The following is Brett Glover’s journal from his mission trip to Sierra Leone.  Thanks Brett for sharing this amazing journey with all of us!

Jan. 21

My day started at 4 am with an early wakeup call and a long drive to Carbondale in the rain.  To make matters worse my defrost decided to quit working in the Blazer so I had to crack my windows so I could see out the windshield!  My car is such a hunk of junk!  Once in Carbondale it was a 5 hour train ride to Chicago which was quite nice actually.  Right now I’m waiting on the rest of the team, meeting them here in the airport and then off to London and eventually Sierra Leone.  Over the days I hope to fill these pages with life changing memories.

Jan. 22

We just landed in London.  That was by far the longest flight I have ever been on.  The London airport is absolutely massive.  The international wing is like a shopping mall complete with a Starbucks of course.  I slept a solid 4 hours on the plane so I actually feel pretty good right now.  The four of us had breakfast at the Giraffe café and I had the “fall brunch” which was quite nice although they did serve baked beans with it.  I thought that was a bit strange.  I got my bill and it was 11 which I thought was not too bad for airport food.  I also forgot that we were in London and the 11 was in pounds.  That meal came out to be almost $22!  It was worth it though as I hadn’t eaten in almost 10 hours.  Now we have a layover of about 2 hours and then onto Freetown, Sierra Leone.  I miss Carrie and the kids terribly and hope they are doing ok.

Flight to Sierra Leone

I’m about ½ way through the flight to Freetown.  This flight is jam packed with almost every seat filled.  The diversity of race on this plane is crazy.  People of all nations, all races, and all walks of life joined together for 8 hours with one common thought and goal; “hurry up and get me off this plane!”  There is something very eye opening about experiences such as these.  It reminds me that the human spirit is a powerful thing and the Holy Spirit even more powerful. It makes me sad for the times I’ve let my ignorance blind me to the point of stupidity over something as silly as color.  Growing up in the south is hard to overcome sometimes.  I wonder how some people will feel when we get to Heaven and it is lined with God’s children…even black ones!  On the plane we watched Julia/Julia and I thought of Carrie.  She has wanted to see that movie for a long time.  Right now they are showing UP, which I’ve seen at least 20 times so I’m writing instead.  We have about 3 hours left until we land and the anticipation is growing.  Apparently we have a 45 minute ferry ride and then a 30 minute drive to the orphanage where we are staying.  I will be glad to call it a day and look forward to what tomorrow brings.  When we get there it will be around midnight local time…6 PM for my body.  I hope I can get to sleep as I have been traveling for about 30 hours now.

WE JUST LANDED

When I became a Father I was awe struck and shocked to the core.  I remember feeling like there was no way possible to prepare for what I was thrown into.  I felt that way again tonight as I stepped off the plane in Sierra Leone.  Nothing could have prepared me for what I am seeing, hearing, experiencing.  The desperation from the locals hits you from the very start.  You are thrust into a city where 2.5 million people live in a city built for about 300,000.  The people were forced here during the war and had nothing to go home to so they stayed.  Local men gather at the airport hoping to help you with your luggage, often as in our case they fight with each other at the sight of an American hoping to earn some money.  They look at you with desperation in their eyes just begging to carry your bag or open your door.  I found myself wanting to look away and ignore the sights but I couldn’t help but to stare and feel so helpless because I cannot change the plight of all who ask and seek help.  The ride from the airport to the ferry was gut wrenching.  It was almost midnight on a Friday and children were out on the streets.  It is dark, very dark as this city is still devastated from the war.  There is only power in a few places and for specific times of the day.  The ferry was much like the airport.  Young men lined up hoping to get a chance to earn some money.  The grave state of their situation is written all over their faces.  I was literally scared for my life on the ride to the ferry.  Edmund, a local pastor picked us up at the airport and drove us to the ferry, and then the orphanage.  Imagine no road rules, over population, horrible roads, scarce police, and no such thing as auto-insurance.  I just described driving in Sierra Leone.  The last thing to mention is the heat, oh the heat and the humidity!  It almost knocked me down the minute I stepped off the plane.  I am soaking wet already and am realizing that it will be this way all week.  There is no escape from the heat, no such thing as air conditioning.  We’re arriving at the orphanage now.  I haven’t slept in over 30 hours…time for bed.

1st Day in Sierra Leone

My 1st day here started early.  Since there is no power bed time is early and everyone rises with the sun to start the day.  Today is spent here at the orphanage getting to know the kids and adjusting from the travel.  There are 2 buildings here in Wellington that house over 90 orphans.  The kids are unbelievable.  There is a light in their eye that is hard to describe.  They do not complain, they do not know what they don’t have, they share everything they own, and they seem genuinely happy to do it.  What these kids have seen and known in their lives is pain, destruction, and loss.  Yet they are filled with love, joy, and happiness.  I should mention now that most of these kids are here because they were displaced during the war.  Many of them witnessed the murder of their parents.

We shared a quick breakfast consisting of eggs and plantains (fried bananas).  After breakfast we played games with the kids and then the work for the day began.  Saturday is a day spent doing chores and cleaning since there is no school. It’s amazing how much harder the people here work then back home just accomplishing everyday tasks.  What would take us minutes takes them hours. The work ethic here is incredible considering that most of what they work for is means of survival.  I have met some great kids today that I bonded with pretty much right off the bat... Bernard, Francis, Jeremiah, and Samuel.  Bernard and I have hit it off the most.  He is such a sweet kid and wants to know all about my life.  He also wants me to give him my wedding ring!

It is now Saturday evening and we just got back from the boys soccer game.  The orphanage has a team called the White Lions.  Soccer is a way of life here as it passes the time and takes their mind off of things.  A lot of locals showed up for the game and you would have thought it was the world cup.  The boys were excited to have us at the game cheering them on.  There is no grass, just a dirt field loaded with rocks and the out of bounds lined with garbage.  The boys wear no chin guards and most plan in jelly slippers because there are no cleats.  There are no nets, just a structure for the goal made from tree limbs.  However, for a few moments when the ball is in play none of this matters, nothing matters.  Soccer is an escape and that dirt field is their sanctuary.  The White Lions won….10-6!

Day one is drawing to a close.  It is late and exhausted does not adequately describe how tired how I am.  It has been an incredible day filled with many emotions.  Time to study now, I’m preaching in the morning!

Sunday

The day started very early this morning. We had a quick bite to eat then off to the village of Newton for church. The pastor there, M.S. has planted three churches in the past few months.  He is supported by 4 H.I.M. but spends most of his money making sure his people are cared for.  He and his family are living in the church right now, sleeping on the pews.  Church was an unbelievable experience.  For people who have so little, you have never seen such genuine joy and love for God in all your life.  The excitement and emotion was unlike any service I’ve ever been to.  When they sing, they SING, and when they pray, they PRAY, and when they worship, they WORSHIP.  Nothing is fake, there are no schedules, and there is no time limit.  There is really nothing to get home to do and no lunch rush to beat.  You can tell that this is the best part of their week. Pastor Edmund introduced me and explained how much I had given up to be with them and how I had left the comfort of my life in the U.S. to serve them.  He told them I was a prophet of God and to listen very carefully at what I had to say.  I felt very unworthy to speak to people whose faith is way greater than my own.  I preached a message based on the story of the woman at the well found in John 4.  I had an interpreter which was new to me but it went well.  I wish I could worship with these people every week, I definitely received the blessing.

We returned to Wellington for some rice and then to the beach for a baptism service.  Jon and I baptized 65 Africans in the Atlantic Ocean.  It was the greatest ministry experience of my life.  It was real, it was genuine, and each one knew what they were doing, who Jesus was, and had committed their lives to Him.  The very last woman I baptized was a polio victim and had no shirt on and could not walk.  We had to hold her in our arms and go under with her to baptize her.  She came up screaming, PRAISE JESUS!  I will never forget that moment.  By the way did I mention that when they get baptized they receive a new name?  This is because most of them are Muslim from birth so they change their name and receive a new Biblical name!

I’m back at the orphanage now after a long day. There is school tomorrow so it will be an early night and I am glad for that.  Alfred & Bernard gave me drumming lessons tonight.

Monday

Wow, what a day!  I don’t know where to start or what to say except thanks be to God.  Today I spent most of the morning in genuine fear.  We traveled to Freetown to go the market.  Words cannot adequately describe the atmosphere there.  Hundreds of thousands of people jammed into a few city blocks.  You feel as if every eye is on you, watching your every move.  I felt very vulnerable yet safe at the same time.  There is no structure, no order, only chaos.  If something were to go wrong there would be no way to stop it.  It feels like a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off at any second.  We were able to accomplish the objective for the day.  We found a local vendor who could get all the parts needed to construct the water wells.

After our trip to the market it was back to Wellington for lunch at the orphanage.  When we returned the local school was having a lunch break as well.  When the children spotted us we were mobbed by them as they crave the affection and attention.  We toured the school and visited with both students from the town and the orphanage.  I saw Marie there and she had on her new shoes from Macy!  When we walk through the village all the local children scream, “Hello” which sounds more like, “Ello.”  When you respond they smile from cheek to cheek and come running to greet you.  They love to hold your hand and walk beside you for a while.  It is as if they momentarily forget that they have no food to eat or shoes on their feet.

After lunch we were head to Newton to work for the day developing the New Steps Center.  This is a large facility that has been given to 4 HIM by Mercy Ships.  Eventually this building hopes to serve as a training center, vocational school, carpentry business, and even agriculture to generate funds for the locals.  Today we cleaned and helped set up the carpentry shop.  It was on the way to the New Steps building that all the excitement occurred.  If not mentioned before driving here is absolute mayhem.  No laws, no rules, just buckle up and hang on.  As we left Wellington traffic was very busy.  A few cars in front of us a pedestrian walked out and caused drivers to slam on their brakes.  We too had to come to a sudden stop but unfortunately the bus behind us did not.  The bus slammed into the back of our vehicle and caused to slam into the van in front of us.  Chaos ensued very quickly.  The impact was definitely felt by all of us as my head went rushing forward and connected with the head rest in front of me.  By the time we made sure everyone was okay we were surrounded by locals.  I could not tell what they were saying or whether they were angry or just excited.  Pastor Edmund, the local Pastor who was driving jumped out of the car to try and dissolve the situation.  It seemed as if some of the locals were blaming us for the accident and others the driver behind us.  This provoked a big argument and in that moment I was genuinely scared.  Locals were yelling, pointing, laughing, and screaming.  We were all in shock and no one spoke a word as we were all realizing the seriousness of the situation.  It finally dawned on me to pray and as I did visions of my family went running through my mind.  I became dizzy and sick to my stomach, sweating out of control.  We never really knew if were in any real danger but it sure felt like it.  I went back to praying and Edmund was able to work through the situation and arranged for another vehicle to come pick us up and take us to New Steps.  On the way there not one word was spoken between our group as our emotions seemed to really get the best of us.  The mood did not lighten until Pastor Hasaan greeted us at New Steps.  His smile had a way of relieving all the stress and emotion.  The rest of the day was a success.

We returned before dark to the orphanage for dinner.  We played a basketball game with some of the boys and helped some kids with their homework.  I arm-wrestled with Jeremiah, played ping-pong with Bernard and Isa, and then read Bible stories to Samuel and Bernard.  They love to hear stories about Jesus.  When you mention His name their eyes light up with joy!

It is time for bed now.  We are conducting Pastors training/conference in the morning…should be fun!

Tuesday

The day is drawing to a close and as I write I’m listening to the most beautiful choir in the world.  African children singing, “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” at the top of their lungs!  Today was a good and productive day.  Jon and I conducted a pastors training for about a dozen local pastors.  It was a roundtable I felt honored to be a part of.  These men are deeply committed and a living definition of what it means to pick up your cross and follow Jesus.  They had many questions for us.  Most of them related to theological truth, interpretation of scripture, and practical aspects of pasturing.  These men have an undeniable passion for Christ that is contagious and inspiring.  It was great to sit among these Godly men, pray for them, and encourage one another.

Wednesday

It was an early morning once again today as we got up and going before the sun.  The early morning hours are by far the most peaceful time here.  After devotions with the kids we had a quick breakfast with fresh pineapple, the best I ever tasted and headed down the hill to meet up with Pastor Hasaan.  We spent an hour or so with him as he started telling stories of how the orphanage began and the daily struggles that God has brought him through over the years.  I could have sat and listened to this man of God all day long.  He told us about the war, the persecution he received, and how people told him he was crazy for taking in all these kids and being a Christian.  He told us stories behind some of the children, even some stories of how their parents were killed.  With each story my heart broke a little bit more.  He told us that at night he would have to sleep naked on the ground because he only owned one pair of pants and one shirt and when he would wash them at night he had no clothes to wear.  Each day he walked several miles in search of food and provision for the children.  God has seen them through so much and that fuels their faith to keep pushing ahead, rebuilding their lives and their country.  Just some perspective on this, the war started in 1992.  Pastor Hasaan has been living this life for 20 years.  Living on faith each day and depending upon God every step of the way!

After our meeting we met up with Pastor M.S. to go see two new churches he started in remote villages.  M.S. is an unbelievable man of God with a passion for evangelism.  He leads a church in Newton and has started three new churches this year, in some instances leading entire villages to belief in Jesus.  He is also a very practical man and has started a school everywhere he has started a church.  The trip to these villages was over two hours in length.  After turning off the main road we traveled at least 20 miles down dirt roads that I don’t believe were meant to drive on!  This trip was very surreal.  I felt like I was in an episode of National Geographic magazine.  The first time M.S. visited here he walked it on foot and still travels on foot when he visits as he doesn’t own a vehicle.  When they built the church, which is an open air building constructed of a wood frame with a tin roof, they carried the materials from the main road on their heads to the village.  The village is lined with straw huts, mud-brick houses, people with very little clothing and who have had very little experience with white people.  The children came running and performed songs for us.  They were so happy we were there and their smiles so big and wide.  The leaders of the village met with us and welcomed us with open arms.  The purpose of our visit was to do research on constructing water wells for them.  When that announcement was made the response was unbelievable.  The people broke out in thunderous applause and sheer excitement filled the air.  Right now they walk over a mile each way to retrieve water from a stream that is loaded with disease.  They also have to use this stream for bathing and it is filled with parasites.  It is amazing how something as simple as water can change so many lives in so many ways.  I hope to return when the wells are ready construction.  I want to see their faces when that first bucket of water is filled.

After the visits which lasted most of the day we returned for dinner at the orphanage and then went to a special church service in Wellington.  We met with all the locals who had just been baptized and had a special time of discipleship and communion.  Many gave testimony of their old life and conversion.  It was a special night and encouraging to see their excitement about their new faith and life in Jesus.

Thursday (this is being written on Friday)

Yesterday was the low point of the trip.  We spent the whole day with the exception of going to the boys’ basketball game at the orphanage.  I did not feel well physically or mentally.  It was a real struggle to get through the day. I believe my emotions were getting the best of me and my own longing for my family and not being able to hear their voices for a week now really got the best of me.  It is hard when such a big part of me is missing.  It was hard to give the kids here the attention they deserve and so then I started feeling guilty over that.  The basketball game did help to lift my spirits and it was quite entertaining.  The highlight of the game however was meeting my new friend Augustine.  He is a local boy who was at the game to watch some basketball.  He came and sat next to me and I could tell he wanted to talk and get to know me.  We sat next to each other for nearly an hour and communicated the best we could.  He asked me what I did in America and when I told him I was a pastor his eyes lit up!  He told me he was a Christian and we talked about Jesus.  His body was covered in dirt, his clothes torn and ragged, he was hungry, but when he spoke of Jesus he looked like the happiest kid on earth.  He told me he wanted to preach when he grew up.  He held my hand and rubbed the hair on my legs, arms, head, and my beard.  He told me I was a beautiful white man and he really like my name!  When we had to leave he told me he loved me and thanks for being his new friend.  It was a sweet time and as I left I knew I was at the game to spend time with him.

Friday

Friday has come and gone and it was another good day.  Today we met with over 20 pastors for about four hours and had a really good conference.  Jon spoke on the incarnation which is something they say the people really struggle understanding over here.  I taught on the role of Pastor as shepherd, equipper, and visionary.  I used Eph. 4, and I Cor. 12 and it went very well.  One thing we had noticed since being here is that the pastors try to do everything themselves.  They seemed to enjoy hearing about the joy of training others to do ministry.  When we got back to the orphanage a guitar had been located.  Once they learned I knew how to play I was done for!  We sat and taught worship songs for almost 2 hours.  One girl, Abby who had barely spoken to any of us all week came and sat next to me.  It turns out she loves to sing and has a beautiful voice.  Her favorite song was, “I could sing of your love forever.”  I bet we sang it at least 3 times.  The kids are starting to get sad and talking about us leaving.  It will be tough but I am ready to be home and embrace my kids and wife.  I miss them terribly and I wish I could share this experience with Carrie.

Saturday

Well today was kind of a bummer as we had originally intended to spend this day at the beach with all the kids.  The cost turned out to be more than we had so the plug was pulled on that trip.  We couldn’t very well take some kids and leave some behind.  Today was by far the hottest day here and the beach sounded better all the time!  We ended up spending the day playing with the kids at the orphanage.  They are all such great kids and are being given hope for today and hope for a better future.  I will miss them but the anticipation of seeing my family is growing.  I need to go study now and put some thoughts together for my message in the morning.

Sunday

Today was the last day in country.  It went by pretty quick.  I traveled to Rokel this morning to be with Pastor Joshua and his church.  I was able to preach there and we had a great service.  Man his congregation may be small but they get after it!  I spoke out of Matthew 5 and building a foundation with Christ at the center.  The building concept worked out great as it was something they could relate to very well.  I jumped around from Mt 5, Eph. 2, I Peter 2, & Joshua 4-5 using the different ideas associated with this idea of building a foundation.  Having an interpreter is so weird but this week was better than last week for sure.  I was able to get into a pretty good flow.  After the service we rushed back to Wellington and caught the end of their service.  They had a ton of people at the church there, probably about 400 in attendance!

After church we headed up to the orphanage to eat lunch, pack, and get ready to head to the airport.  The kids were really sad and didn’t have much to say after church.  Right before we left they all came down and had a farewell ceremony for us.  They sang songs, and had prayer for us.  It was tough to watch them as several were crying and upset.  We were able to address them and express our feelings for them and leave some final words of encouragement.  As we walked out of the orphanage Bernard came running and clutched my hand tight and would not let go.  He insisted on walking down the hill with me, hand in hand one last time.  It is tough to tell how this trip will change me.  To say that it was an eye-opening experience is an understatement.  We are about to hop on the ferry now so more thoughts later.  My mind is fixed on home at the moment as my heart longs for Carrie, Macy, and Jaxon.

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