Trip from Beirut to Sierra Leone - WOW!

We arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone late Sunday night after about 20 hours of travel.  We left the airport in a broken down Dodge mini van that required the person sitting next to the passenger sliding door to hold onto it for about 20 minutes as we went maybe 2 miles. A high clearance Hummer would have been far more appropriate, or a Subaru.  Same thing…….

We arrived at a shore line and immediately put on life vests before walking about 100 ft out onto a walkway into the ocean. We then stepped onto a floating dock that was rolling and pitching with every wave that came to shore (like walking on a 20 ft water bed with no baffles). Of course I’m trying to get pictures in the dark to record this new experience and also hold on to Linda who is obviously not having a good time at this point. We made it and she still loves me…   After 20+ hours of travel, trying to board a bobbing boat in the dark was not exactly what we expected.  But that’s why you pray so God will enable us to handle the unexpected.  

This is the first country that required a 45 minute boat taxi taking us from the airport to the capital city.  The boat held about 25 people and with life preservers already on there was no need for a safety briefing.  Off into the darkness we went in hopes that the lights worked better on boats then they did on land.

The length of time on the sea depended on the number of times they had to pull up the motor and make some adjustments of some kind. But we did arrive and after about 10 minutes of confusion as to who was getting off and who was staying on, we finally heard someone call “TOM” from out of the darkness.  The boat was just about to pull off, so WE  were really glad to hear that voice.

Our new driver with a good vehicle (too tired to know what it was) found the guest house we were supposed to stay at and after a bucket shower we settled in for a much needed night’s sleep.

We were told twice before going to bed that breakfast would be served at 7 a.m.  I asked again for Linda’s sake hoping for a little wiggle room but no, it was 7 a.m.  So down the steps we went at 6:55 a.m. only to find the two men who checked us in sound asleep on the entry sofas. (Welcome to Africa !!!)  Well, as we were reminded again, African time is about 1 hour later then actually stated.  We called our missionary contact last night and let her know we were “in country.”  She said we would be picked up Monday at about 11 a.m.  She told the driver 10 a.m. so she said to expect the driver to be there by at least 11 a.m.  That should have been enough to get us thinking “Africa,” but again we were really tired. .

We are now waiting to be picked up and it is after 11 a.m.  We have about a 6 hour plus drive so we are anxious to get started.  We hope to stop on the way to survey a mission that asked us at the last minute if we can see about the possibility of helping them as they also have NO power. 

Please continue to pray for God’s leading, protection, and most of all, that we will be his vessels to use as He pleases. There is nothing that can happen to us that He does not allow so that His purpose will be fulfilled. 

It has been raining with lots of thunder and lightning.   From what I saw of the roads last night, this should be a very interesting day.

Quick update: It is now Tuesday, November 9, 2010.

We did finally get picked up at 1 p.m. and left Freetown at 3:30 p.m.  That meant a 7+ hour road trip with 4 hours on dirt and mud water holes. 

(Insert by Paul Kinley:  According to a phone call with Tom on Monday, Nov. 8th  I understood him to describe this part of their journey something like this:  The pictures below show us stopped alongside the road with a flat tire.  Transporting drinks and other supplies for the hospital caused the vehicle to be weighed down and thus possibly contributing to causing the flat tire.  They used the aid of a clay pot to hold the vehicle up, while they changed the tire. Nearby kids flocked to the scene to see what happened.  Finally, with the tire fixed, we were on our way again. 

Thank you for your prayers.  It was a trip I will remember for a long time.  We did have one flat tire and I will try to send a picture but internet is VERY slow here and it may not be possible.

We have finished the first day of survey and I am trying to process it all right now.  I will try to send a shorter update tomorrow. There is an incredible need here that I hope I can properly share with you and everyone with whom we will come in contact.

Thanks again for your prayers.

Tom and Linda