Location

Monrovia, Liberia

Episode Notes

Today, November 25th, is a very special day for me. It marks 25 years since Suriname became independent from the Netherlands—and it also connects deeply to my own history, because it was on this same date 50 years ago that I left Suriname with the Dutch army.

The day began with breakfast at my hotel, which has become a great place to meet people from all walks of life. I had a meaningful conversation with Todd, a Lutheran missionary who works across Africa supporting leadership development and pastoral training, including efforts to expand seminaries in West Africa.

During breakfast, I received an unexpected text from the Ivory Coast embassy letting me know my visa was ready a day earlier than expected. I headed over, picked it up without any trouble, and reflected briefly on my earlier time in Ivory Coast back in 1973—and how travel logistics always shape where we can and can’t linger.

While walking around the embassy neighborhood, I stumbled upon a university graduation complete with gowns, caps, music, and traffic chaos—one of those spontaneous moments that make travel memorable.

Back at the hotel, I took another swim and later met Tim, an American volunteer who lives in River Cess, Liberia. He shared firsthand insight into daily life there, from unreliable electricity and long travel times to the challenges of bureaucracy, visas, and vehicle registration. His stories echoed many experiences I’ve had myself across Africa—where persistence is essential and sometimes you just pay the price to keep moving forward.

All in all, it was another beautiful, layered day—full of history, people, and perspective. Thanks for being along.

Key Moments & Timestamps

• 00:00 – A meaningful date I reflect on November 25th as both Suriname’s independence day and the anniversary of my departure 50 years ago with the Dutch army.
• 02:10 – Breakfast conversations I meet Todd, a Lutheran missionary working across Africa, focused on leadership development and pastoral training.
• 05:20 – Unexpected visa news I receive a text from the Ivory Coast embassy saying my visa is ready earlier than expected.
• 07:00 – Embassy visit & reflections I pick up my visa and share my past connection to Ivory Coast from 1973.
• 09:30 – A graduation in the streets I stumble upon a university graduation with music, gowns, and traffic chaos.
• 11:30 – A swim and a new conversation Back at the hotel, I swim and meet Tim, an American volunteer living in River Cess.
• 14:00 – Life in River Cess Tim explains daily challenges: travel delays, lack of electricity, generators, and slow infrastructure improvements.
• 17:00 – Bureaucracy, visas, and corruption We talk about vehicle registration issues, visa hassles, and the reality of navigating systems where mistakes—and money—disappear.
• 20:00 – Closing reflection I wrap up the day, reflecting on persistence, movement, and another beautiful day in Africa.