Project status

The walk way is going to be amazing for the Kissy complex. Concrete is being poured and the guys are doing a great job with the grade.

Ultra traffic

We've moved about 3/4 of a mile since my last post. It is so bad the motorcycles are stuck.

Traffic again

Stuck in traffic. Wonder if the guy in front of us knows Madonna?

Goderich Street

Don't complain about your commute.

Markets

Here is a typical street scene in downtown Freetown.

On the way to Freetown

We are on our way to the big market today and we are stuck in a massive traffic jam. This is Abu, our driver, who works for the Bishop helping with all kinds of things. He also runs an orphanage in Wellington.

Girls in South Kissy

The girl in the red is in 4th grade at the UMC school here and I met her as a pen pal with my daughters. She was carrying a 5 gallon home depot bucket filled with water on her head up the hill to her family residence. She invited me to her home where I met her family. Her mother got injured on her job at the Port and cannot work so I got her an appointment with the physical therapist. A good day!

Tracy's Delivery

Tracy delivered this baby last night. The mother was on the sidewalk and was in heavy labor and Robin and Tracy jumped into action. Tracy ended up doing everything including cleaning the baby and even signed the birth certificate. Wow!

Progress on Maternity Hospital

Good morning from Freetown where the temperature and humidity are both in the mid 80's. This picture is the new maternity and children's building at the hospital. It is coming along nicely.

Full Moon

As many of you read this in the afternoon, we have a beautiful full moon lighting up Freetown. Since the power is out, the moon lights up the walks.

Robin and Tracy play with the kids

Project at the end of Wednesday

Here is the project at the end of today. A lot of work is being and the welder's balance is pretty amazing.

Brain trust at the end of the day

Bob , Jim, BJ, and John Tucker reflect on the project. It was very hot today and I think Jim and BJ are fried.

Ultrasound

We got the ultrasound machine to work this morning. This was the first patient. Lots of cheering.

A fellow Longhorn on the streets of Freetown

Progress on Walk

We've made a lot of progress on the walk. After some political issues yesterday, we are really cranking it up.

Tracy and the kids

Alex my cab driver

This is Alex my cab driver. He loves Bob Marley.

Business dinner

Last night Bob and I took Sahr and T-boy out for their first business dinner and peppered them with business advice. I think we overwhelmed them at times. If anyone has some good simple advise for them, please comment. Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone

Momma Cat and Two Kittens

Momma and her two kittens are living right in the middle of the hospital complex. They are very cute.

A fellow Texans fan in Sierra Leone

I met this guy working on the new maternity hospital. Go Texans!

World Vision

World Vision is here to pick up the traveling group.

Carol with the school kids

School is back in session today after a week off for elections. Carol is singing with the kids before they line up.

Monday Morning

We are reading some of the Mission Possible Kids letters this morning at breakfast. Everyone except me and Bob are off to Bo to visit World Vision.

End of Sunday

The end of a quiet Sunday. After church we went to the beach and recharged. Tonight we are eating at the gas station, the NP, and waiting until tomorrow. Everyone except Bob and I are going to Bo tomorrow. Sorry no pictures this afternoon.

Sent from my iPhone

View from above church

This is the view from above the church looking northeast at the river that empties into the ocean.

Pretty girl at church

End of Saturday

A lot of progress today.

Joe Tucker

John Tucker's son Joe just showed up. He is majoring in computer science at the university.

Carol bending rebar

Carol and Santos are bending the rebar though this device that has the measurements perfect.

Breakfast in Sierra Leone

T-boy, Sahr, and I were out this morning buying some wood to build desks for the computer when they asked to stop and get some food. Here is Sahr's plate.

BJ leading the Hokey Pokey

Priceless !

Robin doing the same

Tracy working in the hospital

It is now raining and Tracy is working with the women at the hospital.

Good Saturday Morning

A lot of progress was made on the walk. Election results were crazy and peaceful. City power most of the night. Feels good this morning overcast and cool.

Election results

Ernest Koroma has won reelection. Freetown is going crazy with excitement. Peaceful. More to follow on this.

A great day for capitalism !

Tracy and the Seamstress

Tracy and I are in downtown Freetown. She found this seamstress and formed a bond.

Traffic in Lumley

Tracy and I are riding in a van that goes on a route that current has around 25 passengers at 1000 leones a piece.

Cheap easy transport!

Voting in Sierra Leone

After you vote they put ink on your index finger to show that you have already voted. This is T-boy's finger.

Brain Trust

John Tucker and BJ designing the sidewalk.

Good morning from Salone

A beautiful morning in Freetown. The ladies are walking where the sidewalk is going to be.

This is Janet

Janet is a great girl who goes to school here in Freetown.

We made it

Waiting at the ferry on Thanksgiving morning

Ready to Depart

After a cold and rainy day in London we are now in the British Airways
Terminal 5 at Heathrow airport. I have never seen so many duty free
shops in my life. Most of us have gotten some sleep at the airport
and we are all running on fumes. I hope the flight is quiet so that
we can all get some sleep.

Anyway next stop is Freetown and we'll see you there.

Chris

The only thing fast and easy....

....for BJ was NOT the crossword puzzles!

Any port in a storm.....

Bunk beds--Heathrow Airport

> Bob and Jim, deep in thought about what's before us!
>

Starbucks! (Tracy)

Starbuck's--- one of the greatest places on earth! Especially at 4
o'clock in the morning, USA time!!! One very large Christmas Blend to
kick start day 2 of being wide awake! Let's get this started!


--
Tracy

Amazing Find

So BJ, Jim, and I are taking the train into Hammersmith and I look up and who do I see! Tracy!

Ready to Go to London

BJ, Jim and I are waiting to board for London. I hear that Tracy is on her way from Dallas so the race is on!

This Is It (Robin Harlow)

This is it, the day I have been waiting for, for a VERY LONG time.
Connections have been made to visit Marian. My co-worker at the plant has been train and is very competent. The homefront is ready (I will sure miss my husband, Ed). Bags are packed and waiting at the door. Will have lunch with my Mom this afternoon. Only thing left to do is visit the bank.

                                                            I am ready!!

Okay truthfully, I have no idea what I am getting myself into. The Stoners have done their best to prepare me for this trip but until I get there I really don't have a clue.

My prayer is that I listen and learn. My faith is in Jesus Christ that this next two weeks will be Spirit led. May our Father watch over and guide us. May we be His hands and feet. May we please Him with our words and actions. In Jesus' Holy Name, Amen

Ready to Go

Jim, BJ and me at ABIA ready to go. We ran into Jennifer Bryce and her family at the airport.

4 AM

So it's 4 AM and I am wide awake.  I couldn't even just lay in bed and wait until the alarm.  I just climbed out of bed and came into the office.   Very quiet around at 4.  The cats didn't even get up with me.

Thank You

On the eve of our departure I am just an internal wreck.  I have two 50 pound bags to check plus a carry on that weighs about 35 and a 20 pound backpack.  My neighbor, David Dippel, has been kind enough to drive me and BJ to the airport at 5:15 AM tomorrow.  With the Formula 1 race concluding and Thanksgiving holidays, the airport is going to be a circus tomorrow.

Anyway,  I want to say thank you to everyone who made this trip possible.  To all of our families who are sacrificing as well as we leave during Thanksgiving, thank you.  All of the wonderful people who gave us all kinds of gifts; money, laptops, candy, and letters of support, thank you as well.

I see the trip as a bridge.  Last year, it was our first trip and we really didn't know what to expect.  Next year, I think there is going to be a huge crew and we may even have to break it into two shifts.  This year however is a bridge.   New and old projects, new and old friends.  Valpo and Oak Hill.  The bridge connects us.

The last couple of weeks have been very tough for the Oak Hill UMC family as we have had too many funerals including a few very close to home.  Therefore, I conclude with the following verse and realize that we must carry on in the mission.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Elections, Sierra Leone style

http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/11/17/sierra-leone-choosing-president-parliament-3/

Wet

Yesterday I sprayed down my gear with the mosquito spray and I left it outside because it was supposed to be clear and cool. However our irrigation system went off and sprayed everything wet. It may be one of those days.

Chris

Other-culture Perspective (Carol Stoner)

> As I close our suitcases, this pic ( an exaggeration I realize) reminds me that different cultures have different values. I am not SAVING anyone, not taking so much TO anyone as I am fortunate to love and learn with them and from them. "Our [American] way" is not necessarily the "right" or "better" or "most desirable" way....it is "our way." Preparing to let go and leave behind some "stuff"...in order to create space for a fresh experience and perspective...especially related to that "way" that became flesh, oh, around 2012 +/- years ago....