Goodbye Salone :(

"I won't cry today, I won't cry today, I've cried enough this week" were my words on Thursday morning, December 1st, my departure day. Monday, I had visited the family of a day worker, who had opened their home and church to me, and shed tears with those goodbyes. Tuesday, I had gone to Pastor Abu and Mercy's house and had to say goodbyes then. Wednesday, I had visited Koya Town for the last time and visited the school and visited with Kadiatu and Alie, and spent the day with Pastor Nat, and tear were shed as I said good bye to Kadiatu and the family. Not to mention all the goodbyes since Friday, the day of the day workers celebration. In the morning, after packing up and having my cabin inspected, I went into town to see the boys. None of them were there, and then someone from the community told me that they had all gone to Government Wharf to meet us at the ferry. Some of the day workers were outside the gate and I said goodbye to each one, promising again not to cry, promising that they will always be in my heart and that we will try as best we can to keep in touch. I returned to the ship, checked out at reception, and then said some goodbyes to crew members that were also my family while I was here with Mercy Ships. The hardest goodbyes were the ones to the African crew members, who had accepted me as a sister, without knowing where my roots were from. After I had done research and found that my ancestry is from Ghana, the Ghanaian crew members adopted me even more as their own. I will truly miss each and everyone of them - the guys from Benin and Cameroon who taught me some French, the many African meals that were made for me when I was tired of cheese sandwiches, the trips to get fufu and my attempts to each with my hands :), our many conversations about living on the ship long term, and our many conversations about each of their dreams and aspirations. I will miss all they taught me about myself, about Africa and its culture, and the friendship that I found in them.

Almost thirty crew members were leaving Thursday, so once we moved to the dock and started loading the landrovers that would take us to the ferry, most of the Africa Mercy community was also on the dock saying goodbyes. Again, I said to myself, "I will not cry. I can not cry" But the tears came. Small small (as I would say in Krio). After loading the landrovers, we left, with a line of a large number of the remaining crew on the sides of the dock waving.

I was really quite during my last drive through town on our way to the Government Wharf. I took it all in- the traffic, the noise, the colors, the crowds, the people, the shops. I thought Oh how I will miss Salone. 

We were early arriving to the ferry so I was able to spend some time with the boys before boarding. Mohamed, Mohamed, Abdul, Yaya, Alhaji, and BS were all there. Aminata, one of the day workers also was at the wharf to meet us and then bought a ticket to ride the ferry with us to the airport. When it was time to board the ferry, I said my final goodbyes, trying with all my heart not to cry. After I boarded, I looked back at the shore and saw the boys standing there. I waved from the ferry and saw that they could see me, as they waved back.

I took in my last views of this side of Salone, and thought again how much I will miss this place. As the ferry pulled away, I burst into tears. I saw the boys sitting on the wall waving goodbye. Mohamed was wiping his face and I knew he was crying. I was leaving my children. While I had peace knowing that they would be looked after by Pastor Nat, my heart tore knowing that I had no idea when I would see these precious ones again. I said a prayer for them and prayed and asked the Lord to protect them and to please allow me to see them again. I will miss Salone, but I will miss my children oh so much more.

Sailing away

The ship, from the ferry

Aminata and I with the ship in the background

Sweet Salone- on the way to the airport

I will miss Salone!

Farewell Day Workers

   After the close of the hospital, we had a day workers celebration to thank all of the day workers that worked with Mercy Ships this field service. There was about 200 day workers working with us in all the different departments- the galley, the deck, the engineering department, transporation, mercy ministries, the eye team, dental team, construction, the hospital, and all the other different departments. We had a nice African dinner and then a thanksgiving service to thank God for the work done here in Sierra Leone and to thank each day worker. We then had a nice reception with icecream where gifts were presented to each day worker. At the end, it was time to say goodbye. There were many tears as I said goodbye to all those that had become my family. The people of Sierra Leone had been so welcoming and accepting of me and invited me to their homes and would often accompany me into town. It was by far one of the hardest days during my time in Sierra Leone because it was unknown when if ever I would see these dear people, my brothers and sisters, again.

They had worked so hard with Mercy Ships, who had employed them for the last year and now many of them don't know what God has in store for them next. When the ship leaves Sierra Leone, about 200 people are left unemployed, some looking to go back to school, some looking to start school, some working towards going to the UK or America for schooling, some returning back to other jobs, some looking for jobs, all praying for direction and for the Lord's guidance for the next part of their lives.

After most field services, Mercy Ships sponsors some individuals  who were day workers to become crew members, to serve with Mercy Ships. Two day workers from the hospital were among those chosen and they now will begin a new chapter in their lives, a chapter in service to the Lord. These two were great workers in the OR sterilizing department and they will continue in that department as they travel with the ship to their next field service destinations. Pray for them as they begin this new chapter in their lives, as they leave their home and family, not knowing when they will return, and as they enter a world and community of many differences and have to learn to live as a Westerner (and deal with the air conditioning .. haha)

George and Frank, now crew members :)

It was a sad day, but I pray to God that one day I will be rejoined with my brothers and sisters of Salone. They truly have become my family and leaving each one was very hard for me.

Most of all, pray for each one as they continue their lives in doing whatever God calls them too. Some are nurses, some are pastors, counselors, orphan parents, caregivers; Many are mothers and fathers with families to care and provide for.

Lord, please provide for the needs of my Salone family. Please direct them and show them the plans You have for their lives. We know You have plans to prosper each one and to give us each hope and a future. I ask you to bless each one as you have used them to bless me and their fellow countrymen. They are Your children and You promise never to leave or forsake your children. Thank you for these promises. Thank you for being a God who cares for each person so much and for being our Provider. Please be with them. In Jesus Name..

Update on the School

Go Primary School- The school building

A few weeks back Pastor Nat told me to pray because some of the teachers at the school were threatening to leave if he was unable to give them some allowance. With much prayer, Pastor Nat was able to go into his savings and pay some of the teachers. We must still continue to pray for a way to be able to pay a salary to the teachers who so willingly give of themselves.

 The day before I left Sierra Leone, I went to visit the school again. The needs are still there, but God is doing a great work there. The landlord has offered the second building in the compound to the school providing that they are able to afford it. This is an answer to prayer, as the landlord had wanted to sell both buildings.

The second building- currently housing

 The children were taking exams that day, but once done they were just as lively as ever.

After their exams, they sang a few songs and then we had a prayer time together. It was very nice. I will miss those children so much.

While they were taking their exams, Pastor Nat and I were talking. He was telling me about some of the needs the school still has and we were talking about one child in particular, who was once a patient on the ship. Alie, a 6 year old boy, who I believe I've blogged on, lives in this community and attends the school. He however comes from a poor family and his mother is unable to afford his uniform and he thus has not been able to attend school. We also talked about other ministry opportunities he wants to start by the grace of God. Because he now has plans to purchase the second building on the compound, Pastor Nat has the thought of starting a program in that building called New Life.

The New Life program will be designed to help teenage mothers. In Sierra Leone, there are many young mothers and as a result the girls leave school and very rarly have the opportunity to continue their education. Some even become prostitutes or have more children. The purpose of the program would be to help the girls go back to school and/or help them learn a trade such as tailoring or baking and selling. Nothing has yet been started on this project. Its all preliminary ideas at this point. Please pray for the development of this project.

Pastor Nat has also felt called to help the boys of Savage Square. This was a personal answer to prayer because I felt as if I was leaving them without some sort of guidance or direction. On the last Sunday I was in Sierra Leone, three of the boys came with me to church at Pastor Nat's and after the service Pastor Nat met with all of us and told me how he and the other assistant pastors felt that they were to continue working with the boys of Savage Square. He met with them and gave them his contact info and told them that he will visit the community once a week and plans to start a bible study with the boys there. He encouraged them to try to come to church at his church on Sundays and the church will pay for the transportation one way. He also set up a relationship with a church closer to the Savage Square community so that the boys can attend there for the weekday services. I was soo happy and thankful that God had intervened. I hadn't talked to Pastor Nat about how I felt at all and God used him to continue ministering to these boys. God is good!

There are alot of needs in Sierra Leone and alot of work that needs to be done. The US dollar can go a long way in Sierra Leone. My prayer is that the Lord shows me how I can help from here in the States. I have some ideas, but am praying for clear direction. I haven't been called back to Sierra Leone yet, even though that is where my heart is. God will make all things clear.

After visiting the school, I went over to Alie's house. His mother, Kadiatu, is the same lady I helped learn to write a few month ago. I spent about an hour at their house and I encouraged Kadiatu to try to attend church and explained how important that was to her walk with God. She shared some struggles with me including how Alie wasn't in school. We visited for a while and when it was time for me to go, she gave me some kanya, a snack made from beat rice, groundnut and sugar. It was soo good and she gave me the rest to bring home. I was very greatful for the gift. We shed tears and I left, promising never to forget her and her family and the kindness she has shown to me. I will miss Kadiatu, Alie, and David. Please pray for them.

AbuBakaar, David, and Bobo

Me and Alie :)

The family and some other neighbor boys

The Children of Savage Square

So I previously blogged on the boys of Savage Square. They are now the children of Savage Square and they are my children.

In my first month or so serving with Mercy Ships, I was praying that God would show me why He really had brought me to Sierra Leone. I felt that while the work on the ship and the great relationships I had there and all the love and help I was able to give, I wasn't fulfilling my purpose. I didn't know what it was and it wasn't until after meeting these boys and hearing of their need and desire to know more about the Lord Jesus did I understand why the Lord brought me there.

I did end up going to Mohamed's house on what was the Muslim holiday. His family is devout Muslim and all his sisters and brothers were dressed head to toe in their burkhas, hijabs, and taqiyahs (Muslim dress). I had a great time. He was very hospitable and offered me food and drink. I met 6 of his sisters and 2 of his brothers. There is 11 of them. I had a nice visit and learned alot about him and his family and how deeply into the Muslim religion they were.

The relationship with all the boys developed. I would go outside the gate almost daily just to hang out with them. In the process, I met many more boys, girls, and even older men, who were just curious as to why this woman was coming out into their community. I would meet with them and we would talk about God and the differences between Muslim and Christianity. I was able to share the gospel with more than one of them and share their need for salvation. In one conversation with Mohamed, he responded, "My heart is so confused." I knew the Lord was doing a work. We talked a few other times and after some time and after many questions, he made the decision that he wanted to follow Christ. Praise the Lord! His main concern after that was that he wanted his whole family to also come to know Jesus Christ. He was given a Bible and would read it all the time. He told me how one night he was up reading the book of John, and one of his sisters asked him what he was reading. He responded, "The Word of God." She told him he was crazy. Over time, Mohamed, BS, Abdul, and the other Mohamed had the desire to come to church. Myself and Gideon, a crew member on the ship from Ghana, took the boys to a nearby church, hoping they would be able to establish a relationship with the church and continue to attend there. The sermon was about how as believers we will face persecution. It was so appropriate for all that Mohamed had been going through in this family. On the way back from church, as we were walking back down Savage Square, different guys in the community were yelling at the boys and mocking them for having gone to church. That was the beginning, but they held firm and every Sunday following they came with me to church.

God also made it possible for the Jesus Film to be played in this community. I spoke with the headmaster of the nearby school to get permission to show the movie in the field of the school. He gave us permission and then I spoke with the Jesus Film team and we were able to show it so all the boys and those in the community could view the film. God worked through that film as some of the boys had more questions following the viewing of the Jesus film.

These children and people of Savage Square have become mine! and hold a special part in my heart. I love them as if they were my own children and want to see the best for them. I struggled with knowing how to help them because each of them had a need, not only a spiritual one but also financial needs. I was before the Lord fervently as to how to approach these needs. I also became close to some of the truck workers in the community. Because Savage Square is so close to the dock, many truckers drive trucks with containers. Many of the drivers are young men, some as young as 18.  I was able to meet and speak with a few of these men too.

Mohamed, Alhaji and BS (Bai Sama)

BS

Alhaji, Fatmata, Hassanatu, Balu, Mohamed, Abdul, Zainab, Mohamed, BS and Saidu

Samuel, Alhaji, Hassanatu, Mohamed, Fatmata, Balu, Zainab, Saidu, Donald aka Artist

Artist and Alieu (some young truck drivers)

Alhaji, Mohamed, Artist, Abdul, and Mohamed

Mother Theresa once said Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go." She also said, "We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty." I realized how true this was, because while I wasn't able to provide them all with food and money, I was able to show them God's love. I learned so much from the boys. I learned about myself, about a pride in myself that I didn't know was there, and how to love people as God loves them. God has an interesting way of showing us about ourselves, and He did that through the lives of the children of Savage Square. They have my heart and I will miss them sooo much. Some of them call me Auntie Apphia and others call me Mum. Those are my children and I pray that God will bring my back to Sierra Leone one day.

The girls!

BS and Mohamed

Essah, Simba and Ben

Simba

Essah

Please please pray for my children! They are my heart and leaving them is the hardest thing I have done.