This is the view as you walk off the gangway onto our new dock. The distance from the ship to the main road is .5 km- so it's a nice walk. Out the first gate to the left is the UN base camp. We quickly became friends with our Bangladesh and Nepalese neighbors. Soccer and Volleyball are regular occurrences over there- and quite the competition goes on!! We have been named, THE NO MERCY TEAM.
From the main road, you need to catch a taxi. GOOD LUCK. Taxi's here are a little more tricky than in Ghana. They will pile as many people as possible into these makeshift- ductaped vehicles! 8-9 in a small car is a common occurrence. Before you decide to hail down one of these though, make sure you know the direction to your destination... for you have to point in the direction of where you want to go. It will take a bit of time before I become good at this skill.
From there, you pass the one red light in Monrovia and begin to make your way into the city. No traffic rules here either, so expect anything. Downtown is a busy place, with many buildings that have been run down or destroyed from the war. Surrounding them are small houses along the river- where many families live and work. 
Monrovia is but a shadow of the beautiful, thriving city it was in the 50s and 60s.
There is one bridge that enters into the city. The other is collapsed and lays in disrepair. Large buildings that used to be prominent figures of architecture now stand with gaping holes in the side and windows blown out. Destroyed street lights are a reminder of the gunfire that waged on either side.
Once you continue up Broad street, you approach the hill where Ducor Hill Hotel stands. Above is the Masonic Temple that is to the left as you journey up the hill. This building has housed thousands of internally displaced families. It is also a solemn reminder of the spiritual darkness that surrounded the rebel soldiers. Many of them were involved with satanic rituals associated with the Masonic Temple.
Shortly thereafter, you reach the top of the hill and see the lighthouse, statue dedicated to the founding of Liberia and... the Ducor Hill Hotel.
From here I want to refer you to Scott Harrison's pictures on the Ducor Hill Hotel. He was a photo journalist with Mercy Ships and has done an excellent job capturing in picture what my words never could.
http://www.zoozoom.com/magazine.aspx#id=66&type=story
I had heard many stories about this place- the fact that it was a 5 star hotel where Europeans would visit and vacation. It was a place of elegance and grandeur- of this world's riches. During the civil war, it was looted and stripped bare. Those who could never previously afford a single night's stay now call it home as it has served to house hundreds of internally displaced families. I could see from the circular driveway that this had indeed been a place of great beauty at one time. Upon entering, we met Moses - a teacher with the Mercy School- the school we had established during the last outreach. He greeted us warmly and agreed to show us around.
~~~
I was taken back by the emptiness of this place. Tall vaulted ceilings, a grand spiral staircase, ornate tiles, vast empty space... all dark and desolate from years of neglect and abuse. What had at one time been a breathtaking sight, now was a grim reminder of the years of pain and civil unrest. In the entryway there was a family selling plantain and beans. Another family cooking a meal. Many children were scattered around- some with families, some alone. In the back was a young girl scrubbing mattresses- another clothes. Along the walls hung chalkboards displaying this week's school lesson- benches scattered along the ground- both previous projects on the last outreach.
As we began to walk up the many flights of stairs to the roof, our way became dark. The few operating ceiling lights (by generator power) ended by the third story. We stopped for our eyes to adjust to the darkness and began the rest of our climb. Rats and garbage lined the ground. As I stopped to look down the long corridor of rooms, the dark silhouette of a child emerged from a room. Light shown from behind him. The outer side of the building was gone.
Then in a moment, emotion took hold of me as images began to flood my mind- images of the many times I had climbed a staircase such as this... but in my home church. Providence- which also used to be a large hotel, but now used as an amazing place of ministry to share about the amazing love of Jesus Christ. The contrast could not leave my mind.
We reached the rooftop and looked out for miles. I could see the ship in far distance. "Lord, what do I do with images such as this? What is your plan for those here in Monrovia?" It was heavy on my heart.
We began our desent down and headed back downtown. On our way back to the ship we discovered a favorite little dessert place called Montana- a cute little ice cream shop where you can buy tasty but over-priced Jellato :) But it's definitely worth the sacrifice, especially in the African heat!
Another fun find was the Lebanese grocery store. Red grapes and hummus- two tasty reminders of home that I was very excited to find. Again, prices here are very overpriced due to the presence of the UN. Hungry for a box of Cheerios? Make sure you have at least $8. Flavored creamer? About the same.
A great day of exploring and reflecting. Tired and excited to get back for dinner :)
~John 10:7-11~
Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
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