Going to Liberia, Africa, with my daughter-in-law Steph, to bring home the little girl they had adopted was an experience this Gramma will never forget. I felt honored to be asked, but the fact that I've always wanted to go to Africa helped face the preparation. I never dreamed, though, that I'd be going to pick up a grandchild! Life can present the awesome unexpected.

Most people ask, "Why Liberia?" The answer isn't simple, but our kids had decided they wanted to 'make a difference' in someone's life in some way. They also wanted to add another child to their family and rather than risk their daughter having four big brothers, they decided to adopt a girl.

Liberia is on the west coast of Africa with the beautiful Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. Thirty years ago the country was prosperous and thriving, but civil war has destroyed so much and so many that recovery continues slowly and painfully. The country is making a slow comeback, but has yet to rise to the status of even a third world country. Tiny shops and vendors are plentiful in the marketplace, which indicates the effort of the people.

Thanks to the prayers of many, we stayed healthy and safe throughout the trip. Our guesthouse accomodations were comfortable except for heat and humidity, cold showers, power outages, and the early morning rooster alarm clock. Sleeping under a mosquito net is a story in itself.

We were fed mostly American food, but did eat sweet potato vines and stems as greens in a rice dish. New experience. Bananas and plantains are staples and their bananas are much smaller and greener than ours-no rushed ripening.

Liberians are friendly and beautiful people. They are working hard to restore their country. My new granddaughter is quick to laugh and smile. She skipped along like a little trooper on the long 36 hour journey to America. She would stop in the airport and stare at the TV, no matter that it was CNN. Looking out the window of the plane was fascinating rather than scary.

Frankly, I am surprised she has adjusted so well to all the newness. While we don't know what's going on in her little head, I think she is happy to be with us. Her British-Kpelli-sounding English takes some getting used to, but her siblings are catching on quickly. All of us are finding that love knows no color.

I wish you enough.
Jude