Humanity knows no borders

By ERIKA KIRSCH Western News Editor

Although they've never met, a local artist has drawn a work of art to raise money for a Libby native who lives in Africa.

Andrea Moxley has been drawing all her life. She loves to draw in her free time and calls it a "gift."

Moxley has channeled her love and gift into a fund raising avenue to benefit the work of a man she's never met, Todd Iliff. Iliff, a native of Libby, currently lives in Kitale, Kenya performing missionary work for children orphaned by AIDs in Africa.

Iliff, born and raised in Libby, joined the Air Force upon graduation from high school. He served in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, South Korea and Iraq. He served for six years in the Air Force, then spent five months in Iraq as a civilian contractor.

His global journey wasn't finished. He got on a plane to Kenya with no contacts or plans and began his missionary work. He has been instrumental in building an orphanage in Kiminini, installing a water well pump in Uganda and his new project includes building a girl's home in Kitale through Transformed International, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of widows and orphans in Africa.

Iliff's story intrigued Moxley, who attends the Kootenai Valley Church with Iliff's parents, Dave and Beth. Moxley had a friend that had participated in a missionary trip to Africa and she drew a picture from one of the photographs her friend brought back.

"It was one of the most meaningful pictures I've ever drawn," Moxley said.

Moxley decided to channel her gift into drawing a photograph Iliff had taken on his travels in an attempt to raise money for his work. His parents gave Moxley three discs of photographs from Iliff's experiences in Africa and she began going through the photos and "I just started crying," she said.

"I don't know how much it will help, but it would be amazing and I would love to help," she explained.

The charcoal drawing depicts a young African boy holding a bowl of food. The drawing took her about 20 hours to create. She is currently working on another drawing from Iliff's photographs.

The framed charcoal artwork is currently on display at the Rosauers branch of the Lincoln County Credit Union. There is a silent auction for the drawing, with bidding closing at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23. All proceeds from the auction will benefit Iliff's work in Kenya.

"I don't know if it will make any money," Moxley admits. "But it raises awareness and makes these kids be seen."

Moxley plans on traveling to Africa at the end of February. She will meet with Iliff and find some new inspiration with which to channel her artwork.