Dear friends,
I'm sorry this is a little late to get out to you, so much is going on here and despite it being cold in most places that you, my supporters, are reading this, here I'm finding the heat exhausting!!
This month Easter has been and gone. But my thoughts continue on about what an inspiring, sad and hope-giving event Easter really is. Again and again I hear stories of how awful and cruel one human-being can be to another. Hurting, punishing, cheating, betraying, killing even. Just this morning I heard of a 9 year old girl that was killed by an adult in one of the communities I work in called Dworsak. The child had apparently been repeatedly naughty and the man (who people say is a witch) killed her in a way too disgusting for me to repeat here. Evidence of more tragedy that continues here even after the sufferings of a brutal war. I still find it hard to imagine anyone beating and torturing another human being as the people around Jesus did to Him. Then mercilessly crucified on a cross. How does one human being do such wrong to another. We did it to Him, to Jesus, but He did it for me – and for you, to give us freedom from our sins. But why do human beings continue to hurt each other so much?
The families I'm working with continue to be a frustration and a joy. The kids smile on and these treasured lives are seeing a glimmer of the hope – the love of Christ. It is encouraging to see and hear the families surprised that we have continued to visit after nearly a year for some. The practical demonstration of our commitment and patience with their children, gives them a living example that Jesus never tires with us, never leaves us or forgets about us. 
Abu and Mina are both progressing well. I'm trying to get them to be more independent with their treatment sessions. I think they were a little shocked when with certain patients I suggested that they would be leading the whole treatment session. Supervising from the sidelines I try to only add in when really necessary – a hard task for me who likes to be in control and find it hard to keep my mouth shut!! However I'm hoping that when I go on leave in the summer that they will continue to visit the families on their own, to treat, to review
equipment and to encourage and support the families. In order to do this I need to be happy that they are practising safely and do not let standards drop. SO, we have started more formal training days. We've certainly had fun, but their understanding of body parts started at 'hand' describing the whole arm, and 'foot' describing the whole leg, as this is how it is in the Crio language. Ankle, knee, hip, wrist, elbow and shoulder have become 'new' words to their vocabulary!! But we continue to learn about positioning, stretches to prevent contractures, high and low muscle tone and what to do about it, and of course how to facilitate FUN in PLAY – concepts that are somewhat alien in both their own upbringings and in general childhood in Sierra Leone. I heard of this old African Proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.” It perfectly describes my working with Abu and Mina; I could work much quicker and professionally alone, but with them the kids will get better care for longer, I have help in understanding cultural situations, Abu and Mina are learning skills that will help them and others for the rest of their lives and I'm much safer wandering these communities with them. It is also giving me a real opportunity to minister in their lives too. Life is not easy for anyone here. They have both had major difficulties even in the last month and being able to listen, talk and pray with them is also a joy. I thank the Lord for their faithfulness to me, these kids and to our Lord. 
I've been trying to get a more regular working plan, visiting certain communities once a month to get everyone in. However the continued increase in numbers, the acuteness of some patients needing to be seen more often and the 'you never know what is going to happen today' fact of living and working in Africa, makes it hard to stick to the plan sometimes.
These kids are in a beautiful place called Lakka, out from the west side of Freetown, which is right on the sea front, if you can see the white wall in the beach photo, thats right where i work! And Goderich where there is an orphanage I visit as well as a home visit to Amidu pictured above with Abu. But other communities are on the east side (and are generally much poorer). Rokel-Sima Town, Mabureh Junction, Wellington, Calaba Town. Unfortunately the 'best' or should I say most traffic-free route to that side is through the jungle and mountains. It's a beautiful road, but the road is very bad and taking it's toll on my car. Poor Bertie keeps having to spend the weekend with Abu (my good friend from long ago who many of you have met, (who is NOT the same person as Abu my assistant!) who is a wonderful mechanic). Bertie has recently had a new wheel plate connecting to axle, clutch, oil change, battery, starter motor, and no surprise new shock absorbers!! Not to mention the flat tyre too!!! I'm miserable about what keeps going wrong and how much it is costing, but I thank God for Abu who does all the work in his free time and does not charge me any labour. Without him, another mechanic is sure to rip off an innocent white girl who knows very little about cars. Abu is such a support to me here in so many ways, pray for his blessing in return.
Success continues with Allusan the carpenter. This is Momoh, who although appears to be very disgruntled when we were trying to fit and adjust his new chair......when we finally finished he was chuffed as!!
For those of you who pray, please join me in these areas:
- Thank God for the on-going support of Abu (my good friend+mechanic)
- Thank God for provision of finances before the time of really needing it
- Abu and Mina, for ongoing learning and commitment
- All our treasured children and families to experience the love and blessing of God.
- This month I need to sort out my WORK / LIVING PERMITS for the next year
- Future direction - someone to share work with, local support, linking organisations
- Continued safety and protection and good
“Those who sow in tears
shall reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:5-6
I'm sorry this is a little late to get out to you, so much is going on here and despite it being cold in most places that you, my supporters, are reading this, here I'm finding the heat exhausting!!
This month Easter has been and gone. But my thoughts continue on about what an inspiring, sad and hope-giving event Easter really is. Again and again I hear stories of how awful and cruel one human-being can be to another. Hurting, punishing, cheating, betraying, killing even. Just this morning I heard of a 9 year old girl that was killed by an adult in one of the communities I work in called Dworsak. The child had apparently been repeatedly naughty and the man (who people say is a witch) killed her in a way too disgusting for me to repeat here. Evidence of more tragedy that continues here even after the sufferings of a brutal war. I still find it hard to imagine anyone beating and torturing another human being as the people around Jesus did to Him. Then mercilessly crucified on a cross. How does one human being do such wrong to another. We did it to Him, to Jesus, but He did it for me – and for you, to give us freedom from our sins. But why do human beings continue to hurt each other so much?
The families I'm working with continue to be a frustration and a joy. The kids smile on and these treasured lives are seeing a glimmer of the hope – the love of Christ. It is encouraging to see and hear the families surprised that we have continued to visit after nearly a year for some. The practical demonstration of our commitment and patience with their children, gives them a living example that Jesus never tires with us, never leaves us or forgets about us. 
Abu and Mina are both progressing well. I'm trying to get them to be more independent with their treatment sessions. I think they were a little shocked when with certain patients I suggested that they would be leading the whole treatment session. Supervising from the sidelines I try to only add in when really necessary – a hard task for me who likes to be in control and find it hard to keep my mouth shut!! However I'm hoping that when I go on leave in the summer that they will continue to visit the families on their own, to treat, to review
equipment and to encourage and support the families. In order to do this I need to be happy that they are practising safely and do not let standards drop. SO, we have started more formal training days. We've certainly had fun, but their understanding of body parts started at 'hand' describing the whole arm, and 'foot' describing the whole leg, as this is how it is in the Crio language. Ankle, knee, hip, wrist, elbow and shoulder have become 'new' words to their vocabulary!! But we continue to learn about positioning, stretches to prevent contractures, high and low muscle tone and what to do about it, and of course how to facilitate FUN in PLAY – concepts that are somewhat alien in both their own upbringings and in general childhood in Sierra Leone. I heard of this old African Proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.” It perfectly describes my working with Abu and Mina; I could work much quicker and professionally alone, but with them the kids will get better care for longer, I have help in understanding cultural situations, Abu and Mina are learning skills that will help them and others for the rest of their lives and I'm much safer wandering these communities with them. It is also giving me a real opportunity to minister in their lives too. Life is not easy for anyone here. They have both had major difficulties even in the last month and being able to listen, talk and pray with them is also a joy. I thank the Lord for their faithfulness to me, these kids and to our Lord. I've been trying to get a more regular working plan, visiting certain communities once a month to get everyone in. However the continued increase in numbers, the acuteness of some patients needing to be seen more often and the 'you never know what is going to happen today' fact of living and working in Africa, makes it hard to stick to the plan sometimes.
These kids are in a beautiful place called Lakka, out from the west side of Freetown, which is right on the sea front, if you can see the white wall in the beach photo, thats right where i work! And Goderich where there is an orphanage I visit as well as a home visit to Amidu pictured above with Abu. But other communities are on the east side (and are generally much poorer). Rokel-Sima Town, Mabureh Junction, Wellington, Calaba Town. Unfortunately the 'best' or should I say most traffic-free route to that side is through the jungle and mountains. It's a beautiful road, but the road is very bad and taking it's toll on my car. Poor Bertie keeps having to spend the weekend with Abu (my good friend from long ago who many of you have met, (who is NOT the same person as Abu my assistant!) who is a wonderful mechanic). Bertie has recently had a new wheel plate connecting to axle, clutch, oil change, battery, starter motor, and no surprise new shock absorbers!! Not to mention the flat tyre too!!! I'm miserable about what keeps going wrong and how much it is costing, but I thank God for Abu who does all the work in his free time and does not charge me any labour. Without him, another mechanic is sure to rip off an innocent white girl who knows very little about cars. Abu is such a support to me here in so many ways, pray for his blessing in return.
Success continues with Allusan the carpenter. This is Momoh, who although appears to be very disgruntled when we were trying to fit and adjust his new chair......when we finally finished he was chuffed as!!For those of you who pray, please join me in these areas:
- Thank God for the on-going support of Abu (my good friend+mechanic)
- Thank God for provision of finances before the time of really needing it
- Abu and Mina, for ongoing learning and commitment
- All our treasured children and families to experience the love and blessing of God.
- This month I need to sort out my WORK / LIVING PERMITS for the next year
- Future direction - someone to share work with, local support, linking organisations
- Continued safety and protection and good
“Those who sow in tearsshall reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:5-6
THANKS,
With Love Vez
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