Friday 19th April
Phoned Susan on our 27th wedding anniversary. Hardly any been apart across the years but somehow seemed well connected for a long time! Breakfast was porridge and omelette and Terry had some helpful scriptures to consider. Alison arrived and we headed off to the west side of Freetown, about a 45 minute journey. I stopped at the EU to see if I could make an appointment. They had very nice offices high up in the mountains. I found who I needed to speak to but he was in a meeting so left a copy of the plan and a note and asked the appropriate person to ring me. Later he kindly did and set up for one of his colleagues to call me on Monday..
Then to the US embassy. I had not advised Terry and Alison’s names so it needed about 30 minutes to get them “cleared.” Again on a mountain they have 30 US staff and 150 local staff and we met Tom and Mohammed from their commercial section. We talked for about 2 hours, initially about what mission direct has been doing here and then to the issues surrounding housing and Freetown needs. They knew of no one else addressing low cost housing in this country. Todd was relatively new to SL but Mohammed had been there a long time and in particular provided helpful insights. One thing he noted was that some people love in the slums as it was free and there is a mentality here of wanting something for nothing. Also that the work ethic is bad and many in these communities will not work hard.
Tried to get internet connection again and still down, then off to see Major Moses. This was one of those moments where the prayer support on this trip proves it’s worth. Wisdom we need. I asked a load of questions to give us as much understanding of the situation as possible. Basically his family is offering us 40 acres of land for around £20k. The process is a £3k “token” which is a bit like a deposit and means they will not sell to anyone else. The land is then surveyed and the lawyers work with the Ministry of Lands to get the demarcated area in our name.
Fundamentally, if we pursue this it all comes down to can we trust Major Moses and can he deliver on what he says he can. History in this country suggests trust is not easily maintained yet we have known the Chaplain to the president for 5 years. He has much to lose reputationally if things go wrong. The process being described is a mixture of legal and traditional. Based on a handshake much will be expected as wise words say “if it’s too good to be true, if probably is!”
There are perhaps a few moments in life when you make fundamental choices. I have sensed Gods leading in this process for several years. I can delay and look elsewhere or make a mark in the physical and spiritual realm and take a risk. I often quote “between the great things we cannot do and the little things we will not do the danger is we do nothing” I ask myself if I am simply too involved to see the wood for the trees. Alison says she wouldn’t do it but as we discussed, the idea of something this size is not her experience. Terry, one of my trustees brings a verse from Jeremiah 32 about when Jeremiah was in prison having opposed the King but bought some land when many indicators suggested otherwise.
I decided to proceed. I thought perhaps I should speak with Peter, Richard, Patrick and others who have contributed this journey. Couldn’t get through to Peter and thought, I know God is calling me to do this. My job is to take this step of faith. God will then make the next steps clear. And so we changed the money, wrote up a “contract” and Terry videoed and photographed the handing over of the cash. It was then Moses job to present it to the elders who then call me to a major meeting on Sunday.
Headed off in search of an internet café to find several challenges to deal with. Funny how emotional I can get when not in the UK and need sorting! Then for a drink and game of scrabble with Terry on his IPAD.
We then met up with Chris and Rob from a church near Bracknell, who we had seen on the plane. Also “Abs” who had spent a long time in the UK and returned shared some of his story. It is not easy for those who become accustomed to English ways to return as the family pressure on them is huge. He has polio and doing a great job, funnily enough working with a number of the communities we help. The church is sending a team next year and we are looking at how we may be able to help.
And so to bed!