but didn't mind. The food was great! Cheeseburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, slaw, chips and dip, brownies, strawberry pie, cake, and vanilla and strawberry home made ice cream! It was so good. I ate more than my fair share. We stayed until about 10 o'clock that night. Josh was showing pictures and videos of his time in Liberia. Most everyone seemed to be intrigued by his time there. Yesterday Josh decided to go ahead and work, trying to finish this project. I went to my mom's for the day. We didn't do much at all, but eat and hang out. I took a nap there and another one when I got home.

Josh and I watched a movie last night and stayed up until 1 am. It was at this time we realized our downstairs a/c unit was NOT working! We had realized on Saturday night the upstairs unit wasn't working. I am so frustrated! So, at 1 o'clock this morning Josh is in the garage getting the window unit down and putting it in our bedroom window. It worked and we both slept well. I'm not sure what we are going to do about either unit. I know the upstairs one needs to be replaced or charged.

We are trying to decide what to do about the rest of this week. My grandfather is in Selma (near Raleigh) visiting my great-grandma until Monday. I haven't seen either one of them since Thanksgiving. My grandma is celebrating her 97th birthday this week! I want to go and visit, but don't really want to drive there and back by myself. Josh is hoping to finish the project and us go on Thursday. He is supposed to go on a camping and canoeing trip this weekend, leaving Friday so we are very limited with our open days. We have both decided we need a vacation! He hasn't been home 2 weeks and we are already back to our busy busy schedules!

Thanks again to all who supported and encouraged us with prayers during Josh's trip! We would love to have a big gathering to invite everyone over and share his pictures and stories...we are hoping to pick a date soon.

Back in America

Hello friends.
I know that many of you are anxiously awaiting me to make a post about Liberia, and all that I learned there. Trust me, it is coming. Right now though I have had to spend some down-time decompressing since I have been home.

My plane arrive Sunday evening, however yesterday (Tuesday) was the first day I turned my phone back on. It's taking me some time.

Also, I never once got sick while in Liberia, however since I have been home, I have been weak, tired, and not been feeling 100%. It seems that while Liberia tried to kill me with bumps, bugs, and rashes, it is coming back to America that made me sick. Haha! Go figure!

Today (Wednesday) I get back into the normal swing-of-things. I start back to work today, which will be difficult since I will have to get back to work on a tile project I left in limbo almost a month ago. I will probably spend a great deal of time asking myself, "now did I already do that...?"

Thank you so much for your prayers. There were many difficult times in Liberia, the 2nd poorest country in the entire world (Congo is the poorest); crime and corruption are everywhere. However, the bad times were greatly overcome by moments of pure joy and bliss; times when I would sit on a bench, surround by child orphans, who would just run their fingers through my hair or rub my arm or fall asleep in my lap. I have experienced countless surreal moments where I couldn't truly believe I was sitting in the Bush of West Africa at an orphanage that has nothing, feeling the presence of Jesus like you can hardly imagine.


I will tell you more soon.
Thank you friends.


Love,
josh robertson

ps - Here is one image to accompany the post. This was my life in Liberia.

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so upset right now! Josh just called and the flight leaving Liberia today has been canceled. There are only a few flights a week that leave the country, I think, but theirs has been rescheduled for tomorrow, hopefully! Charlie and Josh will leave tomorrow a few hours earlier and go to Brussels and then to Atlanta and finally Charlotte. They are scheduled to arrive in Charlotte on Sunday at 5:15pm or so. This is the same airline that lost Josh's luggage and stole things from it. He is so frustrated! The airline is paying for their hotel and transportation though, so we are thankful for that. Please pray that he will leave tomorrow and arrive safely in Charlotte on Sunday. Pray that they remain safe for their extra day in the country. Pray for both of our sanity, patience, and understanding!! :)

Time's almost up

Josh's time in Liberia is almost up. Today is his last full day, they are leaving first thing tomorrow morning for their 29-hour trip home. Josh called me last night and they are staying at Pastor Emmanual's house in Monrovia. He gave Charlie and Josh his own bedroom. Josh said he had a bat and two mice in the room last night. I told Josh he better not get rabies this close to the end of his trip! Josh hasn't sounded as refreshed and excited since he left the orphanage. He told me he was ready to come home. Its really hot and he can't sleep. I think its finally catching up with him! He still is happy, but I believe he's looking forward to coming home. They went to the beach yesterday and he and Charlie really enjoyed it. Josh said it was so nice to swim and cool off. Apparently the orphanage is in the mountains and its much cooler there than in Monrovia.

They are having a farewell celebration tonight, Josh said he thinks a lot of people will be there. Please pray for continued health and safety and for safe travel starting tomorrow. They are leaving early tomorrow morning. Josh said they have had a few more issues with getting through checkpoints, so remember that part as well.

His flight home is the reverse of his flight there. He flies from Monrovia to Brussels to Chicago to Charlotte. I can't wait to see him! I'm leaving work a little early Saturday to pick him up!

Liz, a Liberian I work with

I talked to Josh yesterday morning. He had hidden a Mother's Day card for me in my car...what a surprise! They should be traveling to Monrovia, the capitol city, today and staying there until Friday, when they head back home! I can't believe how quickly the time has passed!

Last night at work, I talked with one of the Nurse Assistants. Her name is Liz and she is from Liberia. I hadn't had a chance to tell her Josh was there so I told her last night. She asked why and what he was doing. I told her and her face lit up, she started jumping up and down with a huge smile on her face. I told her how Josh and I both have a heart for Liberia. She shared with me that she was there during the Civil War, she escaped to a refugee camp in Ghana for a few years. She went back and brought as many of her siblings children here to America with her. We talked a little about how blessed we are here in America and how we take simple things, such as needing stitches and health care, for granted. I told her of the two boys Josh tried to help. She hugged and thanked me and started crying saying, "Deliver them, deliver them." It broke my heart. I didn't know what to do, so I just held her, let her cry and silently prayed for her. She told me that she appreciates what Josh and I are doing for her home country and that there needs to be more people willing to go over there and help. I asked her to pray for us and the child we hope to adopt from Liberia one day. It was such a neat moment! I can't wait till Josh gets home and I can share pictures and videos with her!

Please continue to pray for Josh and I. Pray for his continued safety and health. Pray for healing in Liberia, pray for those hurting from the recent war, where children watched their parents killed in front of them. Pray for us in regards to adoption, yes I am pregnant, but we hope to adopt one day. Pray that God will open up the right doors and help us to be in agreement about the right time, that we'll know HIS timing. Adoption in Liberia is currently closed due to some human trafficing and no rules. Pray that the rules will be set quickly and children may be delivered from Liberia. Thank you all again for your prayers, support and encouragement...We love you!

Brief Update

I haven't "talked" to Josh since Thursday. He told me he wouldn't be able to call as often once he left the orphanage. He did call today, but I was at work, where I have NO signal! :( He left me a sweet message telling me he was sorry he forgot it was Saturday and he knew I was at work. Oh well. They left the orphanage and he said there were lots of tears. They traveled safely to their next destination, Sacleipea. They will be there for a few days and then are spending their last few days in Monrovia, the capitol city.

On a side note, THANK YOU everyone for you overwhelming support and encouragement. Even before Josh left I knew I had so many people praying for and there for me. I have truly been blessed by all those who have offered to do anything for me. I've really enjoyed my time with my mom, but its still nice knowing I have plenty of people that would be there if I needed them. I truly feel blessed to have such awesome family and friends.

Josh and I love you all. I thank you on behalf of both of us for praying for BOTH of us and reaching out to me.

Time at the Orphanage coming to an end

Charlie and Josh are leaving the orphanage on Saturday. They are both kind of upset about it. Today they had a goodbye party/celebration for the guys. Josh videoed most of it I think. He said that they had Charlie on stage and talked about all the good things he did while visiting since February, then they awarded him with a really pretty expensive African gown. Josh said it was really nice. Then they called Josh on stage and gave him a really nice shirt. They continued to call each of them back on stage to give more gifts. Charlie ended up with several shirts and some gifts for his parents, Josh ended up with 4 shirts. They also both received a certificate. Josh said it was so humbling, an orphanage with small amounts of money wanted to spend it on Charlie and him as gratitude for what they have done during their time there.

Josh spent some time hanging out with the 1st and 2nd graders today. He said they were playing the drums, but not everyone had an instrument so Josh taught them that their mouth is an instrument and proceeded to teach them to beat-box! They had a good time and he said it sounded pretty good. Then later it began to rain (yes again, PRAISE GOD) and they were all crowded on the porch. Josh asked, "Where's my band?" And the 1st and 2nd graders began doing the beat-boxing again. The older kids looked kind of confused at first, but caught on and jumped in. Charlie was inside with the adults and heard the commotion. The adults asked, "What's that?" Charlie didn't need to look, but replied, "That's just Josh." They adults ran outside and saw the sight. All the kids beat-boxing and dancing. Josh said everyone loved it and even some of the adults joined in and started dancing! What a funny story!

Tomorrow is their last full day at the orphanage and they still have a few things to do. Josh is hoping to get 2 more picnic tables built and fix a few more electrical problems. Also the place they are going next (I'm not really sure where) is supposedly going to be more difficult than staying in the orphanage. I'm not sure if it is as safe either. Please pray for safety and health and that they'll finish the projects before their time is up. Pray for easy travel to their next destination.


2 Chron 16:9b "For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that HE may strongly support those whose heart is completely HIS."

MY God Will Make A Way For Me

That is the title of a song the children have taught Josh. He said it is one of his favorites. He and one of the children actually sang it to me. It was a beautiful song and neat experience!! MY God Will Make A Way For Me is exactly what happened yesterday. We prayed Josh would have clean water to drink and God made a way. HE provided a "torrential downpour." Josh said all the kids just knew what to do and collected the water. God provided clean water for Charlie and Josh. Praise the Lord...He is GOOD!! Thank you Jesus! Hopefully the well will be fixed tomorrow, but either way, I know Our God will make a way!!

Please continue to pray for the safety and health of Josh and Charlie, their time at the orphanage will be ending soon. I know it will be hard for all there to see both of the guys go. Pray for healing for those who are sick, with wounds or anything else. Pray that the well is fixed soon.

Josh can fix anything...well almost

Well, Josh is doing his thing in Africa. He's been working on the electrical stuff. They have twice the voltage that we have here (240v). There isn't any electricity except when they occasionally run the generator. Josh has been checking to make things safer. He also built 4 picnic tables TODAY! He's so good! He told me the kids could hear him working all day while they were in school and they ran over as soon as they got out. They all said "Thank you Brother Josh" and started singing. They didn't know what a picnic table was! He said he enjoyed seeing their faces when they saw it for the first time.

He also worked on the child with the gash in his leg. He told me he cleaned it thoroughly, using his finger. That really surprised me, I can't even begin to tell him my stories from work without him getting pale and sick! He said it surprised him too; he's just doing what he has to I guess. He put some bandages on it and instructed the child to keep it clean. Just when he thought he was done, another kid came up with a wound and Josh did the same thing again! I'm so impressed!

There is one thing, and its HUGE, that Josh hasn't been able to fix. The freshwater well broke, and he and Charlie only have three 1.5 liter bottles of water to share until it gets fixed. There is another well, but it isn't safe for them to drink. He said the water has spiders and other gross stuff in it. The orphanage was going to wait a few days and get a part from Monrovia, Josh said it needed to be fixed sooner. He went ahead and paid someone to fix it sooner, but they had left for the day. Hopefully it will be fixed tomorrow.

Josh said he now has a rash allover his body. It doesn't sound like a heat rash or allergic reaction. He said its small little bumps that ooze when he brushes his finger over them. When I got off the phone with him this afternoon, I just cried. I'm so worried about him. I don't think the pregnancy/hormones are helping any. Please continue to pray for us. Pray for his health, that he'll get clean water soon, and that the rash is nothing serious. Pray that my worrying will stop, I know God is in control. Also pray that my worrying won't harm our little Thumper. Thanks again! We couldn't do this without your support!

OUR GOD IS SO GOOD

I spoke with Josh for 24 minutes today, our longest conversation yet! He sounds so good! I'm so proud of him. I worried that I'm telling all his stories on our blog, he said to continue to share what he shares, he'll have plenty more to talk about. I’m overwhelmed right now with GOD and HIS GOODNESS!!!! I’m just so thankful for all He has done for us and I’m humbled at the question, why? Why are we so blessed to live in America? This country that is all about convenience and waste and SELF!! Josh just told me about a boy with the gash in his leg. We have so much here and take it all for granted. This boy with a large, deep, probably infected gash in his leg with bugs crawling in it doesn’t care and doesn’t complain. Josh wouldn’t have even known if he hadn’t taken off his “trousers” to play futball in shorts. He has no medical attention and really no access. He’s happy and jumping rope and bringing Josh water! What a testimony! God is moving in me and growing me while Josh is gone. I’m not there and not experiencing what he is, but God is allowing me to grow. I’m hurting for and loving these children I’ve never met! OUR GOD IS SO GOOD! I want the best for these kids and that orphanage and I want to do great things in the name of GOD for them! I want to help those precious children of God. I’m so far away, yet yearning to help them.

I got to talk to Emmanual, the son of Papa Anthony, who lives in Monrovia. He is the one who brought Josh to the orphanage and instead of going back home, he stayed so he could "learn from Brother Josh." He sounds like an amazing man and thanked me multiple times for letting Josh come. If he only knew how much I wanted to be there. He said it means so much for the children we sponsor to get to meet Josh. He said they call him, "Daddy." Emmanual said he would continue to pray for me and blessings upon me. Talking to him itself was a blessing!

Thank you for being a part of this journey God is taking Josh and I both on. Your prayers and support, in every way, mean more to us than you know! I have a feeling that this trip to Liberia, is only the first of many. I feel that God will continue to use us to bring glory to Himself at the orphanage in Liberia. I pray you will continue to follow God with us on the journey!

Luggage good and bad news

Josh called me today while at work. He said that BOTH of his bags were delivered. Unfortunately several items were stolen out of his bags before he received them. A laptop bag with software for Pastor Emmanuel, the director of LCMI in Liberia, was stolen. Josh's speed square was stolen as well. I tried to help him think of things that we packed, and he doesn't remember if he saw his underwear or soap or not. He does now have socks, hand sanitizer, medication, more clothes, bolts, nails and most other things. Praise God!

Yesterday was kind of eventful for them. Charlie, Pastor Emmanuel and Josh all went on a dirt bike, yes on one! They were heading to the Bible College and had to go through several road blocks. At one particular road block, the Liberian police refused to let them pass. Josh said Pastor Emmanuel refused to bribe the cop with money, which Josh supports his decision. They argued for about 25 minutes and Pastor Emmanuel told the man he refused to pay him off and that he was intoxicated. Josh said the policeman smelled of alcohol. The cop kept pointing to Josh and saying things Josh couldn't understand. Pastor Emmanuel and the policeman finally went in to his supervisor and they were able to pass. Josh said it has been a very eye-opening experience as to what they deal with on a daily basis. They are used to a some-what corrupt government and thieves; it is very sad.

Josh had to preach this morning, he had an interpreter to interpret him while preaching! He seemed to really enjoy the service. He told me that Nohn, one of the kids we sponsor, is one of the choir directors. He told me the children lead all songs for worship and it was beautiful. He called me after they had service and lunch. So far I don't think he's eaten anything too weird. He said last night after dinner one of the small children came up and asked if she could read to him. Josh said yes, so she sat in his lap and read The Bible to him. He said she could only read a little like the book, chapter and verse at the top. Then more children crowded around him and they would all read what they could. He said they sat there and read to him for over an hour! He told me there was nothing more beautiful than having children come up and ask if they could read to him. He got his NLT version out and they really enjoyed it.

He's reported a rash to me over the last few days, he said its turning into little boils. At first I thought it was a heat rash, but I'm not so sure now. Please pray for his health and continued safety.

Rough Night for me

Last night was very rough for me. I've been staying at my mom's since Josh left. I decided it would be best for me to come home and stay on the weekends. I'm closer to work from my house and Asher, our cat, likes to be outside. I won't let him out while we're at my mom's. So this way, I think, is a fair compromise. I get the weeks with my mom and Asher and he gets the weekends outside. So, last night was my first night at home without Josh. I'm so spoiled, I know. I just don't like being alone. I hear every noise and don't sleep well. Last night was not any different! I cried for a little while and then just went to sleep.

This morning, I was still sad, but I'm trying to be an adult. :) I got ready and headed to work. I wasn't very far in to my tearful trip and my phone rang. It was none other than my beloved Josh! We talked for a while. He said they found one of his bags, the smaller of the two, which has the tools and stuff he needs to build the picnic tables. Hopefully he will get them today or tomorrow. I'm not sure how they will get from the airport to the orphanage. He still won't have any clothes, hand sanitizer, soap or other meds, but he can get by without all that. Its preparing him for the back-packing trip he has shortly after he gets home!

Today they are going to the African Bible College; someone there has a shop with power tools! We all know Josh is thrilled about that! They are taking the hardwoods and cutting them to proper size for the picnic tables. Hopefully the bolts and nails will be there soon.

Josh has been helping Charlie pass out meds. He said they have a little room they are calling "Brooke's office" for now. They keep medications and supplies there. Papa Anthony said it is where I would've worked if I'd have been able to go. I thought that was so sweet! Josh has given Motrin to someone who felt warm, he thinks had a fever and Motrin to someone else with facial swelling and a toothache. Apparently, Josh has been learning from watching me take care of people. I thought it was so cute! The nurse coming out in my sweet husband!

I'll update more when I can! Thanks for following and praying! It means a lot to Josh and I both!

BUGS & Fruit

I talked to Josh this morning; he called right after I woke up! He told me he woke up with his face and eyes burning. He slept with a mosquito net on his face, he doesn't know if something sprayed him through the net or what. He said it felt like a chemical burn in his eyes. He thinks it might have been a praying mantis. He washed his face as soon as he got up, but said that made it worse, he thinks it spread it. He got some alcohol wipe from Charlie and tried that. He said after about 4 hours it went away. He said his face isn't red and he's not having any vision problems.

He took a "shower" last night. The boil a pot of water and put it in a room with a drain. Josh rinsed off right before bed last night, he doesn't have any soap though. He said its very hot and humid there as well!

He's eating well, they had just eaten rice, broth and fresh pineapple. He said all the fruit tastes better there. The pineapple is so much sweeter than here. He said one of the little girls probably about 5 came up and asked Josh if he sang. He said yes, so they kids started singing all sorts of songs for him. Then they asked if he played futbol (soccer) so they all went to a field and played for a while. He watched a few kids run into the jungle and come back with fruit. He asked them where it came from. They said they'd show him, so he filmed the whole thing. They took a 10 minute journey into the jungle and he said when he looked behind him, there was a line of 25 kids single file, following him. They got to the trees with fruit and one kid got a cane pole and started knocking down the fruit. Then several of the kids started gathering the fruit in their shirts. They showed Josh how to eat it. He said it was so sweet and it had the texture similar to a peach. He then said all the kids were shimmying up the trees about 40 feet. He told me they were about 5-7 and that high in the trees. It was amazing he said. He told me the kids even at 5 walk around with machetes.

They found one of his bags in Belgium and it will be delivered around tomorrow night. Lets pray it has some clothes and the tools needed to get started on the picnic tables! Oh, and some bugspray, sanitizer and soap!