Anica Pederson May 2025

It is hard to believe that I am coming up on a year of being in Liberia, (and no news about any moves in sight)! As we go through the Psalms in Bible study, a refrain heard from David is his reflection on the steadfast love of the Lord. Indeed, throughout student behavior ups and downs, sometimes desperately hot weather, internet and water shortages comes the reminder to “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22).

At the RICE Teacher Training College, we have introduced the concept of striving towards moral virtues, not as being virtuous in-and-of-oneself, but as character that comes from a heart filled with the Holy Spirit. Each cohort was asked to pick a virtue to work on for the term and choices ranged from righteous anger to generosity. I have been able to use the virtues to have deeper discussions with students about the literature we are reading. Is Agamemnon from The Iliad a witty conversationalist, or just a buffoon? Is Achilles really courageous?

Bible study continues to be one of my favorite parts of the day. We did some group work on the memory verse with the students and staff putting actions to Psalm 55:22. Watching them “cast their burdens on the Lord” was a delight, and we pray that the verses they memorize will come to them in difficult moments as light to their paths.

Memory verse group work

The students have been busy this term playing with playdough, leading each other in P.E. activities, and storytelling. For many RICE students, this can be the first time they have ever played tag, or acted like animals in a forest—there are often giggles passing around as they engage each other in practice for a real class. Our accreditation has stalled for the moment as we have everything turned in to the government, but they want us to have a few more master’s degree holders on our docket. Individual members of the Liberia Higher Education Council have recognized that what we have is of benefit to the country (one even wants to use the Rafiki curriculum in his own school!). We are praying that this recognition will lead them to do the right thing and give us our accreditation for a bachelor’s degree.

Proud of his playdough bowl

Oral storytelling

Practicing teacher support

For Easter, the residents and I decorated over 100 eggs! Their creativity was on display, from Minions to crosses. We have a group of boys who have dedicated themselves to being our chicken masters. They oversee necessary daily care and will also assist in building a fence for the chickens to go outside. We are hoping that they can use this opportunity to see how a business works as well as develop husbandry skills that they can use in later life. We have another group of twelveth graders getting ready to take their national exams. These national exams follow many Africans around their whole lives, but are rife with cheating and poor grading. Our prayer for the children is that they will display the good character that has been instilled in them and that their papers will be marked by upright graders.

Easter eggs

Thanksgiving

• A year of God’s goodness and faithfulness to me in Liberia as RICE Dean.
• Engagement during Bible study with questions.
• Another graduating class from the high school.

Prayer Requests

• The students will ruminate on virtues and take them to heart.
• Our accreditation for a bachelor’s degree will be approved.

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