A friend of mine, Bill Burke, delivers a weekly podcast called “Blue Sky.” It’s a show about optimism, and as Bill says, “There is always blue sky above. Sometimes you just have to get your head above the clouds to see it.” On his show, Bill interviews people who aren’t just “be happy” or “change your attitude” kind of people. They are “leaders, researchers and thinkers” who believe true optimism is about making the world better. As is often said on Bill’s show, “Optimists get things done.”
I am confident that Nancy and I are doing that here — getting things done — but there are days and weeks, and even longer stretches of time where it seems like we are taking two steps backward…and then another step forward…and then another. The start to 2025 has been one of those times.
Near our home was (yes, WAS) the most beautiful of all our church buildings in Liberia, which sat on the main road into and out of Monrovia. Actually, it was one of the nicest buildings around for miles. Sadly, we watched over a weeklong period as it was torn down and destroyed. The Church purchased this land in 2015 after doing appropriate title search, and in 2019 built a meeting house for three congregations to worship, with the expectation this building would become a stake center. A few years ago, someone else claimed to own the land, and it went to court. Because of the war and years of corruption, it is hard to know who really owns the land. Depending on the day, the court, the judges or their personal connections, the rulings can be arbitrary, unpredictable and changing.
Such was the case of our church building in Congo Town. Because we had made such significant property improvements, the first party wanted us to repurchase the property, including the building we already paid for. But then someone else declared they were the rightful owners because their ancestors lived there in the late nineteenth century. Other parties also claimed the land. We were evicted, and the “current owner” sold off the steel, the roofing, the windows, the doors, the air-conditioners, the steeple, and left only a carcass of cement and bricks. What took a couple years to build was gone in a week. To see this beautiful building destroyed where we held church, conferences, and even meetings with the apostles, hurts — every time we drive by. The three congregations are now meeting in an available school building for Sunday worship services, and all the weekday activities, including the training and educational activities have stopped. We bus people to another church building six miles away if we need to use the baptismal font. The building was used for all sorts of activities during the week—not only seminary and religious classes—but other skill development. It was used as a “Gathering Place” where hundreds of young single adults could come weekly and learn baking, computer skills, electrical and plumbing skills, hairstyling, and sewing. The loss of this meetinghouse was a big step backward. Still, we remind ourselves that the gospel of Jesus Christ is NOT the buildings nor the facilities, but is His teachings and doctrines that bring the blessings. And we press forward!
Building relations with the people and leaders in Liberia is also an important role we play, but recent overseas events caused another step backward. The United States’ reduction of aid to other countries and the loud rhetoric about deportation of illegal immigrants is having repercussions here in Liberia. The U.S. announced that 1,500 undocumented Liberians will be deported, and this is angering local Liberians. Many are worried of the financial impacts because Liberians in America often send money back to support family and friends. Even though all of us are here legally, non-African missionaries have received threats if the U.S. follows through on the deportation. We take these threats seriously. Other countries around the world, especially in South America, are likely viewing Americans with similar resentment. As missionaries, we strive to be kind and Christlike in our response to the anger, and we stay out of any politics and out of some areas all together. We remember we are here helping and representing the Church, not the United States, though we do hope to be good ambassadors for both.
Nevertheless we are making great steps forward too. On January 12, we held a special meeting for seven growing branches in the cities of Harbel and Buchanan and officially organized these congregations into the Harbel Liberia District. Over 900 members of the Church in the area came to be part of this historic event, some driving over three hours to attend. Boakai S. Dukuly* was called as the district president, along with women and men as organization presidencies to lead and train the branches.
*Small sidenote, Boakai Dukuly joined the Church about seven years ago thanks to the efforts of a young missionary from Windham, Maine—who I set apart when I was stake president. To see the impact young Elder Sean Pratt had on Boakai’s family of seven and now on this growing district is heartwarming and gratifying.
As I presided over the meeting held on the massive Firestone rubber plantation, I had this impression: “Here is a small group compared to the population, but they are 900 people who are striving to make their lives better. They are working to be more honest and more self-reliant, more caring for others. They are being more faithful to their spouses and families. They are being better neighbors and citizens. They have purpose in their lives and are committed to following the teachings and example of Christ.” Interestingly, the very first sacrament meeting held in Liberia was on this same Firestone plantation before the civil war almost 40 years ago. In Liberia today, there are approximately 23,000 baptized members of the Church.
During and since that meeting, I have reflected how important it is to know that God is indeed our loving Heavenly Father, and that this life is part of His plan for each of us. It shapes our thoughts, our motivations and our behaviors. That understanding brings optimism and hope and motivates forward progress—not only for Liberians but for all of us. That is why I love the gospel.
Another step forward happened as we participated in the creation of the new Thinker Village Stake, two weeks ago. I estimated 1,500 members of the Church in the area showed up for this event, which required us to rent the Paynesville City Hall to hold the large meeting. It was impressive to see how the Paynesville stake has grown as one stake was split into two. Each stake has a minimum membership of 2,000 people, but it was most rewarding to meet with the people and feel of their personal growth.
We also continue to step forward with training, not only the missionaries in zone conferences each month, but with training the many branches’ and districts’ leadership. This is no small thing, and we can observe the progress and growth. Leadership development takes training, time and practice, and steady, persistent effort is making a difference.
We’ve continued to have our share of thefts, flat tires, health challenges, and other glitches, but we are surprisingly used to all this, and we keep moving. We “go and do, not sit and stew.” We feel blessed for the great things that are happening as the foundation of the Church strengthens.
The mission continues to hover at around 150 to 160 full time missionaries, though we’re hoping to grow closer to 180. We’ve recently said goodbye to some wonderful missionaries from Africa, Tonga, the Philippines, and the U.S., and we have received an amazing new crop of elders and sisters. We were especially thrilled to welcome a new MLS couple (member-leader support), the Shields, who arrived in late January. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in the gospel and will be serving in the city of Buchanan. We now have six couples serving here in Liberia with us, including the Haddocks in humanitarian, the Blanchards and the Norths in the office, and the Shields, the Cramers and the Allreds in MLS roles—and they are ALL amazingly talented and wonderful people.
Last week, we took two days to do some leadership training and team building with our senior couples at the Warkolor ecolodge, just outside of Robertsport. We enjoyed meals together, jungle hikes, meetings, and a little swimming. We also packed a record 14 Americans and two Africans with all our luggage into/onto the Toyota Land Cruiser on our return. Exiting, we looked like a clown-car on steroids. The event was a great step forward and an enjoyable time together as we mapped out the coming events of 2025, including the departure of the Blanchards in May and the arrival of the next mission leaders, Kevin and Andrea Wilson, in late June.
Speaking of the Wilsons, we’ve had a few online calls with them, and we are so excited for our missionaries! They are going to be fabulous! It is not easy to simply turn our “children” over to someone else, but we are confident our missionaries will be in the best hands with President and Sister Wilson! Another huge step forward.
As I wrap up this post, I’ll state what I’ve said before. This time in Liberia has cemented my convictions about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the unique truthfulness of the Church organization. Liberia is a third world country with many, many challenges, but with the gospel here, there is plenty of blue sky. Time to take a few more steps forward…
