Description
What happens to a dream deferred, said the wise poet. REUNION Edition, Third October 2016 When Margaret Mead said never to doubt the power of a small group to change the world, she spoke directly to the author of IN STRICKEN LIBERIA Our Story REUNION Edition Nancy J V Machin, a former teacher in Liberia, West Africa, for two years, in the 1970s, met Daniel F Poawalio, one of her students, and a 30-year + friendship developed. Daniel writes a compelling introduction to their abiding story of love, hope, and faith. Both have known hardship, of different sorts, yet connected across the ocean to help. Mostly, on cellphones at midnight. Through Liberia’s fourteen year civil war, displacement, life in a refugee camp, and the return back home, a committed friendship evolved and flourished. Soon Friends of Daniel network was created to help them both out baskets of joy, care parcels of books, and prayer circles. The cross-cultural story became more personal as the family named one of their girls, Nancy Kumba, after Nancy, now their American Mom. Back in Monrovia, the capital, both Daniel and his wife worked in professional downtown jobs. Daniel even attended a Master’s program in Peace Studies at night. Education was always paramount. Then Ebola struck in 2014. Everything turned upside-down, as the dying littered the streets and the villagers faced the health care workers in space suits. An intensive awareness campaign involved all West Africans, and later, Americans, on this unprecedented deadly disease. Schools shut down for months, hand-washing rituals became the new normal, with new burial practices a necessity for health. The goal is a Ebola-free zone in all of West Africa. Liberia is in the forefront of this global crisis. What makes a difference is village to village sharing and respect, and in continued, united friendship a teacher and her student and family share and respect. Humor is a large part of the journey. Joyful fellowships in Liberian churches bring praise and Colorado’s healing meetings embrace this outstanding friendship. Vorkink Machin’s direct link to Daniel and his family in Liberia formed a unique and powerful bond over many years. From lessons of war, displacement, refugee life, doing without, to the establishment of family ties, extended families and love-faith-hope graces, a professional link for Daniel Poawalio and American Mom and Friends sustained many difficult challenges with triumphs and tears as they aged. Both seek a Reunion in 2017. The contributors in the book are Dr. John Dupree, Teacher Marilyn Grotzky, Poet Anita Jepson-Gilbert, and Veteran Charles Doubrava. A fine beginning by Daniel Poawalio himself introduces the reader. The book is interspersed throughout with tributes, poems, photos, “wage peace” thoughts. A positive read for all — no matter who or where you are, you can make a difference. REVIEW “Nancy Vorkink Machin’s new book, In Stricken Liberia: weaves together narratives, photos, news items, poems, and letters, as Daniel Poawalio’s family confronts Ebola. The courage of Daniel, his wife Jemina and their two daughters shines through on each page, as does the fidelity of Nancy Vorkink and her Friends of Daniel. “Their friendship blossomed into a family spanning continents and offering a stunning tribute to faith hope and love even in the grips of Ebola.” -Susan Tiberghien, mentor, of the International Women’s Writing Guild, author of One Year to a Writing Life. THIRD REUNION Edition(2016) What happens to a dream deferred?
