On our first day in Africa, I was waiting for the ship to be cleared so that we could go ashore in Freetown, Sierra Leone after our two-week trip across the Atlantic… I was kind of restless and apprehensive not knowing what to expect of a country that has been torn to pieces ten years ago, by war, famine and suffering. I finally heard the long waited page that we could go ashore, I joined up with Andy and Simon, two good friends, and we were about to go out the door when five girls asked to come with us (which we didn’t mind) because girls need to have at least one guy in their group in order to leave the ship.
With the help of a local we ended up spending the next half hour trotting through the streets of the City as well as fending off all the marriage offers given for the girls we were escorting.. !
As we walked back to the port entrance, we were hand in hand with these young men (which is still an awkward situation for me) smiling, chatting and telling them that we would see them tomorrow on the ship.
They are very friendly yet desperate to leave their country, with no work, school that costs money and crazy situations, its no wonder that they want to marry in order to leave..
Yes, we are bringing knowledge to this people, but I pray and urge you to pray, that more than that, we would bring them hope through the time we spend with them, the good talks and especially the love we can share with them.
Even though the situation in the country is sad, I still laugh at all the people thinking marriage is going to get them out of the country!
ReplyDeleteCarry on bro!