Day 7

I was up at 8 to get ready for church. I was the only one of the HEARTT people to go, so at 9:45 Senora took me next door to wait for Uncle Jeff. He and I chatted for a while, as The President was having a meeting in the gazebo at the front of her house with about 20 people. At 10:15, she stood up to leave, and Jeff said it was time for us to get in the car to join the motorcade. The convoy consisted of The Presidential Escort vehicle in front, followed by a number of police and SSS (Special Security Services aka Secret Service) vehicles, a UN Land Rover with several troops, and us. I think there were about 10 vehicles in all. As we drove along, all other vehicles pulled to the side of the road, on both sides, when we went through. We went to the Trinity Cathedral on Broad St for Episcopal services honoring Mothering Day. The front pew was divided: Jeff and the President sat on one side, and I sat on the other. At some point in the service they made some announcements, and soon afterwards one of the deacons came to me and asked me to write down my name. He then went to the altar and made a special announcement recognizing me and my purpose for being in Liberia, and then had me stand and they all applauded. There were probably 200 people there. The service went on for quite some time (like 3 hours) and then we all left. The motorcade went up around Mamba Point and the American Embassy, and then down Broad St where she got out to inspect some project. Then we came home, arriving around 2:15 PM.

Senora was here, so we made some popcorn on the microwave and I had a few beers while we chatted.

After a short nap, we went next door to the President’s house for a reception. Madame President Ellen Johnson Surlief is a delightful woman. She expressed her deep appreciation for the work that HEARTT volunteers are doing for patients as well as for the nation of Liberia. We had drinks, and photos, and a light snack dinner, and the more time for conversation around the pool. I had a very pleasant conversation with her, and she signed my copy of her book. I told her that I had first seen her on The Daily Show; she told me that Adaman’s 10 year old son had coached her on what to expect, and that she needed to throw John Stewart some curve balls to keep him off balance ! She was so sweet and kind; I think Colleen talked to her for 20-30 min, and was beaming the whole time ! I also had interesting conversations with other such as Dr. Gooma, the anesthesiologist, and Dr. McDonald. They both expressed appreciation for our being here; I later heard from Dr. McDonald that Dr. Gooma said it was so nice to have surgeons who could do a hernia in less than an hour rather then the 2.5 hours they were used to ! I asked Dr. Gooma what was on her wishlist, and either a fiberoptic laryngoscope or a Glide Scope are top choices. We shall see. After that, many of us went out to the Palm Spring Hotel for a few drinks and more conversation.