Saturday in Sierra Leone

 On Friday, our DBU travelers spent time in Mile 91 and in the town of Bo. One of the students was not feeling very well and stayed behind at the Hope Center to recoup. By the time the group returned, it was late and we were not able to connect for a Friday update.

On Friday, another student succumbed to the belly bug so the group remained around the Hope Center. Our travelers spent the day relaxing and playing around the Hope Center today. The group was able to enjoy some fellowship with other folks around the Hope Center.
Dr. O'Brien shared that the team had an amazing wrap up session in the Palava Hut outside of the Hope Center. (A palava hut traditionally serves as a town hall where villagers engage in stimulating conversations and disseminate community announcements.) A palava hut in a village would typically have a thatched rooftop. The Palava Hut in this picture is the one outside of the Hope Center. Dr. O'Brien took this picture in the spring when he first traveled to Sierra Leone. The session the team had here Friday was really meaningful to all of them.

Dr.O'Brien shared that the group of them will be singing in church on Sunday.They were surprised but up for the challenge. They will enjoy lunch at the Hope Center and then late in the afternoon (about the time we are in church tomorrow), the group will load up in the water taxis to make their trek back to Freetown. They have a long, long route of travel ahead of them. We will need to be praying for their physical strength and endurance. When they return to DFW on Monday evening, they will have to get ready to get right back into their normal routine. How challenging that will be after all they have had an opportunity to experience this past week.

Dr. O'Brien also shared that this week has been a huge answer to prayer and so many have had life changing experiences. While I do not expect to have any more updates before the team returns, I hope that we can share some of their stories and pictures through this blog. Those of you who have been reading about their journeys have been such faithful prayer warriors - it would be good for us all to share in their stories.

All that to say - please keep praying for our travelers - and watch the blog next week for an update of Home Safe and maybe a few photos.

God bless you! Thank you for going on this blog journey with me. I have been blessed!
Kelly