Kushay Kushay, Hello Hello

Greetings from Sierra Leone,

Sorry for the delay in posting, things are going well for us, just extremely busy.

As Shelby filled in a couple weeks ago in her post, I walka too much (beware some Krio may start to mingle with the English :) Nicole and I walka for over 4 hours in the invitation campaign for the convention, we covered a lot of territory. But were both exhausted afterwards. My legs cramped too much for me to go on Tuesday for service or the internet. Monday service group was not supported until we came, now there are two to three sisters, sometimes five that meet, so it is growing. Nicole and I really wanted to be sure the area that is seldom worked received their invite so we persevered. The people were so thankful and we will return to some for further discussions.

The children are doing well now, Lorelle has a small cough from all the dust that blows in this dry season, but nothing to worry about. The evenings have been much cooler with very strong breezes. I even had to close my windows to my room the other night. Last week we had a bit of a scare with Malaria, it was the first time for Shelby or Lyam to have it and it hit hard, they came down with it very fast, no forwarning signs. We are prepared though as our landlord upstairs is a Sister in the cong. and a nurse, she always has meds on hand. Since Shelby came down with it in the evening we called Dr. to come, he is a brother in the Cockerill No. congregation, he came quickly and gave her injection and medicine. I took Shelby to the hospital next morning for the Malaria test and to get other tests to rule out typhoid etc. Lyam was during the day so I took him to the hospital for test to be sure it was diagnosed proper and than he received the meds.

They both have recovered well and were fine for the convention. Shelby had come down Sunday before convention and Lyam on Weds. Convention was amazing! Over 2500 in attendance on Sunday, a new high peak attendance. Also baptism of 53! A record high! The youngest was little sister Toby from Port Loko at 8 years old. She has already seen 3 of her studies come to baptism..... so now the teacher was baptised after the students.

There was also a young girl of 11 with her mother baptized together. They were studied with by a 13 year old sister and her mother. The 13 year old sister had been baptized at the age of 8.

We had the priviledge of joinging the ASL (sign language) group for the convention, we had been inquiring of joining the classes at bethel, but they have not begun yet. I took them in Manchester NH years ago and have really been wanting to refresh
what I had used in the past. The kids really enjoyed it, especially Hunter, he was the first one up for the songs, getting in front to follow along with the hand talking as he calls it. We are all looking forward to continuiing in this field as there is a great need. On one of my previous trips to SL I had the priviledge of attending a wedding with Shelby, one of the sisters to the bride is deaf, she was the first deaf sister baptized in SL, it was wonderful to see her again. She and others express their thanks to all that helped to send the dvd mini screen players to them, they are such a blessing to have. We are hoping for Dennis to come with more this trip as the need continues to grow. There are now 4 baptized here and many more studying and attending book study. We will start attenting the group for book study in two weeks.

We know of three of Dennis studies that for sure attended the convention as we saw them in person, but with so many people there may very well have been more. In fact today we heard that the lady who brings us fish cakes and riche cakes, two times a week, attended on Sunday. We did not see her in person, but a young one in our congregation did. Our driver also attended the second half of Sunday afternoon, he is hoping to attend all of the Assemby in May. We are so thankful for the invitations that are provided to distribute!

Hunter had his first trip to Market yesterday with me, he did very well and even was chatty on the ride home. I had heard there was a library for children in Freetown so took Hunter to find it, we succedded and are now in the process of registering. It is a very nice childrens library just 10 minute drive from the market in town, so i am hoping to bring the children and let them browse while i do market on Monday afternoons, after morning service.

Thankyou to all who are able to send small personal emails, it means so much! I had hoped to get the internet phone working but have been unable, the settings have changed and the process to update would cost more than I want/need to spend. So for now we will continue to use the Internet Cafe once a week.

All going to superbowl parties, enjoy some for me!!!! I am amazed how much I miss watching sports, even golf!

The congregations will continue to use our home into February as they are now approved to put tile and ceiling in the newly constructed KH. This will be good, especially in the rainny season, without the ceiling the tin roof would make too much noise.

Many friends send their greetings!

Love to all, may Jehovah be with you,
Lorie