The Beach...

Ok...what a night! Couldn't sleep...again with the dogs, the unbelievable down pour of rain and the random turning on of all the house lights at 4am! AWESOME! Went to church this morning...it was incredible...everyone in the church (30ish people) welcomed us and offered a warm hand shake. Of course the music was incredible and all they had was a half working guitar. I cannot tell you how hot it was...I have NEVER been so hot in my entire life! My t-shirt became a wet suit after 20mins. :) I look gorgeous in Africa...not really. It's obvious that I belong in a cold climate, my skin is red ALL the time, my hair looks like I have a giant baby chick sitting on my head, and I'm glowing with sweat! The people at church made me so emotional. Two people came and spoke about how God had seen them through the hard times during the war. As they said...even when the city was covered with the light of bombs and gun shots, they sang worship songs up and down the streets, loving people and reminding those around them that God cannot be chased out of the hearts of the Sierra Leoneons. Wow. A lady baptised her brand new baby as you weeped over him, praying for protected and a better life! All these people keep telling me that NOW, the APC (the political party) with clean things up, "give it 5 years...there will be roads, buses, and light 24hrs a day...you'll see, they will make it better." I hope for their sake that my synicism will be proven wrong! The last government promised 15 new buses and generators for the city...all of which went "missing" as Kabbah enjoyed the best house, with light, electricity and top security 24hrs...welcome to Africa! What do they say in Blood Diamond... "TIA"! (this is Africa!)

We later took a drive outside the city to the most beautiful beach to spend the afternoon. I can't believe I wasn't sick as the roads made the journey feel like a cheap ride at the Stampede. Every few miles we would approach a bunch of kids blocking the road with string and whatever else they could find in hopes of recieving some money from the "rich" people inside. We drove past the old rehabilitation center for child soldiers that the UN put up....I can't believe that I was driving along a road that I only just read about in the book "A long Way Gone" (EVERYONE MUST READ IT) less then 4 months ago. I don't think it has fully set in for me that I'm actualy here.

I've never been in contact with people like this in my life. I feel more safe here then I did in Prague, Paris, or Geneve! Perhaps it's ignorance but I truly believe in the hearts of most of the people around me. I'm already blown away.

I wish you all a good night sleep...enjoy the coolness and comfort of where you are...we are so blessed.

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