- J
- K
Family and friends - so many of you have heard about Julie Rockson, a most amazing Liberian woman who I met nearly 20 years ago while living in Ghana. Julie fled to Ghana in 2000 amid escalations in violence during Liberia's civil war. We met in early 2001 and for several years, I would travel to Ghana to visit Julie. On more than one occasion, some of you have helped me to support Julie with her school fees, her living costs, and even donations for school supplies for the children in Julie's neighborhood in the capital city of Accra. Life is hard for most people in West Africa, but due to high rates of joblessness and xenophobia, life is exceedingly challenging for refugees like Julie.
Finally, in 2010, Julie was able to return to her native Liberia. Her father and brothers had been killed during the war, but Julie was thrilled to be reunited with her son, Steven, and her mother. It was a year later that Julie was dealt the terrible blow of losing Steven and her mother in a car accident. Julie was devastated. Life is very precarious in Liberia; it is an unstable nation still reeling after years of brutal civil war that destroyed so many lives and nearly all infrastructure. I helped Julie create a dry-goods shop in the central market in the capital city of Monrovia, but it has faced many hardships over the years, including being looted during the Ebola outbreak in 2014. Life in Africa can often feel like taking one step forward and then two backward. I truly don't know how Julie is able to manage the way she does; her strength and faith are remarkable and she is my hero.
Despite all the struggles, Julie continues to make a better life for herself. In addition to maintaining a small shop in the market, Julie travels into the rugged interior of Liberia several times a year to sell 50 pound bags of rice to villagers. On the side, she also sells home-made ice cream. Her long hours of labor are exhausting, but she began purchasing bricks to build a small home on a small parcel of land her father left to her. I have supported Julie over the many years, often with the help of my parents, but I have decided to ask for help from you all for the completing of Julie's home. Julie is beyond excited about the possibility of having her own home, and I share her joy. This home-building project is the culmination of nearly 20 years of seeking to carve out a place of peace and joy for Julie!
Her lease will finish on August 1, so we are working hard to get the project moving forward as soon as possible. It is my hope that we'll finish our fundraising in the next 6 weeks.
The costs to finish Julie's home are as follows:
$3,600.00 - to complete the masonry, put on a roof, and dig a septic tank.
$1,450.00 - for electric wiring and a meter.
$1,680.00 - for a well and plumbing.
$800.00 - for paint, tiling, and finishes.
The total is $7,530.00. I have raised the goal to be $8,500.00 simply because of all the unexpected hassles, negotiations, and issues that Julie will surely run into as the work is completed.
I speak to Julie weekly and not a week passes that Julie does not thank me and all those people who have helped support her over the many years. A house for Julie will be beyond life-changing - Julie's own home will be a place of security, hospitality (Julie is often hosting people in need in her apartment), warmth, and stability.
Please know that Julie loves meeting new friends; you can find her on Facebook and she'd love to get to know you - search for "Julie Rockson." She can tell you more about her life and life in Liberia. She would also be so honored if any of you would be able to visit her in her new home, God willing. I'm thinking we should all make a big trip to see her and celebrate her efforts, her new home, and experience a bit of Liberian food and culture!
Here Julie is out selling ice cream.
Julie has managed to lay a foundation for her home; these men have doing the masonry work.
This is how far along Julie's house is so far!
Finally, in 2010, Julie was able to return to her native Liberia. Her father and brothers had been killed during the war, but Julie was thrilled to be reunited with her son, Steven, and her mother. It was a year later that Julie was dealt the terrible blow of losing Steven and her mother in a car accident. Julie was devastated. Life is very precarious in Liberia; it is an unstable nation still reeling after years of brutal civil war that destroyed so many lives and nearly all infrastructure. I helped Julie create a dry-goods shop in the central market in the capital city of Monrovia, but it has faced many hardships over the years, including being looted during the Ebola outbreak in 2014. Life in Africa can often feel like taking one step forward and then two backward. I truly don't know how Julie is able to manage the way she does; her strength and faith are remarkable and she is my hero.
Despite all the struggles, Julie continues to make a better life for herself. In addition to maintaining a small shop in the market, Julie travels into the rugged interior of Liberia several times a year to sell 50 pound bags of rice to villagers. On the side, she also sells home-made ice cream. Her long hours of labor are exhausting, but she began purchasing bricks to build a small home on a small parcel of land her father left to her. I have supported Julie over the many years, often with the help of my parents, but I have decided to ask for help from you all for the completing of Julie's home. Julie is beyond excited about the possibility of having her own home, and I share her joy. This home-building project is the culmination of nearly 20 years of seeking to carve out a place of peace and joy for Julie!
Her lease will finish on August 1, so we are working hard to get the project moving forward as soon as possible. It is my hope that we'll finish our fundraising in the next 6 weeks.
The costs to finish Julie's home are as follows:
$3,600.00 - to complete the masonry, put on a roof, and dig a septic tank.
$1,450.00 - for electric wiring and a meter.
$1,680.00 - for a well and plumbing.
$800.00 - for paint, tiling, and finishes.
The total is $7,530.00. I have raised the goal to be $8,500.00 simply because of all the unexpected hassles, negotiations, and issues that Julie will surely run into as the work is completed.
I speak to Julie weekly and not a week passes that Julie does not thank me and all those people who have helped support her over the many years. A house for Julie will be beyond life-changing - Julie's own home will be a place of security, hospitality (Julie is often hosting people in need in her apartment), warmth, and stability.
Please know that Julie loves meeting new friends; you can find her on Facebook and she'd love to get to know you - search for "Julie Rockson." She can tell you more about her life and life in Liberia. She would also be so honored if any of you would be able to visit her in her new home, God willing. I'm thinking we should all make a big trip to see her and celebrate her efforts, her new home, and experience a bit of Liberian food and culture!
Here Julie is out selling ice cream. Julie has managed to lay a foundation for her home; these men have doing the masonry work. This is how far along Julie's house is so far!