You may wonder how the various board members became affiliated with Dignity:Liberia. The connection to Liberia goes back a long way. On a recent trip we dedicated a memorial wall and held a small memorial service for several people who have inspired our volunteer work in Liberia. The location is on the Ricks Institute campus where all had served. I will write chronologically.
The Rev. Emil William “Bill” Mueller and Agnes Ann Southern Mueller, RN arrived in Liberia in 1961 as some of the first Southern Baptist missionaries to the country. They each had felt “called” to mission work since they were children. Meeting in college they found a common goal. They felt that their work was a partnership with the people and with God. Agnes felt her job that was committed to helping others was also a ministry. Bill ministered and spent many years as an administrator at Ricks. They served at Ricks and in Yekepa, departing Liberia in 1973.
Bill, Agnes, Charlie and Becky as Home (U.S.) Missionaries in Kentucky 1961 prior to going to Liberia as Foreign Missionaries.
Missionary Billie Scaggs arrived in Liberia in 1970 as a single woman dedicated to teaching. She was selfless and kind to others. When the civil war broke out in 1990 Billie transferred to The Gambia and retired form there in 1994 after 41 years of teaching Elementary students.
Billie Scaggs (from her obituary)
The Rev. Dr. Orlynn Reece Evans and Evelyn Gatson Evans arrived in Liberia in 1971. They too felt called to the mission field from the beginning of their relationship in their teen years. Dr. Evans taught Science classes at Ricks and felt that those students were the best he ever instructed. Evelyn was and is a Bible scholar, spending many years teaching Bible Study in multiple locations in Liberia and the US. While at Ricks she also assisted the nurses with their visits to villages providing kindness and prayer. The Evans departed Liberia in 1978.
Evelyn (Gatson) Evans, Denise (Evans) Orsborn, Dwight Evans, Orlynn Evans, standing behind Elise (Evans) Reaves. Liberia 1972
The Rev. James A. Park and Jane Parsons Park, RN arrived in Liberia in 1973. They had felt called to mission work at a later age and Jim and Jane attained degrees, changed careers and direction. One of their children was over 18 when the mission board felt they were prepared. Their love and respect of the Liberian people kept them in country through bombing and war, evacuation and return. Their dedication to their faith, accessibility, and unconditional love inspired others to live their own Faith. They stayed in Liberia until 1998.
Jim and Jane Park with former seminary students. Liberia 2012
Fast forward to the post civil war years and the gradual return of the kids who were inspired by their own parents. Kathi Park Gutierrez founder and president of Dignity:Liberia suffered an obstetric fistula in the US. Upon healing she felt called to assist women in Liberia with fistula and began a slow introduction into what was happening there. That was 2010. By 2014 Dignity:Liberia (D:L) was an official NGO and working its way toward helping to prevent fistula.
As happens with Facebook, a friend of Charlie Mueller, MD told him about Kathi’s return to Liberia. He badly wanted to see Liberia again having last been there in 1987. He reached out to Kathi and we dropped by her house near Kansas City one July day in 2011. In the Spring of 2012 we took our first of many trips to Liberia. What Charlie thought would be a “one good trip” turned into a need to participate. You see, Liberians get into your heart with their resilience and love.
Becky Mueller Huner, CNM soon felt the need to return to Liberia and made her first trip in 2013. With the growth of Dignity:Liberia Becky realized that she would have more to offer if she herself became a midwife. So after years as a Mother/Baby and NICU RN in the US she started midwifery school and recently completed her degree. This allows her to help direct the Liberian midwives working at House of Hope and Dignity.
Elise Evans Reaves stepped in when D:L needed someone who seriously understood finances. As a CPA she is highly qualified to direct and instruct us. She lives a life of faith exemplified by her mother, Evelyn.
Board member Linda Thornsberry, retired educator, attended a Women on Mission meeting at her church and heard Kathi speak about fistula and her plans for Liberia. Linda, like so many others, felt called to assist and has been active with D:L since 2012.
John Grechus, MD has known Kathi and her husband Anthony since medical school days. Hearing Kathi’s stories and following her life journey with fistula inspired him to commit to women in Liberia. He is an OB/GYN.
Other board members (Kathy Beth Stavinoha and Kerri Gilbert Ellis FNP-C) also spent formative years in Liberia and feel drawn to assist Liberian women. Everyone has something to offer.
As happens with Facebook, a friend of Charlie Mueller, MD told him about Kathi’s return to Liberia. He badly wanted to see Liberia again having last been there in 1987. He reached out to Kathi and we dropped by her house near Kansas City one July day in 2011. In the Spring of 2012 we took our first of many trips to Liberia. What Charlie thought would be a “one good trip” turned into a need to participate. You see, Liberians get into your heart with their resilience and love.
Becky Mueller Huner, CNM soon felt the need to return to Liberia and made her first trip in 2013. With the growth of Dignity:Liberia Becky realized that she would have more to offer if she herself became a midwife. So after years as a Mother/Baby and NICU RN in the US she started midwifery school and recently completed her degree. This allows her to help direct the Liberian midwives working at House of Hope and Dignity.
Elise Evans Reaves stepped in when D:L needed someone who seriously understood finances. As a CPA she is highly qualified to direct and instruct us. She lives a life of faith exemplified by her mother, Evelyn.
Board member Linda Thornsberry, retired educator, attended a Women on Mission meeting at her church and heard Kathi speak about fistula and her plans for Liberia. Linda, like so many others, felt called to assist and has been active with D:L since 2012.
John Grechus, MD has known Kathi and her husband Anthony since medical school days. Hearing Kathi’s stories and following her life journey with fistula inspired him to commit to women in Liberia. He is an OB/GYN.
Other board members (Kathy Beth Stavinoha and Kerri Gilbert Ellis FNP-C) also spent formative years in Liberia and feel drawn to assist Liberian women. Everyone has something to offer.
Liberia 2012. Charlie Mueller, Rev. Emile Sam-Peal, Phyllis Jarke, Anne-Marie Mueller, Kathi Park Gutierriez, Kerri Gilbert-Ellis, Nichole Swaney, Karen Park, Kathy Beth Stavinoha, Dyann Barr, Linda Thornsberry, Penny Grechus, and John Grechus.
 | Anne-Marie Mueller Anne-Marie Mueller has been a Dignity:Liberia board member since the start. She is a retired RN who worked Pediatrics, Post Anesthesia and did a little teaching. Her husband grew up in Liberia, moving to the US at age 15. He shared his love of Liberia with Anne-Marie. |
RSS Feed