Life Is Beautiful

We’ve been in the (upper) Banta now for a month. We’re planted in a lush, tropical plot of land in the south western aspect of the country. We are surrounded by thousands of palm trees, cassava plants, tall/thick green bushes. There are trees with red blossoms on the tops of their foliage- they’re beautiful (but I’m not sure what they’re called). The locals say it seems “brown” to them now, as it is apparently much more lush in the rainy season (July and August host the heaviest rains). Iron Ore and Bauxite are heavily mined in the region where we’re living. The ground we walk on is almost red, I believe because of the high content of iron. The SUN IS SEARING and beats down hard on us. As Oregonians, we are not used to this, but we do feel acclimated already (although we’re reminded often by the people here that we sweat “like a white man.”) It is projected to be the hottest in March. It’s hard to imagine it any hotter, but I say bring it sucka : ) At sunrise the sun is a vibrant reddish pink hue. At sunset, a deep orange. We see blue skies every day, however, this time of year Sierra Leone experiences the “Harmatahn winds” which blow in from the Sahara desert. The wind carries a lot of dust and makes the sky very hazy and “cold” to the locals. This covering does not detract from the enjoyable climate.
 In summary, what I’m trying to convey is: It is beautiful here.

 Some highlights to answer questions you might be wondering:

 1. We are very safe! In fact, there are security guards monitoring the little community we live in at all times. It is so safe that this does not feel necessary, however, I appreciate the service and the guards.

2. We are very well fed with excellent food (more descriptions later). My Mom in Law just told me that she joined weight watchers, and I told her I might have to join also when I get back! Leave it to me (Ashley) to be the only person to gain weight in Africa.

3. We are healthy! Save some odd, minor rashes, and some diarrhea here or there, we’re doing great. Can’t complain!

 4. We are happy and thankful! Tyler and I both feel that we cannot imagine being anywhere but in the Banta at this time in our life. Nothing else would fit than this. We are stoked to be partnering with Children of the Nations (cotni.org) in the tremendous work they’re doing. We are confident that God has called us here, and our hearts are filled with passion.

5. Wildlife: We have seen one snake, a black mamba. It had just been killed. A group of men were highly anticipating Tyler’s arrival (as it was killed by the clinic where we work). They wanted him to dissect the snake so that they could all see an explanation for the bulge midway down its body. Of course Tyler was pumped to help with this task. The bulge turned out to be two birds probably eaten that morning as they were barely digested. We’ve seen one monkey. It is the pet to one of the children’s homes. It is named Chico. Its size is comparable to a small cat (only much cooler…sorry to the cat lovers out there). Chico is referred to as the “troublesome monkey” as he eats people’s food when they’re not looking. He also rips things off shelves. Troublesome indeed. He cracks me up. There are many puppies (because there are MANY dogs in the Banta)! There is a litter that lives right by the clinic. You can only imagine my JOY and time spent watching them. Many frogs, GIANT spiders (the size of my palm), crickets, chickens, goats, and lizards. Many cockroaches and tiny ants in all the places where you do not want them.

6. The people: are beautiful. They have been incredibly welcoming. After traveling from Freetown to our place of habitation in the Banta (in the Moyumba district) we arrived to a welcoming ceremony put on by the kids. We were given our African Names: Mukeh (sounds like “moo-kay” for Tyler) and Muje (sounds like “moon-jay”for me). They mean “our father” and “our mother.” It’s kind of funny. The kids thought we were going to be an old married couple…thus naming us how they did. Regardless, the names have stuck, and we are called Aunty Muje and Uncle Mukeh. Here, as a term of respect, all elders (anyone beyond their teens) are addressed either as “Aunty” or “Uncle” or “Ma”/”Mami” or “Pa” (Ma and Pa reserved for high respect or elderly). It is nice. Greeting is significant here. It is important to take time to speak with people when you see them, and this comes with a special hand shake. We’ll show you when we get back : )
 • The stories we have heard from people are radical and humbling. We could write blogs dedicated to these stories alone. The work being done, to bring joy and care (Jesus) to people IS HAPPENING NOW. Lives are being redeemed: emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, physically.

7. The Structure:
 *Our community is comprised of 99 kids (we don’t say orphans) who are divided into nine different homes, each home having an “Aunty” (mother like figure) per home, so that a family style structure is within each house (and boys and girls are split).
 *There is a school. The 99 children attend the school, as well as many kids from surrounding villages. There are great efforts to educate the children of the Banta Mokellah.
*There is a clinic. This is where Tyler and I work. The clinic is about the size of our living room back home (you know our reference if you’ve been to our “fiesta house” apartment). Four nurses work there. The clinic serves the children as well as anyone in the region.
 *Soccer field
*There is a farm & rice field.
*Office building (COTN’s office)
*Two Guest houses
*Staff housing units (where national staff live)
*Skills center (where sewing, crafting, training takes place).
*House 10 (for consultant staff-which are the American’s/one Irishman). Tyler and I are currently living in house 10, but we had been in one of the guest houses for the first two weeks.
*Americans and Sierra Leoneans are working together to raise the children (and encourage the community) to transform Sierra Leone in positive ways- through education, health care, Jesus!, relationships, adequate nutrition--many components are at work- aiming to holistically strengthen the children and all people in this region.

8. The Clinic, our place of work (Mon-Fri: 8 am-5pm)- We are partnering with four Sierra Leonean nurses to deliver health care to the Banta region. The work has been extremely challenging. They’re incredibly kind and gracious to Tyler and I. Our main assignment from COTN has been to observe and record the illnesses the patients have come to the clinic with, and how their illnesses are treated by the Sierra Leonean nursing staff. The goal is to gather data so that protocols can be made (for example- we’ve observed that Malaria is a common diagnosis, so we’re taking note of how its currently being treated….but ultimately hope to establish a standard of practice so that the patients get the best treatment possible). We’ve just in the last week really been invited to do hands on work (lots of gnarly wound care!), and to offer information/share our perspective if it seems appropriate. It has been challenging to see the difference between what we’re used to as nurses and what the clinic staff is trying to manage. Often times there are very painful and difficult procedures taking place. It’s not something we are used to seeing and managing but we recognize that this area of the country has no other option for health care. We’re so thankful for the opportunity to be in the clinic. We have loved meeting children and adults from the surrounding villages. We love the nurses. Please pray we can be a positive, loving, life giving presence in the clinic. Please pray for us to have wisdom and discernment in how we address/treat the multitude of illnesses and problems. It is evident that God is working in the little Banta COTN Clinic :)
*Other work we’re doing includes community health assessments (going to villages and assessing health conditions) and teaching health classes and sex ed in the schools. Woot Woot!

 WELP! This is the LONGEST blog ever. Perhaps you’ve read it in multiple sessions? Or maybe one person has read this far? Please know we love and miss you all. You’re in our prayers. Thank you for praying for us and supporting us- for joining us on this journey. We are pumped to be almost one month into the Journey of Joy. We’re THANKFUL! HAPPY! CHALLENGED! BEING REFINED! BLESSED! Love you! Please stay in contact with us through email. We’d love to know how we can support you. (vanbrunt.ashley@gmail.com and vanbrunt.tyler@gmail.com)