When Michael was here, he introduced me to two boys in the community right outside the ships, Simba and Abdul. Ever so often, when I'm going into town, I see these boys and we chat a little bit. Yesterday, I was waiting for a friend at the gate that leads to the ship, and Abdul was there with a bunch of his friends. I went over to say hello and I ended up talking to them for over two hours. There was about 8 of them and others kept coming. They were mostly between the ages of 12 and 16.They said that they always see people leaving and coming to the ship, but most people never stop to say hello, and definitely do not spend time talking to them. We talked about everything- about their families, about Sierra Leone, about school, about America, about the ship, my job, and my family. We talked about church, and I asked them if they had gone that day (this was Sunday). Some of them said they were Muslim and went to mosque on Fridays. One went to the church Michael had set them up with and all the others didn't go. We then started talking about faith. Some said they were Christian, others said they were Muslim, and one boy, named Mohamed said he was both a Christian and a Muslim. When I explained to him that he can't be both, because they are very different, he said "Well I don't have anyone to teach me the difference." We then started talking about the Bible, which none of them own. We talked for so much longer, about all sorts of things and I just watched as they interacted with each other and joked and enjoyed the company. I really enjoyed myself. After about 2 hours, I left them to head back the ship (my friend never showed up). B.S., one of the boys who is actually 19 years old, walked back with me and he shared how his greatest desire is to go back to school. He had only completed 3 years of secondary school, when his family abandoned him. He now lives alone homeless in one of the containers near the dock. He says he has no support and often feels so hopeless. He asked me to pray for him. I prayed for him and then told him I would see him tomorrow.
Today, after work, I met the boys, the group was now much larger, about maybe 10 or 12 boys, outside the gate on my walk to the tailor in town. They walked with me and told me about their days at school. B.S talked about how he just waited all day for when I was getting off work. We walked to the tailor and they all waited as Alpha the tailor finished my skirts. The boys pride themselves and say they are my body guards, and that if anyone comes near me they would protect me. They are all great boys and I want to somehow help them, especially B.S who just needs someone to sponsor him so he can go to school and become the electrician he wants to be. I also want to reach out to them to share the love of Jesus with them. Today we talked a little bit more about Christianity. When we were waiting at the tailors, another group of 3 men began talking to me. Each of them was a Muslim, and they were asking what being born again meant. They scoffed at the idea and didn't really seem to be interested, but it sparked some conversation. I am hoping for more opportunities to share the love of Jesus with those in the community. The boys walked me back to the ship and were sad when I said goodbye because I am working in the evening for the rest of the week, and they all attend school in the day. We plan to meet again on Sunday, where we will take pictures so I can share them with you. Mohamed has also invited me to his home, which I am honored to do. Please pray for these boys- B.S, Mohamed, Mohamed #2, Abdul, Abdul #2, Elija, Saidu, James, Sorie, Alieu, and the others. I will post pictures of them at a later time.
There is such a need in Sierra Leone for the truth. Syncretism is so evident and prominent in the culture, where Christianity and Islam is nearly combined. The people are so tolerant of each other, so much so, that there is no distinction made between the two walks of life. There are so many children in Sierra Leone and not enough mentors and role models in the communities. I asked some of the guys on the ship to see if they could help encourage and teach the boys and they told me they couldn't. I feel inadequate to do so, as a female for one and because I am not much older than many of them, but I know that God has a purpose in that he allowed me to meet these boys. Maybe it is simply to share His love with them. I pray for clear direction, so that God can show me how to reach out to them and to help them in any way I can. Please join me in this prayer.
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