As a native of the small African country of Liberia, I have experienced the power of the incredible guiding hands of our Lord. I grew up in a loving home, where my father, Mr. Roosevelt T. Doe Sr. was the Assistant Director for Administration of the Special Security Service (SSS). My mother, Lue W. Doe worked in the student dorms at the University of Liberia.

My parents had six children, of which I am the youngest. Growing up, I was the constant object of my parents’ affection. Tragedy crushed my close knit family, when my mother contracted a mysterious illness. She died one month before my 10th birthday. At about the same time, Liberia plunged into a brutal civil war. Rebel dissidents invaded Liberia in an attempt to oust then Liberian President, Samuel K. Doe. My father's position in government and my family's name, 'Doe' put my entire family in direct danger. I was sent to live with my older brother in a neighboring suburb of Monrovia. My father hoped sending me away would save my life. I packed my school backpack clinging to my father's belief that the civil unrest would be short-lived. As the war raged on, I managed to escape with my brother and his family to Ghana as refugees. Eventually, we were resettled as refugees in the United States.

Having survived a brutal civil war, I have come to realize its effect on my view of life and my life’s journey. The trauma of war and my continued reflection on my situation has landed me on a path of reconciliation that has been painful at times.                                                          

My life looks very different than what I imagined it would look like at this age. My wife, Annie, and I currently live in Massachusetts. We look forward to a bright future partnering with various organizations to help in Liberia.