As two members of the team on a mission to Ghana from St. Paul's Anglican Church in Brighton and Northumberland Youth For Christ (YFC) February 8 through 23, YFC executive director Daryl Stogryn and Cobourg resident Luke Reinstra also travelled to Liberia to learn about the Youth For Christ ministry to that war-ravaged country and to contribute to the development of a ministry for former child soldiers. Mr. Stogryn has submitted the following report:

"I did terrible things to my country and my people . . . I know how many people I have killed, I know when I started killing, I know how many people I have raped . . . When you go so deep into sharing blood like this, it makes you insane . . . ordinary psycho-counselling cannot help, only Jesus has enough power to change you from this."

So began my conversations with Joshua, formerly known as General Butt Naked in the 14-years war in Liberia (a title he got by charging into battle naked except for shoes and gun).

If anyone had told me that I would someday spend two days meeting with former child soldiers in the war-torn country of Liberia, I would have said they were crazy. But here I was, sitting side by side with one of the infamous legends of the war, a man who was responsible for leading young warriors into battle and to whom has been attributed responsibility for more than 20,000 deaths during the civil conflict under Charles Taylor.

Now a follower of Jesus and committed to repairing what harm he can, Joshua is surrounded by former fighters - some of whom he fought against, all of whom are desperate to share their stories and seek forgiveness and healing.

Like Former General Allen, recruited at 14 years old, forced to eat the hearts of his victims to gain strength, and then developing a taste for them.

"After the war, I was restless. I was not happy unless I could see blood. I used to watch people kill animals for food, just so I could see the blood.

"I did not know what war was until I was in it, at the front."

Another former fighter says, "After the war I went into hiding. I had not had a bath for over three years, or changed my clothes. Joshua found me hiding in the graveyard, and said that I did not have to live like this. He took me to church, and I smelled so bad. But this old woman came right up to me at the door of the church. She hugged me and said, 'Welcome home.' That changed me. I thank God for my life this day."

Two days of hearing the stories of how these men were recruited and turned into brutal killers was by far one of the most intense and emotionally draining things I have ever experienced. These men, now in their late 20s and up, were robbed of their childhood and thrust into war. And when the war was over, they were abandoned.

It was summed up in one statement from a former boy commander: "When I was ready to kill for you, or do evil things for you, I had all the support I needed. Now I want to do goods things and be a good person. Where are the good people to support me now?"

A good question. A difficult one to answer. However I do know that YFC-Liberia is very active in working with people like Joshua, to help re-integrate former child fighters into society - a society that really does not want them.

Luke and I spent most of a week in Liberia. We learned a lot - it will take time to process it all. We look forward to sharing more stories as time goes on. Please pray for Liberia, and for those trying to make a difference there.