This is James.

He loves trucks and motorcars.

I had the opportunity, or else asked for the opportunity, to stay the night in the village of Masongbo. It is the village of one of my Sierra Leone "Families". Mohammed is a driver with World Hope International and has been the one who has looked after me for nearly all of my travels in Country. He has become my Sierra Leone father as he watches out for my safety and has helped me in many cultural situations. When I asked about sleeping in his village he was very excited and immediately began planning the menu and activities.
After arriving it was not long before nearly the whole village gathered to warmly welcome me and voice their surprise of a white woman sleeping in the village. However, it was not the excitement of a white woman in the village that drew James near. His eyes had seen the truck and all he wanted was a ride! Many in the village have never rode inside a vehicle as many we have offered rides to are unsure of how to open or close the door.  James had never rode in one but he had seen them before and without doubt his little kid mind was positive that riding in one was going to be great! Of course I asked Mohammed to let us give this little boy a ride and I sat beside him videoing the moment. I captured a priceless video of this little boys happiness but the joy of that moment is not on video but inscribed on my heart.

This little boy was very sure of what he wanted and the joy and contentment that rested on him after this moment in the truck was clearly visible. A picture of our needs being met in Christ comes to mind. He gives us inexpressible joy, one that rests deep in our souls. In moments like this I am reminded of how grateful I am to Christ for this gift. Sometimes it just takes a little boy and a pickup truck to show us this.

Philippians ^2:1-4 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Moments

So I am going to share with you what I just read, such an odd story in 1 Kings 13…. We have Jeroboam, the new king of the Israelites (excluding the house of Judah which remained in the house of David still ruled under David’s grandson) this Jeroboam was given Israel because Rehoboam (David’s grandson) had missed his chance to receive God’s grace. So Rehoboam becomes fearful of David’s God and makes new gods for Israel. These influential people begin to worship two gold calves and in comes this Man of God (MOG) from none-other than Judah. The MOG speaks against Rehoboam and Reho gets upset and extends his arm to seize him and then his arm shrivels! So Reho becomes distraught, asks the MOG to pray for him, he does, Reho is healed and the MOG heads on his way listening to God’s rules not to stop and eat. However, on his merry way home the MOG is stopped by an old prophet, who lies, and brings back the MOG to come eat at his table. God then talks to the old prophet to make him tell the MOG that he will now die because he did not listen to the word of the Lord to not eat, and it happens, the MOG does die, killed by a lion! Then the old prophet has the nerve to say, “he was killed, as the word of the LORD warned him.”

WHAT?! This certainly does not seem fair? Seems like some major injustices here. We have selfishness, fake repentance, lying… and guess who dies?!  I am not sure what God is trying to say in all of this but I feel confused after reading this. Who am I in this passage? I know at any one time I could be any of these men. I selfishly and grudgingly argued with my taxi driver the other day because there was misunderstanding and I ended up paying a whole 50 cents instead of 25 cents for my taxi ride! Come on, that’s double the price of everyone else who paid! Not fair! (I know… How ridiculous I am…)

Looking at the MOG it seems that he did everything right on the surface. He went and told Reho he was in the wrong to be worshiping gold calves, God was obviously with him as he was able to heal Reho’s hand, and then when asked to eat and drink with the king, he declines knowing the Lord asked him to continue without refreshments, even if they were served at the kings table as tempting as that would be. Then as he is minding his own business, on his way out of town, a prophet stops him and tells him it is all right, God told him to come back and eat.  It is not always easy to discern when you fall into the traps that the world has set for us. It is likely the MOG very well thought of this as a good intention, surely he can trust this prophet. This was not the case, however, and the MOG paid a high cost. We do not know the full story of this Man of God but underneath it all he listened to the world instead of God’s instructions. I am guilty, falling into many traps of this world, praise God for his mercy and lack of lions here in Sierra Leone. It is not an action that leads us away from the God. It is when our heart turns towards the desires of the World instead of God’s but in those moments we can be covered by grace and the more we recognize this grace, we continue to learn and grow.

 Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works, if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

I do not know how things would have went if I would have given my 50 cents joyfully instead of grudgingly to the taxi driver. Maybe it would not have made a big difference but I pray that I can continue to learn from these moments. In a country in so much need to break free from persecution, corruption, and poverty, God can use the small moments to build into bringing his Kingdom to earth. Moments like when I first met David, a moment of deciding whether to speak up and ask the father for their address or should I just leave them be. It was the Holy Spirit who led me that moment and has led me through so many amazing God moments here. David was very ill just a few months ago, nearly dead you could say. However, this little boy is now full of the life a little 18 month old life should be! His smile can light up a room and his laugh captures your heart. What an incredible story of beauty this boy has been through. The family is Muslim but from the moment I met them I have been praying for this little boy and have had many others praying for him and his family. They are a beautiful family and have a love and devotion to one another. I pray that one day they will recognize the devotion that Christ has towards them, his grace and love at no cost.

I also have met some incredible young people with disabilities here and have, of course, a special place in my heart for them. What a whole new level of glory I have seen revealed through them here. I have never seen someone at such a disadvantage in their setting and still remain so full of ambition to overcome it. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to get to know Hannah and James, two kids who live out in the villages. They and their families are setting a huge example to those around them to demonstrate that, these are the ones who will inherit the kingdom of God with their ability to accept circumstances way before you and I would. Like my sister they not only accept their disability but utilize it to become a strength, an opportunity, a way to grow and extend, to make a difference and to challenge their families, neighbors, their society to rise to this same occasion. I cannot imagine the difficulties faced by them here but am totally in awe of what many of them have chosen to do with it. As my last three weeks is coming to, I pray for moments. Moments to have my eyes open to God’s movement and the beauty of those he is moving in. 

"My Power is Made Sufficient in You"- God

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

2 Corinthians 12:9

Maybe it is all too big for me to do on my own… no it is all too much for me to do. Even if I tried to do it, I would fail. Things would be left undone. Maybe I should remove myself from the work or the situation(s). That’s not the answer though either. “Then what is?” I’ve been asking God a lot lately. What can you do, what can you feel, when you are surrounded by those who long not for wants but even the basic needs, needs to survive.

It is the rainy season here and up country rice is becoming scarce. Many scrape together what little they have to divide among their family and friends. The idea of being selfish during your needest time simply does not happen. Our families in the sponsorship program are eager to receive their bags of rice but right now school tuition is our first priority as school is beginning. Many of the families are in need; I feel the pressure to get tuition paid quickly.

Payments for school tuitions are moving forward. I will be taking an 8-10 day trip up country next week to offer my help where needed. The Scan Drive Sponsorship program is benefitting 26 kids this year. Our house at Scan Drive has been a blessing to us and to the community as our work in this community is intertwined in many beautiful ways. As I am filled with Joy that many kids, that may not have opportunity otherwise, are beginning school this week. Many others approach or look on with their own sad story to tell. Primary education is supposed to be free in this country; secondary education is supposed to be of minimal cost…

So many are overlooked, children on the streets selling instead of in the classroom learning. The hundred of beggars, I pass downtown two or three times a week. What can I offer them but a smile and a small greeting as I hurry on to do whatever else may seem important at that moment. Or those with disabilities, not able to access the buildings in the city for lack of ramps or handrails; their life full of inconveniences. It is easily seen by many that they are ignored by their government and sometimes even their families.

 The country has very affectively ignored those affected by trauma, drugs, abuse, and psychological problems. Laws can be passed but easily ignored that if good intentions were applied would greatly benefit many who are overlooked. It is encouraging to see that there are many who feel lead to bring about a change themselves. One such place is where I volunteer as a nurse twice a week. City of Rest is a drug rehabilitation and psychological rehabilitation center. A church and several pastors started City of Rest with a holistic approach to healing. People searching for attention, love, and care find a bit of comfort at City of Rest. The need is overpowering when you first enter City of Rest and at first it is hard to see past the chains on the ankles of many of the guests. The pain that rests behind the eyes and in the souls of these guests is overwhelming.  Though my time there is often very short and often very difficult, God has faithfully showed glimpses of his pure beauty in moments of prayer or conversation with the guests.

I stand in awe of God’s work here in many lives from housemates and friends who have left their homes, family, and friends to come here and passionately love and serve to the many Sierra Leoneans who are going above and beyond their means to sacrifice what little they have to make a difference.  Though, I have been struggling and continue to struggle with how to give not only my situations or plans to God but to give myself wholeheartedly to His work. How that I, broken and weak, can boast in my weaknesses knowing that God’s grace has made me wholly sufficient. That God’s power is made perfect in my weaknesses, that His power is the one displayed, and He is the one to receive the Glory. I am meant to be here, I am meant to be in every situation, every plan He has for me because though I am not enough and the need is Great He is enough and our needs and the needs of others who can be encouraged by faith in Christ will be supplied from his glorious riches. Though, like Moses and those he led, I and many others may not see the riches here on earth but we have a promised land and that is what we can Hope for while we wait. 

Going deeper without drowning

If we take from Jesus example, we must realize that he put a high value on relationships. He chose an intimate 12 guys to be his buddies. The guys he would mentor and eat supper with. He loved the crowd but would get in a boat to go see a desperate man who was possessed. He did not simply pass by Nicodemus but asked to eat at his personal table. God the creator knew he could not leave Adam alone, he placed in us a need to have intimacy. An intimacy he desires with us and one we should be encouraged to have with our brothers and sisters. As seen in the first in second commandments we are called to Love God and Love one another. The son of man demonstrated this perfectly and then called us to do the same.

I believe we can to some degree find blessings and happiness in relationships that are merely on the surface but we crave for some to know us on a deeper level. My closest family and friends are the ones whom we take the time for. There are various degrees on this intimacy but I certainly have a wonderful handful or two of people who know me on a deep level. For them I am ever grateful and encouraged that they stand by me in my journey of life.

Without these people I would likely never had the faith to journey to Sierra Leone, let alone live here for a year. Though here I am and I praise God that I have been obedient in coming here and am now on a journey to live out some personal relationship in a culture foreign to my own. This has proven to be one of the most difficult struggles.

This struggle meets with cultural differences, balancing time, and respecting others beliefs. In my first six months here I put emphasis on being open to anyone; spent wonderful times getting to know many neighbors and being open to friendships with those I met on the street. I loved this time; it gave me the chance to learn much. It left me though very exhausted at times and though I enjoyed the relationships it lacked the more personal aspects.

I have begun to invite only a few kids in the house, ones that I am working on their school work with or teaching them other skills such as cooking or computer. I have begun to know these children and their personalities. Sallay is a very patient young lady, she has started learning skills on the computer and stays encouraged and encourages her younger “sister”, Kadiatu. Kadiatu is ambitious; she can be stubborn at times though when she completes the work she has the feeling of accomplishment that she wears with a big smile. Aminata struggles to keep up in education, a girl who is in need of some individual attention. She is one who will act out of her frustrations but in time she has a huge capacity to learn.

I have become closer to one young lady and pray to continue a friendship with her. Halima is a young mother of two, as of late has been rather ill. I try to help the family when I can, as we say in Salone, I help small, small. She is a lady with much gumption and I continue to pray that will work towards getting her well quick. I see in many here from Emma, David, many guests at City of Rest that Sierra Leoneans have perseverance, a quality of many I hope they will teach me as our deeper relationships develop. It has surely become difficult as I begin these deeper relationships to see the need that remains on the outside. I am beginning to understand the reason Christ placed such a high value on deep personal relationships because this is what has the lasting effects.

I remain to try to continue to have openness and a love to all those I encounter but balance it with a handful of deeper relationships. Relationships that are overcoming cultural differences, balance my time, and respect others’ beliefs.

Isaiah 40:26  Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Skirts

Eph. 2:8 Because of his kindness, you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves; it too is a gift from God.9 Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it.10 It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.


When a friend and housemate Hanna came to Sierra Leone for a few months she told me about an organization that was trying to help people with disabilities here do something more than begging with their hands. Of course this caught my interest right away. When she left she didn't want the work for them to end.
Two tailors, Abdulai and Momoh can very skillfully make beautiful dresses and skirts. While many of the disabled population take to begging on the streets, we are trying to reduce a couple idle hands. So far I have made several of the generic one size fits all wrap around skirts and sold them among friends here. I would, however, love to extend this to my friends and family back home. This in turn would give them a steadier income, these men live in some of the poorest if not the worst living situations in Freetown. This money not only goes to them but I am sure helps out the many others living in these conditions. In Sierra Leone people who are disabled are cast out and not accepted in Society. They have very little opportunity if any to avoid a street life or begging or stealing. We have taken the opportunity to let them see a new way of life and offer them a hope for the future.

 This is a wax fabric and was made by Marie a dear friend of mine, it is very time consuming yet every piece is handmade and unique. It was enough to make two skirts, one of which I have kept the other is this one and because of the very unique fabric and time that goes into this, this skirt is a bit more expensive at $15.00.

The generic skirts are $8.00 Like the one above which is for sale, you can request a certain color or type of pattern.

$8.00 You can also get shoulder bags made and I will try to get some put on her soon, the shoulder bags will be around $10.00. 

Let me know if you are interested in any of the above three or have a request for any type or color. I will try to get more up soon! 

These who have been suppressed from society hold many gifts and talents, it is not them who are lacking but rather society is lacking because they have not recognized the best among them.
1 John 3:17 But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him--how can God's love be within him ?

The Beautiful Unseen

1 Timothy 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.

 I thought I would fill you in a little on the work and things that have been happening here since my return. Since I have been back I have been keeping busy with looking at what comes next in the Hope for Children program. I have again started to see some of the kids in the program, making sure that our time is well used I not only complete paperwork with them but ask them about school, family, and health. Doing my best to assist them when I able. I often end our time with prayer and lift up their requests. Our kids are busy with exams as school is about to lock for 2 months.

 Last week I was very privelaged to join a teacher team in Bombali Bana in which I had the chance to teach on hygiene and reading along. I am not quite ready to change my career path but I enjoyed the time in the classroom very much, though I doubt all children in classrooms around the world are so eager to listen to every word and jump at the chance to interact. 

When I am not teaching in schools or visiting kids, I have started nurse work at a drug rehabilitation center, City of Rest. In a post-war torn country psychological and drug problems are much too overlooked. They instead are cast out of society, not given the time, let alone given the therapy needed. City of Rest is taking time for these hurting souls; however, a chain around the ankle of the patients still separates them from the outside. Currently the need is great for a nurse to be there full time. My two partial days a week are not enough to do the work needed. There are many physical, spiritual, and emotional needs that need to be met here. The work is big but there are many there that have the heart and motivations to see that these needs will be met.

In all my spare time I see a little girl Emma 2-3 times a week to bandage her ankle. Once a open wound bigger than a fist, with the help of Heleen our housemate and a couple others we have cared for the wound and within a few weeks hope to see her without bandages. She always has a huge smile on her face and bears with us as well re-bandage her. I spend a couple afternoons a week outside with the great neighbor kids and their families. I don't believe I will ever learn every game or how to cook every Salone dish but I enjoy the laughter between us as I attempt! 

In the past weeks I have had many precious moments such as when I saw Hannah a girl with disabilities for the second time. From the moment we met we were friends. She is likely around eleven years. Has cerebral palsy something I am familiar with as I cared for another precious girl back home for 2 years. CP does not drain any joy from these girl's lives and adds joy to the lives of those they meet. Her eyes lit up when I saw her and she embraced me with a sweet hug and a huge smile. Having a sister who has this same quality has given me a passion to speak out for those here that have disabilities. What I am doing here is so miniscule but it is a part of God's big picture and I hope to just shine a little love into lives that lack love. I hope in the next few days to post some skirts on here that are made by two men with disabilities who are trying to not use their hands for begging but use them to make beautiful skirts. Please be looking for that to come! I hope you will continue to pray with me as I continue my last months here. There is overwhelming needs but there are many here and those of you back home who care and who are trying to make a difference! God see's the big picture, have that confidence in his Holy Spirit to lead you to say a prayer for those who are often overlooked.

Matthew 7:7-11

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Joyful Sorrow

When I was getting trained to come to Sierra Leone, they might of mentioned having to be flexible. Living in a culture that is event oriented instead of time oriented, we have to become flexible. However, I don't think they mentioned anything about having to have a flexible heart...

I went to Crough Bay (Sierra Leone's largest slum) last week. I went in knowing it would be difficult, knowing what I would see would reflect the very worst of Sierra Leone's poverty, mortality, and health statistics. I was not prepared however to meet Fatmata. Her breaths were shallow, her skin clammy with beads of perspiration above eyes too weak to open. Her voice was hoarse, barely a whisper, as she said the name of Jesus. My hand shook as I placed it on her tiny arm, out of my heart poured words that were not my own but God's. We asked for God to perform a miracle, that he might be given  glory but knew her soul was mere hours or minutes away from dancing with Jesus, singing out his praises. In that I found peace and joy. Amid this deep deep sorrow for a life too young to depart from the world, I found God's comfort in knowing she was His child he cared deeply about. She was not some forgotten statistic, she wasn't one more life pulling down on Sierra Leone's already too young average life span, but a daughter of the Most High King.

 Psalm 18:19, “He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me
 because he delighted in me."

The family I stay with in Makeni just lost their niece, a beautiful girl who was full of smiles.
 A dear friend, Elizabeth, lost her sister this past week. I have had moments here of asking
 why, struggling with the unfairness, shedding tears, and crying out to God. He has given
 me inexpressible peace when I come before him. It has lead to incredible moments on my
 knees and in his word. I slowly come to understand, and then have to relearn it over and
 over again that our God is the one who calmed the waves, I just need to have the faith in him. 

As we approach the easter weekend, I am humbled and joyfully sorrow-filled. I am not
 worthy of his grace, I often forget the one who saved me, the reason I have life. There is no
 other place to be more humbled and joy-filled than at the foot of the cross. 

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Psalm 126 

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, 

   we were like those who dreamed.

 Our mouths were filled with laughter, 

   our tongues with songs of joy. 

Then it was said among the nations, 

   “The LORD has done great things for them.” 

 The LORD has done great things for us, 

   and we are filled with joy.

  Restore our fortunes, LORD, 

   like streams in the Negev. 

 Those who sow with tears 

   will reap with songs of joy. 

 Those who go out weeping, 

   carrying seed to sow, 

will return with songs of joy, 

   carrying sheaves with them.

Be Joyful in Hope, Patient in Affliction, Faithful in Prayer (Rom 12:12)

There is certain moments you feel a literal tug on your heart, a moment when the Holy Spirit speaks to you or through you. I met a beautiful girl named Saio. She lives in Masongbo, a village that is quite a distance from town, distant from resources and opportunities. She has some disabilities that have limited her physically and mentally. She did not say a word but stood there, I felt her body ease as I laid my hands on her and told her she was beautiful, a child of God. I felt I needed to do more later after I had left. I later had the people of the village saying that I had befriended the demon, I inquired and realized that they meant Saio. It broke my heart and I told them that she is beautiful, God made her and he loves her and calls us to love her. They laughed, while I felt my soul aching. I am not sure what I am called to do yet but I have asked to visit the village when I come back to Makeni. I want to spend time with this little girl, to let her know that she is a child of God and dearly loved by him. Please be lifting her up in your prayers.

I have been inquiring as to why they believe that children born with disabilities are demons. The explanations I received branched from many superstitions. There are stories that people take these children to the bush where they then turn into snakes and slither away. This leads to many of these children being taken and left out in the bush. If the child is not neglected they are treated very much as outcasts even amongst the family. 

I don't know where this tugging on my heart for children with disabilities will lead, I have several friends who work with people to disabilities but in the towns, not the villages. I hope to spend more time with Saio, with her family, her village, love on them, educate them, pray with them. God loves all his children, I need to be the physical embodiment of this for Saio, for many, as we all should be.

Please be praying also for my friend Marie who just lost her sister, I met her sister once and she could not have been more than ten years old. She got sick quickly and when I called to check on how she was, I received the news that she had passed. I have never before had so many griefs around me in such a short time span. It is no surprise then when I ask the kids in our program what they want us to pray for they nearly always answer health for their family. A friend said, "Your heart has to be flexible here, if it were to always be breaking you couldn't take it; yet you can not become numb or cold to it, but to grieve as our father in heaven is grieved."  

There is much to be joyful about as well! The Hope for Children outing went extremely well. Over 60 of the Makeni kids turned out. They breezed through the bible quiz, enjoyed food, and singing. Other children (likely street children from the looks of their dirty and torn clothes) started to gather around us and as I finished passing out rice and sauce for our meal I went to give some to the other children, our Hope for Children kids already had given heaping platefuls of food to the kids. My heart warmed at our kids living out compassion for others. 

Our neighbor kids had sports yesterday and they cheered and rooted for one another. Our kids had a blast, as did I while watching them. I got to hold a small baby for quite some time to give a young mom a break to watch her son in the sports. The little boys name was Abraham and he smiled and cooed while I talked to him. I am so filled with joy and peacefulness while I am around the beautiful children here. Despite the pain and heartaches, there is comfort and peace that the Lord is also blessing us with during these trials. 

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, Rejoice! 

Not a common culture but on a common Savior

"Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of hostility." Ephesians 2:14-16

Christianity and my Western views sometimes seem like they blur together. I likely have erred in some discussions because my "Western beliefs" would not tolerate "things like that". Though I have to be careful to note that things are different, accept those differences, at times embrace them, learn from them, experience their culture in its uniqueness. Culture is beautiful, there is much in the Church's that are unique and beautiful. We come into a different type of community, one that is common in Christ. The music, the dance, a culture that is often vibrant and intimate. 

The culture is quite relaxed in certain areas when it comes to Christianity. Here you can claim to be both Islamic and Christian. While Islam believes Christ existed and that he was even a prophet it certainly disclaims he was a Savior while Christians believe in Christ as our personal Savior. It is also accepted in some churches that you can participate in Shaman practices, rituals, and secret societies.

This can be seen around the world in different elements as well. Here the culture is full of rich stories and tales that branch from Century old beliefs. I pray that the culture here and around the world can add beauty to our relationship with Christ and not hinder it. 

I had the privileged of gaining some cultural experience of cooking groundnut soup with Aunty Baby and Mrs. Kamara. We laughed together, Aunty Baby shook her head at my attempts to gut fish, the kids looked on with funny faces. We enjoyed the beautiful afternoon together in community. I enjoyed this time very much and look forward to more cultural experiences with Aunty Baby and the families in the community if they are willing to put up with my amazing cooking skills! 

"Now all who believed were together" Acts 2:44

Feeding the Soul

I was starting to become anxious about needing to do more here. Then God spoke through many avenues to give me a peace about just being present. I am learning to feed hearts, loving on people can feed the soul and thus last past the temporary. Matthew 6:25, 33 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."

Reaching Inward to Reach Out

It is hard to be discerning, to know when to give. To know how to give, and give joyfully! You have to check yourself, be prayerful, and be seeking God's word. Whether you have time, the money, or the talents as each of us has been given gifts (1 Peter 4:10) and are we going to bury what God has so graciously given us to have as stewards or will God say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!" Matthew 25: 14-30 is the parable of the talents, where Jesus tells of two men who went out and used what they had been given and multiplied their master's talents and the one man who hid his talent in the ground. 
There is a great need here in Sierra Leone, many are impoverished, they live in a cycle of corruption, there is abuse in the schools, the homes, and the streets. I pray that this country and individuals will see Christians rise above to a state of giving. Giving of their gifts: time, money, talents. Whether a Christian Sierra Leonean chooses to be an example to her neighbors by showing compassion instead of rising up in defensiveness, or an American chooses to give up a meal once a week to give $5 or so dollars to a village in Africa that Love will be an Irresistible Revolution that will have Christians reaching out more because God first reached out to us! 
Blessing & Love,
Jaimie
Please check out my sista Bethany's blog as she has taken the initiative to reach out to a village here in Sierra Leone! I will be able to see this movement in action as I visit the village that will benefit from these seeds!
http://jbeo.blogspot.com/

Embody God's Love

I am so close to having met all the children in the program! Just a handful left to see! The path to finding all these kids has proven difficult at times. Some of these kids live far into the Bush, some families do not have a phone, and others have not wanted to be found.

The Hope for Children program benefits over 350 kids in Sierra Leone (not including HANCI which is another division of the program). The kids that are in this sponsorship program are directly provided with school supplies, school fees, clothing, food, and health care. It was not a surprise then when we discovered that the children who did not want to be found where kids in jeopardy of being kicked out of the program because of not attending school along with various other reasons.

 It is incredible that God is in touch with each and every one of us. It doesn’t matter where we live, an American City or out in the African Bush, there is always an open line to speak directly to Him through Christ, and even if we do not want to know Him or don’t want Him to be a part of our everyday life, He is. 

It certainly can be reassuring to know that God is always with us and that He offers grace when we fall short of His standards. That if we are Children of God we are no longer in jeopardy. We have no reason to hide from our God.

What a blessed assurance! God is there for all and never will He turn us away. Jesus came with this radical message that the Pharisees were wrong in being all about rules and turning their backs to those who did not follow their “Righteous Rules”. Jesus has a Kingdom for everyone that comes to him that is not about rules but about Love. Our call is to Love God and Love people. What else do we need to start changing this broken world?! The female mutilation, the physical abuse, the corruption, the hunger in Sierra Leone would be a thing of the past if everyone knew how to Love as Jesus loved. God is at work here, He is near to everyone in Sierra Leone. I pray that I can let the people I encounter know that this is true by displaying His love by loving them!

Sierra Leone is a Country that is battling a huge spiritual war. Everywhere you can see it but here with the disparity people seek things that are very much evil.  It has such a stronghold that even the Christians hold onto some of these beliefs instead of clinging to the truth in the Bible. I hear women telling me that their husband/boyfriend does not love them unless he beats them. The women truly believe that the man has to show that he is the head of the home using beating as discipline. Many people seek traditional medicine and take part in traditional rituals. They practice in witchcraft, ritual human sacrifice, and coming of age ceremonies in which young men are beaten and left in the Bush to fend for themselves for a month, and women undergo genital mutilation as well as other rituals. Please be praying that God will be working in the lives of the Sierra Leoneans. That they can know that God offers freedom from Traditions and a Love that knows the Truth, a Love that will overcome the traditions that continue to harm this Country and its people.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be praying specifically for a young boy who was a recent victim in horrific rituals. I do not even know all the details and will not go into details but what he witnessed was another boy being offered as limb sacrifices.  It is incredible difficult to understand how this is happening in our world, we seem to think we are a developed people but the Devil very much has a foothold.

God is definitely in control though! I love spending time with my neighbors and the Hope for Children kids. I was outside a few days ago with Mammay Sallay and this lady has a heart of gold. She has taken in several kids, some her grandchildren while others I do not believe are related to her. None the less she loves on them. When Rahim came home from school she sat with him asking him all about his day, totally investing her time and interest in his life. Something many neglect in their everyday rush of chores. Many parents come to our meetings we hold at the house every other Sunday where they are taught biblical parenting ways. They take ownership by discussing the topics and asking many questions and developing tools to help one another. There is many eager to learn how to please God, many just need someone to take the time to disciple them. God is moving in this neighborhood and using the Hope for Children program to offer hope through God’s people to these sponsored families.

Be praying that as God is pouring out His love into everyone on all the earth we are convicted that we are Christ’s body and the ones who need to be the physical embodiment of His Love. That we as Christ’s body rise up in prayer for the spiritual warfare happening in Sierra Leone and all over the World and we use the gifts given to us to do our part.

Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:11-18

2 Corinthians 12:9

My prayer this week was to build relationships with the kids I work with and to discover more of life from their perspective. I enjoyed attempting to pound rice, eating a palm nut (apparently eating it incorrectly), and toting water, though it was more like spilling water all over myself.  I am glad the children got a laugh out of my experiences and I enjoyed joining them in their laughter and thankful that they were encouraging through it. Though I think they were grateful when I let them take over the task again because I am pretty sure I was not of any help to them.

Wonder if God sometimes looks at us foolishly trying to do things ourselves instead of trusting in his expertise. Yet what a patient God we serve that doesn’t turn away from us during those times when we think we don’t need him. I crave to have my weaknesses filled through him. Often I focus more on those weaknesses being a disadvantage and sometimes come to God with a poor attitude, wondering why he gave me so many weaknesses. Yesterday I have heard his voice crying out to me that my weakness can be made perfect in him.  2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Any gifts he has given to me are to bring him glory but how much more so would I recognize him in all his glory when he works through my weaknesses to show his strength! 

Community

I can't believe it is already February! I am nearly 2 months into my year commitment. I can not begin to count how much I have been blessed. I have encountered amazing people with incredible stories to tell. There is something beautiful about the connective nature of people in Salone, they share in community not just at set times or in a church building. Community comes from the Latin communitas, cum meaning "with/together" + munus meaning "gift." Nothing in there about having to live in the same neighborhood, go to the same church, or set up a 4pm Coffee date. What I found as a nice surprise was the word munus meaning "gift." Sierra Leoneans have helped me see that their time, and their presence, is a gift given with no conditions. In Salone you don't casually ask someone "How de bodi?" Without genuinely wanting to know. They want to be with you and gift you with their concern and their presence. It is considered rude if you continue on your way without greeting or stopping for conversation with those you pass. It shocked me at first when I traveled with Sierra Leone friends and every person they passed they greeting and/or struck up a conversation. Many they knew, while others they did not, but you never could tell that they weren't old friends. The greeting is just the beginning. They not only will gift you with their time and presence but if you have more than you need and your neighbor has none than you give it away. You share everything, your always inviting, if you need help someone is never far away. In Crio there isn't a very good equivalent to the word please, they instead would say, "Ah beg" but most times you don't have to ask, they are a giving. 

However, amongst their own family the kids are often given many chores and given lots of responsibility. The children typically tote water before and after school, cook, watch siblings, do dishes, do laundry, and try to find time to study. Several days now I have spent with Kadeja who is around 8 years and Hannah her cousin who is around 4 years old. After school these 2 girls walk along this steep, loosely graveled path to fetch water only to turn around and walk the same path uphill with 3-5 gallon water filled tubs on their heads. It is incredibly dangerous with a drop off and loose gravel under their feet. After completing this amazing daily feat they then use the water to complete their chores. Finally when about dusk they have a small amount of time to study. If any time is left to play it is done in the dark, usually when young American children are called to come inside these kids are just beginning to have a bit of spare time to play. 

Many children are even far less privileged as many are also forced to go into the streets and sell produce or merchandise at night. A young girl I met in Kamakwie had to just that for her Aunt everyday. One day she placed the money she earned under her pillow till her Aunt returned home. However, when she went to give the money to her aunt it was gone. Likely that her aunt took it to begin with but being a very abusive to the girl her whole life, once again  the aunt wanted more reason to flog her. It is hard to put into words all that she told us but the beautiful 14 year old girl has been put through terrible and awful things. She was given to her Aunt by her parents who did not want her because of her physical impairment. She has scolosis so bad that the bottom of her rib cage touches her hip. She does not let that stop her, she remains optimistic and is a very bright student. Her Aunt has recently given her to male clients and will not feed her. Right now she is being cared for by some local missionaries and are in the process of getting permission to move her to a safer environment. I do not believe that this story is unlike too many others. The young girl answers me when I ask her what she likes to do, "Sing, Sing Gospel music." She loves God despite all and she knows there is hope for her future. We have the promise of a perfect world when we die if we trust in God. For now we must live in our sinful world and I pray for this girl and many like her that people will see them and reach out to them with God's loving hand. 

This culture is rich with people who care about one another but it's also a part of a very sinful world where much hurt and pain occurs. Many go on with sinful actions but others are being put to a stop by people like you and me who take action to live like Christ and reach out to the hurting and oppressed. I have meet many Sierra Leoneans who are speaking out against those who are hurting others. I pray that as the Christian population grows that more and more will continue to reach out and alleviate these pains one at a time.

Thank you for all your prayers and continue praying for Sierra Leone and the suffering and injustice occurring in our world. 

In His Love

Jaimie

Presence

The power of presence, I read about it a couple months ago in a book by JoAnne Lyons. I remember her story on seeing people who were starving and near death and feeling as if she had nothing to offer them. Then she had this inclination to say, "I am happy to be among you." Presence is a spiritually life giving power. Did it fix the problem of starvation, no, but it gave those people the feeling of acceptance, of love. My housemate and I have been discussing a book called Real Love the past few days. The idea of real love is that we don't earn it and we do not have to complete an action in order to be able to receive real love. So in JoAnne's story she did not have to give food, water, or anything else in order to show those there that she loved them. I just received an email from Dr. Lisa Marling, the Hope for Children director, she was responding to my email on my feeling of no direction with my job. It has been hard for me adjusting to the culture that is so much go with the flow. I always thought I was a flexible person but once I arrived have realized I miss having guidance and direction from supervisors, teachers, whomever. Her email told me that in everything Christ is working, whether I am doing a specific task or enjoying moments with the children or cooking with the mothers. She directed me to not be directed towards tasks but towards people and towards God's will. I need to stop walking around with a list of tasks in my mind, but to enjoy the presence of people and God's work in and through everything that is happening here. Whether I am educating the families on healthcare or taking the kids swimming, God's work is in it all. I hope that you can pray that I see this more clearly and the need for God's will and not human direction will be foremost in my thoughts. I am so enjoying time spent with families such as the Wilson's who have taken me in and taught me so much already from cooking to how to play Sierra Leone games. These moments I treasure that I may not feel is "work" but is God's work in building relationships and showing His love. Timu a neighborhood boy who is about 3 years old came running up to me after I had been away for 3 days to Banana Island and gave me the biggest little boy hug ever. In those moment's I know that I want to give that type of presence and real love to everyone in my life. That show of love is what God meant for us to show him and show others so that they may know Him, the True source of Love.
In His Grace,
Jaimie