6.9.14: Until Next Time…

Today was our final day in Sierra Leone.  Other than a slightly rough start of not feeling well, the trip could not have been more perfect.

This morning we had our farewell ceremony.  The kids and staff again sang for us.  We were able to give some care packages to all of the staff as well, which they really seemed to appreciate.  After the farewell ceremony we got to hang out a little bit longer before saying our final goodbyes and leaving for the boat and airport.

Telling Daniel goodbye and sharing some treats…

Little Hawa was all smiles on our last morning…

Sharing care packages with the caregivers…

Before we left for Africa I was curious of how this trip would be different than the last.  I think I expected a mostly similar experience, but I really don’t think it could have been more different.  I am so thankful for all of the opportunities we had while we were here.  God continues to be present and working in this city.

The Raining Season is a city on the hill that is transforming lives each and every day.  This city continues to be more than the trash on the ground and the poverty that exists.  These children represent true beauty in the every day moments of life.

The song Kings and Queens by Audio Adrenaline is not about Sierra Leone, but it is about orphans.  God wraps these little orphans in his majesty and they can become kings and queens.  These little children that have been forgotten on Earth are going to have a special place in heaven one day because of what they've been through here.

Little hands, shoeless feet, lonely eyes looking back at me
Will we leave behind the innocent too brief
On their own, on the run when their lives have only begun
These could be our daughters and our sons
And just like a drum I can hear their hearts beating
I know my God won’t let them be defeated
Every child has a dream to belong and be loved
[Chorus:]
Boys become kings, girls will be queens
Wrapped in Your majesty
When we love, when we love the least of these
Then they will be brave and free
Shout your name in victory
When we love when we love the least of these
When we love the least of these

I have enjoyed sharing our experiences in Sierra Leone, but it is important to mention that I could not even begin to capture all of the little moments in our days.  There were so many small stories that have come up in conversation since we’ve been back.  Quite honestly, I think the little moments are the ones that have been most impactful on my heart. 

Until next time, Africa…

{The Launes}

6.8:14:This Holy Water…

Today was a day filled with worship at the center.  The morning started out with Sunday school, followed by church, a baptism and finally tonight, devotions.  That is one of the neatest things about the Raining Season.  The children and staff are constantly worshiping throughout the day.  They are connected and Jesus is real to them.  He brings healing and hope.

Sunday school was the first hour of the morning.  One of the older girls led the class I joined.  They went over a little bible lesson and memorized a verse.  I was sitting in the doorway and Trent was actually inside the room, just out of my sight.  I got a kick out of this because he was sitting in a toddler sized chair participating in the lesson like he was one of the kids.  It reminded me of the movie Elf when Buddy is at school with the other elves.  All I could hear from where I was sitting was Trent’s deep voice booming over the kids as he recited the verse with an African accent and all.

After Sunday school was church.  There was lots of singing, dancing and a sermon by Pastor Daniel as we all worshiped Jesus together.

Trent and James at church…

The girls…some of us in our African skirts we had made.

When church was over we went with Pastor Daniel and a few of the kids from the center for a baptism in the ocean.  We walked about a mile and a half downhill to Lumley Beach in Freetown.  Then Pastor Daniel baptized two people he had been working with over the past year.  After the baptism we walked a mile and a half up hill to get back to the center…holy hot!  Today was the hottest it’s been all week and were were all completely drenched after our long walk.

This afternoon we also had a USA vs. Sierra Leone basketball game.  Basketball is not a very popular sport here, but hoops were installed at the center about a year ago.  Quami (part of the management team) actually played basketball for the national team in Sierra Leone.  The staff challenged the USA to a game earlier in the week.  The kids were all so excited.  They were chanting USA!  USA!  and Go Big Red!  Some even made signs.  It was a fun game, no major injuries and the USA won 60-34 (Sierra Leone’s biggest loss to an American team).

Pre game prayer…

Team USA and Sierra Leone after the game…

We had our final team devotion tonight.  One of the caregivers, Uncle Joseph, shared his story with our team.  His main message was about not worrying, but praying constantly.  The caregivers here are not only helping to raise 100+ children, but they are also helping them to see the power and blessings in believing and praying.

Tomorrow will end this part of an incredible journey.  It is amazing to see the transformations in this city and at this orphanage since our visit last year.  God has a plan for every single one of these children.  We love being here, but he is working even when we are not here. 

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

{The Launes}

6.7.14: Just Another Day in Paradise…

Today was beach day for our team.  We got to take a few of the kids from the center to the beach.  This beach is truly amazing.  It has the softest, whitest sand and turquoise water.  It is just outside the city and it feels like you are in paradise.

Excitement was running high amongst the kids as they knew beach day was approaching.  They were constantly asking, “You going to take me to beach day?”  Only 9 kids got to come (all sponsored by people on our team).  Luckily all 4 of our sponsored kids got to come.  Zanaib was very concerned that she might not get to come and was in tears most of the morning.   Since only a few kids got to come we had to all pile into 2 vehicles.  Our poda (picture bigger than a minivan, but smaller than a cargo van) had 23 people in it!  We were literally squished like sardines.  On this year;s trip to the beach John earned an A for driving.  Last year I gave him an F.

Kandeh and Zanaib wore their new outfits we brought them to the beach…

I was still finding sand in this girl’s hair two days after the beach…a sign of a good time!

This is a small glimpse of what 23 people in a poda looks like…

The beach was a blast!  I got to check something off of my 30 before 30 list as we swam in the ocean, played with the beach ball and had fun with the kids.  Kandeh and Zanaib loved laying close to the shore and letting the waves come crashing over them pulling them under water.  They would come up with great big grins on their faces and sand all over their bodies.  After 5 hours at the beach we headed home for a relaxing evening.  Thank goodness for SPF 50 sunscreen!  I got a little bit of a spotty sunburn, but it could have been much worse!

River No. 2 Beach…the pictures really don’t do it justice.

When we got back we had a little play time and then I went to Kandeh’s devotion.  After devotion I brought him outside. We were sitting and talking on the bench.  I was asking him some questions and then we started talking about the American and Sierra Leone flags.  After a minute or so Kandeh asked me why the clouds in America are red.  I was so confused by this question that seemed to come out of left field.  Then I thought more about it and asked Kandeh what the colors on their flag stand for (green/land, blue/water and white/clouds).  Therefore, if our flags are similar in color then they must mean the same things, hence clouds in America must be red :)  I loved spending time with Kandeh tonight, but pretty soon he started looking very sleepy.  I asked if he wanted to rest his head on my lap and he was out like a light within two minutes…poor guy was all tuckered out from a long day at the beach!

Baby Mishell, who is sponsored by Trent’s parents…hard to believe that just a few months ago this cutie was brought into the center malnourished. 

It is hard to believe that tomorrow will be our last full day in Sierra Leone.  Saying good bye will be so tough.  It is incredible the relationships that can be formed in such a short period of time.

{The Launes}

6.6.14: Community Outreach

Today was community outreach day.  Our goal was to invite children from the community around the center to our vacation at the center later in the afternoon.  We headed out with Pastor Daniel and some of the kids from TRS and visited with people and children on the street.  Then we went to a small school.  The children all came outside and lined up and sang us their school song and national anthem.  After that, some of the TRS kids sang and shared some of their favorite bible verses.  That school was one of the hottest places I’ve experienced so far this year.  There was not a cloud in the sky and the sweat was flowing freely!  Finally we visited one more school, St. Marten’s.  This school was incredibly nice by Sierra Leone standards.

Faith International School…You can see their school building in the background.

Two of these girls wanted to be nurses and another wanted to be a doctor…

After lots of walking we headed back to the center for lunch and to prepare for VBS.  After eating a quick lunch I was simply exhausted and decided to lay down for a few minutes and I zonked!  I woke up an hour later to see 90 kids already lined up outside the center ready for vacation bible school.  This was at 1:30 and we had told the kids to come at 3:30, hoping that by Africa time they would be there by 4:00.  It was awesome to see so many kids so excited to come learn about Jesus that they showed up two hours early!    We sang worship with the kids, had a bible story and then the kids got to play some games in groups.  My group played a  game where we had to keep the beach ball from hitting the ground.  We didn’t quite take in to consideration that there was razor wire very close by so we went through three beach balls rather quickly and it was back to the drawing board for a new game!  Vacation bible school was major chaos, but well worth it.  In all, including the TRS kids, there were 268 kids!

Lined up 2 hours early…

Plan B…Simon Says and Head, shoulders, knees and toes!

The kids lined up and ready to go home…

It was another awesome, but exhausting day.  By the time vacation bible school was over it was only 5:00!  We did whole group devotions outside for the first time since we’ve been here.  When that was over a few of us that had skirts made for church went to pick them up at the tailor.  Then John took us to see where he lives in Freetown.  His home was small, but very nice.  When we got back to the center we ate dinner and then spend time playing and visiting with the kids.  Kandeh had a blast blowing bubbles!

Whole group devotion…

It is hard to believe we only have three more days in Sierra Leone.  There are so many things that God is doing in this city.

{The Launes}