Back to Africa (and England!) | January 20, 2014

After a much too long hiatus from overseas travel, I am again hopping a plane – well really several planes – and am off again. After last year’s two canceled trips, I have been quite gun-shy, but it seems that this trip is going to happen!
Just a quick overview of what I will be doing. I am traveling with Women of Vision to Sierra Leone – a very small country on the western bump of Africa. Never having been in West Africa, I am looking forward to seeing a different part of the continent. This is not my chapter but mostly women from the Connecticut chapter. I get to tag along as our work also ties in with MOPS, a group I have been working with since last fall. The project there is Maternal and Child Health so it should be a heart-warming, if challenging work is see.
Then I go through London on my way home and am staying for about 10 days. I get to stay with my cousin in London, as she is teaching there for a term, and also visit my niece who lives in Bristol.
Another great blessing from my most generous God. Your prayers are always so appreciated and needed. I’m off tomorrow morning and will post again as soon as I can!
Next stop – Sierra Leone!

From the Airport | January 23, 2014

Hello from San Francisco –

Here I sit for 4 hours until my flight to London, but I have at least left the state! And that is no small feat.

In my tiredness last night, I set my alarm but forgot to turn it on. I woke up with 20 minutes to go until I wanted to leave the house instead of my planned hour, but I am a very fast shower taker (learned in Zambia) and everything was packed, so we got away just fine.

Got to the airport, sailed through check in (my big bag was 48 pounds!) and security. I’m sitting at Starbucks, enjoying my morning coffee and reading email when I read one from a fellow traveler reminding us to take our malaria meds this morning. Oh oh! I had left mine on my nightstand to take this morning and there they still were! Bless my wonderful daughter! With another trip to the airport and parking this time, she came in and with the very helpful supporter the TSA, I got the meds!

With some time still to spare, I headed to my gate only to realize my little travel pillow had left me. The lovely woman at the desk allowed me to leave my bags (probably breaking too many TSA rules to mention!) so I could race back and retrace my steps unencumbered. Check the corridors and waiting area – nope.   Check the shop – nope. Check the bathroom – nope. Finally I returned to my friends at TSA and asked if anyone had turned in a little green neck pillow. They had!

Back to the gate – board – fly and here I now sit, uneventfully, at the airport. Soon I will board the plane for London and a 10 hour flight. More later.

First Post From Sierra Leone | January 23, 2014

From Sierra Leone –

This will be a quick post as I want to get it out. Arrived all safe and sound and even my bag made it! Very grateful. Much more later hopefully. Internet is very sketchy and my phone is useless, but I will figure it out soon.

Thank you for your prayers – they make all the difference. When there is time, I will reflect and write more. Off to breakfast and to meet the First Lady of SL! Then World Vision time this afternoon.  Pretty tired in body but so grateful and happy on spirit!

Freetown and Meeting the First Lady | January 24, 2014

Ok – backtrack to yesterday. Both flights were just fine. I slept a good bit on the long London flight so the time really passed quickly. Then I made my short  connection with no problems and finally met up with most of the rest of the team – 7 women from Connecticut and then a couple of us strays.

We all knew we were in Africa right away as soon as we landed. The power was out at the airport so we went through immigration by flashlight.  Our luggage was hauled off of the plane and dumped outside. We scrambled around the rocks and dirt and prayerfully looked for our checked bags!  They were all there so gratitude abounds!

A couple of vans took us to a small ferry boat to cross the bay to Freetown.  It was beautiful little beach area – think of a slightly shabby Hawaii .  We walked out a long covered dock to the boat and hopped aboard.  It was dark by now so our 20 minute ride wasn’t scenic but still fun.  A lot of waiting around so we didn’t arrive at the hotel until about two and a half hours after landing.  We were pretty tired but found our rooms and then went to the hotel cafe for supper, about 3 hours long. The food was fine and the wine and beer certainly helped!  We finally got to bed about 12:30 and slept!

Up the next morning, breakfast, and off to meet the First Lady.  Freetown is on the ocean so there are very beautiful beaches right along side the “typical” African shacks, trash, street life, barbed wire and broken glass walls.  Occasionally a nicer home or building is snugged in.

We drove up the hill as the scenery became lovelier.  At the top we entered the presidential compound, passing armed guards and security gates. Yellow, with a wrap around porch.  After being given some protocol instructions and surrendering our cell phones, we were ushered into her office. The visit was very interesting – she is well educated and is very interested in women/children’s issues.  Cindy, our wonderful World Vision leader, led the discussion and questions. It was fun to watch the  First Lady and her aides.  When some praise was called for, she would turn to one and he would say some very complimentary things about her. One of our women called her ” a national treasure” and she turned to her aide and said “Write that down!”

After that visit, we headed to the WV office for our orientation.  A long lunch followed and then a couple of hours of free time!
A few of us walked the beach for awhile. It was great to kick off the sandals and wade into the warm Atlantic.  A little further down the beach, we saw a group of men hauling in a large fishing net at the edge of the water.  Of course we had to investigate.  Just as we walked up, the last of the net came in with a number of flopping fish. There were a number of offers to sell us fish but we resisted.

Biblical allusions abounded!

Comment on the weather – it is quite warm and humid but there is usually a lovely breeze so it isn’t bad at all.  Having an attractive sheen and feeling mildly sticky are the norm. However, we are blessed with air-conditioned rooms and cars and WV offices so that is a true blessing.

The evening was supper, a bit of group time and bed at a good hour!  Yeah!

Much more later but I want to get this off!

Freetown to Bo | January 25, 2014

Good morning all,
I am sitting in my hotel room, after an early morning swim!  How great is that. We are in Bo and the hotel is quite nice.  Occasional power stops, but not for long.

Yesterday we got going at about 8:15 –  we were supposed to depart at 7:30 but this is Africa and we are a bunch of women. We drove several hours to reach Bo.  It was good to get out of the city but hard to drive out past all the usual (and I hate to have to use that word) shacks, shabby little shops, roaming people, garbage and the occasional filthy puddle of water   – life on the edge.  As we drove, the scene became greener and greener.  At first there were primarily tall palms surrounded by scrub – a result of deforestation during the war – but as we went further, more different types of trees grew up.

Out in the countryside, green reigned.  There are many palm trees and for the Zambia fans, the occasional baobab – old friends.

Several hours later we arrived in Bo, checked into a nice hotel, and had lunch.  The food has been fine to quite good so that is another blessing.  An hour’s drive on a loosely paved road took as to the Pejesowa ADP – supported by the Connecticut group and the Chicago chapter represented by Tracy – a special woman I have had the privilege of meeting a couple of times.  There we were introduced to staff – amazing as always. One of World Vision’s greatest strength is the excellent people who are called to this work.  They are often highly educated and qualified and could have their choice of jobs but choose to work for the Lord.  They always bless me!

After a fairly short stop, back into different vans, the benches along the sides, and headed out to a health center and maternity hospital.  Now we were on classic African dirt roads – red dirt, many bumps, dips, and lurches – always an adventure!  Crossing the occasional stream, one with people washing right along side of us in that filthy water.  Too sadly familiar.  An hour to go 16 miles.

Upon arrival, we were ushered into the district head’s office. There our air conditioning abandoned us and it was Hot! and sticky. The information was very helpful, but we got a little lost due to dialects and frequent acronyms. The woman presenting is a nurse and administrator for this medical facility and is very competent and caring.  In the clinic later, she laid into a mother with a sick baby who had not nursed her baby exclusively, instead using formula mixed into bad water. She was a force to reckoned with!
After the presentation, we peeled ourselves off our seats and gratefully headed outside.

Now the best and also the hardest part of the day began – being with people.

We were shown around the clinic and did some fun meet and greet.  The first woman I greeted surprised me with the “Zambian” handshake – a shake, a grip, another shake.  It felt like a homecoming.  Walking through the men’s and women’s wards was hard and felt a little voyeuristic – a few touches and conversations helped but still felt like way too little.

A bit about that – for me, one of the hardest challenges is walking the line between getting the stories and pictures to share the stories and being a cultural voyeur.  The white woman swooping in, taking her pics, and returning to her comfortable life, untouched.  I always want to be marked by what I see and do – through God’s lens.

A short walk down the road took us  to the maternity hospital.  It is a newer building and is clean and well-equipped albeit dark.  There we saw hope through better treatment and conditions but also pain in the sick and malnourished little ones.  A little one without a leg, another with a horribly cut foot, a 8 months baby so malnourished he was the size of a newborn.  But there was a recovering little girl who was so responsive and smiley – we had a lovely “conversation!”

The day was growing late so back to the vans and bounce back to Bo.  A rather late supper, by the pool (rough life) and off to a shower and bed.

A couple quick snapshots of staff – Alfred is our WV rep and is with us the entire time. He is a large man with presence and skill. He has a sense of humor and after initially seeming a bit overwhelmed by all of us women (11)  he has adjusted well.
Sally works in the ADP and is a competent charming woman – exchanged kid pictures and properly admired each other’s progeny!

This is more than long enough for one day!  FYI – communication is still limited here.  I can send and receive emails but only at the hotel and the same for texts.  I cannot post anywhere else.

Birthday Songs and Dances | January 26, 2014

Well, yesterday was my 65th birthday!  Picture “The Scream” for my reaction!  However, the fateful day is here and gone so what could be better than celebrating in Africa?

Truly it was a great day and thank you to my dear family for checking in. I did finally get the emails and texts.  Wi-fi here is rather a fickle lady – sometimes letting things through quickly and at other times making one wait for the much anticipated note.  Anyway – thank you.

The day started at a lovely leisurely pace. It was Cleaning Day yesterday – when literally people are expected to clean their homes and neighborhoods!  What that meant for us was that we couldn’t set out until about 10. So yeah, we got to sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast and devotion time, and even get a quick dip in the pool.

Our first stop was the ADP office.  ADP stands for Area Development Program and is the organizational model WV uses to work in communities. There, we had an overview of the health initiatives in this area, particularly as they relate to maternal issues.  Then the best part of the day began.

Off we headed on the bumpy roads – helps breakfast settle – to our first village.  There we were to visit a garden planted by the village Mothers’ Group.  Sounds rather prosaic but as we headed down the path, the sound of singing greeted us.  The women were dancing and singing up the path to greet us!  What joy to back in the midst of smiling faces, welcoming hands, and chanting voices.  Back we danced to the garden and there were the well- tended plants.  An eloquent woman, who would be a CEO here, spoke about what the garden and the mothers’ group meant to them all and how thankful they are for the work and support of WV.  More song and dance and we were on our way.  This is the stuff of my heart.  Sharing hearts with other women whose lives are so different than mine but with whom I do share the essential things – love of family and friends, the desire for a better life for those who are mine, and with many of them, a love of our God.

The next stop saw us with children – a blue uniformed group of school children greeted us with special songs.  Other children flocked around, all extending hands for a touch and climbed on laps when we sat down.  All joy.  And all sweat!  But no complaints – the small price of being with these people.  We were also greeted by two “scary” men in costume.

One little girl gave a memorized speech in English – it was obviously quite rote so if she got stuck she had to start over. It was so sweet.  I gave her one of the cards Elliott made.

Then we were onto another village where people lined the narrow road as we came in.  More dancing, singing, and formal greetings.  That village was hard as there is no clean water or sanitation.  The drinking water comes from two muddy holes.   I know, therefore, that the people are at least mildly sick, all the time.  Energy is low and babies die.

David, the ADP manager runs a tight ship so keeps us moving.  Too soon, we headed back to the ADP office for lunch.  Comments on the food – breakfast and supper have been at the hotel and lunch at the ADP office.  Overall, the food is just fine. There is a little more spice in some things so I avoid those but otherwise all is well. The WV staff really works hard to prepare us a generous lunch. Always the generosity of these people.  I quietly scattered some of Paul’s ashes there so he is in another country.

After lunch we had a very special experience. We joined a joint Christian/Muslim health conference.  In Sierra Leone, there is no conflict between the two groups.  In fact, the iman who spoke, talked about reading the Koran and seeing there a call for peace and tolerance of other faiths.  I may need to read it myself to sort the dramatically different interpretations! So many beautiful women and distinguished men – and the children!

I got to play with a baby each of the past two days and so many children, all clamoring to shake your hand and get into a picture. For some of you, this will be a familiar situation – the joy of African hospitality. We are a novelty and rather a rarity in the villages. We frightened a few smaller children – what is wrong with these people’s color?!

After a too short stay we headed back to the hotel for our nightly hour of debriefing and supper. The menu is becoming quite familiar – but the food is fine.  But I can’t wait for a salad in London!

At the end of the meal, I announced that it is was my birthday. It was good to keep it quiet for me.

A great day of celebrating even if I was the only one who knew why.

Love and good night,
Jill

I’ll post some pictures when I get to London.  It’s hopeless here!

A Sabbath Rest | January 27, 2014

Sunday morning we left the hotel only about half an hour late!  Very good for Africa time. Back to the village we bumped and were greeted first by men along the road – one in the crazy “devil” costume again and one cocky young man on homemade stilts.  We had to hurry by them as we were late for church and the  service was being held for us.  It was a Catholic mass, at the Holy Family Parish, so there was some lovely liturgy but also the usual murmur of voices, the sweet babies, the occasional wandering child.

Just a few snapshots of the time, which was only about an hour and a half – very short by African standards.
The service leaders walked in, led by a young man with two candles.  The priest ceremonially blessed some water, added salt and took a small palm whisk and walked through the congregation sprinkling us with the water – it was to give us peace and drive away all demons.  A small group of women was the choir, accompanied by drums and a shaker made of  a gourd in a net threaded with shells.  Singing Glory to God on high and peace to His people on earth.

An older man used a megaphone to be heard. When we first arrived, crowds of children rushed in but were soon shooed out so they filled the windows and ran in the dirt yard.  The children just want to touch us, shake our hand, be noticed.  They kept saying – white people, in their language.
Across from us sat a little boy, about 4 or 5, dressed in a blue satin shirt, vest and pants, with orange sunglasses.  He was such fun to watch. He pretty much ignored his mother’s prompts to stand or sit and would only move to the music if he had the sunglasses on.  A woman in the congregation had on a T-shirt which read To conserve water, drink beer!  Loved it!

Sometime I will have to list some shop names.  So great!  Yesterday be passed a van with I Love Mama painted on the back.  I plan to do that for all my kids’ cars when I return home!

Communion was served but only Catholics could receive it so we remained seated.  The women covered their heads when they went up. Even with the formality of a mass, mothers nursed their babies, children were managed, although they needed very little, and life went on.

A number of Muslims attended the service so it is a very real revelation to see how the faiths work together here.  The service closed with a Muslim prayer and then The Lord’s Prayer.  However, the priest preached a very evangelical message.  And we got to say God is good – all the time.  All the time – God is good.  A phrase we use often and learned in Zambia.  I was seated next to an beautiful older Muslim woman, draped in black with tiny mirrors on the fabric.  She was lovely.

After the service, we worked through the mobs of children and went for our official village welcome which means introduction of village officials and WV staff who work there.  Peter, our trip videographer, was having a wonderful time filming children off in the yard so they were more fun to watch, but we needed to be respectful and pay attention.

The next stop was a highlight for me – a stop at a school.  It is a private Catholic school which was given these old buildings by the government.  Only three buildings are usable for the 250 secondary students.  There are 12 teachers, a 3 seat latrine, and no water, electricity, or school supplies.  Each room has a rudimentary blackboard, some desks and chairs which must be brought from the church each week and then taken back for Sunday.  The buildings are grey concrete with open windows and metal roofs.

As I said, this was a highlight of the day for me but also its low point as there is such need.  But I have hope, having seen Makenkoto School, in Zambia, transformed from much these same conditions to a good, well functioning school in just 6 years times.  That is my prayer here.

Lunch came next so back to the ADP office.  Following lunch we returned to the village to first watch some tribal dances.  The girls danced first and were very good.  Dressed in shirts and raffia type skirts, they stomped, in a line, to various beats.  Then some b us came out, chasing the devil character.  He is dress all in this thatch with sticks on his back which the young men hit occasionally.  His “head” is a raised circle with a mirror on the end.  It seemed really a bit silly and then they didn’t want to stop, even when asked.  Finally they trekked off and the guy on stilts came out and performed – rather a hot dog and he wanted to money.  The final performer was a young man with braided longer hair who just stomped around and thought he was wonderful.  We should have stayed with the girls!  However, the next event redeemed it.   We watched a soccer match between two club teams of boys.  That was such fun!  The whole village turned out and the skills were excellent, even on the lumpy scraggly grasses pitch.  The linesman ran along the sides with small tree branches as flags.

Enthusiasm, cheers and encouragement rang out from the crowd.  One of our members presented a trophy to the winning team.
We then returned to our hotel for debrief and supper.  Each night we talk about the day – highs and lows for each person and anything else particularly relevant to the day.

Supper is always late – 8:30 or so and it takes a while so we are lucky to get to our rooms by 10 or 10:30.

Lest you think this trip is all swimming pools and dancing villagers, I am “suffering” with no working hair dryer or curling iron and no wine!  True hardships!  And it is hot!  I am doing just fine but have given new meaning to dripping sweat.  Even my ears sweat!
However, I am also blessed with a shower which is hot and gives enough water to get wet and rinsed.  No small blessing here.

I want to take advantage of my window of Internet and get this out!

Some Brief Reflections | January 29, 2014

Today is our last day in Freetown.  We arrived last evening after a 5 hour ride from Bo, which was supposed to have taken 3. More on that later.

There is so much to write about still and right now I am not up to the task.  Hopefully, on the plane tomorrow, I can catch up.  But, just briefly – this has been a hard trip, not so much physically, but emotionally.  Seeing all the poverty, the dirty water, the limited opportunities always take their toll.  However, I do know what to expect on that level.  What has been hard has been my own personal limitations and weaknesses.  Self gets in the way far too often, and I hate that!  Fortunately, we have actually been given some time today to do some guided reflection on Scripture passages and questions.  Why am I so surprised when God meets me there and redeems the time.  My heart is leaking all over the place with gratitude and the always amazing knowledge that God actually loves me.
I promise that the next post will return to my usual trip narrative but this needed to get out of the way.  Thank you for your prayers and notes.  They make such a difference.  If I haven’t responded, it is not due to lack of caring but lack of internet.  Any video sent I can’t open at all so I am looking forward to seeing all that tomorrow night in London.

I will post some pictures too.  Prayers for safe travel would be wonderful.  Most of us depart the hotel at 5 tomorrow morning but it’s only one flight so that is great.

London Calling | January 31, 2014

I am in London! I will do more catch up later but just wanted to report in. We left Freetown at 5 am – caught a van to the boat – waited around a bit because of course this is Africa. Checked some bags and hoped they would arrive on the same boat as we did! The boats hold about 25 people and have a roof with open sides. We were given life jackets which probably would not have been much good if we went into the drink but fortunately we didn’t have to test them. I sat by one side and could watch the stars as we crossed the bay. The Big Dipper was right there, looking very familiar and friendly. A 30″ ride took us over and we caught an other van to the airport – just a short distance away. Our bags also arrived so there was relief all around! We checked in and had some wait time but better that than rushing. For boarding, a bus took us the 100 yards to the plane. Climbed the steps, found our seats and settled in for the 6 and a half hour flight. I slept some – grateful for that. The flight was a bit bumpy but went by quite quickly really. We landed at Heathrow about 4:30 and zipped through immigration. There our group had to split up as most of them were catching connecting flights. Hugs all around and my friend, Tracy, and I went to collect luggage. She is just staying here overnight to visit a friend. We bought our underground passes and I got some money and off we went on the Tube. I got off at my stop and had to get a bus to the college where Beth (my cousin) is staying. It was totally packed and I had two bags and a fairly loaded backpack on my back. Needless to say, I was an obstacle and the object of one person’s ire! After getting off at the wrong stop, I hauled my bags back to the college gate and met Beth! Yeah – I was here!
Her daughter, Leslie, is also visiting so we will have a wonderful time. Her flat is quite small but cozy. Leslie is on the couch and I am on a blowup on the floor – very comfy.
Slept well and actually went for a run this morning. I was encouraged that I hadn’t completely lost all semblance of fitness and actually ran further than intended due to some irregular turns. I was NOT lost, just couldn’t get through all spots! : )
After a lovely shower, I am now sitting at the campus Starbucks with Leslie, writing to you all. Back in the land of good coffee, drinkable water, and the Internet! It is nice but it is always hard to put back on the life of comfort after seeing so much.

God is good – all the time.
Ta – Jill

 

The Joy of Children| January 31, 2014

for Monday – Jan 27

As it is a cold grey rainy day here in London, I will go back to hot Sierra Leone and do some catch up. No in between in the climate. I did have a nice day today. A nice sleep in, Starbucks coffee, and The National Gallery, St Martin in the Fields for a lunchtime piano concert, lunch in the crypts, and back to the college. Now, back to Africa.

What a full day this was! It started with my interview. This is not as important as it sounds! Peter, our videographer who is originally from Colombia and is just a great guy, was hired by WV to accompany us and film the work for use by the chapters supporting Sierra Leone projects, for Strong Women, Strong World, and to show to donors and sponsoring organizations. Each of us is being interviewed but if any of us are included, it will probably be only as sound bites.
Anyway, it was fun.
After breakfast, most of our women headed to the store to buy groceries for the sponsored families. Been there, done that and no sponsored child here, so I remained behind to write and catch up a bit.
Upon their return, we loaded up, stopped briefly at the ADP office to collect staff, tight packed into the vans and headed into the area where the sponsored children live. Our first stop was to visit a Community Health Worker who was checking in with a new mom and her two weeks baby girl. The CHW made sure the young woman knew the incredible importance of nursing the baby exclusively until at least 6 months. The mother was also visited during her pregnancy and taught hygiene, distress signs to look for, and diet advice. Most moms deliver in area clinics set up just for this purpose but may have to walk up to 2 miles to get there. Try that while you are in labor! By our standards, the clinics are incredibly primitive but here they are a major improvement. In a community of almost 600, maternal mortality had been 10 women in 2 years time. Since this program has started, there have been no deaths! The worker uses pictures to teach as literacy is definitely an issue, particularly for women. There are 4 workers for this community and they also can treat malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea. These people are trained by WV and need to be literate but they are volunteers! And in this area, the volunteers have very few supplies, no bicycles or cycles for transportation, and no gear to help them in their work. It was a good stop but also sobering.
Next, we went to call on the premier chief! A great honor. He is the chief over all the section chiefs. This is a primarily Muslim community so he was appropriately garbed. He is a large man and rather imposing – perfect for the job. His older brother, Suliman, is an iman and has gone with us most of the time. He is a very dear man.
Much of this was the usual protocol posturing with some welcome dancing thrown in. Everyone needs to be introduced and the words translated so it takes awhile. The whole village turns out and waits in the hot sun for these events. We got to sit up on a covered platform and felt very humbled and blessed.
The local mothers’ group came in singing with armfuls of vegetables for us and Cindy was given a very beautiful carved staff. There is so much generosity among the poor! They will honor us out of their poverty! We do give the produce to the ADP staff and they distribute it. The chief informed us that we were all now part of his chiefdom.
We stopped in briefly at a Community Health Workers training. The group was primarily men as a qualification is literacy and the boys still get preference for education.
Our final stop was the highlight of the trip – we visited the sponsored children. We drove out into a very remote village. Many of the buildings were newer looking, which is nice, but it is because this village was overrun during the decade long war. Everything was destroyed and over 300 people were killed. Given that most of these villages have only 4-6 hundred people in them, they came close to destruction.
But today was all joy. We drove into the village and were greeted with decorations and facing rows of people. THe little ones were holding up signs saying Welcome in general and the sponsored ones’ signs read – the sponsor’s name and then I am your sponsored child or I am your friend. It was so dear. Several of the children are quite young and seemed a bit overwhelmed but they were darling. 7 of us had children there – not me.
Again we had all the formal introductions and all. The time closed again with a Muslim prayer and then the Lord’s Prayer. The way the two faiths get along here is almost unbelievable. We need to pray for their protection as some extremists are just beginning to come in and to try and change the climate. That would be a tragedy.
After all the ceremony, we returned to the school to meet with just the children and their families. It was fun to watch these blessed meetings as I know what a privilege it is. I also met a couple of teachers in the community and talked with an older man, now “retired” who had taught most of the people in the village at one time. It was a sweet conversation. Then back at the school, he came up to give me a bag of apples! I almost cried. It was such a blessing and again out of his poverty! We have so much to learn from these people!
I did share a little with a couple of the children and gave them the cards Elliott had made. From Oregon – all the way across the world.
We left reluctantly but still hadn’t had lunch yet so we drove back to the ADP office for a 5:30 meal! We still had an hour drive back to Bo and our supper – which we really didn’t need. A couple of us just had French fries for supper! Great meal!

A full and rich day.

Let’s Get Out of Africa (Albeit Reluctantly) | February 2, 2014

After 3 days in London, I should probably finish up with Africa! The Internet is driving me crazy! Even here in London. However, that is a tiny complaint given all I have seen!

Back to Africa – Tuesday was our last day out in the ADP. In the morning, we headed out to another village just briefly. There we got to be part of a well baby check in. It was so precious. All these darling babies popped into a sling and hung from a scale! Most handled it quite complacently! Their moms were very interested in us, especially when we took their pictures and shared them. So much fun. Whenever I get to hold a baby, it is a good day!
Offensive comment to follow – after traveling some, I do think that white babies are at the bottom of the heap in the cuteness contest – my grands excepted of course! Little Asian faces and black ones are so adorable! Am I betraying my race? Tough patookies!
We saw a little more of health work and then headed back to the ADP office for some farewells. One very fun thing – back in October, when I was at the MOPS conference with WV, we asked moms who came to our booth, to write a message to a Sierra Leonean mom on a fabric square. We then strung them up – prayer flags. After the conference, we took them down and Cindy brought them here. They now hang in the ADP office! It is such a blessing to have seen them being created to see them across the ocean and ministering to the staff here. Wow – what a life God lets me live!
We said a reluctant good bye to our friends and drove back to Bo. There we had lunch and packed up and headed back to Freetown. I wrote about that before – a 3 hour drive turned into 5 due to an unschedule stop and heavy traffic. Our stop was at a police check point. We had to get out and trot through the little shack and show our passports. It was no big deal and it felt good to stretch our legs but Alfred, our fearless leader, really reamed on the men there. It was a true pleasure to watch him! I guess non-profit vehicles are never to be stopped!
When we finally arrived at our same hotel, we unloaded, checked into our rooms, and had a very fun relaxing supper and headed to bed.
Wednesday was out last day in Sierra Leone. After our breakfast, we stayed at our table and were joined by a lovely young Sierra Leonean woman who came to chat with us and answer questions. Her name was Isata and Cindy had met her on the boat coming across at the beginning of our adventure. She has been educated in England and is very bright and articulate. It was a pleasure to talk with her and get some questions answered but also to admire the dedication of this very gifted young woman coming back to her country to serve here. Her attitude seemed to be how could she do anything else? This is home. She was great.
Then we went to lunch with the National Director for WV Sierra Leone. He had amazing stories of God’s work in his life and his literally being snatched from sure death during the war. He is a man of great integrity and represents his country and WV so well. He was accompanied by 2 other staff who are equally excellent. Overall, the Sierra Leonean WV staff confirmed my opinion that WV is uniquely blessed in its staff! These are people, who could have higher paying jobs, with fewer hours and less stress, and choose to serve the Lord. I am in awe of them.
After lunch, Cindy gave us some verses and questions to reflect upon in a couple of hours of individual quiet time. It was a very rich time for me and God revealed much to me. Ginna and I stayed in our room, quietly, (air conditioning!) but kept throwing tissues to each other.
Then there was a little time to pack up, a group debrief time, and off to dinner. A small group had gone shopping at the market so at supper, they had a lovely thing for us to do. We each drew a name of a team member, shared something lovely about her, and then drew a small gift out of a sack. It soon became apparent that we all had matching bracelets, which is completely great! Only Peter got something different although he wanted a bracelet! It really was the perfect way to end our time.
A short night and on our way at 5 am but I wrote about that already.

A couple of quick reflections on the trip as a whole – some of it was very familiar – Africa. But this group made it a different but valuable time. I still so love Africa and the rural people speak to my heart. It feeds my soul to dance with the women and hold the babies and cry over the filthy water.
Thank you my Lord!

 

A Bit of London in the Night | February 2, 2014

Hi all – with 3 days in London under my belt, it is time to share a bit. I am staying here with my cousin Beth, who is here on a teaching term with her Florida college. She is so graciously sharing her flat on campus with me.
Friday it was great to sleep in a bit and then head into central London to show Leslie a bit of London, as she has never been here before. We came out at Trafalgar Square, being prepped for the weekend celebration of the Chinese New Year. All that meant was we couldn’t climb up on the Nelson lions. – another day. We headed to the National Gallery and queued for a showing of two VanGogh Sunflower paintings. They had not been together since he had painted them so it was fun to see them together and compare technique and choose a favorite. After looking around a little more, we headed over to St Martin in the Fields for a free lunch piano recital. Very good. Then we headed to the Crypts for lunch. It has much improved, food wise, since I was last here. A little more sightseeing and back to the college.
Beth is working at Roehampton Unversity – southwest London – so it takes a bus and tube ride to get into central London.
Sat, Leslie and I were able to tag along on a college sponsored outing to Canterbury and Dover. We rode in a very comfortable double decker coach and had a lovely ride to Canterbury. It was nice to get out in the countryside. I have been to Canterbury before but the cathedral is so beautiful and full of history and the town has parts that date back to the Middle Ages with the occasional Roman wall thrown in. Cobble stone streets and all. Then onto Dover. It is on the coast and, although the day was clear, it was incredibly windy. I’m not sure if I have ever been in stronger gusts. We could barely keep our feet! Our first visit was Dover Castle, dating back to Henry II! They have recreated medieval period rooms so it was very cool. However, I gained a real appreciation for how chilly a castle could be, even with roaring fires. We then fought our way down the hill to the Tunnels. They are tunnels bored into the chalky cliffs during the Napoleanic Wars to protect England in the case of invasion. Then they were also used during WWI and II. Paul and I had visited them on our first trip back in ’96 but the presentation is very different – multi- media and really brought the realities of WWII alive. The Dunkirk evacuation was led from here and that story is so moving and tear inducing! The triumph of the human spirit. It was a good day, despite almost blowing away. A warm cozy bus ride took us home.
Today is Sunday and a quiet day. I did a little shopping on Putney High Street and then, in the afternoon, Beth and I went into London for evensong at Westminister Abbey. It was wonderful. We sat in the choir – right behind the men and boys’ choirs. There was a little boy across from me who was the spitting image of Harry Potter. How wonderful to worship our Lord in this lofty ancient place. It was a true blessing.
High tea tomorrow and an attempt at a play! It will be a fun day.

Time for Tea | February 3, 2014

Lovely day here.  Two days of sunshine in a row!  That has been great.  I enjoyed a quick run this morning – no unnecessary detours!

We then headed back to Putney High Street to run some errands.  I am enjoying sitting at the Starbucks and enjoying a leisurely coffee and some wi-fi time.  Then back to the flat, got ourselves together and then into London.  Beth found this wonderful place for high tea.  It is a former mansion which now holds an art collection.  It rather reminded me of the Isabella Stewart Gardiner Museum in Boston.  They have an open courtyard area with a high glass roof where they serve tea.  We relaxed into our cushioned chairs and had a lovely tea.  Beth had had tea at Harrads with some of her students and she thought this was better and about half the price!  We thoroughly enjoyed it.

Then we hopped the tube briefly and came out at Harrads.  I have been there before but it is an over the top experience.  I like the food halls the best.  However, coming right on the heels of Africa, it was a sensory and sensibility overload.  We talk about a vision trip ruining one for life.  Having been on several, I am very ruined and found this shrine to consumerism too much today.  2000 pound purses and 95 pound tops for little girls gave me pause as I saw the children in the villages for whom 2000 pounds would insure a life of plenty and opportunity.  I’m not judging people who can shop here (or least not too much!) but I am ruined for this.

A comment on costs – the numbers are the about the same as in the US – ie 45 for a shirt but that number is in pounds, not dollars and pounds are 60 to 70% higher than dollars!  I really don’t know how regular people live here!                                                                            After Harrads, we walked around a little more and enjoyed the lights.  Back to the flat for a snack – we don’t need supper!

I am off to Bristol tomorrow to visit my dear niece, Carolyn, and her family.  I was going to go on Wed but the powers that be are calling a transportation slow down starting tomorrow night so I am getting out of town while I can.  On my way back, I will stop in Oxford for at least one night so it should be lovely.

Well, I am going to collect my laundry, pack and go to bed.  Bristol tomorrow!  So I head back to the flat and will magically make the lights go on.  (They come on just as one comes close, but I race down the stairs and twing each one so it will come on!  Silly buggers but old women can do silly things!).

More on the morrow.

Bristol and Oxford| February 6, 2014

I am writing from my cozy and lovely guest house room in Oxford! It is such a delight to be here despite chilly temperatures and blowing rain.
I left London Tuesday morning to catch the train to Bristol and my niece, Carolyn. It was another multi- transportation kind of a day. After watching 3 of our regular buses blow by, too full, I decided to catch another one to a different location but one with a Tube stop. Destination Paddington Station. Got the bus, popped into the station and saw a train just sitting there packed to the gills. Signs were saying that there were problems on the line. Ok – plan B –  back outside to hail a taxi which fortunately showed up quite soon. A very nice and chatty cabbie took me to the station with plenty of time to spare. 3 trains later, I was in Bristol!
I love the trains here – they are comfy and pretty much on time. They go through lovely countryside and I don’t have to go through security or worry about missing one. There is always another one soon after. It is the most relaxing way to get around.
I arrived right after lunch and was so happy to see Carolyn and her darling 2 children. They live in a great attached house. She, like all my nieces, has done so much with her place. It is welcoming and cozy and even has 3 bedrooms so I got my own! That was a very real treat. It was great to catch up and meet baby Chloe for the first time. She is a smiley chubby cheeked little English girl. Her 2 year old brother, Colin, is a curly headed little guy who was fun to play with. Husband Mark came home later in the day – he is a maths teacher at a public (which means private over here) boarding school. The next night we met him after work and went out to dinner. But on the way we walked by his school. Oh my goodness! It’s like a small version of Oxford or Cambridge! It even has its own “chapel” with turrets, glass, and a beautiful rose window! We went by after dark but the lights lit up everything so it was very beautiful.
My first evening here Carolyn spoiled me with a marvelous dinner of fresh British ham, roasted parsnips, and a pear crumble for dessert. We ate in their so nice dining room with candles and wine and all! This was my first home cooked meal since leaving so, along with the company, was a great respite.
(I know I am overflowing with the superlatives but don’t have anything else! This was a true highlight of my trip!)
The next day Carolyn, kids and I hunkered down as the wind was blowing quite hard with the occasional rain. After bopping around so much, a day at home was perfect and gave us lots of time to catch up.
England has been having fierce storms and parts of Cornwall have suffered severe damage due to wind, high tides, and breached sea walls. There is no train service there for the foreseeable future.
As I said, that second evening we joined Mark and went to a pub like restaurant and had great pizza. It was such a great visit. I left quite reluctantly this morning.
However, now I am settled in Oxford – grateful for a room and ready to head out to explore. It was an easy walk from the train station so God continues to look out for me. I realize He didn’t place the station just for me but I am still grateful for its proximity to the places I want to see!
I am off to Blackwells and some coffee or tea.