"Quik" Trip to Bo.

I spent some time in Bo last week, helping lead sessions on "Reformed Worship" and "The Sacraments: Baptism." 



Travel by road in Sierra Leone has its own pastoral beauty/danger.  Yes, that is the equivalent of Highway 16/1/your local interstate.

One of the biggest blessings about the trip was that it was a veritable "United Nations" of brethren with whom I travelled.  Zambia, Nigeria, Liberia, United States, Canada, Sierra Leone (both Kuranko and Mende) - all these nations were represented on the journey.  It was amazing to rub shoulders with these men and soak in God's goodness at placing us together for this time.  Let me introduce them in some word/pictures:


Amara Fefegula (left), a native son of Bo, currently residing in Kabala, led devotions and translated our sessions into Krio and Mende (the native language in Bo).  Morris Sonie (right), of Liberia, is in training in Kabala as a potential church-planter in the CRC SL.  He translated one of my sessions into Krio.    We enjoyed each other's company and were all bounced around together in the back of the Landcruiser on our trip to/from Bo.



In the pink shirt on the left, John Phiri from the Reformed Church in Zambia, is worshipping.  He later led the session on "Holy Communion".  Zachary Adams, from the 3rd Denver CRC, is on the far left.  He led a session on writing and reporting.  There were 31 participants, far exceeding our expectations.



Belalie Koroma, of the Koinadugu district, our able driver is a gentle spirit, faithful disciple and extremely able guide throughout SL. He has matching shirt/shoes and he is also nicknamed, "Temperature."

Rev. Ezekiel J. Sudu leading a session on "What it Means to be Reformed."  That is Bo Pastor Gabriel Mattia interpretting on the right.



Naomi is 'walking' the gift given to us by Amara's parents when we visited them in Bo.  This is a tremendous show of respect and honour, especially if you consider the limited means of many in this culture.  We named him "Monday" because Monday would be his last day.  He was killed this morning (a few tears were shed ...), but most of us are looking forward to Monday dinner.

The group shot.  The photographer wasn't familiar with iphone cameras.



The exterior of the church building in Bo, where the sessions were held.  Clearly my apologies are necessary:  The family photographer did not take the trip, so instead of Ella's pictures, you have mine.

One of the simple pleasures of life in North America, chocolate milk, I am unable to enjoy in the same, full fashion in Sierra Leone - in part because cold, fresh milk is not readily available.

This is the chocolate powder available here.  Like so many knock-off brands here, it attempts to mirror a familiar Western brand name.  The hospitality demonstrated by our hosts, even in their efforts to provide special food for us, was in itself overwhelming.  In fact, the day we left we actually had to have two lunches within an hour of each other, otherwise we would have offended both our church hosts and the lady who housed us!