Honoring Trust

With considerable thought, I decided that having a blog was a way to provide a window into my journey, but most of all, a way to share the story of post-war Liberia, and the recovery.
I believe that it is an effective way to connect us in our spiritual journeys. Practically, it is a challenge to make posts every day from my journal. Internet service is very limited, and the present band width makes access very limited. The service has been shut down part of all day on most days in the past two months. When we have access, I need to dedicate my on line time to my work and communication on the ground. Conditions will improve. Secondly, (and perhaps firstly) I have become increasingly aware of the trust placed in me by individuals and institutions, with implicit confidentiality. Protecting and preserving trust has added significance in a place where people have been repeatedly betrayed and violated. I would never want to share something which could be used to manipulate the truth of their history, or be distorted to the advantage of others. Institutions I work for and with, are dealing daily with sensitive subjects of reconciliation, and they are building and preserving important relationships and alliances. It is critical not to say anything that could potentially be used to compromise or undermine those efforts. It is difficult to fact check, and even in academic circles, there is often discrepancy in statistics, dates, and historical information. History of the past thirty years is still being researched and written. I will be blogging, but not as regularly. Offering a balanced perspective will continue to be my objective. Amidst the struggle, there is hope and there is much progress in the rebuilding of this country and the reclaiming of lives, families, and communities. I ask your continued prayers for the people of Liberia.