Faces of Change

The past two years as I have prepared to go to Sierra Leone, I have spent a lot of time talking about the organization and the programs and the inservices and all the things that we do there to help promote a better future for the country. I think it is easier to talk with people about those things since saying, "Aunty Miatta and I had a good time watching the male teachers play in a football match," does not as easily inspire people to give prayers or otherwise. But the foundation for all of our man-made programs is the God-made people. And people are reached, grow, and change through relationships. The words we imparted have no impact if we are simply foreigners to one another. And in my mere words, it is hard to express the impact that these specific people have had upon my life. To me, they are not simply Africans. Or cute children from a different culture and continent. They are friends. And I strongly believe that it is through friendships that change takes place. And it is through the nationals' relationships with their people that Sierra Leone will change.

But people change slowly. Heh, I feel in my own life that I'm often one step forward, one mile back. But just as Christ's commitment made at Calvary doesn't have a deadline, neither should my relationships with them. And this confronts my American efficiency. I need and they need the transforming work of the LORD, and I am thankful that God uses us to grow each other.

I wish you could meet these people. Please pray for them...

Quami.
Leader of the international (that's us) teams. He was miraculously saved from death during the war. He is hilarious and gets American humor.

Stephen Michael.
Child polio-survivor. This does not define him. What defines him is his godly leadership. He is admired by the younger home children and has started churches. (He is "only" a teenager.)

Uncle Sons.
Primary principal. He desires to teach correct content in the school. He believes, with a minority, that all children (regardless of ability) should be educated.

Sahr Brima.
A young man growing in his faith and in his leadership.

Susan.
Rescued from a life on the streets, she is one of the older home girls. She is a becoming a leader of the other children.

Nancy.
Brave enough to stand up for the first time a year ago and encourage her peers to keep themselves pure and away from premature marriages.

Aunty Miatta.
Believes in the training we have brought. Loves on the good and "troublesome" students. Is excited to grow as an educator.

Aunty Chris.
Has blessed us through her service the past two years. Pastors a church with her husband in Freetown. Love the home children like a true mother.

Precious.
One of the oldest home children. Is going to the university in the fall to study law.

Aunty Batu.
Loves well. Seeks to bless her family.

Musa Jongo.
Will be a diplomat or president someday.

Christiana.
Knows how to have fun with her peers and how to be a friend.

Joseph.
Goes to school and works hard on his very own farm. He's also 15.

Janet Nicol.
Eric and I's sponsor child. How I pray that she will grow in the LORD and become a leader in her country.

Michael.
A national intern. Has a servant's heart. Loves well.

Ngardi.
Leads by example. Has great hope.

International friends seeking godly change.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus.