The best news of the morning is that Dr. Carew now has access to a wonderful mobile medical clinic that he can make available to us for our mission. We were exhilarated by this news, and we talked at great length about the upcoming trip.

Dr. Carew had to leave, and we then were joined by Donald Manley of SUSL. We asked him to come back to visit us so that we could better understand his highest priorities for potential assistance from SAVE. It was a good conversation which clarified their needs, and will assist us as we plan future activities and prayer.

We drove to a most beautiful beach in the afternoon (River Number Two Beach), enjoyed the fine, white sand and warm ocean water, and then returned to pack for our return trip. In the morning, we worshipped at the church Pastor Anthony leads before returning to Green Pastures to finish packing, and set out to catch the ferry (hopefully) for a late night return to London.

After a long, bumpy, hot, dusty (and did I say bumpy) trip, we arrived in the village. Kenema is a village of about 400 people living in mud-brick and thatched-roof buildings. We were met by Pastor Frederick and Francis Sam (the teacher and village chief), as well as perhaps 75 villagers. The villages is predominantly Muslim (85%).

So we began with a worship service in the church building with music (accompanied completely by percussion) and praise. Then “Reverend Bob Collins” was asked to give the message, which he did faithfully, while being translated into the Mende language. After the worship service, a business meeting was called (basically dismissing the children to go out and play.) We presented the very large duffel bag of school supplies donated by members of Zionsville Fellowship, and the church was extremely appreciative. It was just what they needed as they said they had enough textbooks, but lacked writing materials. Praise the Lord for meeting the exact need the villagers expressed.

After the service, we moved to the renovated village well. This well was 72 feet deep with water being accessed by dropping a bucket on a rope. The renovated well has a concrete cap for sanitation, a fence to keep animals out, and a hand pump. The villagers showed great joy at the dedication, and we expressed to them how the Lord gave them two wells instead of just the one new one.

The new well was in construction – down to about 24 feet. We were able to see very clearly the process of hand digging the well with one man with a shovel and pick-axe down at the bottom of the four-foot-diameter hole. He would throw the rock and dirt in a bucket which was then hauled up with a rope and pulley mechanism to his comrade at the top who would empty it and send it back down. These two were employees of World Hope International. They were working very hard in 95 degree heat – with no air movement at the bottom of that hole. World Hope had committed to attempt at least two drills, but that was their only “guaranty.” But the Lord moved in their hearts to not only rehabilitate the old well, but dig a new one. We saw first-hand that this was above and beyond the call, and the clear work of the Lord in their decision-making.

We then went to village two-room medical clinic with one cot and a few old medicines on a small table. They had no refrigerator as their solar unit had been “re-assigned” to another local village. One of their two nurses has also been reassigned to another village. Their medical needs are very real. We are so looking forward to our medical mission there later this year or early next year. So we said our goodbyes (of course, after eating), and departed the village to head back to Freetown. We left the village at about 1:15, arrived at the outskirts of Freetown around 5:30, and due to the city traffic, actually got home after 8:00 pm ready for rest and a shower.

After a long, bumpy, hot, dusty (and did I say bumpy) voyage, we arrived in the village capital of Lugbu, where we picked up yet another World Vision director for this area. We eventually arrived in the village where we were met by little Edward and a very large crowd of villagers (perhaps up to 200). After a while outdoors we were invited to a more “private meeting” of perhaps 25 family members, and everyone else surrounding the hut. In all the villages, the children were somewhat fearful until we took their pictures, and showed it to them in the screen of the camera. Goodbyes were difficult, but we eventually headed back to Bo for the evening where we spent the night without running water, or most anything else you could think of. But nevertheless, we were so thankful for how we had been so blessed and impacted by this day.

Each class had a presentation for us, and we had a marvelous time visiting and taking pictures of their smiling places. The principal said their biggest need was shoes for the children – not exactly a superfluous request. This visit was both encouraging and challenging at the same time – a common occurrence here.

We then moved on to the offices of Scripture Union – Sierra Leone. General Secretary Donald Manley gave us a tour of the office, after which we sat down with his 12 or so staff, and three members of his board, including Chairman Emerson Thomas. Each program director discussed their departments. The ministry of SUSL is extremely well known and understood by David and Brian, who have been impacted by their work. After their presentations, we had dinner (fellowship and eating are nearly synonymous here) before again retiring late for the day.

In the afternoon we decided to “stop by” the World Vision headquarters to introduce ourselves, and confirm the visit to the village child sponsored by Don Miller in the Bo District (where our adopted village is as well.) This developed into a 2-3 hour conference with three of the national leaders of World Vision, who were bit cautious at first, but eventually very open about their programs and operations, and encouraging about our child visit and the mission of SAVE in general.

Because of the length of our visit, our trip to the Bethel School (built by SAVE) had to be postponed to the next morning. But we were able to stop by the Bethel World Outreach Church (who established the school) to see their pastor, Julius Laggah. We were able to spend quite a while fellowshipping with him as he and his wife hosted us for dinner.

David Musa (Executive Director from Milwaukee), Brian Bowen (Board President from Pristina Kosovo), Don Miller (Board VP), Larry Moran (Board Treasurer), Bob Collins (representing Zionsville Fellowship Church) – the latter three from the Indianapolis area – all embarked for a special visit to Sierra Leone on February 28, 2010.  The general purposes of the trip were to meet and strategize with our ministry partners, visit our adopted village (Kenema Vagboi), and generally to better familiarize ourselves with the conditions on the ground.  This represents the culmination of a 10-year desire of David Musa to have the Executive Committee travel to Sierra Leone.

While internet access (and electricity for that matter) may be difficult to come by, we hope to post periodic updates and pictures to this website.  We appreciate your prayers, and your support and we endeavor to better minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a holistic way to the people of Sierra Leone.  So check back often for updates, and did we mention prayer!  To God be the glory!

Day 1

Well we arrived about an hour late at Freetown due to a relatively strong wind against us.  We got off the plan at 8:00.  To make a long story short, we got to our room at 3:00 in the morning.  Instead of a 15 minute trip to the ferry and a 45 minute ferry ride in the nice breeze, the ferry was full, and that was the last one of the night.   David thought it was about  a 2 hour trip around the water to get there, but that turned into a 5-hour ride on the worst, bounciest, dustiest, craziest roads we’ve likely every experienced.  Really several things could have been worse yet, so we were actually thankful for the LORD not allowing us to break down or run out of gas – both of which appeared possible if not likely at various points.

But we did get to our destination, and when the compound gates were opened and we turned off the road (showing very little other than squalor), we saw an attractive multi-story home.  We walked in the front door, and again saw a beautiful entryway.  Then we were taken to our rooms that were nicer than any of our recent hotel rooms.  Dr. Marcus-Jones, our 82 year old host actually woke up and sat up with us until 4 am when we finally crashed – getting up at 8:00 this morning.  We had breakfast of omelette, bacon, sausage, toast, and such with Marcus and with Francis Williams of SLEFES, one of our partners, and it was enjoyable and insightful.  We then left around 1:00 to drive to this amazing city of squalor and beauty and go the offices of another partner, EFSL, where we had a spicy lunch, and toured their offices.  They were warm, welcoming and helpful.  We then traveled to the offices of World Hope – Sierra Leone, where we talked with their representative (Saidu Kanu) about our well, and had a very helpful time.  The Lord indeed has blessed that endeavor.  Despite the fact they drilled two holes unsuccessfully, they are still digging a new hand-dug well (with proper cap and pump), AND renovating the old well – cleaning, adding a hand pump (instead of the old bucket on a rope).  So we’re really getting two wells in the village for the price of one.  God is so faithful!

We then dragged ourselves home at 5:00 to rest for an hour, going to a dinner at  the home of Modupe Taylor-Pierce where all our partners and their spouses would attend, and indeed many other friends of the ministry as well.  The food, fellowship, and education were all fabulous!  We arrived home after 11 for a well-needed night’s rest.  God is so good!!

Learn more about Huntley at www.huntleybrown.com.

The inspirational piano music of Huntley Brown will benefit the educational, medical, physical, and spiritual ministry to the people of Sierra Leone, West Africa, directed by S.A.V.E., Inc. (a registered non profit org.). – A Free Will offering will be taken.  Contact info: Chris at 847-669-0411.