Author writing Thou Shalt Love during the Ebola crisis.

How I Started Writing Thou Shalt Love During the Ebola Crisis

Introduction: Finding Purpose in Crisis

It’s funny how life works. Sometimes, the best things come out of the worst circumstances. And sometimes, it takes a little life-shattering crisis to wake you up to your true calling. For me, that wake-up call came during the Ebola outbreak in 2016. But before we get to the part where I started writing Thou Shalt Love, let me rewind a bit.

Life Before the Crisis

In 2014, I left Liberia and headed to Famagusta, Cyprus, to pursue my Master’s degree in International Relations. And let me tell you, those were some of the best years of my life. Cyprus was a dream—quiet, beautiful, and filled with fun. I was living my best life, traveling across Europe and the US, camping with friends at the beach, having sleepovers at my place, and partying like there was no tomorrow. And yes, I was getting good grades too. There was nothing to worry about. It was the kind of life you see in the movies.

But, of course, like all good things, my time there had to end. I graduated in 2016, all excited to head back to Liberia, where I had left behind a great job and big dreams. But then… Ebola. You know, the thing no one saw coming, like a bad plot twist in a soap opera you didn’t even know was happening.

The Unexpected Detour

Liberia was in the middle of a full-blown health crisis. People were dying every day. My mom? She wasn’t having it. She was scared out of her mind, and she was not about to let her daughter return to a country that felt like the set of a horror movie.

“Don’t come back,” she begged. “Stay safe, please.”

For once, I listened to my mom. (I know, right? Miracle of the Century.) So, instead of flying back to Liberia like an insane person, I flew straight to the U.S. because I had a valid multiple-entry visa. The USA seemed like the only option. Safe, right? But let me tell you, it was the last place I wanted to be long-term. I enjoyed the vacations but wasn't interested in staying forever.

I didn’t have permanent resident status. I couldn’t work. I was a glorified tourist. No job. It was like getting stuck in the DMV for eternity—except no one was even giving me a number.

The Spiral and The Turning Point

Depression started creeping in. Africans don’t get depressed, right? We’re tough. We survive. But what I didn’t realize was that the struggle was starting to break me down. I was in the U.S., staying with my cousin, feeling like a failure.

My life in Liberia had been a dream. I had my own house and a great job. But here? I was a guest in someone else’s house, living off of someone else’s kindness.

And then—BOOM—like a voice from above, God finally had enough of seeing His favorite child sulking in self-pity. One day, while I was resting on the couch watching a movie, He whispered in my ear:
“Get up, and write.”

The Birth of Thou Shalt Love

I paused whatever I was watching and walked to my room. I sat at my laptop, took a deep breath, and started typing. That’s when Thou Shalt Love came to life.

I didn’t have a clue how to write a book, but I did know this: I was tired of feeling sorry for myself. So I kept writing. But I needed feedback.

Enter Michael: The Unsung Hero

Michael, my dear friend, must have been sent by God Himself. He read a few pages of what I had written and said, “This is good. You’ve got to finish it. I want to know how this ends.”

Michael wasn’t just a friend who gave compliments and moved on. He pushed me. He’d ask for chapters, bug me every few days for the next part of the story, and keep telling me that I was onto something. He was my unpaid editor.

Michael isn’t just a friend. He’s a brother. He’s the kind of person who will go out of his way to help you. Without him, I might still be sulking on that couch somewhere in the U.S., watching my life pass me by.

The Lesson and The Gratitude

Michael, this blog post is for you. Seriously. I can never thank you enough for being the friend who stuck with me when I felt like I was falling apart. And PS: Michael is the genius who set up this entire Shopify site for me. For free.

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” ~ Proverbs 18:24. Michael, you are that friend.

Your Call to Action

No matter how tough things get, keep pushing forward. You never know what crisis is pushing you toward your dream.

Have you faced a life-altering challenge that pushed you toward your true calling? Share your story in the comments below! And if you’re curious to read the book that came from this journey, check out Thou Shalt Love.

Also, see what Goodreads has to say.

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