Hodgsons Plan to Be in Liberia this Summer!

Sorry, everyone... I haven't posted anything to this blog in more than a month. Here in Colorado, schools close in May; so as a teacher, I've been quite busy the last few weeks with end-of-the-year activities and final exams! But that is now all behind me!
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Last year in May, Paula and I were in Costa Mesa, California, for our daughter Andrea's graduation from Vanguard University. Then...
.Just 2 weeks ago, we were on the West Coast again, this time for her graduation from the University of Southern California! She now has her master's degree in teaching as well as her teacher's certification for the state of California. Go, Andrea! Where did the time go? Just a few years ago--or so it seems to her parents--she was that smallest person in the picture of our family piled on a motorcycle in Africa! (See my last post!)
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Andrea's graduation was an opportunity for a family photo:... Gord, Paula, Andrea (22), Stephanie (26), and Nathaniel (24). Here we on the USC campus! Incredible! Why do I keep recalling that picture of a young family on a motorcycle, somewhere in the African bush?
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Because Andrea's training at USC was part of a government-sponsored program to provide more math teachers for America, she is now committed to finding a job teaching math in the Los Angeles district for the next 4 years. This past year she did her practice teaching in LA schools, and we know she is ready to rise to the challenge! (P.S. After that, Andrea, I hope you can spend a little time in Africa teaching math -- like your Daddy did!)

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Meanwhile... Paula and I are indeed planning to spend 5 weeks in Liberia this summer with Pillar Missions, advancing the cause of Christian school education in Buchanan! Tentative dates for our trip are July 6 - August 11.

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We expect to spend considerable time working with our Liberian friends on a comprehensive long- and short-range development plan for PROJECT BUCHANAN. There are so many logistics to be worked out, and we want PROJECT BUCHANAN to be done right... right from the start!

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Actually, PROJECT BUCHANAN has had several good "starts" already! First there was Jacob Tequah's careful search for the land in 2007 and 2008. Then last June, knowing that an excellent parcel of land had just been located in Buchanan, I recommended that Pillar Missions seize this opportunity to expand its Christian school ministry in postwar Liberia. Within a few weeks, the 10+ acres had been purchased!

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In January of this year I was in Liberia with a stateside team that visited the new property and participated in a ground-breaking ceremony. It took 4 photos to get everyone "in the picture"...

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...so PROJECT BUCHANAN is already off to a very good start!

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We are hoping that building can begin this coming dry season (December - April) with the construction of property security facilities and then the first of two multi-classroom buildings.

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Here in the States, generous donations have already come in, designated for PROJECT BUCHANAN, and fund-raising will continue this summer with “FREEDOM RIDE III” (a cycling event in New Jersey) and this fall with “BUILDING HOPE IN LIBERIA” (a marathon here in Colorado)!

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We are excited about all that is happening! Watch for updates right here on my blog!