Sierra Leone

I've been reflecting a lot this week on life... going through a bit of a post-trip-of-a-lifetime letdown.
It's been a crazy ride, this story we find ourselves in.

If you had told me five years ago that by the summer of 2011 I'd have traveled twice to Africa, once alone and once with my whole family, I'd never have believed you.

And yet - here I am.

Coming home this second time around I've been sort of side swiped by how now, more than ever, I am destined to live a life divided. Forver torn between two worlds... the place I call home and this country on the other side of the globe that has captured my heart.

My hope here is to tell you stories... to share the ways in which Sierra Leone grips my heart. Since I cannot take each and every one of you along with me, I will do my best, with words and pictures, to introduce you to my second home. My hope is that you will begin to value this tiny country in West Africa - to begin to care about it's people and pray for it's peace. Perhaps you'll donate some out of your excess to make a difference in the life of a child. Or maybe - you 'll come along with me next time. If the Lord wills it, I hope to return every couple of years.

Sierra Leone is one of the world's poorest countries as measured by the human development index.

Some startling and revealing statistics:

• Life Expectancy: 48.2 years
• Average years of schooling/adults: 2.9
• 63% of the population of Sierra Leone lives on less than $1.25 a day
• Average income: $825 a year.

After the 11 year civil war ended in 2002, hundreds of thousands of people who had flocked to Freetown in an attempt to flee the rebels in the provinces chose to stay in the city. Freetown was developed to support a population of about 250,000 and now it is estimated that it houses at least 1.5 million. A million and a half people living in a city with no garbage service,  inefficient sewers, polluted water, no job opportunities... Many of the people who came to Freetown during the war lost years of their lives and education to the war. They don't have the skills to return to the provinces to farm and provide for their families and they don't have the education to succeed in the city.

 

It could very well seem hopeless.

 

And yet - they are not a country without hope.

 

The people of Sierra Leone are amazing. Strong. Generous. Kind. Welcoming.

 

I love Sierra Leone.

 

I love it's crazy, crowded streets. It's vast, lush, green spaces. It's smiles. It's determination.

 

Come along with me to Sierra Leone.

 

Home.

We've been home since Monday night...
Amazingly (a TOTAL answered prayer) we are hardly jet lagged at all. Last time I went it was a full week before I felt normal... so this is a huge improvement over that. We all get really tired around 8:00 pm and Asia and I have been waking up pretty ridiculously early the past two mornings, but generally, we're all functioning really well.

That's really a little picture of how God was SO faithful to us throughout the entire trip. We had no illnesses, no travel glitches, no major family squabbles. I keep telling people "The whole thing was completely above and beyond all my hopes and dreams and expectations."

And it was.

I'm working on editing and narrowing down our 1280 photos and will begin telling our stories in the next couple of days.

I'm so excited to share everything.

How could you not just LOVE seeing your kids living out a picture like that?

Still alive... overwhelmed by God's grace.

For the first time in over two weeks, we have the ability to get online...
There's no way for me to sum things up at this point. Especially because we're still in-country... still processing... but we're alive and VERY, VERY well. God has been amazing faithful to answer our prayers for this trip - abundantly, over and above all our deepest hopes and dreams.

Really - it's been SO good.

I cannot wait to get back and begin to tell you our stories.

But for now, we're going to soak up our last five days in this amazing place.

Smooch you all from Sierra Leone.

Paris, safe and sound!

Just a quick note to let everyone know we made it here! After some challenges that were easily (divinely) worked out, we found our apartment and spent the day touring around a bit... spending the afternoon at Musee D'Orsay and having a lovely dinner out together.

The kids are doing amazing... Paris is lovely... all is good.

Our internet is problematic, so updates will be tricky. We'll do our best!!!

Our sunrise flight to Seattle begins our journey...