Same distance-different runners...

A marathon is 26.2 miles.  No matter how you look at it a marathon is not a marathon unless the distance is 26 miles 385 yards.  It wouldn't be a marathon if it was 25 miles, no, it is 26.2 no more and no less.  Although the marathon's distance of 26.2 miles is the same-the runners who run it are all different.  Runners jog or walk up to the starting line, confident, scared, relaxed, worried, calm or excited-every runner is different. Every runner runs for different reasons, to loose weight, to accomplish a goal, to raise money for a cause-everyone has their own reasons.  As every runner gathers at the starting line, heart pounding, mind focused, we all bring our reasons, our feelings and our story with us. 

I have shared on this blog, many times why I run-and recently I have shared why some of our staff are running.  Today I want to tell you about our other marathon runner-Samuel Tedoe.  Tedoe (as we at SP Liberia call him) is one of our many amazing Liberian staff.  He has been with SP Liberia for a few years and is one of the most reliable drivers and overall staff members that we have.  He drives over some of the most challenging, brutal roads on this earth!  But he does more than just drive-whatever project he is driving for he always helps-if we are off checking on our project sites talking with beneficiaries-Tedoe is there helping with translation or anything else-he know what it means to serve.

Tedoe the trusty driver and amazing runner!

Tedoe comes to the marathon starting line with a story that is unlike any other SP runner. Tedoe did not leave Liberia during the 14 year civil war-he stayed and endured the fear that we have never experienced of literally running for your life.  In 1990, when he was just 16 years old, he and his brother, his brother's wife and his brother's aging mother in law fled from the intense fighting in Monrovia.  They decided to go towards Kakata-approx. 45 miles NE of Monrovia.  There were no cars available and so they were going to have to go by foot-however, the elderly lady would never be able to make the distance.  So Tedoe put the lady in a wheel-barrel and pushed her the 45 miles to Kakata.

If that was not hard enough-when they arrived there was a rebel checkpoint at the entrance of the town.  Tedoe had collected limes from a lime tree on the way to help keep the elderly lady hydrated.  He had put them in his pocket and as he approached the checkpoint rebels asked him to empty his pockets to search him.  When they saw the limes they got very upset and accused him of stealing and started to threaten him.  The checkpoint was at the top of a hill that leads into Kakata-they made Tedoe roll down the hill, back up again, and roll down again and again as they kicked him in the back and stomach-threatening to kill him. As rebels were discussing whether or not they should kill him, a rebel leader arrived and told them not to kill Tedoe.  He had said to Tedoe, "We won't kill you-but you have to take this old lady with you!"  Tedoe said he would.  They let them go.  Tedoe was able to hire a car and go with his family south, to Grand Bassa to their home where the war was not as bad.

45 miles.  Running/walking as he pushed a lady in a wheel barrel. Fleeing for their lives.  I have never had to literally run for my life. Never. And I pray I never have to-I pray no one has to especially Tedoe.  21 years later-Tedoe, with a smile on his face can't wait to run the marathon. Tedoe is a strong man of faith and his life is a testament to his trust in God.

26.2 miles the same distance Pheidippides ran in 490 BC to tell of victory of a war. 26.2 miles-the same distance Tedoe-who survived a war- will run on Aug. 28th. I guess some runners are similar-Samuel Tedoe and Pheidippides both running from war...who would have thought.

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia

Change...

Change.  Ok, let's be honest-everyone who LIKES change raise their hand.  Seriously, we all know that change is inevitable but not easy!  I am not a huge fan of change, I get set in my ways and unless I HAVE TO for the betterment of the planet or my over all life-I will not change.  Case in point...last week I had to change email addresses for work, which meant opening and using the microsoft outlook icon that has been in cyber slumber on my desktop.  Ugh...However, I am blessed with a techie friend, Joni, who was willing to walk through the painful steps with me.  Poor Joni...she had no idea that I would turn into a groaning, grumpy, kicking, complaining, deep sighing 30 something-who was acting like a 5 year old who didn't want to put a dress on for church (flashback!).  But I did it...(well, Joni did really :).  In her words "Bev, you really don't like change do you!"

Change plays a huge role in our projects.  How?  Our projects are guiding people through the many different changes that they are going through since the end of the war.  Changing behaviors towards water and sanitation, changing attitudes towards woman and learning, changing farming practices to yield more rice, changing attitudes towards donating blood, these are just some of the changes our projects are bringing to Liberia.

Changing health and hygiene behaviors..

Changing the attitude towards donating blood!  SP staff member Danielle and I donating at the recent Monrovia blood drive.

As we all know change takes time.  There have been many stories of how people's attitudes have changed, like the village who forgave the rebel who had burnt their community (see earlier blog 'The power of forgiveness').  But that change comes from God changing people's hearts-and that is the true change that we want to see throughout Liberia.  A change of heart.  Last night I overheard President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (on our security guards radio) say:

         "The change we must make must begin in our hearts"

True change comes from within-how many times have we heard that?  Even though it just sounds like another 'saying' it is true-unless we have a change of heart-it will be hard for us to change our actions.

Training is going AWESOME!  This weekend Jeremy Kilday is down for our monthly program managers meeting. Jeremy is the project manager for our construction project at African Bible College University, in Yekepa.  I had a chance to to talk to him about the race-he is running the marathon-and the changes he has made to train and the changes he has seen at ABC University (one of our SP projects). 

Bev: What made you want to run the marathon?

Jeremy: This is my first marathon.  There are a few reasons I decided to run in this race.  I’ve thought about running one before but never thought the timing was right.  I’ve wanted to run it to see how mentally tough it actually is.  I tend to try to test myself and my resolve whenever I get the chance.

What it came down to for the Liberia Marathon was my staff.  I am working with over 60 guys.  They are hard workers and have earned my respect time and time again.  Several of them are working to raise money to go to school.  While running one evening,  I thought the marathon would a way to raise support to help those who had passed the entrance exam to attend ABCU.  It is something I can do to show my appreciation for their hard work and give them something back for the time they had given to re-build the University.

Bev:What are some of the changes you had to make to train for the marathon?
Jeremy: There have been a few changes that have taken place to help me train-including a better diet and focus on my daily and weekly schedule.  The major change I have had to make is my mornings.  Instead of rolling out of bed in time for devotions, I am up before 6am and getting ready to go for my run.  Once the sun comes up, I am off with one of our current students, Samuel, who will be running with us on the 28th.  That brings me to another change...I have gone from encouraging Samuel to keep going our first week running together, to trying to stay in step with his pace!

Bev: What are some of the changes you have seen at ABCU?
Jeremy: The changes at ABC are pretty big.  On Aug. 28th the same day of the race, the University will start all four classes, Freshman to Senior for the first time since before the war. The campus has come from destruction to reconstruction-and now into a phase of growth and expansion.  I'm glad to be a part of this phase and to see the excitement of what possibilities the future holds for the University, the students and the staff.

Change is not easy.  But when we have a change that starts in the heart-it can be easier. We can't change people only God can. God is using the staff of SP Liberia to bring change to Liberia-to transform and change the hearts of people!

I will be posting more pictures of our staff in training and of Jeremy as he tackles his 20 mile training run on Saturday!  Stay tuned...

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia

Time to Re-Focus...

We are more than half-way through 2011.  WOW!!!  Do you ever feel like you have to re-focus half-way through a year?  Upon returning from vacation, we definitely did-it was time to re-focus on the big and little things, so we could finish the year strong!

Keeping things in focus...SP Communications legends-Ryan Smith and our own Joni Byker!

For me the little things are like, flossing my teeth every night before bed and eating a healthy breakfast.  The big things are, re-focusing on my PhD so I can finish it by the first week of Oct., planning a new training schedule, organizing and preparing for the work I have this fall (3 teams and 4 visitors from Aug 24th-Oct. 5th!) and of course re-focusing on our projects and the work that our amazing SP Staff is doing.  Many of our staff have just returned from home leave or vacation and feel re-focused and ready for the last few months of 2011. 

Everyone at SP Liberia is re-focusing-project managers are meeting with staff to encourage the progress that has been made and discuss what is left to do- we are going to be having a couple of 'staff retreats' to help our staff focus spiritually, looking back at how God has blessed us this year-and looking forward and committing the rest of the year into His hands.  Re-focusing means getting back to the main reason we do what we do and making sure that in the midst of the busy work schedule we don't loose that focus.

Re-focusing on the reason we do what we do-the future of Liberia!

(check out the kid in the Habs (Montreal Canadiens) shirt!)

I feel a sense of renewed energy when I re-focus on the little and big things.  It motivates me to do everything better including train!  Our team run on Friday went great!  I was so encouraged to see our staff out running more and more laps!  Even Isaac did 2.5 miles with mom!  It was also great to see and talk with Jeremy about his marathon training.  It is going really well and Praise the Lord he hasn't had any serious injuries to hinder his training.  I want to thank all those who know Jeremy and gave to our SP Liberia team-he has been a great addition to our team and I can't wait for him to experience the satisfaction of finishing a marathon!

Pastor David Owen (SP Ministry team) focusing on the road ahead...

Re-focus.  Sometimes it means just stepping back and seeing the big picture of why you do what you do-and for who are you doing it for...As we enter August and the last month before the race-team SP Liberia is focused to continue to train hard for our projects-but most of all for the people of Liberia.

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia



Don't mess with the ladies of Finance!

Before I left for holidays I was trying to think of who I could leave in charge of our Wed. afternoon exercise/run and the Friday afternoon run.  I didn't have to look to far-just down the hallway to the finance office to Dorothy and Debbie! They both have a very difficult job as they help keep us on budget and keeping after us if we are late getting our receipts or reports in! These two fine ladies have been a great encouragement to me and our staff-they can often be heard singing praise and worship songs, leading songs in devotions and recently helping out in our exercise program!

Dorothy/Debbie on a Friday run

Before I left I had a chance to interview them.  Here are a few 'snip its' of what they had to say.

Bev: Dorothy, why do you like doing exercise and running?
Dorothy: I like to keep fit.  Before I would walk up the stairs and be soooo tired, now I feel fine.
Bev: Did you exercise in the past?
Dorothy: I used to exercise a lot in highschool, but haven't since then-almost 20 years!
Bev: What does it mean to you to be part of team SP and helping raise funds for projects here?
Dorothy: I want to be able to help the less fortunate in Liberia who need our help. 
Bev:  What is your favorite SP Liberia program?

Dorothy: My favorite program is the WASH program.  When I see people drinking dirty, unsafe water it's not good.  When I go to the base office in Bopolu I always drink from the water filter because I know the water is good to drink.

Dorothy having fun in the kitchen!

Debbie is also one of our leaders in the finance office-she is full of life and loves to tease us!  Here is what she had to say about exercise and running for team SP Liberia:

Bev: What is the best thing about running?
Debbie:  I love to run because it takes away the stress of the day.
Bev: Did you play a lot of sports when you were younger?
Debbie: Yes, I used to play basketball when I was in highschool
Bev: What does it mean for you to run for team SP Liberia?
Debbie: It is really important for us to generate funds for those who are in real need and to be able to share the Word of God. 
Bev: What is your favorite SP project?
Debbie: I love the animal, small ruminant, projects.  Like the goat husbandry program-I love seeing the goats jumping around they seem happy!

Debbie hard at work!

Both of these ladies work extremely hard for our office.  Without them we would be in a lot of trouble!  Not only are they hard workers and keep our finance office in tact, they are incredibly encouraging and full of joy.  We are so blessed to have them part of our team!  While I was gone, everyone has kept up with their training and they look great!  Much thanks to Debbie and Dorothy for keeping them all on track and motivated!  Now they have to get my butt back on track-as I didn't run as much as I would have liked!

I can't wait to get back to training and writing more about our wonderful staff.

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia

Everybody needs a little holiday...

Yes, not very often that we take a holiday all the way back to B.C. Canada-but we needed it (well Kendell did for sure!) and our boys have not enjoyed a Salmon Arm summer for 7 years!  However, the cold rainy weather greeted us...ugh-but that's ok-still great to rest a little and see family.  I even took a little time to rest and not run...well, I did run after my nephews as we played football!  And today I went for a run with my sister and my nephew Coleman (a good little runner too!).  Here are some photo's of our time.

Auntie Joni joined us for s few days-racing with the boys!

Cole and I stretching...

McGuire and Hanna running under a stretching Auntie!

Cole with his running medal from a race he entered!

Ready to go!! Love running with the family!

Our family keeps very active-my brother's boys are in basketball and hockey camp this week and they also run for their school.  In the winter all of the kids (Yeiko has 4 and Daron 4!) except the youngest 2 play hockey.  I love being able to play catch, throw a ball, skate and most of all RUN with all of my nephews and nieces!

Looking forward to getting back to Liberia and get back to training and see how the SP Liberia team is doing with their training.  I left the finance ladies, Debbie and Dorothy in charge!  I will be highlighting the two of them on my next entry.  Today or this weekend if you get a chance run with a kid it's fun and freeing!!!

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia

A word from our Racers!!!

Today's blog entry we are going to hear from some of our awesome staff who are running the 10km race on Aug. 28th.  I am going to try and interview as many staff as I can-to get their perspective on why they are running, what they like about it, and what it means to them to be part of the SP team raising funds for SP Liberia projects.

Our first interviewee is Weemor Kollie-she has one of the hardest job's here at SP Liberia-she is Bossman's administrative assistant!!! Please pray for her ;)

Weemor- Has worked for SP Liberia for 2 years (photo by Isaac)

Here are some of the things Weemor told me about running. 

BK- "Weemor, what do you like best about running?"

Weemor:- (sighs), Well, it has help free my muscles in my legs (her muscles feel strong) and the stomach exercise help my stomach muscles."

BK:  "Have you run before?"

Weemor: "No, in school a little."

BK: "As a team SP member what are your thoughts about running to raise money for our SP projects?"

Weemor: "It is great! At least to be part of the support to SP and our work here."

BK: "Weemor, what is your favorite SP project?"

Weemor: "The Vacation Bible School Program!"

Next I visited our great Ministry office to talk to Pastor David Owen-who has worked for us for almost 5 years! Again, photo by Isaac...

BK: "Pastor Owen what do you like best about running?"

Pastor Owen: "Well, I like the exercise and I really enjoy it-I like that it helps you stay healthy and you be discipline.

BK: "Did you run before now?" 

Pastor Owen: "Yes, I ran in Highschool"

BK: What does it mean to you to run for team SP?

Pastor Owen: "I like the teamwork that SP Liberia is coming together to run for a common goal that people can support for our projects.  It brings unity for our SP projects."

BK: "What is your favorite SP project?"

Pastor Owen: "I like the CLP project, hearing about people learning how to read and write I really want to see that program!"

These are just two members of our spectacular staff that our running on Aug. 28th.  I will be featuring two more staff members later on this week-for them to share why they enjoy running and what it means to them to be running for team SP.  One of the best things about our staff running is it has given my another reason to run-I run to be with, laugh with and encourage our staff.  They all work so hard, have been through so much-and give daily for the projects that we are doing here.  I run for them-and am super proud of every single one!

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia



Perspective...

Perspective is an interesting thing/word-we hear sayings like 'perspective is everything' and 'putting it in perspective'.  Perspective has many definitions depending on what and how you are using the word:  For example the definition of perspective pertaining to visual is "the way in which objects appear to the eye". Cognitively, it is defined as "one's 'point of view, or how people view things based on their beliefs and opinions".  Interstingly, when defined in the psychology world, perspective is "wisdom".  So why the deep thoughts on perspective today?  Well for anyone who has lived and worked in another culture you know that perspective IS everything!!!  Here is an example-my boys...from my perspective a broken lawnmower useless in Liberia...to my boys a go-kart, car and so much more!

For this blog entry we will be using the cognitive definition of perspective: "one's point of view, or how people view life and things based on beliefs and opinions."  For those who don't know-I have been asked to co-host a radio show on ELWA radio called "Facts you should know".  I talk about health, fitness and diet.  One of the perspectives in Liberia that some of us westerns have a hard time getting used to is-that if you are bigger or 'fat' you are rich and have status.  Many times our Liberian staff will come up to an ex-pat staff member and say "you are look fat-oh!! you have side pockets!!"  As they are saying this, they are grabbing and pinching your arm (that you thought was smaller) and they are smiling as if they are proud of you for gaining that extra 10 pounds over homeleave...

What I have been trying to explain on my radio show is, not that people are rude, but that the perspective of being bigger or eating unhealthy or too much is not a good status symbol...in fact you could be damaging your body and compromising your health.  I remember when I illustrated this by showing our staff a video of how a heart attack occurs-National Geographic has a great video of a heart and the arteries slowly getting clogged and then rupturing...you should have heard the gasps from our staff! 


My perspective can be off at times too.  My perspective when I go to a poor village can be one of despair and no hope.  But when I meet our staff who are working so hard in tough places or the beneficiaries of our projects and hear their stories, stories of hope-my perspective changes.  I begin to see the beauty in the ashes, the hope in the eyes of people and most importantly, I see beautiful people created in the image of God.

Getting a better perspective...

Race training:  I am starting to see the perspective of our staff change as training for the Aug. 28th race gets closer.  Before, some of our staff couldn't even imagine doing just one 1.6 mile lap of ELWA...now they are doing 2 and some are doing even 3!! (that's 5 miles!!)  Their perspective has changed their belief that they can do 10km is strong!  One of our ex-pat staff, Jeremy Kilday-is hoping to run the marathon-his perspective on distance is changing as his training gets harder.  10 miles is not that far to run anymore-his perspective has changed since running 15 miles! More staff members are coming to our Wed./Friday training days too-here is the group who participated in our Wed. work-out and run day.

Perspective-one of the things I love is hearing people's comments as our staff run by, especially our female staff.  The perspective that maybe some of our female staff can't run never mind run 10km is shattered as the ladies run by everyone! 

Perspective is a powerful thing-it can put you in a bad mood or it can help you see the better side of life.  What is your perspective of the poor?  What is your perspective of your role in helping those in need?  It is my hope and prayer that your perspective is one of hope and like our staff, who are training so hard, that nothing is impossible no matter what situation you are or what people say about you.

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/bevkauffeldt/samaritanspurseliberia