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Sunday April 19, 2009
Hi,
We went to worship at a UMC in Freetown, and then drove out to Debrugsal School
right after worship. Everyone was waiting for us as the worship ran about 1.5
hours, plus a church conference to elect officers (we exited as that began). Our
"Thanksgiving Service" at the school (don't think turkey and pumpkin pie) was a
good experience, although their microphone was not working, so the children
reciting were hard to hear. Oh well, I guess everyone has technical issues once
in a while. After the service, a marching band unit struck up the cadence, and
we started out in 90 degree heat and humidity. We marched all the way into
Benguema - we have discussed the mileage, but it was long!
Afterwards, a supper was served after which we drove out to the new school being
built. That was good to see.
It is late, and so I will sign off. I hope the photos are interesting to people.
Pastor
Duane
P.S. Greetings from Kim Fredette.
Sunday April 26, 2009
Hi,
We arrived back in Freetown on Saturday mid-day. One can see patriotic banners
going up over the streets as the people prepare for Independence Day (from Great
Britain), which took place on April 27, 1961. We accomplished much out at
Debrugsal Orphanage School. The new building was not ready to be painted, but it
is coming along well. The zinc galvanized roof is about one third complete, and
with the influx of two major gifts through Arlington Hills UMC, it should be
completed in a few weeks. Hopefully, before the rainy season gets in full swing
in May. We did paint the entire interior of the old classroom, which needed it
badly. It was a dark, dark gray --the original cement color--and since there are
no electric lights and precious little day light, the children have had a hard
time seeing their school work. We painted it with two-three coats of creamy
off-white, with "poppy" color trim. It looks and "feels" so much better. We
taught the teachers and older students, plus a few dads, how to paint. Gifts
from River Hills paid for all of the paint and painting supplies.
We also photographed all of the students (250 of them) individually, and the
teachers also. This is part of a new project to invite people in our churches to
"Adopt" a child for a year. Others can "adopt" a teacher as we strive to raise
their salaries. They subsist now on $1 (one dollar) a day!! Several of them have
families to support, so this is a real priority. Two of our team, Kim and Mike,
brought their sophisticated cameras along, so we have great pics of those
children. Launching this project should provide sustainable income for the
school.
I hope you all had a nice time this afternoon. We had a good supper together on
Saturday evening, and then visited with Colonel Ronnie Harlston, a friend of
Rugie and Debrugsal School; he's the Colonel in the army who came to see us the
first day. We had a very informative conversation about Sierra Leone, especially
the background behind the rebel war, and the prospects for continued healing and
growth.
Tomorrow we worship at King Memorial UMC here in Freetown. Our server at the
hotel restaurant tonight is a UMC pastor's son. So that was neat. His name is
Silvanus, like Paul's friend in the book of Acts.
I'll attach a few pics.
Pastor
Duane
P.S. this wouldn't go through on Saturday. We'll see if it goes now. I
hope so. We had a good worship experience today. Our team was introduced by the
pastor in charge, but we weren't asked to say anything. Worship lasted from
9:30-11:30. "No problem". Colonel Ronny Harleston was there with us and brought
us back to the hotel in his Toyota 4-Runner with AC - that felt good. The
weather here has been continually very hot (90's) and high humidity. All of us
have learned to move much more slowly, lest we melt away in a pool of
perspiration.
We had lunch here after church, out
in one of the Gazebos. Rugie had prepared a delicious meal of roasted chicken,
hot dogs, cooked cabbage and rice with veggies in it. Fresh Mango for dessert. I
am pleased to report that our whole team has been relatively free of digestive
problems.
We had a good chat with Rugie after dinner, outside in the Gazebo. She is still
stretching a River Hills shipment of quality chalk; but it is time for a renewed
supply of that and some other school supplies. Now we're resting in our room,
and checking out CNN. Something about that Swine flu outbreak, eh? I'm thinking
of finding a mask for O'Hare. Tomorrow at 5 p.m. we leave by hovercraft for
Lungi Airport. Flight doesn't leave until 10:35 though. So, we'll be biding our
time for a while after we have checked in.
Greet everyone.
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