For the most part today has been filled with the typical legislation, recognition, and worship we’ve come to expect from General Conference- Week 2.  But this afternoon was a ray of sunshine!  The body was blessed to hear an address from Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the President of the Republic of Liberia.  She is an amazing speaker, a phenomenal leader, and  the very first female to be elected president of any nation in Africa.  That is a huge accomplishment.  Oh, she happens to be United Methodist as well!

Security was pretty tight.  There were many announcements of room changes and the procedure for locking the doors to the Plenary Space during the President’s visit to ensure her maximum protection.   Essentially, this gathering was of such importance to her that she put herself on the line and traveled across the globe just to be there.  Pretty amazing.

** WARNING: Slight political commentary about to occur **

It just so happens that there is another President who is United Methodist. That’s right, USA’s own George W. Bush is a United Methodist (not that you would know it from his policies at times).  I find it interesting that President Johnson Sirleaf could travel all the way from Libera to bring greetings to General Conference, but President Bush couldn’t even send a video message to the group.  How convenient the “I’m a man of God” platform can be during election years, but it musn’t be of the same value when you’re on the way out.