The following is a letter written by Loretta
Gruver, a nurse, concerning events of Sept. 8-16, 1994, when she
was forced to leave Ganta, Liberia during the civil war in that
country.Thursday, Sept. 8, 1994--At 8:30 the military went through the streets of Ganta telling all the people to go into their houses and the students to go home from school. They announced that there was a curfew from 6:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. By 10:00 that morning the hospital was starting to get many seriously wounded soldiers from the fighting in Gbarnga , which is 50 miles from Ganta and headquarters of Charles Taylor, the head of the NPFL (National Patriotic Front of Liberia). Since Ganta United Methodist Hospital was the only functional hospital in Greater Liberia, we were thankful to be able to meet the needs of the patients coming to us.
Friday, Sept. 9--More wounded came and rumors of increased fighting were many. Four Catholic sisters arrived in Ganta after walking for two days through the bush from Gbarnga.
Sept. 10, Saturday--The hospital staff felt it best for me not to sleep on the mission because of increased rumors. They wanted me to spend the night at the Leprosy Rehabilitation Center with the Catholic sisters who had come from Gbarnga. This is about one-half mile from the mission. The border to Guinea was closed, so no one could leave. At 2:00 A.M. armed men came and demanded money, or else they would kill us. We gave them the money they wanted through an open window, and all slept in the hall where there were no windows. Throughout the night we prayed and felt God’s protective hand in a real way.
Sept. 11, Sunday--The border was still closed, so we spent all day at my house. Things were very hectic at the hospital. The staff were very faithful, but they sent their families to the bush for safety. We all slept at my house, and it was rather quiet.
Sept. 12, Monday--Border still closed. Hospital full and busy. At about 6:00 P.M. we heard noise and confusion from Ganta Town (about one-half mile from the mission). They were attacking Ganta and heading for the mission. The four sisters from Gbarnga and I ran through the swamp rice to the Rehab Center. We went to the back part where there are six rooms used for classes. The five of us were in one room. The other five rooms were filled with Liberians also seeking safety. At about 8:30 P.M. the soldiers came and took money from some, but did not enter our room. At 2:30 they returned, and broke all the other doors and took the people out. When they tried to break our door, it did not break. We once again felt God’s hand protecting us.
Sept. 13, Tuesday--Up at daybreak. Wanted to leave, but felt it was not safe, as the soldiers were still looking for us. At 10:30 there was a sudden silence, so we all left with one small bag each, and felt God’s cloud of protection as we went back through the swamp rice and walked three miles to the border. With much hassle, $180.00, and God’s protecting hand, we crossed the border with 40,000 Liberians into Guinea. Truly God’s protection was felt as we reached safety. We took a taxi to Naorcolleh in Guinea, about fifty miles from the border, where we were welcomed by the Catholic mission and church.
Sept. 14, Wednesday--Registered with UNCHR to get refugee status and got cleaned up from "swamp walking." Having only the clothes we were walking out with made it necessary to get a few basic things.
Sept. 15, Thursday--Rested and started "processing" all we had experienced. In late afternoon the Sisters and Brothers from Sanniquellie (Liberia) came looking for us. What a joy to see them! They had escaped from Liberia to Ivory Coast on September 14.
Sept. 16, Friday--All rested and rejoiced at being alive!!!
This was the third time Loretta had to leave Liberia because of the war. After her escape to Guinea as described above she returned to her home in Indiana. She was able to return to Liberia in 1998-99 and stayed until retirement at Brooks-Howell Home after 35 years in Liberia.