finally some pictures....

RED LIGHT...Street market

Some of the boys peeling casaba...very similar to potato

the water hole in the back of the garden

the "garden"

prayer!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our EVERY affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.

-2 Corinthians 1:3-4



I have set before you death and life. Choose life!

-Dt 30:19



"Let us meditate on what it means to take delight in the law of Love by which Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again from the dead. The Gospel offers a paradox: we must choose to die to self in order to live for God in Christ. Only then will we grow and bear much fruit for the well being of the world."

-Magnificat Feb. 26



"Jesus declares, "Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." This is sacrifice: handing our imperfect self over to the One who responds by handing us back our true self through this gift of self on the cross. The Lord sets before us life and death, and asks us to "choose life" by obediently taking up Christ's cross of death. "without a 'dying,' without the demise of what is simply our own, there is no communion with God and no redemption"

-Pope Benedict XVI



I first want to thank everyone for sending there prayers for all the people here and myself. Not only have we felt their power, but we have desperately needed them over the last couple of days.



How great is our God? And how silly are we when we let wordly issues get to us...normal and human..but definitely silly..



Frustration, Anxiety, Worries, Sorrow...through it all God is always there and always provides..

Now i'm saying this, but it is only because they are all the realizations I have come to by falling into all these things myself. For instance I was so frustrated the other day because time after time of trying to get on to the internet and update this thing or send emails to my friends and family failed..Either we went to a place where it literally took 5 minutes to load anything, or the internet was down or some other crazy circumstance that I as a citizen living in the States was not used to at all...

But then I had to take a step back...This is Africa..This is a 3rd world country..I should not be worrying about some stupid machine when our well is dry or these children are in front of me. How could I get frustrated about something as silly as the internet when these people are trying to SURVIVE. The average Liberian makes $400 US a year..think about that...how quickly do we blow through that ...and these people feed their families on that money -- FOR A YEAR!

So I had to give it up to God...and He quickly reminded me and showed me He had a reason for not using the internet - learning patience, seeing what is important, being real to Him, His people, His kingdom.

Walking through this Heat - Walking through the Poor - Walking through this place broken and devastated by War...I get the chills...Because LOVE IS HERE. God is moving. And as he's walking by he's inviting each and every one of us. Inviting us to share this perfection, this fulness that is brought by community, selflessness, sensitivity, tenderness, compassion. I can't describe the beauty of it. But it makes me want to SING. Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing He Loves- even through our own leprosy, our sin - He's always there with arms wide open ready to show us the way.

Yesterday we went through Monrovia. Like usual, I made some new friends: children playing in the street. I absolutely love seeing people smile...It's like seeing a glimpse of God every time. "God gave you style and gave you grace - God put a smile upon your face"..Don't ever stop smiling - In everything Rejoice - It's God's greatest gift, and His greatest advertisement. In a world full of fear, pain and sorrow it makes people wonder what you've got..so SHINE

As we walked through the crowded streets, the buildings looked beaten and worn and the streets were trashed and cluttered..These people ahve been broken by war - Murdered by Hate - Imprisoned by Fear. They don't have running water. Most dont have a pair of shoes. And its extremely rare to find a person with more than 2 shirts and a decent pair of pants..Whenever I think about these things I get sick to my stomach - to think about the times I complained about what I was eating instead of rejoicing I had food - to think about the times I was bitter for not getting my way - to think about how much I had and that I felt I was hoarding it all since I had not giving it all away..WE take what we have and we either take it for granted or we abuse it.. and it was making me sick to think about my selfishness..

I pray that I might be completely taken over by God's will. I want to end my life of selfishness, or bitterness, of hoarding. I want to live for ALL others. I want to be last. I want to serve. I want to make the most valiant run at doing everything I can towards bettering my God's kingdom as an act of gratitude for the debt that I will never be able to pay back..His unconditional Love.

I HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE DOING WELL!

WE ARE ONE BODY BOUND BY LOVE.

Life, Love, and Peace

Uncle Matthew

So my sandals are a lot more worn in..
My legs have received more ant bites in a week than I have the rest of my life...
My days are longer...
I now take a bath by using a bowl to scoop water from a 4 gallon bucket we fill at the well in our "garden"..

I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER!

I would be lying if I started off this first post by saying I have slept perfectly the first week..but that's mainly just because I'm not yet fully used to sleeping in 85 degree heat or part of my ceiling and mosquito net falling on my face at 2 in the morning..haha...but it's so worth it..

Now what you really want to hear about... The children...
From the moment I arrived I immediately fell in LOVE with these children and this beautiful country. Let me preface by saying that almost all of these kids was hand selected to receive this opportunity to higher their education and one day be a leader in a country that is is dire need of it. These kids were pulled from villages deep inside the forest, living in mud huts, or from places where the women still walk around naked...Yea- think like the specials you see on the History Channel or National Geographic. This country has been corrupted by evil dictators and war that has ruined the country. On my way to use this computer we passed a hotel where brainwashed children soldiers and rebels stormed in and opened fire with machine guns killing over 200 men women and children less than 5 years ago. Every single one of these children has SEEN death. And most have watched or heard family members or close friends being murdered....

But for some extraordinary reason..They don't act like you think they would with those haunting experiences only a few years past.

Our mission houses, feeds, educates, provides for spiritual growth, and teaches agriculture skills to 96 boys and 25 girls... beyond the that, they provide soley education for an additional 85+ making for a total 200+ children involved in the system

The Liberian Government called the mission I work at the best mission in Liberia a couple years ago, and these kids know it.

These children wake up at 5 every morning, do chores, have prayer, and eat. From 7:30-12:30 they go to school and receive an education that had they not been selected from their villages, they would have never gotten the opportunity to have (Most of these kids went to great measures to get into the mission). After school is spent working in the "garden" - a 20+ acre farm where we grow everything I can think of from peppers to pineapple to corn (which I might add is quite often frequented by the only snakes around the area..Cobra and Black Mamba..haha sorry mom..) and the children, water, plow, hook,harvest and tend to every day year round

At 5 the boys stop working in the garden and usually play soccer on a "feild" that I would more like to refer to as a mixture between dust plenty of rocks and bush..and 3 bamboo poles as goals..haha the tops fall off almost every 30 minutes.

At 7 we have prayer. Ok, now any notion you would ever have about a "prayer service", throw it away right now..NOW. haha.. This is not a quiet bible study or dicussion but the cramming of 96 boys into a 25x30 ft room or sauna in which there is nothing but bongo drums, Joyous singing, Dancing, praise, and liturgy. Probably the coolest, and spiritually fulfilling thing I have ever been able to partake in..and I get to do it every night...

I cannot express in words how amazing this first week has been. I have bonded and worked side by side with these children all week and I feel very much like they are my family...which make what they call me extremely suitable.. "Uncle Matthew"
From the moment I stepped out of the truck I was greated with Love.
I wish I could describe in words the effect and impact they have already instilled in my but I've been sitting here for 20 minutes trying to figure out how to and it just cannot be done..

These kids have shown me the meaning to my life, the calling in which God has instilled in my heart..and above all, a great appreciation for EVERY SINGLE blessing He has put into my life - especially the struggles.

I will try to write again as soon as possible...I hope everyone is well and I wish you could see, feel , touch, and comprehend all that Is going on in this beautiful place..

"They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them,"If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." Taking a child He placed it in their midst, and putting His arms around it He said to them, "Whoever receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me."
-Mark 9:34-37

"Practical prayer is harder on the soles of your shoes than on the knees of your trousers."
-Austin O'Malley

HOORAY HOORAY TODAY'S THE DAY

Today's the day.  Ok. Malaria pills..CHECK...Immodium....CHECK....Mosquito net....CHECK... Sandals... CHECK...

My mom is running around like she always does - at a hundred miles an hour - but today seems like she's trying to distract herself in the tasks a little bit more than usual.  I'm going to miss her. She's been hesitant, worried (like any mother would be), but she's also been more supportive to me than I could EVER ask for about this trip.  Don't bring up the movie Blood Diamond, or talk about deadly snake bites or HIV in front of her though..haha... or she'll get that "I don't know if I can let him go" look on her face.

 

Dad.  He's the man.  Running around with all my paperwork, making sure I have backups and coaching me on what to say if some official at the airport tries to give me a hard time.  He looks at me, and I can see myself.  Now I would NEVER have admitted that two, three years ago, but as I'm STARTING (hah) to grow up the more and more I aspire to be like him...Not in all ways...but in a lot of them.  He's a good, caring, selfless, loving dude that just wants the best for me..and I want the best for him too

My family has been nothing but supportive, and I really am going to miss all of them a lot...ALL of them..Mom. DAD. Angelle. Jason. Monique. Daniel..they've always been there for me and this adventure has been no exception. I love ya'll!

People keep asking me, "Are you nervous?" "Are you worried?" ... and honestly.. I am nothing but PUMPED about it..well..except for the 28 hours of traveling, but besides that I am PSYCHED about this opportunity.  I cannot wait to get there. 

I want to send a special THANK YOU to every one who has been supporting.  Your PRAYERS and contributions mean the absolute world to me, and I know that it will do wonders for the people I'm about to meet..So THANK YOU, From the bottom of my heart.

The next time I post something I will be there.  That just puts a Smile on my face..Talk to you soon!

TRUE GLORY

"Thus says the Lord:

Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,

nor the strong man glory in his strength, 

nor the rich man glory in his riches;

But rather, let him who glories, glory in this,

that in his prudence he knows me,

Knows that I, the LORD, bring about kindness,

justice and uprightness on the earth;

For with such am I pleased, says the LORD."

Jeremiah 9: 22-23

Peace and LOVE

Matt

(In no way am I saying that I think that I have everything right or all figured out - this is just where I am, and what has worked for me with what I feel God calling me to do.  Everyone has their own unique calling, and I urge everyone to find their own.)

We are ONE body.  We are a living, breathing unit that is dependent upon one another...  Wait that can't be right can it? Unit?  That is most definitely singular, and I know that I am in no way corresponding or have any relationship with that crazy guy who sits on a stoop downtown and begs for change every night...

But what if we took a step back.. What if we frequented an area outside of our normal realm?  Outside of our personal, self-centered thinking. Now I'm not saying that we are all self-centered or egotistical or anything, just trying to make a point..

If God created everything, does that not also mean He created everyone? And when our moms and dads tell us how special we are to God, and that He even knows how many hairs we have on our head, who's to say that we are so special?  Who's to say we aren't ALL so special to God?  You.. Me... Donald Trump.. Lebron James.. Bill Nye the science guy.. your third grade teacher.. those trapped in poverty due to civil unrest.. and yes, James who sits on the stoop every night begging for the change in our pockets.  God LOVES each and EVERY ONE of us - not a single one more than another.  He, in His infinite wisdom, has placed us all in our own  unique circumstance based upon our environment and abilities.  

But imagine if we were not as lucky as we are.  If we did not live in the area we did, or our parents be so fortunate as to have the jobs they were able to obtain over their lifetime.  What if we were born into a third world country, or into the ghetto downtown?  What if that was you on the corner, or in the soup kitchen?  What if that was us watching our preteen brothers being taken away and handed machine guns and taught to kill without thought?  What if that was us struggling to find what we and our family would eat that day, battling with famine and disease?  What would you think of the person in your shoes right now?....

These are the thoughts  and questions that have pushed me to my limit. To my end. To my death. I no longer want to live.... WHOA WHOA WHOA..I know your thinking, "wait is this a suicide note, is he gonna kill himself?!?" And the answer is double sided...No, haha, this is definitely not a suicide not, but yes, this is my death letter.  Metaphorically, I very much yearn to die.  Die to self.  Now I know that's a big statement.  And I'm not saying I will ever fully live up to its expectations or that I'm never gonna help myself to that second serving of desert or new pair of shoes again, But I am saying that from now on I want to live for others, for the underdog, for those who need it more than I do.  I want to be uncomfortable.  

My name is Matthew Hayes and somewhere between the bars and the lecture halls I lost myself last year.  I had no idea where the me that my parents raised had gone.  I was taught to love, to laugh, to live, to grow, to strive to do my best... and I at the time I thought I was doing what every one was supposed to do - go to college, get my degree and be a productive member of society.  And that's fine and good and all, but I wasn't happy.  Sure I loved spending time with my friends and going to football games and everything else that comes with being a college student these days, but I had lost the JOY in my life.  I felt like a part of me was missing, I felt that with the knowledge and gifts I had been given, I wasn't DOING enough.  I felt as though I was living out my life's biggest fear: complacency.

So I turned to the only thing I knew wouldn't steer me wrong: JESUS.  Now even if you don't believe in the Big Man, you have to at-least give the Man a little credit with what He sought to teach and instill in the world: LOVE,  justice, peace, equality, service.  And the more I got into His word, the more I prayed, The more time I spent in silence... The same answer kept coming.. (The paradox of the gospel) TO LIVE, ONE MUST DIE.  Die to self, and LIVE for one another.  When Christ died for us, we became His body.. His arms, hands, legs and feet.  We have got to work together if we ever want to survive.  We are dependent on one another whether we like it or not, so if some of us are sick, hungry, diseased or just in need - and those of us who have the earthly means ignore them - This body that we are is sure to die.  And I'm not just saying that, look at the world around us today - there are some frightening things starting to emerge (war, global warming, poverty, disease, natural disasters...etc, etc).  

So this is the beginning of my Great Adventure.  My quest towards becoming the servant, steward, and  Lover of God through His people that I long to become.  On Thursday I will embark for AFRICA, to a village called Black Tom which is about an hour and a half outside of the capital of Liberia (Monrovia).   I am going to work with an organization that works with orphans and misplaced children and families from the recent Civil War in Liberia.  Now I'm not expecting to come back and magically be filled with the solution to world hunger or peace, but I am hoping however, to put efforts towards bettering an area that needs it, and in the same breath better myself to serve in whatever way God calls me to in my future.  This trip to Liberia is not the complete adventure, but only the beginning... Please don’t think of me as anything but a normal young man seeking his path in life.  I am not a missionary, not a selfless human being…but a sinner, hypocrite, and fool like everyone else in the world; I just have seen the “exit sign” on this road to the pursuit of happiness... So come.. and see.. with me the beauty and the splendor and the glory our God has to offer through His people.  

Peace and Love

Matt