Sunday, December 26, 2010
White Elephant Gift Exchange
We set up tables for dinner in our apartment. Relaxing, visiting, gift exchange and a movie for the kids were next door at Gabe and Sada's.
New Friends!
More new friends. They are serving here in Sierra Leone with Williamette Medical Teams.
left middle: John and Kaysie
right middle: Chad and Robin, and their 3 children
Christmas Dinner Table!
We were so happy to have Christmas plates, napkins and cups provided by Cindy Wiles (GCPN). The table runners were also a gift from Dennis and her for us and Gabe & Sada. It felt quite festive around here!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Pa' Hassan (Daddy Hassan)
We love this man to pieces! He takes such good care of us as our day guard Monday through Saturday, 6:30am - 6:30pm.
Security Wall
Security wall and Pa'Hassan's gardens, and of course, the view out my kitchen window! Razor wire is now complete.
Razor Wire
In October before we arrived, perimeter lights and glass shards were added to our security wall. This week the razor wire was installed! I think we are safe. :)
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Palm Oil
The women were so excited to have a good quality palm oil. They did not waste a drop as they filled containers.
Ground Nuts
Ground Nuts (peanuts) are a great source of protein, but a luxury that most cannot afford. Each family received $25 US dollars worth which is about a month's wage here. During the agricultural phase of the project fields will be planted with rice and ground nuts.
Parcels
89 parcels were assembled and distributed among the War Widows. Earlier in the week, 85 parcels were given to families at Mile 91.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Singing and dancing!
Singing and dancing as we rolled in and unloaded at the camp. For years different organizations have come in, interview the women, taken pictures and said they would try to help. This was "the first help" to arrive!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Merry Christmas!
It's amazing to think we have been in Sierra Leone over 5 weeks! In some ways it seems like we arrived only yesterday, but as we think of all that's been accomplished it's hard to believe things could have come together so quickly! Only God!
We were blessed to have a day to work from home yesterday at a more relaxed pace. We'd worked 12 straight getting ready for the first food distributions this week. Today was another great day as we were greeted with singing when we rolled into the War Widow's Camp! So many have worked so hard to make this happen! We are beyond words! We'll get pictures posted soon.
We would love to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS! Your prayers and support mean the world! Thank you! Bless you!!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Signatures and Fingerprints!
This was new to us, but when people sign for things here they quite often use a thumbprint.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Neighbors working on Ishmael's home!
The roof is off and fresh wooden poles are being put in place. We are wondering if the old metal will be reused?
Ishmael's home - FIRE!
Ishmael's home burned last night. We are so sad for him. Tom has been working with him on the plumbing at the Hope Centre and has great respect for him. As I type from the office I am working out of at Hope, there are men on his roof. They have removed the last of the corrugated metal that was not caved in. The back wall collapsed during the night. All contents of the home have been removed, but it is not likely that much will be salvaged. A steady stream of people from the community have stopped by throughout the day. We were there this morning, and Ishmael let Gabe pray for the family followed by a prayer from the principal of the Bible College across the road. Ishmael is Muslim! Please join us in praying that he will be impacted by caring Christians during this time. And pray that we will know how we can best help him as they rebuild.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Pujehun Orphans - in Southern Sierra Leone
100 orphans and caretakers: we spent the afternoon explaining the project to them and community leaders.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
The Facilities at Margaret's Orphanage
The kitchen and shower facitities behind Margaret's for the orphans.
Margaret Tucker - Founder of War Widows
Margaret is one amazing lady! She founded the War Widows Camp as well as an orphanage in her home at the camp. She has 26 children of all ages under her care including Martin, this severly disabled teen. She has the help on one assistant. Living conditions are a concern as several of the children sleep on mats on a crumbling concrete floor.
War Widows Camp
Sunday afternoon we spent time with the War Widows. These ladies were waiting on us to arrive. By the time we left I'd say that most of the 86 women had gathered. They will soon be receiving food parcels monthly, continued help with skills development and high yield seed for their farming.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
What a view! River #2
It took 3 hours because of traffic and dirt roads to drive the 22 miles from our home to the beach at River #2, but once we stepped onto the sand and saw the view in either direction, WOW, was it ever worth it!
THE BEACH - River #2
We were so excited yesterday to have a chance to relax after a non-stop week! Mike and Chelsea (UNICEF) invited Gabe, Sada and us to accompany them and Hannah (working with UNICEF for 8 weeks) to spend the afternoon at one of the 16 beaches along the Freetown Peninsula. This was our first time to River #2, named for a river that flows into the ocean at this beach. Our meal, grilled shrimp or barracuda, was served on skewers with rice or fries right at our table on the beach. Tom and I both ate to the full for $18.82. Unbelievable!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Social Work Interns!!!
Fantastic three days of training for 10 young people from The Evangelical College of Theology, Jui, Sierra Leone!! Pictured on the left is Alfred Kargo, Country Director for Buckner and instructor for the college. God has got so much in store for these students as He uses them over the next 13 months to work alongside us and Buckner International to go into the homes of nearly 300 families made up of the poorest of the poor...widows, orphans, foster/kinsman families. We will begin the adventure Sunday afternoon when we make our first visit to a War Widows Camp made up of 86 women, their children/grandchildren and 26 orphans that they have taken in. WE CAN'T WAIT!!!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sada's Parents!
We had a wonderful time getting to know Sada's parents, John and Pam, at Thanksgiving. By now they are back home in Houston. We've been blessed with so many new friends! Thank you, Lord!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving Dinner!
***Gabe was taking the picture***
From Tom's right around the table:
Christine, from the Philipines...accountant with Hope Centre
Chuck, from Georgia...ministers with "Pioneers"
Chelsea & Mike, from Tenn/Kentucky...UNICEF "Project Peanut Butter"
Gabe & Sada, from Mexico/Texas...dentist and RN with Hope Centre
John & Pam, from Texas...Sada's parents visiting from Houston
Ibrihim and Foday
Old friends!!! We were excited to have the guys with us for dinner this week. Such fun to catch up on all their news!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving 2010!
We trust that you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving week! We truly have so much to be grateful for, and we want to express our thanks to YOU for your prayers and support!
God has blessed us with an easy transition in Sierra Leone as He has surrounded us with new friends at The Hope Centre, missionaries and locals, to help us with every aspect of setting up house, rides to and from the city, permits, banking, internet, etc... We would not have known where to begin, but their experience and willingness to help has been such a blessing!
As of this week, we consider ourselves “at work” as we have had meetings with the Country Director of Buckner International about the agricultural and food securities program that will impact nearly 300 families made up of widows, orphans and foster families. We will be “up country” four times in December for overnight trips at Mile 91 (91 miles from Freetown) and Pujehun (about 200 miles in the interior near the Liberian border) to assess and begin food distribution, skills training and preparations for an agricultural extension program. Ten Social Work Interns from The Evangelical College of Theology will go through orientation and training next week and will assist with this endeavor.
Another program in the beginning stages, with expansion planned for January, will involve 120 young adults in the Jui Community near Freetown with much needed skills training in 6 areas: plumbing and electrical, auto mechanics, computer skills, tailoring, quilting and catering.
Also, we have set dates for two mission teams to come in May and June 2011 to continue work with Hosetta School for children with mental challenges in the Kissy District of Freetown. Details will be coming soon for those interested in being a part of a team!
We have a meal set for Thanksgiving afternoon, chicken and dressing and all the trimmings!! A dozen or so missionaries will be together for a time of celebrating and giving thanks to our Heavenly Father… “Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or even think to ask!”
PRAYER REQUESTS:
• Krio language studies – we have our work cut out for us!!
• Vehicle – we have started the process of securing a vehicle and have found two options. One seems to be in fair condition, but priced on the high side. A friend of ours (a mechanic) will look at it today to determine if he thinks it is reliable. We trust the Lord for funds for purchase.
• Plumbing issues – The Hope Centre has had on-going problems since completion. Tom is working daily with the contractor and plumber to find a solution.
• Traveling up country – safety on the roads, arrangements with local guest houses for rooms, the people we will serve.
• Generator – our main generator at the apartment needs repair.
Our best wishes for a happy holiday!
We love you with the love of the Lord!!
Tom and Becky
We trust that you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving week! We truly have so much to be grateful for, and we want to express our thanks to YOU for your prayers and support!
God has blessed us with an easy transition in Sierra Leone as He has surrounded us with new friends at The Hope Centre, missionaries and locals, to help us with every aspect of setting up house, rides to and from the city, permits, banking, internet, etc... We would not have known where to begin, but their experience and willingness to help has been such a blessing!
As of this week, we consider ourselves “at work” as we have had meetings with the Country Director of Buckner International about the agricultural and food securities program that will impact nearly 300 families made up of widows, orphans and foster families. We will be “up country” four times in December for overnight trips at Mile 91 (91 miles from Freetown) and Pujehun (about 200 miles in the interior near the Liberian border) to assess and begin food distribution, skills training and preparations for an agricultural extension program. Ten Social Work Interns from The Evangelical College of Theology will go through orientation and training next week and will assist with this endeavor.
Another program in the beginning stages, with expansion planned for January, will involve 120 young adults in the Jui Community near Freetown with much needed skills training in 6 areas: plumbing and electrical, auto mechanics, computer skills, tailoring, quilting and catering.
Also, we have set dates for two mission teams to come in May and June 2011 to continue work with Hosetta School for children with mental challenges in the Kissy District of Freetown. Details will be coming soon for those interested in being a part of a team!
We have a meal set for Thanksgiving afternoon, chicken and dressing and all the trimmings!! A dozen or so missionaries will be together for a time of celebrating and giving thanks to our Heavenly Father… “Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or even think to ask!”
PRAYER REQUESTS:
• Krio language studies – we have our work cut out for us!!
• Vehicle – we have started the process of securing a vehicle and have found two options. One seems to be in fair condition, but priced on the high side. A friend of ours (a mechanic) will look at it today to determine if he thinks it is reliable. We trust the Lord for funds for purchase.
• Plumbing issues – The Hope Centre has had on-going problems since completion. Tom is working daily with the contractor and plumber to find a solution.
• Traveling up country – safety on the roads, arrangements with local guest houses for rooms, the people we will serve.
• Generator – our main generator at the apartment needs repair.
Our best wishes for a happy holiday!
We love you with the love of the Lord!!
Tom and Becky
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Dorms for Mission Teams
The second story of the Centre houses dorms for mission teams and conference attendees. Matching dorms hold up to 15 men and 15 women.
Reception Area
This is the reception area and waiting room for the dental clinic in the Hope Centre.
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