we got all 11 supply suitcases there:
We rode many, many exciting forms of transportation. You will hear more stories:
We fell in love with this city:
I used them as need be for morphing purposes (which was very little)—
And then left them with this sweet boy who loved them way more than me…
We’re home.
I have a few things to say:
1. Word Made Flesh Freetown = no words. I can’t come up with the right adjective to describe them. Unsung heroes of justice and love. Amazing. Amazing.
2. My girlfriends and travel mates were unbelievable. Every single one of them. Much was asked of them as far as flexibility and endurance. We lived out of our comfort zones for basically 6 days straight with no relief. And they were awesome. I’m so, so thankful for them. So, so proud to be their friend.
3. Sierra Leone. I love it. It stretches me. It changes me. It teaches me. Love it.
And now we’re home.
I will likely be absent for a couple days.
Need to find my foundation.
But a nearly perfect trip. A true blessing.
More to come….
It appears that their flight has been delayed in Freetown, cutting into their layover in London. Pray they make their flight as I’m sure all are anxious to return home–changed no doubt by their experience. Follow their progress from Jody’s twitter updates on the right sidebar. Jody will be reporting first hand shortly. I’m anxious to find out the details myself and see/hear/read what “actual adventures” the Company of Eight experienced, not in Middle Earth, but in the Mountains of the Lion (Sierra Leone). –fed
['Fear not!' said a strange voice behind him. Frodo turned and saw Strider, and yet not Strider; for the weatherworn Ranger was no longer there. In the stern sat Aragorn son of Arathorn, proud and erect, guiding the boat with skillful strokes; his hood is cast back, and his dark hair was blowing in the wind, a light was in his eyes: a king returning from exile to his own land.--Fellowship of the Ring]
For bodies not accustomed to life here & for the many things we snuck into a short stay…I think I can say we will be tired upon return.
We will spend the morning here…take a bus back to town to meet our sponsor children from Children of the Nations, pick up luggage, and take speed boat across water to airport. I can pretty much guarantee that none of that is like what you imagine in your head. 
There is no frame of reference to describe life here. We will try more later…
We are beginning to allow our minds and hearts to think about home and thus missing our husbands and kids.
One more day here. One day of travel.
So, so grateful for our week here.
River2, Sierra Leone
['Go now!' said Celeborn. "You are worn with much toil. Even if your Quest did not concern us closely, you should have refuge in this City, until you are healed and refreshed. Now you shall rest, and we will not speak of your further road for a while."--Fellowship of the Ring]
For info on River2, go here.
It appears upon first Internet connection that I am going to have to give FED more specific instructions next time. I was kind of assuming he would be posting for me in full sentences. So anyway…you too got the 5 second text version of the days.
There is much to process and share. We are hoping to begin some of that tonight. Freetown is loud. You don’t really realize just how much until you hear quiet. We are currently sitting on a quiet West African beach. FED can maybe tell you more about it tomorrow. A cool story to this place. Anyway, it’s quiet. And amazing. And we are starting to talk through our time.
Here’s what I learned today (among other things, but we will start with this):
Short term team trips to places like this…you end up being served by long term missionaries. There is no way around it. You come here, they are the ones who serve us. As much as we would of hoped to serve them….that is really hard to do. There are so many logistics. So, so humbling to accept the service from the WMF staff of hosting this trip.
But I do feel like we have an opportunity to serve them when we get home. We are dreaming and talking about ways to support them better. We can continue to play a small part in their unbelievable work here. And we want to do it with more excellence. We certainly have the motivation and confidence. Can’t wait to tell you more about them, about what we can do.
There will be more later…
For now….quiet.
Another great day. Some time with WMF staff. A trip to Bunce Island complete with the speed boat experience. Some enjoyed that more than others.
Dinner with David & Alimomy, the tailors Pam and Meg have been working with. Lots of laughs. Awesome young men. They walked the parade of 8 white women home. Much time has been given to make this trip possible for us.
I needed my morphing glasses for the first time this evening during our end of the day team meeting. Luckily I believe everyone survived my attempts at control and perhaps some sleep will prepare us all for our last couple days.
We have much squeezed into the last 48 hours. Excited about them. I think I can guarantee we will all come home exhausted and a bit broken. Our perspectives challenged, our hearts softened. Humbled. And inspired
Been waiting to hear more details from the day. Apparently, Jody’s twitter posts (in the right sidebar) are getting thru. Wondering what “little adventure” they had today on the river and the island.
[Sam look from bank to bank uneasily. The trees had seemed hostile before, as if they harboured secret eyes and lurking dangers; now he wished that the trees were still there. He felt the Company was too exposed, afloat in little open boats in the midst of shelterless lands, and on a river that was the frontier of war. . . . Frodo shivered, thinking of the lawns and fountains, the clear sun and gentle rains of Lothlorien. There was little speech . . . in the boats. Each member of the Company was busy with their own thoughts.--Fellowship of the Ring.]
