Beloved Friends and Family,
Greetings of peace, joy, and hope to you! I hope you had a beautiful Easter, experiencing God’s amazing love in dynamic revitalizing ways!
Many good things have been happening here in Freetown since I wrote last!
In January Laura Alley (president of WMF USA board of directors) and her husband Mike came to visit us for a week. They pampered Faye, Steph, and I with pedicures, chocolate, and lots of positive affirmation. Along with helping me facilitate a one-day retreat on forgiveness and conflict resolution, the Alleys challenged our community to greater love and more healthy communication by their own great relationship, honesty, and vulnerability. We hope they come back soon! Please pray that we would be able to incorporate some of their peace-making strategies into daily community life.
One of the most beautiful moments of my four-and-a-half years in Sierra Leone occurred while the Alleys were here. After months of dialogue and prayer, the four Lighthouse tailor graduates voluntarily committed to continue in the life of our community, in leadership advisory roles. One enthusiastically pledged to walk with us for at least two years! This was so incredibly encouraging to me because some people claim that our youth are just in our program for the money. Now that they are financially providing for themselves, these young men come to our meetings of their own free will. It was so touching to hear the tailors speak so compassionately about their friends still on the streets, and to have them realize that by God’s grace they themselves have something life-giving to offer their friends. Please pray that these four young men would be able to fulfill their commitments with love, humility, and wisdom.
In February our field welcomed Stephanie’s first US Servant Team comprised of five enthusiastic young men and women. The team is living with Sierra Leonean families and has already started tutoring Lighthouse and Kroo Bay children. Some are also investing their time at City of Rest, a Christian rehabilitation center for people with drug addiction and mental illness. The US Servant Team will be with us until June. Please pray that this team would come to understand Our Father’s heart for the poor.
Chris and Erin Harrell, new staff members, also joined us in February. They have jumped into language lessons wholeheartedly. Chris will be our new Community Care Facilitator, and Erin will be our Field Administrator. Having them assume these roles and responsibilities will greatly relieve much of the stress in my life and free me up to lead our community well and (hopefully) teach a bit. The Harrells have been a great addition to our apartment in town. We enjoy cooking together and playing some of Chris’ fun board games. Chris and Erin plan to be with us at least three years. Please praise God with us for bringing such bright and gifted people to Freetown.
Please pray for me, that I may wholeheartedly be seeking to love and serve God in all that I do.
As always, if you are receiving this note, know that I am thankful for you. Your emails, financial and prayer support mean so much.
With Love,
Cami