Special women...outstanding hospitality

Special women greeted us from the moment we first arrived in Freetown.  How can we every say "thank you" to Matilda?   Matilda is the United Methodist Women's Organization (UMWO) national president of Sierra Leone.  She greeted us at noon our first day with the women of West District preparing a  wonderful lunch. 

She then sent us back to the hotel for a bit of rest before we all returned to the church for some sigining, dancing and refreshments that evening.   Such joy they shared as they welcomed us to their country, church and community life.  



Randie, Vickie, Miss Lauren (director of WTC) , Matilda

Thanks Matilda.   She had so much to be doing in preparation for their annual meeting but she made time for us nearly each and every day.   Traveling with us to Konomusu to visit the Women's Training Center was just the best and returning with little time remaining to repack for the 7 day UMWO Annual Convention was sure to make her weary but we never knew that.   We couldn't have done it without her.   THANK YOU for everything.   We are still basking in the glow of RADICAL HOSPITALITY.   
Meeting the women who come to the WTC was one of our highlights.   Great work is being done to lift women and families out of poverty and into a life with dignity. Thanks UMW and UMWO.    

   

Message from Bishop Yambasu and more

Dear Vicki and all all my sisters on the 2012 Ubuntu team to Sierra Leone,

A big THANK YOU to all of you for choosing to come and share with us the love of Christ in Sierra Leone. You may not have known this but you all were a true blessing to all the women with whom you came in contact a tthe various places you visited. Thank you also for enduring the our Bumpy roads, hot and humid weather, mosquitoes and for sharing meals you may never have eating before all in the name of Jesus Christ. You warmed our hearts and made us feel that we are because you are and that you are because we are. Thank you for the light you brought into our lives and the joys you shared.Together with God, we all learnt what it means to "launch out into the deep" and by the grace of God, we will commit ourselves to doing just that.

May the joy of Christmas and the peace of a blessed new year be yours
now and always.    Bishop Yambasu

Vickie writes: 

As we continue to de-brief, un-pack and 'launch out' into our ordinary daily lives, we come to know God has surely imparted to us anything BUT an ordinary life! We have experienced the EXTRA ordinary and this experience is now part of who we are, in mind, body and spirit.

We are working to get in the spirit of Christmas after having such wonderful times, meaningful encounters, and making incredible new friends through Christ.   I really think our season of Advent began on December 2 when we departed on our Ubuntu Journey.  When asked how our new friends from SL celebrated Christmas, nearly everyone said....by attending church and sharing a meal with family and friends.   For us Northern folks, to be thinking and decorating and planning for Christmas seemed different.   Don't we have to be cold when doing so?   Enjoy the Christmas store we passed in Freetown.  Merry Christmas wherever you are.   

Santa is way over dressed... only about 90 degrees that day.

 

 

Being in the spirit of Ubuntu

Whenever there was singing, there was dancing.   Worship
is experienced fully.  

Gathered in a shady spot, the "Pink House" discussed issues
of gender equality and violence against women. Rita and Randie
lead  a discussion with biblical input and small group discussion.    

One day the USA Ubuntu team lead workshops for the UMWO membership gathered for their annual meeting.  We were facilitators and found common ground for our concerns in issues discussed and studied.    

Many of these women have also great expeiences with School of Christian Mission (now Mission U) studies.   UMW leadership empowers women throuigh education. 

 

 

 

 

 

We have much to be share with our women at home about how eager these women are for the opportunity to come together.   Remember.. this is their annual meeting.  It lasts for 7 days and some women walked for 3 days to arrive in time.  

 

In the weeks ahead, this blog will tell the story of the women's ministries that our Mission Pledge supports in Sierra Leone.   We are supporting amazing projects  and giving hope to many.  Hope you will return after the holidays to learn more about these projects.    

 

40 plus sets of knitting needles were put to use teaching
women to knit.   A big hit thanks to Mary and Cindy.

Some adventures never end

What a way to bring to a close our Ubuntu Journey to Sierra Leone!!!     We've been 8 since December 2 and for awhile we were going out 2 by 2.   

 

As we rode the ferry to the airport we had heard rumblings that our plane was going to be delayed 5 hours.    We were on the 2 o'clock ferry to make our 8:00 p.m. flight so another 5 hours seemed long.   IT WAS!!  

 

It began to be appearant that our flight was not going to depart at 1:00 a.m.  The new word that was spread about was our flight would depart at 3:15 a.m.    What's another few hours?    Hot and tired all 8 entered the plane and were on our way to Brussel's by 4:00 a.m. and only dreamed of making the connecting flight to Chicago.

Well, it was a nightmare turned into a dream as we arrived in Brussel's just a few minutes after the plane to Chicago departed. So the nightmare of ticketing (along with several other delayed passengers) the 8 of us.   As I write this afternoon we are praying Carol and Sally have found their way to the US as directed.   Bonnie, Vickie, Cindy, Rita, Mary, and Randie have been given a new lease on life...they have to spend the night in the Brussell's Airport Sheraton Hotel.   We are enjoying showers, a great drink of refreshing water in the midst of cooler temperatures.  This is not how we had planned to bring the actual journey to a close.

 

Please continue to lift us up in prayer as we one by one are once again home.   

 

 

The Day of Ubuntu

After our worship and commissioning, women of the conference were sent out in our "house" groups to villages around Lunsar on Wednesday. Women attending the convention had brought items from home to share with the families in the villages. Lots of blue bags had been prepared until 3 in the morning to be carried on this day.
Having no control over the photo placement, you should find Cindy in a sea of yellow and green shirts and all with blue bags on their heads. You will also see Matilda from the pink house all ready for the journey to the village assigned to pink. Another photo shows a woman (yellow) getting her offering adjusted for the walk. Another photo shows a proud young man sporting a new suit of clothing. Thanks Rita for capturing that moment.
The Day of Ubuntu was an amazing journey and what made it amazing was it was shared with our sisters in Sierra Leone. Memories were made, friendships were deepened and we will be moved as we continue to pray for and with our new family. We are one in the spirit...we are one in The Lord.

As you can tell, we are back in Freetown

We traced just 4 hours today and two of those hours were just getting through Freetown traffic. Unbelievable! Doesn't seem to matter the time of day... Traffic is bad and it isn't all vehicle traffic. Street vendors and shoppers make their way through the narrow streets as well.

UMWO 1st morning.

After arriving Monday afternoon we got settled in to the Baptist Retreat Center for the Annual UMWO Convention. The evening service ... No words to describe it. All of the Sierra Leonean Women were dressed in white, and we had worn dark skirts and white tops with a red scarf. The service was beautiful, full of the spirit of women inspired by God's call to make a difference in the world.
On Tuesday morning we dressed in our special house shirts. A house was a way of grouping the women for the conference and throughout the year. Two by two we were divided between the 4 houses. Great way to build community among the women at the conference. We were blessed.  When I return home I will use a different team picture...one that includes "green" Vickie.
To open the morning session we gathered as houses and marched into town singing choruses.
In the pink house one of the cooks got our singing started in full swing. Mary didn't have her pink shirt  on as she was to be cleaning up from breakfast. Sing Mary, sing... Her joy was every where. Thanks for getting us in tune. Not long after that photo of Mary was taken , someone reminded her of her responsibilities and off she went to serve us all.

Lunsar is our next stop

We are leaving soon for the Women's Conference. We are gathered in the lobby waiting for our faith filled driver, Abu. Some are talking with staff, some read the newspaper, and others are watching real world news (when electricity is on) as they wait. We seem quiet and reflective today as we prepare our heart and mind for our time with the UMW of SL. Thanks for your prayers. we may not be able to post from Lunsar but will return on Thursday to shuffle our belongings once again.

Prayers for the people of the Philippines

The women of the Sierra Leone Ubuntu Journey offer prayer for all those whose family members have died or are still missing and for those who have been uprooted by the recent typhoon in the Philippines. Please join us.  Vickie Newkirk, team leader.

Abu has his hands full...

After our nearly 11 hour trip to Kono, we encouraged Abu to stop for a stretch break about every 2 to 3 hours. When driving on the Bone Shaker road (we misunderstood and thought they said Bun Shaker ... And that one describes it completely) stops along the roadside provided opportunities to get acquainted with the village people. Our cameras are a big attraction. Click and let the kids see what appears is the MO. Carol was the "click and show" at a fruit stand. Kids loved seeing themselves.
Abu keeps us hydrated knowing where to by water. However, getting to understand Abu means one has to have a new definition for the word ALMOST. That is always the answer to "are we there yet?" We have arrived at our destination any where between one hour and four hours after.

Blessings abound at the training school

The women in leadership roles provide love and care for the 116 women who come in for vocational training and in the process, they learn about a loving God. Bonnie and Randie meet briefly a survivor of the war. With only one arm she is given hope and support at the center and in return demonstrates to the younger ones how one can go on in the midst of adversity. Even though we do not know her name she has put a face to the stories we've read about surrounding. the atrocities of war. We will remember her for the story that one day may keep another war from beginning.
Embroidery work adorns decorative pillows, bed sheets, table cloths and clothing. Girls used the treadle machines with the pressor foot removed to create amazing designs by moving the material various distances and it really looked like the pattern they create.
In the training center they also learn to style hair. Girls select a hair style from among the posters on the wall and then another girl "practices" on the volunteer model. Lots of action in this area.
We were so blessed to meet the staff and budding artists at the training center.  Even though it was developed primarily for women, men with physical limitations are included in the program. One young girl in the program is deaf.   Her smile and thank you dance tells us she feels good about herself and the possibilities for her future.  Thanks for your continued prayers.
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Harford girls

When we finally arrived at the Harford School for Girls, we were greeted warmly by staff and 6 "seniors" who drew water for our bathrooms. Once functioning bathroom plumbing was no longer functional so these girls were given the responsibility of taking care of us which included keeping petro in the generator, carrying suitcases up stairs for us in the dark because the generator doesn't start until around 7:00 p.m., cleaning a gathering room floor to remove the continual dust, and whatever else was needed for our care.
After a wonderful meal, singing and dancing (photos would have provided some real moves by Cindy) near the home of the district superintendent we moved back to our sleeping quarters. Being early (for Bonnie and Cindy) we gathered with our girls for a fun evening of photography, printing and crafting a candy cane ornament. Cindy and Bonnie shared the story of the candy cane and taught the girls how to make the Ornaments.  They in turn will help the pre-school children make them some time next week.
While at our gathering with the pre-school children, Marina (girl in the white) told the story of the candy cane and showed the examples of the bead craft for another day. Empowering young women to lead was exciting. Marina was exquisite! A prospective UMW member, we hope.
Also that evening Bonnie and Cindy took individual photos of the girls and printed the while the generator was still on. Allison loved having the sheet of 4 wallet size to share.  Princess did refuel the generator (which meant the generator was off for a short time) but not until the last print was made. Great evening with some of the "senior" girls. They also slept in our house with us to insure our safety. I guess it was an old fashioned sleepover!

An important decision in the making

As we departed from Freetown to begin our journey in-country, we had finally made it out of high volume traffic and were on open road when Abu quickly guided us to the side of the road where he offered us our first stretch break.  Traffic moved at high speeds with horns blaring  past us while Abu and our new best friend changed our tire. A young man from across the highway had come to the rescue by not only bringing a tire iron with which to jack up the van but he also crawled under the vehicle to set the jack.
After the tire was changed, our young new friend went back across the road and return with a special offer. "Would you like to purchase a tire iron to carry on your journey?" A discussion of terms and finances were properly conducted and an important decision was made. Abu and Matilda sealed that deal and we were soon on our way to Kono Disrtict via Bo.
As the journey grew longer and longer, and the time grew later and later, we sang songs to keep our minds off the bouncing in back of the van, the knees that felt locked in one position and at times we were concerned about the lateness of the night.  We passed many villages without even being aware they were there because of the darkness.  Once again Abu needed to pull over...our tire was flat.  We were blessed by God's guidance as Abu had gotten the tire repaired in Bo when had stopped for lunch and Matilda had wisely purchased the tire iron.  A day we will never forget.

Reconnecting with a woman from 2008

Both Mary and Vickie came to Sierra Leone in 2008 and on our Tuesday morning Kissy stop were able to greet Kadie Hope.  Kadie heads the Kissy nutrition program and she receives the dried milk to improve the nutrition of the babies in the program. Vickie brought this woman a new UMW Bible. The very worn Bible is tucked under her arm. The transition between the use of the old Bible and the new one has already begun.

Meeting women and listening to stories.

Cindy and Kathleen get acquainted our first morning at the United Methodist Church of Sierra Leone office complex. We have been blessed with many opportunities such as this. Sally meets Sally the dressmaker. Language was difficult but Sally from Sierra Leone made it clear she wanted to make us each a dress so measurements were taken. A new dress is being made.

The real journey begins... .

We're back in Freetown after a wild ride with the best driver (Abu), we travelled in country after a quick stop at Kissy Hospital where equipment and envelopes were delivered, well baby clinic got a visit, PT stop with Therapist Steven, check up on the walkways that had been built with a team from Texas and Valparaiso, IN and of course a stop at the expectant moms area of the hospital.  The young women who have come to Kissy to give birth and rest up before delivery take turns giving one another a new hair style.

Our first day...

 Our day began with a greeting and a long term visioning from Bishop Yambasu. and we met our local hosts Smart and Beatrice at the UMC House. The Bishop laid out a vision for the church in Sierra Leone which included adding two floors to the UMC House to be rented out thus providing income for the church to support a pension program for their retired clergy and an ambitious plan to build a University which would begin with a school of Agriculture and Theology.  Within school of theology he talked about addressing the issues of violence against women.
We have been moved by the radical hospitality that has been shown to us by our Sisters in Sierra Leone. The women of the West District prepared and served a wonderful lunch, allowed us to go home and have a bit of rest, so we could be ready to be part of their UMW social night in our honor. Now they did some serious singing!!!!
Tonight we are sorting all of the ministry items that were brought. Thanks so much to all who shared a pin for the women's conference next week. We will have suitcases for the women's training center, the pre school, the Hartford Girls school, as well as our personal things for the next 3 days. Tomorrow we need to be packed and ready to load the bus for a few days of exploring...all before 7:30 am.
We may not have wifi for the next 3 days but we will be enjoying our continuing adventure...and we appreciate all you prayers during this time.  Blessings,  Vickie, Sally, Randie, Carol,  Cindy, Rita, Mary and Bonnie.

Planes, a ferry ride, and a van..we are here.

View from the penthouse suite

We have arrived... we were several hours behind schedule but we were blessed with a good night's sleep in Freetown. The  sorting of our ministry items has begun as we little by little empty or rearrange the contents of our 17 pieces of luggage.   

Our plan is to meet our hosts for the journey, organize our selves and bags of things, and to visit the church center plus lots of surprises.  
Thanks for your prayers for our safe journey...we are blessed with new sites and sounds...our journey has begun.  Love to all for your support of us and the journey ahead. 

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Our journey, a day at a time

For family and friends we share our schedule.  We ask all to keep us in your prayers as we progess along this very special journey. 

• Sunday 12/2 Gather at Chicago O'Hare airport for our first face to face at 4:30 p.m. 
• Monday 12/3  Arrive in Sierra Leone's airport around 7:10 p.m. and will be ferried to Freetown proper. Settle in for a quick sleep. 
• Tuesday 12/4  Get oriented and travel to Kono
• Wednesday 12/5  Visit the Women's Training Center
• Thursday 12/6 travel to Moymba and visit the Hartford School
• Friday 12/7 Visit the Day Nursery
• Saturday 12/8   Back to Freetown for a free day!   Rest, shopping,, sightseeing.
• Sunday 12/9   Worship at Brown Memorial UMC near Kissy Hospital
• Monday 12/10 UMW Organization Convention in Lunsar
• Tuesday 12/11  Pariticpate in the convention activities
• Wednesday 12/12   Day of Ubuntu in village
• Thursday 12/13  Continue with the UMWO Convention activities
• Friday 12/14 Begin our journey back home via Brussels
• Saturday 12/15 arrival in USA 

Elections in Sierra Leone

On 17 November, Sierra Leoneans will go to the polls to select a leader for their country. The current President is Ernest Bai Koroma who defeated the incumbent party in 2007 and successfully transferred power peacefully.  In 2012 eight  candidates are running against the current president and the winner must receive 55% of the votes cast. 

In one article I read, the reporter was lamenting that only 15% of the parliment is occupied by women as they look forward to another election.  In our more than 200 years of democracy, how many women occupy seats in our Senate and House of Representatives?        We have worked our way up to 17%.   Humm...we found more common ground with our sisters in Sierra Leone.

 With 10 political parties seeking 124 open seats by 586 candidates, can you imagine the election atmosphere?   One key difference between our November election and the upcoming election in Sierra Leone is the length of time the campaign can be conducted.  One country campaigns for nearly 2 years and the other has just one month.   Humm again.  

Let us lift up the voters in Sierra Leone in prayer as they discern who can best lead them to improved prosperity.  

You might want to check out this article on the elections.  Be blessed and we'll soon be on holy ground as Randie reminded us yesterday. 

Seeing God

Sally Vonner

This is my first travel experience to the continent of Africa.  I am excited about the opportunity to journey with our sisters in Sierra Leone and to form bonds of love with my Ubuntu sisters.  What a gift!  Although anxiously awaiting the journey, I realize that much preparation is required.  At the same time I am reminded of the bible story where Jesus sends the disciples out two by two with only the minimum of needs and an open heart to give and receive God’s blessings through others on their journey.  I pray that we go with our preparations but more importantly with an open heart to give and receive God’s blessings through others on the journey.

 

What experiences will transform me? This is the question I carry in my heart to Sierra Leone.  I go expecting and wanting to be transformed more into the likeness of Christ.  Will it be through encounters with the women, the children, the communities we travel?  I’m sure all of these obvious possibilities but again I pray for openness to see God in whatever way God chooses to reveal God’s self to me…in the ordinary and extraordinary.  Likewise, I pray I am that witness of God’s tangible grace to others, that God’s light shines through me to brighten their day.  My prayer, Lord open my eyes to see you in the ordinary and the extraordinary, let my light and the light of my sister Ubuntu sojourners, reveal you and not us as we journey with your people, our sisters and brothers, of Sierra Leone. Amen.

It's all about relationships...

Cindy Sauffererr

I became enamored with mission trips when I traveled to Jamaica with my daughters.  It wasn’t the actual mission I fell in love with, but the people.  The connection that was created by working with the people of Jamaica toward a common goal lives on in my heart.  I found that it is something I can’t explain; it is just something you must experience.  I know that the closer I became to the people that I was working side by side with, the closer I felt to God.  There continues to be a yearning to grow those relationships.

I experienced, what I thought at first was, complete failure this past summer at our School of Christian Mission as I participated in the Haiti study.  We were to identify a need, formulate a solution, and write a grant for $25,000 for the people of Haiti.  I was completely stumped; I did not know where to start.  I sat there with all the books and information about Haiti and how the people were suffering right in front of me, but for the life of me I could not come up with a project.  I spent 3 days worrying, fretting and hoping that I would figure out just how I could help them.  It wasn’t until the morning my assignment was due that it became clear.  I needed to talk with the people of Haiti, to be in relationship with them and then work together.  Then, and only then could I move forward, hmmm-Ubuntu?  

This journey will prove to be full of experiences of God’s love as we open our hearts to the daughters of Sierra Leone.  

UBUNTU expanded

 

Desmond Tutu sheds more light on Ubuntu

Carol offers the following for our thoughts and prayers as we prepare for our journey to Sierra Leone.    From Cedric Mayson's Why Africa Matters (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books), 31-32.

"...there is no word in European languages for ubuntu. Western words like 'human-ness' are pressed into service to describe this fundamental relationship and acceptance of one another in the sacred-secular experience of Earthlings. 'It speaks of the essence of being human,' says Desmond Tutu.

Ubuntu means they are generous, hospitable, friendly, caring, and compassionate. They share what they have. It also means my humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in theirs.

We belong in a bundle of life. We say 'a person is a person through other persons.' It is not 'I think therefore I am.' It says rather, 'I am human because I belong.' I participate, I share.

A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good....Harmony, friendliness, community are great goods. Social harmony is for us the greatest good."

Desmond Tutu quoted from No Future Without Forgiveness (London: Random House, 1999), 34.

Thanks Carol for sharing thoughts from a great African spokesperson.

She feels part of something big...

Carol joins the journey from Georgia to Sierra Leone

I am retired after thirty-one years as a teacher and school administrator. My husband Steeny and I have been married for thirty-five years. I have a daughter, a stepson and five grandchildren, ages 2 to 9. I serve as Coordinator for Education and Interpretation for the South Georgia Conference UMW. I live in the same rural area where I was born and where I grew up on a farm. I’ve been to church all my life, but being in UMW is what really made me a committed Christian. Though the church I attend is small, I am part of something big because it is a United Methodist Church and I belong to United Methodist Women. UMW has changed the focus of my life. I have been challenged to grow spiritually and to educate myself about important issues facing women and children. My aim now is to share the importance of United Methodist Women’s missions and to encourage more women to participate fully. That is why I am so excited to be going on this Ubuntu Journey. I plan to tell the story of our journey to everyone I possibly can so others will want to be involved with United Methodist Women in spreading the love of Jesus.

A Quick Look at Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone lies on the western coast of Africa



Some quick facts about Sierra Leone
·         About the size of South Carolina
·         Borders Guinea and Liberia and Atlantic Ocean
·         Tropical climate with two seasons…May-December (rainy) and January to April (dry)
·         Population around 5.5 million*
·         Life expectancy at birth is 43 years old
·         Religious makeup:  Muslim 60%, indigenous 20%, Christian 20%*
·         Less than 31% of the population can read and write
·         Freetown is the capital with 1.2 million people*
·         Independence day is 27 April, 1961
·         About $500 per capita income each year*
·         The President is Ernest Korma (and is hoping to be re-elected in November)
·         Currency is Leone with the exchange rate about 4334 SLL to $1 US but the rate changes daily. 
*Many of the population statistics vary greatly from one source to another.  It all depends on who is doing the counting and who gets counted.  

Sierra Leone is known for its religious tolerance.  Maybe this is an area that we will want to observe.  How is it with the Muslim in such a majority and the Christians in such a minority that they get along so well?  They work together for the good of all.   
Elections for the country's leadership will end on November 17, 2012.   President Korma is up for reelection.   According to SL constitution, he may run for another 5 year team and must receive 55% of the vote to be elected.   In 2007 he won in a run off election as there were 7 presidential candidates. 

UMW, Rita and Mission are one in the same

Rita loves being part of UMW 

    Every Sunday my oldest sister and I have a telephone conversation.  She lives in my hometown and state Atlanta Georgia.  I shared with her Sunday that God truly had planned a life I had not envisioned.  In high school I entered a program where I received a certificate as a certified child care helper.   I worked for 640 hours as a requirement for certification. My goal before I entered first grade was to become a teacher.  With the support of my home economics teacher I entered college and four years later I received a BS degree in Vocational Home Economics.  As home economists our purpose is to work toward the improvement of life for individuals and families.  I had little knowledge that that purpose in some form would be a part of my life’s work. Later I became a United Methodist Woman and have continued to educate others about how we as United Methodist Women can help make this world a better place for women, children and youth around the world.

Indiana has a relationship with school and healthcare facilities in Liberia and Sierra Leone through Operation Classroom.  I had no doubt. I had to travel to Sierra Leone.  I have been blessed to serve United Methodist Women in leadership roles on the local, conference, jurisdiction and general church levels.  When Michael and I married in 1990 I told him I thought it would be wonderful if we could become missionaries.  He wanted nothing to do with that.  Through the years he has without a doubt been my best friend, my companion, lover and biggest supporter.   Thanks Be To God

Be Not Afraid

Randie Clawson prepares for a new journey for her life.

God’s mercy and grace are allowing me to go on this United Methodist Women Ubuntu Journey to Sierra Leone. This will be my first overseas trip. I am so thankful for the prayers of United Methodist Women asking God’s blessings on this trip. God’s light shining through the team members has already caused praise in my heart to God as we share our thoughts from our Bible book study and work together on the this trip’s projects. I had no idea of the amount of preparation that goes into taking this kind of journey. I am thanking God for Vickie as she oversees all the details. Praise God that we have the Internet, email and now this blog.

This year I became an Individual Volunteer in Missions (IVIM) with the General Board of Global Ministries. I did my cross-cultural training in June at the Wesley Center in Woodworth, LA. In April, I will be starting my first assignment as an IVIM.

This UMW Ubuntu Journey to Sierra Leone starts a new phase of my life. I am retiring from full time employment two days before leaving. The prayers of the team, my church family, friends and family are a needed comfort as I journey into the unknown. In faith, I hear Scripture’s most often repeated commandment, “Be Not Afraid.”

 

Randie Clawson 

The Bite of the Mango ...

A must read for our journey

I know that I should be doing something besides reading and crying today. Mariatu's story is just horrific and very difficult to comphrehend.  I thought that surely by now I would not be so affected by the words, the images that come into my head because I've read many books about war torn areas (Cambodia, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone) over the years. Right now I just  need a break from the reading of Mariatu's words. What is it that motivates or drives one human being to  disfigure, kill, or torture another human being?  What role does poverty play? What long term effects do these actions have on those who are driven to do such unspeakable things to their fellow countrymen?  What was the role of the Christian church or Christians?  Mariatu is a Muslim and was disfigured by a Muslim.  Did religion have any part in her story?  What strength and determination this young girl demonstrated at the time and continues to draw on today! And what is worse, think about all those untold stories of girls just like her. Where is the anger? I have much to learn from these women about inner strength and forgiveness.    

Meet Mariatu Kamara

If you have read this book, I'd really like to get another prospective. Several years ago I read "A Long Way Gone" by Ishmeal Beah and was blessed by hearing him speak at Valparaiso University.  What a powerful speech!  Can you imagine when Mariatu met Ishmeal for the first time?  

The Bite of the Mango is on the 2012 Reading List  in the Social Action category.   Our local UMW reading group will be discussing this book early next year (and I didn't have anything to do with the selection.)

Either post a comment or send me a review and your thoughts on this book.   

From Observer to Participant

Mary Tinley loving the children in Sierra Leone.

My husband, Ron, and I have been blessed to be able to travel extensively during our 42 years of marriage. We have gone to countries all around the world and have camped, on several occasions, in many states in the American west. On these trips, I have seen many wondrous sites, from breathtaking natural formations to impressive man-made structures. Though I gained a lot from these experiences, it wasn't until I went on an Operation Classroom trip to Sierra Leone and Liberia in 2007 that I changed from an observer to a participant. Being part of the daily lives of the people we worked and worshiped with on that trip taught me things that I could never learn just being a tourist. I had to go back. In 2008, I went on another OC trip to Sierra Leone. In 2011, Ron and I had an amazing experience with a team that Bonnie led to Africa University.

 In August, we sold our house in Indianapolis and moved in with our son and his family in Mt. Juliet, TN while we wait for our new house to be built. On October 15, we will close on our house in Mt. Juliet. During the rest of the week, we will be moving. On October 20, we will be leaving on a trip to Chile and Easter Island, a trip that was planned before we even thought about selling our house in Indianapolis.

 This upcoming Ubuntu Journey excites me. I look forward to getting to know each of you on the team and to connecting with our sisters in Sierra Leone.

 Blessings to each of you,
Mary

Meet Bonnie...

Gene, Hazvinei, and Bonnie   October 2011

   One of the most meaningful experiences of my life other than meeting my husband, the birth of our 4 sons and the wonderful addition of grandchildren... was going to Zimbabwe in 1998.  That changed my life.  There's not time or space to explain all but that first visit to Africa University led to two other trips, one in 2000 and another in 2011. Just be prepared that when we are together, this experience will be shared because it is so part of my faith journey.

   For 30 years I juggled a family, teaching and activities with UMW.  Teaching was far more than a job, it was a calling for I was so blessed by the opportunity to touch the lives of young people and they gave back in equal measure.  A selfish act for sure but to enjoy each and every day so much is a blessing from God.  I loved every day I had in the classroom but now in my 9th year of retirement, I cherish those memories and use the freedom of schedule to do many other volunteer jobs.  One of my great joys is to tutor granddaughters in math via "facetime" on the IPad.  

    I guess now I just juggle our schedule.  Gene and I have been married for 52 years.   He's an amazing man who has supported me 100 % in all that I do.   For all who have been in leadership roles, you understand how important it is to have someone embrace your time and energy away with respect. 

     I look forward to getting acquainted with you.   Send me your photo and a similar story about yourself so that we might learn more about one another before we leave for Sierra Leone.  

 

Her journey continues, our journey begins...

It was the picture of a newborn baby boy, born in the surgical unit of Kissy  United Methodist Hospital in 2007 which tugged at my heart.   My friend been on a mission team serving at the Kissy when the little guy was born.   As I looked through her photos, I learned that the surgical unit had been funded by UMWomen Pledge to Mission Giving.  I learned this little guy, and too many other babies just like him, would not be named for up to 3 years, due to their failure to survive (mostly malaria and malutrition). 

Vickie Newkirk...she's leading us to a special place in her heart. 

God began to tug at my heartstrings.   God kept Sierra Leone in front of me, with a sense of humor!  I began to notice ‘Sierra’ trucks driving in front of me, and seeing ‘Sierra Mist’ soft drink cans!  My husband Bill discerned God, indeed, was calling me to be part of the 2008 mission team to Sierra Leone.   Bill and I had been privileged to serve on several mission teams previously; I had to keep reminding him, lest he had forgotten this one small detail:  this was AFRICA!!!

 


My experience in Sierra Leone was transforming; spiritually, mentally, socially.   God did not need me to travel to West Africa, I needed to.   My life will never be the same. 

My hope and prayer for this Ubuntu Journey, for each of us on the team, is to experience relationship with our global sisters, offering friendship and encouragement.  To develop a deeper understanding of whom we are, as United Methodist Women, as followers of Jesus Christ.  

Vickie and Beatrice get acquainted in 2008

My constant reminder of why I am a United Methodist woman is a well-worn photo of a newborn baby boy.  
 

Let me now introduce our local host...Beatrice Fofanah.  She serves as the United Methodist Women's organization coordinator in Sierra Leone.   We met when I was on the mission trip and now  working with her is like working with an old friend.   Thanks Beatrice for doing all that it takes to make our time with you and the women extra special.