Connect the Dots●●●●●

● Let’s play a game of “connect-the-dots.” Starting point, Lutheran Training Institute (LTI), Lofa County, Liberia. Ending point, the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. All registered voters are invited to participate. Playing pieces are letters, phone calls, and visits to U.S. Congress. The game is “ADVOCACY”.

● Due to Central PA’s previous missionary support for David Day and Miriam Treon Miller in Liberia, the Upper Susquehanna Synod (USS) chose Liberia as ELCA “Companion Synod” just days before Liberia’s civil war began. The companionship became a relief project, with 18 containers of supplies sent to date. Even though war continued in parts of Liberia, at the request of Bishop Sumoward E. Harris, the USS began sending work teams in January 2001. Work projects began as construction renovations at Phebe Hospital in Bong County, plus teacher training workshops and distribution of donated used textbooks to Lutheran Schools.

● With the Peace Accord signed in 2003 and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf inaugurated on January 16, 2006, a new day has dawned in Liberia. Time for re-building the country which, during World War II, supplied a re-fueling site, Roberts International Air Field, and a facility to broadcast “Voice of America” over all of Africa. A small country, but a staunch ally to the United States! Allies are in short supply today.

● As hundreds of thousands of displaced Liberians return to their devastated homes, relief under the United Nations will continue. However, in order for Liberia to become self-sustaining, the focus is on resource development, both human and material. Bishop Harris and President Ellen have each prioritized education and literacy. With English the national language in education and government, and the education system virtually shut down for 16 years, illiteracy is extremely high. Most persons may speak several African languages but learn English as a Second Language (ESL).

● In 2006, for the first time, the four-person USS Women’s Empowerment Team was permitted to travel 180 miles up country to work with Esther Thomas at LTI. A workshop was presented to empower women from three congregations. Plans are developing to provide Home Arts Training for Women and Literacy Training for Adults at LTI in 2007.

● Unemployment remains above 85% in Liberia. Few people have any income. Most people spend most of their time searching for food to provide one scant meal a day. The nutrition ward at Phebe Hospital is constantly filled with 20-30 severely malnourished children, some beyond reversal. I recently received a letter from Evangelist Sackie Suah at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Phebe, asking for help in feeding his family. Sackie provided night security during two of our work trips. Now he is unemployed and food is scarce during the rainy season, referred to as the “starving season”. Sackie praises God for peace and for the USS Tuition Scholarship Program (TSP), which allows his children to attend school. He says, “The day God can give, we will receive”. The voice of Africa!

● A nine-hour flight from West Africa to Europe, followed by a seven-hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean. We arrive in the “Promised Land” where most people eat three square meals plus plenty of snacks every day, children are more likely to be treated for obesity than for starvation, and K-12 education is available to all. Church functions often include food, and church programs stagnate during summer due to vacation schedules. What is a vacation? Only adequately employed people can grasp the concept of vacation. Ah, yes, blessings abound in the USA.

● Where does justice enter into this equation? Is this God-given bounty ours to use or ours to share? Jesus said, “Feed the hungry and clothe the naked”. With less than one-fifth of the world’s population, the United States consumes three-fourths of the world’s resources. That leaves a measly one-fourth of the world’s resources to divide among the remaining four-fifths of God’s children. Any wonder there is conflict? An American oil-rig-supply-ship, merchant marine captain bragged openly that: “We pulled one over on those stupid Africans; they signed a 90/10 agreement.” (90% profit for U.S., 10% for African country). When questioned about the usual contracts, he responded, “Oh, 60-40.” This conversation took place in Africa on an African plane filled with Africans. Is it any wonder people dislike us?

● Poverty and starvation occur much too often in many parts of the world. As consumers, we are all part of the problem. As Christian members of a democracy, we can do something about the situation. Congress depends upon our votes. The privilege of voting includes the responsibility of knowledgeably monitoring congressional activity (legislation). During a recent Lobby Day in Washington, the reception was cordial at the offices of Senators Arlen Specter, Rick Santorum and Representative Don Sherwood. Aides at all three offices asked that we encourage people to become involved in the legislative process. If we don’t speak up, Congress will continue to define congressional pay raises and tax relief for affluent Americans as humanitarian efforts and ignore the plight of impoverished people everywhere.

● The interfaith advocacy group, Bread for the World, supplies information regarding legislation, a toll-free congressional phone connection, and organizes the lobby effort. Incidentally, Bread for the World president, David Beckmann, is an ordained Lutheran pastor and coordinates with the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.

● With an estimated Federal expenditure of $2.7 trillion in 2006, less than one-half of one percent is allocated to international, poverty-focused development. In this category, the U.S. ranks low in percentage of giving among the industrialized nations.

● Since signing the international Millenium Challenge Goals agreement in 2000, the U.S. government has repeatedly promised billions of dollars in aid, particularly to Africa. We simply are asking that Congress commit an additional $5 billion in development aid this year to keep those promises. Currently the war on terrorism costs $5 billion every four days. Want to help balance the budget? Play the ADVOCACY game. Learn how to use letters, phone calls, and visits to provide help for struggling people everywhere. Contact Bread for the World, www.bread.org or Larry Hollar, hollar@bread.org. ● ● ● ●

Ruth Koble has visited Liberia five times and participated in the Division for Global Mission/ Women of the ELCA study tour to Cameroon in 2003. Ruth holds degrees from Penn State and Temple University. She has taught Home Economics and Commercial Foods to secondary students at Mifflinburg Area H.S. in PA, and Lake Forest District in Delaware. She has worked as a waitress, a cook at a first class restaurant, Home Economics Extension representative, Life Skills educator for Union/Snyder County Human Services, patient food service supervisor at Geisinger Medical Center, and Vocational Teacher Certification educator at Temple University. She has also raised 4 teenagers as a single mother (no small feat). Her home is in Sunbury.