150 baptisms, shoe boxes and a long walk

Prison baptisms
On Friday we were privileged to be part of 150 baptisms at the Sierran Leone Correctional Centre (Prison). I struggle to find the words to describe what we saw. The event took place in a enclosed courtyard similar to a basketball court. On 3 sides was a wall topped with railings, behind which the other inmates were watching the procedures. The baptismal pool was a 2m x 1.5m paddling pool with many parts stuck with duct tape, barely standing up, and supported by benches. There were 13 rows of 12 inmates sitting on benches in the blazing sun, patiently waiting. After ½ hr of singing ( as last time no instruments just clapping) the chaplain started baptizing the inmates one by one whilst they all moved slowly to the front to wait their turn. Other inmates collected more water to top up the paddling pool, the water inside slowly turning a murky brown. The yearning for a better future was clear on their faces, their new found faith is clearly giving them some hope and determination.
We were also excited to see the solar powered lights that we had been able to buy for them with some money that we had been given by others in our church. They needed these to be able to read their bibles once it got dark as there is no power in the cells. What a great analogy. Lights to bring the light of the world into the lives of the inmates. Apparently they are so bright they can see even the tiniest of ants.

Walking home
We made our third visit to the Cheshire Home. It's great to start to get to know the children and the staff. This time our drivers decided to drive all the way to the compound, which was great as we had a number of children with us and their mothers. When we tried to leave the road to the main road was blocked by a long line of huge lorries not moving anywhere. As a group we decided to walk as it was only a 15 minute walk. We must have been quite a bizarre sight, this group of white adults and children making their way through these poor neighbourhoods with locals going about their daily business often trying to sell their wares from a big bowl on their heads. It was a bit frightening for the children with all the hooting and motorbikes going in all directions. We shared the children out between us to help keep them safe.

Shoe boxes
Sally paid a visit to the patient verandah on Sunday and was truly blessed by being witness to the distribution of children's shoe boxes from a Dutch charity called GAIN. These were filled with all sorts of goodies from toys to clothes to toiletries. Over the years we have prepared a number of these boxes with our own children and she had often wondered what it would be like to see children receiving these boxes.

Bean bags
Sally managed to find some torn scrubs to make some small bean bags for the children to play with on the verandah as the old ones seemed to have disappeared. There is a sewing machine on board so this made it a simple and quick task. We used red kidney beans from the galley to fill them.

'Live' Blood bank
The ship has its own 'live' blood bank. The crew volunteer to be on call to give blood. This week it was my turn (Eugene) and I gave blood on Tuesday. the 15 year old patient didn't need it in the end but my blood will be good for 35 days so we'll see!Read more