“Let me plant you!”

While visiting out with the neighbors a few days ago, Mariama, one of the girls I have been getting to know, insisted that I let her “plant” me, which is what they call the tiny braids they all wear in their hair. While I knew that the braids would never stick in my hair, I conceded to let her attempt anyways, wanting to show my eagerness to adapt to their culture. I sat with my head titled, attempting conversation with my broken Krio, as she fought with my “slippery” hair. Although Mariama actually knows a good deal of English, she likes to pretend that she doesn’t, and refuses to speak to us in anything but Krio, which is actually nice because it helps me to pick it up more quickly. They tell me I am learning fast, which is encouraging. “I love your style!” she keeps repeating, as the rest of the neighbors chuckle at the sight. I sat in wonder as the irony of the whole situation struck me. As I felt Mariama earnestly fighting to plant my hair, with much more success than I expected, I wondered what might happen if I tried with just as much eagerness to help “plant” these people in the truths of God’s word. That is, after all, my whole purpose for being here....

I had my first big opportunity for this that same night, as we had our children’s service. I began a series of Chronological Bible Storying, starting with the Creation story, with the plan to continue chronologically through the Bible, trying to lay strong biblical foundations. While I believe this method of evangelism is very effective in almost any setting, I have found it to be extremely necessary here. Before the story, I asked the children questions to try and discover what they know and believe already. While they are quick to spout off a simple answer that God made the world, further prying reveals that they really have no idea who God really is, or why He created the world. Witnessing in this country, at least here in the city, is difficult, because everyone here is either a Christian or a Muslim, because they are legally required to declare one of those two religions in order to be allowed to vote. The nation likes to boast that the two religions coincide peacefully here, but I think it’s only because virtually no one fully understands or follows either religion. Everyone’s doctrine seems so jumbled, and while they “know” some Bible facts, they don’t seem to really understand them. Please pray that the hearts of the people will be open and willing, and that God would lead and direct myself and the other missionaries with the right words to express His love in a way that they can understand. I also ask for prayer that I would continue to learn the language quickly to better be able to communicate. Also, on a different not, I am currently covered head to toe in mosquito bites. While this is a common occurrence for me, even in Texas, the neighbors here seem to think that mine are exceptionally bad. They say the mosquitoes are “initiating” me into Sierra Leone, but they seem worried that I may get malaria. While I am on preventative medication, it is not impossible to still contract the disease, so please pray also that I would stay healthy. Also, we have a new teen outreach that we are starting this afternoon, so I covet your prayers for that ministry as well. Thanks again for your care and prayers!

well toto, we’re not in the village anymore!

My fondest memories of Africa include sleeping in a dung hut, waking up to a rooster crowing, and crawling out of my mosquito netting to see the beautiful African sunrise across the bright, clear sky........Boy, was I in for a surprise here in the bustling seaport city of Freetown!

I have so much to explain about my first few days here, yet so little time to do it, so I’ll try to hit the highlights. I arrived into Freetown late last Tuesday night. Thankfully, I did not suffer from much jetlag, and so was ready to go Wednesday morning. I was taken to meet the neighbors. Right next to our compound are two tiny tin shacks, which are home to close to 20 people. Afterwards, we went for a walk around our area of town, and down to the nearest market. Although we technically live in Freetown, we are more on the outskirts so it is less busy, but I can definitely tell I’m in a big city.

The next few days were pretty similar, taking walks around town to get acquainted with things, attempting to learn as much as possible about the culture, building relationships with the neighbors, and preparing for Sunday’s church service, which is held in the front of our compound. It went well, although since it is outside we have a big tarp covering for protection from the sun, and it was so windy that it nearly blew off, causing an almost constant distraction, especially for the children’s service, but we made it through.

Today I had my first adventure into “Freetown proper,” or the main, downtown area of the city. It was crazy! I think our driver almost killed us on at least three occasions. There really aren’t any road rules at all, but hey....this is Africa! After we got back home (safely, thankfully), we had our first language lesson. Although there are several languages spoken here in Freetown, the most common and widely used is Krio, a creole language that blends broken English with over 20 different African languages, although the English is predominant. It’s strange because once you start to understand it, it’s really just a slang, jumbled up English with improper grammar (according to our standards). In some ways it should be easy to learn, since many words are the same or at least similar to ours, but at the same time it is very difficult to get pronunciation right and to teach yourself to speak with a grammar that you’ve always been taught was incorrect. But it definitely means a lot to the people here that we are willing to learn, so I’m trying my hardest to get it down.

Anyways, I’m sure by now you’re tired of reading, so I’ll try and wrap things up. On Wednesday we have a children’s service where I will be starting Chronological Bible Storying, so pray that God can use me through that and that the children will be able to understand. Thanks again for your continued prayer and support.