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October 10th
Hi all,
I apologize for the blog not being up
yet. Days are full, the Internet is slow—when we have it. Jerry's house is
the new S.O.S. children's home for the kids in his compound and beyond, and
EVERY night I am the teacher. We average 12-15 kids, ages 8-20, and I give
math problems, teach English and play jacks, board games or read stories, often
until after 10:00 pm. Then we are up by 7:00 or before. I must admit that
I am guilty of having brought all those children to Jerry's house, and he has
enjoyed allowing me to have my time with them. They have all given me
pictures, and they hang on the walls of his house. And, here’s the best
news—they are learning and engaging. I’m having a blast!!!
I’m using Sandra Moreano's math
book to teach the older ones at Jerry's compound, but I’ve also started
math classes at the clinic’s educational center for the staff and any amputees
or older students. We had 15 people last week and will hold class this Thursday
and Friday. We are starting with place value and it has been going VERY
well. I only wish Sandra or Brooke were here to help teach. I’m sure
they would love it.
Big updates:
Healthcare
We met with the First Lady of Sierra Leone on
Monday. Five of us were there: Jerry, Milton, Phillip and David. I brought
along a gift bag with smoked salmon, Aplets and Cotlets and a couple
postcards. The president’s birthday is this week and she was having a
party. She said she would serve what I had brought. I told her
that after the election when she had won I would bring a larger salmon as
a form of congratulations. We all had a good laugh. She was a nurse from
England before becoming First Lady and is working with Israel on a dialysis
building at Connaught Hospital.
Disability Sports Association:
Yesterday the SL Deaf Team played against
Gambia at the National Stadium. This was organized by the SL Deaf Association. GGM
donated $250. The rest came from a grant and the SL government. GGM was asked
to take gate tickets, as we were considered the most honest and trustworthy. All
the staff participated. Mr. Campbell, the secretary general for the Paralympic
Committee, informed me that I would sit with the Gambian Ambassador in the
presidential area of the stadium. Along with that, I would be doing the KICK-OFF.
I was escorted to the field, chairs were
brought for us, and we were seated next to the ambassador. We shook hands with
the referees and met all the players. It was really quite exciting. SL lost 3-1
but it was a great game. The polio and amputee teams played a great match
during half-time and our staff said that they heard people talking about this
fantastic event. There were many journalists present but nothing in the papers
today.
We leave to Makeni on Saturday with Mr.
Campbell and others from GGM to sign up polio and amputee teams. We are
expecting to form at least three teams from each group. Next weekend we will be
in Bo and Kenema. Thank you, Werner, and Mel and Annie for all your work. The
energy among the disabled groups is palpable and there is a new outlook. There
were important people at the National Stadium, and word has it we are really
being looked at, which could be good or perhaps bring new challenges. In any
case, the disabled are starting to work as one body, and it is fantastic.
Cruise Ship:
Fantastic, fantastic! Go to Zeghram Expeditions
sent a cruise ship off the west coast of Africa . The link below will lead you
to an article written about GGM and the DSA soccer league.
Bimbola,
a local SL resident, arranges for cruise ship passengers to see chimpanzees
along with a stop to the DSA soccer
match. He said that once again passengers find their trip to Sierre Leone a
real hghlight. He actually asked for more information as he was going to start
including it as a tour stop for other groups. Once again we are seeing huge
connections and positive responses. This is great.
I just want to conclude by saying the integrity
and honesty of GGM is beginning to spread. God is using the people we are
meeting and others to begin a change of heart. At a meeting with the amputee
team the Flying Stars, they stated that the compassion being shown to the
disabled is how Jesus loved His people and they are excited and ready to do
everything in their power to do the same. They said they know they need to heal
in their minds and we talked about a time to begin talking as a group about the
past. I have difficulty finding the words to explain what is happening, but
with Jerry's continual love and support and unconditional time, and the example
set by our staff, there is a movement taking place, and all of you reading this
are now a part of it.
After four days without running water and a
week and a half with a broken kitchen faucet, intermittent
electricity, and a broken refrigerator, Jerry has almost gotten everything
fixed. Because of heavy rains we have running water now, and hopefully we will soon
have a new pump. But I love it all and at the end of the day Jerry and I just
smile and comment on how much we love the Sierra Leonean people. We are in our
second home!!!
God Bless,
Lynn
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