Eating oranges with Anais

This is from last Saturday, when Anais and I were waiting for Sis Hawah, who is at Ecobank. Anais was on a photo blitz at this particular moment, and I am laughing at some guys on the corner who are giving us a little too much attention. Including taking pictures right back at us. Granted, we were parked right in front of the corner where they were selling. But I'm just the driver, don't blame me! I don't argue with Sis Hawah, I just park where she tells me. (Try to imagine me not arguing. I know, but its for true.)

We are in Sis Hawah's car. The LEAD Land Cruiser I drive (for awhile, thanks to the Reeds, and CRWRC) is a leetle more humble, a little more my style. I can't believe I'm calling a Land Cruiser my style. Oh my.

Grant, Andrew and I bonded in the Land Cruiser today, and named her Mimi. (I hope that's okay with you, Reed family.) We went out to a church in Paynesville, past Sinkor, past Elwa Junction, past Red Light, to Morris Farm... reminding me of my favorite Morrises, Peter and Bonnie. The church was Messiah Baptist Mission Church and we had been invited by Rev. Ballah, who's on the LEAD Board. His church/school/mission is typical of many I've seen, in that you have a pastor and a church and a school and a mix of community services all happening on this piece of land that you find by asking everyone "Which way to Messiah Mission Church?" and just keep following a red dirt road till you get there. Rev. Ballah is from Lofa County, and we learned that many of his congregants/students/community members relocated to this area during the war, to escape the fighting back in Lofa.

The service was complete with tons of music, dancing, a choir in formal blue satin, special guests (me, Andrew, Grant, and a couple musicians), remarks from the special guests (We are so happy to be here, We bring you greetings from our churches back in Bklyn/Austin/Monrovia... I have learned you can always expect to be asked to make remarks), and a Rousing sermon on Solomon. It was awesome. Andrew turned around to ask me about five times in the first half hour "Are you ready for some Pentecostal? We are going to daaaaance!!"