Connie Niemeier's summary of trip

When asked if I would consider going to Africa, I was hesitant to answer immediately. Because of the trips Steve had made through the years, I realized the conditions were not what we are accustomed to here in the states. I had traveled to the country Moldova a few years ago and enjoyed teaching the children and women. It was an interesting experience to be a part of their lifestyle and customs as they are so different from ours, but, not as overwhelming as one might think. It was amazing to stay with someone and relate to them even though we could not understand each other's language. Overcoming cultures is such a small factor when the rewards are so great. Getting to know people who are eager to learn more from the scriptures and realizing their whole being is to serve God is an extreme joy. After talking with many who had been to Sierra Leone, seeing pictures and hearing Steve say so many times that the ladies asked for us to come and teach, I agreed to go! This was almost one year before the actual date of the trip. When Steve told me Cindy Hill was interested in making the trip, much of my anxiety and concerns were over. Cindy and I have taught together and I knew with her abilities and knowledge we would make a good team. With a limited time frame, how do you start choosing the right lessons for the children? What is most needed? What do they already know? There is always a beginning to everything one does and this was no exception. We met many times over many months making visuals of the lessons we had selected for the children. Each laminated "storyboard" had a color visual of the lesson and the story formatted on the backside. Although we made more than we could possibly teach, we wanted to leave them with lessons to build on for future classes. In preparing for the women classes, we started with the basics of why we believe the Bible to be true, building our faith in that belief and differences in the Old and New Testaments. We followed that with studies of how we can be an example in all areas and preparing for death and the judgment. We finished with how we can learn from women in the Bible and the power of prayer in our daily life. The day finally arrived and it was time to leave for Sierra Leone. After a very long journey, we stepped off the plane and suddenly everything I had seen in pictures and had heard from different ones had not prepared me for the things I saw. There was no organization at the airport-just chaos! There were so many people we just tried to keep each other in our view and get into a line to try and speed the process as timely as possible. I soon learned everyone wanted to help you with whatever task necessary but always for a price, of course. Once we had managed to find our luggage we located Christian. I was relieved to see him. He helped us secure and load our bags on a bus to catch the water taxi. By now I had realized the weather was not going to be a good thing for our duration. The bus was crowded and hot! We traveled on dirt roads that were muddy from the rains and were full of holes that we continually tried to avoid. As we continued it became dark and the lights from the bus only revealed shadows of the area. The water taxi ride was dark and long. I sat quietly listening to people talking and found myself thinking about how the next few days would be? When we reached the hotel, we met people we would see daily during our stay. We were tired and just ready to get settled in our rooms. The next day's light reveals more than I can visually take in. While the views were beautiful of the water and palm trees, I cannot miss the sights of impoverished areas. As we leave the hotel to go into the city I could not take it all in. So many people on the street carrying water pots, coal baskets stacked on their heads, selling food or novelty items, children walking alone or crossing busy streets while some are in uniforms, going to school, mothers carrying their babies tied on their backs, people sitting in open doorways all having a purpose to their day. As we try to maneuver in the traffic, I realize there is no system for driving here. Car horns continually sound as a warning to move out of the way. Motor bikes dart in and out as others go the wrong way to get through the traffic. We learn quickly that it is essential to have the best driver possible who knows the city well and can get you safely to your destination. These things we experienced every day, never changing. Our first meeting at Priscilla Street was such an eye-opening experience. I did not expect the building to be located in what I considered to be one of the worst areas. I found myself that first couple of days continually asking myself how can I possibly adjust to the heat, the food, the smells, the unsettling drives and the poor conditions of the area? But, it happened! When we walked into the basement of Priscilla Street and the voices of those sweet little children said, "Good morning, Auntie Connie, good morning Auntie Cindy" I could truly say, as my daughter Rachel has said so many times , "It’s all good!" These precious children, ranging in age of3-8 years old, were sitting on small wood benches shoulder to shoulder waiting so patiently for us to arrive. When we began teaching the lessons and songs they joined in and learned so quickly. Their little faces with their big eyes were such a delight. Oh, yes it was still hot, there was no air-flow, it was dark and dismal but soon I realized that is what they are use to and I could ADJUST! Every day as we would leave, once again, their little voices would say, "Thank-you Auntie Connie, thank you, Auntie Cindy, we love you." After leaving them we would go upstairs and teach the 9-12 year olds. If we could have put them in our suitcase we would have taken them with us. These children were so attentive, anxious to learn and so knowledgeable in so many ways. What a joy and absolute pleasure to teach lessons from God's Book to sweet children whose eyes were opened by the "storyboards" and who enjoyed singing songs. We taught them bible verses that coincided with the alphabet. They knew them all in 5 days. They were so receptive of everything we would teach. Every day they would beg us to stay and teach them more stories. They never complained of the heat or hard benches. Two of the students would come back every night to listen to Steve and Mitch. They would walk home together in the dark. We found the ladies to be very interested in the studies. They asked many questions and wanted know and understand the scriptures. Many attend alone because they are not married or their husbands are not Christians. Maybe because of their lifestyle, we found them to be strong convicted women who were eager to do what is right. Umu, or Angela as we called her, was good to stay with us as we taught at the school and was kind enough to walk with us each day to Jarelee Lewis Hall where Mitch and Steve were teaching so we could be at the afternoon bible study. As I reflect back on the trip to Sierra Leone, I feel very fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of the work at Priscilla Street and at the school. I will never forget the children and their desire to know the bible. I found the Christians willing to learn and to do things according to what is found in the scriptures. Because of the civil war, many things changed for the people and it is taking so long for the country to build back and to make things better. For the most part the Christians are happy and working hard to improve their lives. I pray for the children as they mature that the church there can help in molding their lives. I feel enriched by my experience and enjoyed working with Steve, Mitch and Cindy. We should always be mindful of other Christians in less fortunate areas.