...And then there was one.

The last two of my team members left yesterday for Freetown, so I am now the only missionary here. Auntie Cecelia made sure to assure me that I am not alone, because they are all still here! And so far I haven't had a spare moment to even feel remotely bored or lonely. The past few days have been packed full of various activities.

On Friday and Saturday the children had their Hope Royal College sports day. Both days we were informed to be there at 12, so of course both days we did not arrive until 1, and both days the events did not actually start until 2. The sports day the kids did a few weeks back was just a tiny sample of the real deal. This official sports day had over 50 different events. There were tons of running races and relays as well as track and field events. My personal favorite was the sack race. Like many of the events, it was mostly CRC kids against each other. Kemoh Kallon, Kabela, and Idrissa all participated. Kemoh easily got the hang of it and was leaping many feet into the air, he easily won with the other boys all strangling far behind. Idrissa and Kabela were too afraid to jump I guess, because both were trying to run while inside the sack. Which basically amounted to them taking tiny baby steps. It was extremely entertaining to watch.

Other interesting events included African Kings and Queens, carrying your doll, and needle and thread. African Kings and Queens was when each team dressed up two of the youngest kids and they danced. By the time this event occurred, it was late into the second day and more onlookers had arrived and crowded the field to make a ring around the kids. It was definitely intimidating and the youngest King just stood there crying the entire time he was supposed to dance. Carrying your doll was for the younger girls. They all had a plastic doll and a strip of fabric. They had to tie the doll to their back (the typical way African women carry their babies) and run to the finish line without it falling out. Needle and thread consisted of two partners. One held a needle. The second one ran up to them with thread, put the thread through the needle and ran back to the finish line holding the threaded needle. Not sure who though up this race, it was very clever. I couldn't help but to think of the fit the PTA would make about kids running races with sharp needles.

On Sunday we went to a (extremely long) service at 1:00 which was the Thanksgiving service for all the Hope Royal College students after their sports day. It was at Leader Church and consisted of lots of singing, and of course, speeches. I then went over to the CRC and played soccer with some of the boys. I am definitely out of practice, but I like to think I held my own. They definitely were easy on me, they tend to play pretty rough. Only fell once (and have some bumps and bruises to prove it), I have no idea how they play on a field of rocks and dirt in sandals and don't fall all the time. Its insanely slippery.

We had just finished playing when Auntie Hannah told us we were going to a gospel concert at the Bo Town Hall. The only flaw to this plan was that we did not have a driver. I rang up Joseph the MTC driver who graciously agreed to come "right away." He wasn't kidding and literally arrived at the CRC a few minutes later. So of course that cued a mad dash for everyone to run and get ready. Amazingly in less than ten minutes myself, all the kids, and the aunties were ready to go. (That seriously needs to go into the Guinness Book of World Records or something).

While we were walking to the car, Auntie Hannah told me that we would probably have to take two trips. I was confused because the CRC bus is so big, but told her we could do that if she wanted. It turned out she thought that Joseph was driving the MTC van and didn't understand why I was so confident we would all fit in the 6 passenger vehicle. (In retrospect I now wonder how she thought 40 people could have possibly made only two trips with that same 6 passenger van). But luckily we did not have to create an African clown car and we all jumped on board the CRC bus.

The concert itself was lots of singing, dancing, and of course, speeches. There was a good 45 minute interval where some guy stood on stage and encouraged (yelled at) people to buy the CD of the headlining group, who I might add, spent less time actually performing than he did promoting them. Not gonna lie, I dozed off for a while. Time is a funny thing here, and I have stopped bringing a cell phone or watch to events I know will take a while. It has really helped because now I don't obsess over how long they are taking I just pay attention (or apparently, nap). I finally asked Cecelia what time it was, because it appeared that the two hour concert was never going to end. I was shocked to hear it was a few minutes after 11 (it started at 7). We made the decision to leave, and rounded up some pretty sleepy kids.

Village Outreach

On Wednesday, we held a village outreach. We shoved as many people as possible into a Land Rover, and then crammed a few more in just for good measure. I ended up in the front seat and was endlessly amused by the fact that the lab tech was sitting straddling the gears, so every time the driver had to shift gears, he had to stick his hand in between the other guys legs. But apparently this was not awkward or humorous to anyone but me, because neither man seemed to mind this uncomfortable arrangement. We four wheeled it down some really rough roads and all held our breaths and sent up some prayers when we drove over a "bridge" that consisted of two tree trunks. (Don't worry mom, the driver assured us they were "very strong" and he was right!!)

We arrived in the village and all the pregnant women and children under five assembled to be treated. We tested for malaria, HIV, and malnutrition. Out of 150 people, about 50% had malaria and almost all of the babies less than a month old were infected. We handed out lots of medication that was much needed! Some children were found to be malnourished, so we handed out packages of nutritional supplements that will help them to gain weight. It was so sad to see them with their stick arms and distended bellies. (Although they needed the food, none of them were in the severe stages of malnutrition that requires more drastic care). A newborn baby was particularly sick so we (somehow) managed to squeeze her and her mom in the car for the ride back. They are now in Mercy Hospital and the baby is being treated for measles.

Going on the outreach was definitely one of the highlights of my trip so far. I really needed to get out of Bo and see how the majority of Sierra Leoneans live. It never ceases to amaze me how the most basic necessities are not available. 11 million children die each year around the world and the vast majority of them die of preventable diseases. Living in a country like the United States, it is easy to take so much for granted. No, our country and our government are not perfect, but we really are fortunate to be provided with so much when others have so little.

Catching Up

One of the biggest blessings of coming to Sierra Leone is that I am permitted to be an unquestioned guest in many contexts. It is nice to be able to pop in at Mercy Hospital, the CRC campus, and various meetings. There is ALWAYS something going on and the staff are incredible at making you feel welcome. We have (per usual) packed lots of different meetings into our team schedule. I have been able to hear about all the new developments, issues, and progress. It is really encouraging and I particularly enjoyed meeting with the CRC Alumni Association, which is the older post-secondary students. They have all grown up so well and ran the meeting with great skill.

We were able to attend the United Methodist Annual Conference. The opening day consisted of a march around Kenema (a town an hour away from Bo I had never seen). We also got to observe the opening worship service. It was a unique experience that I was glad to be part of.

I have really gotten to see a lot of Bo on this trip. We have gone to the market a few times which was, as predicted, chaotic and extremely unclean. I was particularly shocked when we got out of the van and three men in tribal gear were walking around (a little too close for comfort) while singing and playing instruments. One was holding a handkerchief that had some dried blood on it. (Never fear, our driver Joseph was with us and we were completely safe). He explained to us that they were members of the male Tende secret society. They often cut their tongues, for reasons he did not know. I saw demonstrations by secret societies on my first trip as well. They are extremely widespread here and the majority of the population (male and female) are members of them.

On the Mercy side, I was able to go on rounds and see some of the patients. As always, it is the plight of children that saddens me the most while I am here. At the nutrition screening, a woman brought in her twin babies. They were quite small, unable to walk and still breastfeeding. From their size I assumed they were a few months old. However, I soon discovered that they are actually 15 MONTHS old and only weigh NINE pounds. It was extremely shocking and very sad to hear this. They have both been enrolled in the Mercy Nutritional Program and will receive food that will be essential to their growth and development. Such a small thing that Mercy does that makes a HUGE impact in the lives of people who would otherwise have no alternative.

Stupid Bird

Today's post is dedicated to what Laura and I have nicknamed "stupid bird" Today the CRC kids found a baby bird. It is older, but not able to fly yet. When I first saw it I thought it was dead. Not a great sign. However, once I convinced the kids it was alive and needed some food and water, they quickly came to the rescue. Koi really took charge and dug up some worms for the little guy. I had to go for dinner, so I was hopeful that would be the end of the bird ordeal. Not so much. After Vespers the kids convinced me to take the bird back to the MTC (I agreed because I figured leaving the bird outside with two dogs and two cats was not the best plan). We decided the bird needed another meal so I found myself holding the flashlight in the pitch black in the field behind the CRC as Monina and Koi dug for worms. I was even more excited when I got to carry three huge worms home in my hand because we had nothing to put them in. This stupid bird better live. He is currently under the protection of the MTC guard (who I am sure never expected to be tasked with watching a tiny bird as part of his job description).

On an unrelated sidenote, Idrissa (who is 13) voluntarily wore a skirt today. Among other things, these kids are teaching me how to maintain a great poker face.

Sports Day

Friday was International Women's Day so the kids got school off. They organized a Sports Day which was basically a field day of various activities. I was really impressed with them. They organized the whole thing themselves and ran the events so well. The older residential kids all dressed in white and were the referees. Some of the post secondary students came to be judges. It was great to see everyone. The events included high jump, long jump, musical chairs, relay races, sprints, and balloon races. They gave out handmade certificates to the winners.Towards the end of the festivities there was an African Queen and Papa Swag contest. In the African Queen a girl from each team dressed up as the Queen and had an assistant who would throw glitter in front of her. One of the groups had Koi, a younger boy, in underwear with strips of fabric around him while "fanning" the Queen. I was dying, it was so funny. Papa Swag was two of the boys all dressed up and catwalking, then they danced. It was such a fun day.

Here!!

So we are safely in Bo. We had a few adventures on the way here (as we always do). The "highlights" of our misadventures were losing our team leader in the Brussels airport for two hours and the choppy water taxi ride from the Lungi airport to Freetown. What is a water taxi? Well, basically it is a completely covered boat that they shove as many tourists and their luggage in as possible, and then proceed to drive as fast as humanly possible across the water. Did I mention this was in the pitch black of night? Oh, and we came within a few feet of crashing into a fishing boat. Luckily I was too jetlagged and tired to really notice. (Sorry Mom I promise I will be safe the rest of my trip!). We got to the Kona Lodge in Freetown and got a good nights sleep.

The kids are, as always, amazing. There are six new children at the CRC which is very exciting. They are all very sweet and extremely interested in the volunteers. I will be doing something, look down, and see a little one just standing near me or watching me. The 4 year olds, Abu and Paul, are especially fun. Whenever they see one of us, they come running for a big hug and to be held. I have been terrible and havent taken pictures (what is wrong with me!?!) I am just enjoying seeing everyone but I will get pics ASAP.

On a sidenote, I was warned that March was the hottest month in Sierra Leone. I also checked the weather and saw that the highs were in the 95s. However, I still for some reason did not think it would be super hot. IT IS EXTREMELY AND RIDICULOUSLY HOT. Even the Sierra Leoneans are sweating profusely, which at least makes me feel as though I am not completely unreasonable for believing that I have actually been relocated to living in a sauna. But hey, this is what I signed up for and luckily I have the best team EVER!! We keep it light and make each other laugh all the time. It is great to be around such amazing people all the time :)

A few pics taken from the car while driving through Freetown: (Oh and did I mention that there were four of us in the backseat of the car for the entire trip to Bo? That was super fun!)