I am sitting on a small verandah of our home facing east over the centre of Freetown. We are living on a Methodist Compound on Old Railway Line Road, which is also the place where Francis Nabieu, the President of the Conference lives.
Our travel to Sierra Leone went very well, leaving Queens Foundation at 4.30am on Tues 3 Nov and arriving at the house, around 10pm. On arrival at the airport we soon spotted someone holding a piece of paper with our names on, which was most reassuring. Bakary recalled doing exactly the same a year earlier. A quick changing of money, the purchase of tickets for the Pelican water taxi, fairly newly introduced, and then the wait on the shore to go on board. Once across the bay, Ali, the President’s driver was there to meet us. He had taken us around last year, so it was good to meet up with him.
We were taken straight to our house. The church people had worked very hard to make it ready for us. It has not been lived in for a number of years, and so needed some renovation work done on it. It is a comfortable house, that is now our home, with two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, and a large dining/living area. The super-king sized sheets we had brought out with us are ideal for the two family size beds in both bedrooms . A five piece suite fills the lounge area, and a large dining table provides seating for six people. All our boxes we had sent in June were waiting for us, and except for the boxes of books the rest has been unpacked and in place.
Electricity is spasmodic. It was necessary for us to lend to church the money to buy a fridge but it has probably been off more than it is on. Cooking is done by gas, and water is brought into the house, each day, from another source. There is the hope that the compound will have water delivered to fill the new tank that has been installed, which would mean a shower, rather than the bucket and cup method we are use at present. We knew that this was probably going to be the case, and so adjustments are quickly made. Time begins to change in significance for so many simple domestic activities.
The house is surrounded with a variety of trees, including frangipani, which brings back memories of our time in PNG. A number of goats wander around, and need to be chased off the verandah at times. The family who are living with Francis have chickens and a clutch of chicks.
We have been out and about doing essential shopping for setting up home, and learning where to go to buy things is slowly taking place. There are supermarkets, which have British prices but are inflated into Leones so the muesli is stretched out by extra oats!
A visit to the bank took place on our first day, and an account has been open. We now await a cheque book so we can draw money out. As for setting up a broadband connection that is on hold, as we are to go away to Bo, the second city next week, for a conference, and so we will try to deal with that when we get back.
On the first evening, leaders of the City Mission Circuit which we are to be connected with came round to welcome us. Fourteen people all together, there was no power when they came or when they left an hour laters, so with limited lamps it was not always easy to tell who was speaking.
We have been to the Theological College and were given the subject areas to be taught next term. Peter was quick to relieve me of the Evangelism course !!!, and so I am left with English, Education Methods, and Principles of Worship. Peter has Evangelism, Pastoral Theology, Principles of Discipline and Christian Leadership at a variety of levels. So that should keep us going for a while. Olivia Wesley was pleased to see us, and we plan to return when we get back from Bo.
The second day we went out for a walk in the locality, and discovered a couple of excellent art galleries, which we will be more than happy to introduce to you all, when you come. There is an internet café within walking distance which we hope to send this letter from an also a mini market for basic essentials. Fresh fruit and vegetables can be bought from sellers on the side of the road, or walking the streets.
This morning, Saturday, has been spent trying out the new iron, which does not need an anti surge, unlike the fridge, putting up some wall hangings we brought with us, and the material map of the world, is being used as I write to discuss with Bernard, one of the many young people on the compound, which direction the wind comes from. This is to help decide where to dig a rubbish hole, for household rubbish, that is burnable. The goats are fed with anything that looks like food.
There is a breeze, as I write, there has been little rain, but heat and humidity are high. These two will continue to be true for the rest of our stay!!
The battery is almost flat, so I will bring this letter to a close. The blog will have to wait for a while, but hopefully this brings you up to date with where we are.
After waiting for a long time to be where we are now, we are delighted with physical surrounding and look forward to what lies ahead.
Love and Blessings
Janice and Peter
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