I started this blog in July (wrote it and erased it....then re-wrote it)….here is the finished project:

I thought for sure that by today (September 14^th) we’d be back in Sierra Leone. We were supposed to return there this week to continue on in the work and relationships we were immersed in from January thru June. As we left at that time with every intention to return in September we told those that inquired “We will return, by God in power, unless something extreme happens.” Because in our minds nothing we could foresee would stop us from returning.

The Ebola virus. It turns out that this was the unforeseeable microbial “extreme” that happened. And is still happening.

(Breaking grammer rules…starting a sentence with a preposition…GO): Between 2013 and 2014 we spent 9 months in Africa: 8 months in Sierra Leone--2 weeks in Malawi-- 2 weeks in Uganda.

We have been back in America for 12 weeks now. It has been a whirlwind since returning from Sierra Leone. We’ve journeyed from Oregon, to Alaska, to California, to Washington, and back to Oregon again. It has been awesome. Tyler and I have been blessed by adventure, friendship, provision and generosity along the way. While we haven’t had our own place to technically call home (until a few weeks ago!), we’ve had everything we’ve needed and more. We are constantly amazed by the family and friends in our lives…seriously, how did we get such incredible people to share life with?

We maintained our nomadic lifestyle this summer under the assumption that it was temporary and we’d be returning to Sierra Leone in September. When our trip was cancelled due to the Ebola virus our clearly mapped plan suddenly became a blur.

There is so much we want to tell you about our time in Africa, and why all we can think about is going back:

-Sierra Leone

- Malawi and Uganda too

- Safaris in Zambia and Uganda! (Dream come true adventures)

-About partnering with Children of the Nations

-The Sierra Leone medical clinic and the staff

-Teaching in the school

-Leading Bible Studies

-Sierra Leone Roomies/Friendships

-Mentorship

-the People!!

It is interesting to reflect on what Tyler and I would highlight about our trip when we first returned compared to today. In July I think we were still feeling raw, the intense highs and lows. Working in Sierra Leone is extremely challenging. Having the opportunity to spend five more months there this year opened our eyes to depths of life that captivated our hearts. We saw a radiant, profound beauty.

The suffering that people experience there on a daily basis and the corruption within the country is immeasurable. The lack of justice for the people is infuriating and heart breaking. I’ve never felt such sorrow. And anger. There is a hopeless feeling attached to the sorrow and anger. Will things ever change? How do you break cycles of poverty (both materially and emotionally), disparities, low health outcomes…?

I wrote to my sister about this…here is an excerpt of my message to her:

“I don’t mean to share all of these things with you to discourage you. I guess this morning…as I reflect…I recognize, in life there is pain. Not just in Sierra Leone, but everywhere. People are hurting and suffering all around us. It is not a matter of IF it is happening, but rather a matter of IF I’m willing to open my eyes and see it and acknowledge it. What I’m asking myself this morning is…what will I do about the pain and suffering? What can I do about it?”

Like I mentioned earlier in this blog-if you saw us in June/July you might have sensed our angst. The tension of our love and frustration. You know your heart is officially captivated when despite pain or frustration, all you can think about is going back. This is where Tyler and I have found ourselves and our stance towards Sierra Leone.

Ebola Virus.

Not a day passes that we don’t think about Sierra Leone—that we don’t pray for them. There are incredible Sierra Leoneans and other COTN (Children of the Nations) staff that have devoted their lives to seeing justice there. To bring love to people, whether through relationships, education, medical care, spiritual care, mentorship, friendship, physical provision (food, clothing, clean water, shelter). Living and working alongside them has radically changed Tyler and I. Maybe not in ways measurable by the eye, but to our core, a remolding has taken place.

The Ebola virus is killing thousands and thousands, and is projected to kill thousands more. There are confirmed cases in the district where our site is located. So many have suffered from the wrath of the virus, and now those that we know and love deeply are in jeopardy.

Please join us in prayer for them. Thank you to those already praying. If you want to learn more about how you can be involved or what you can do to punch the virus in the face, email me. vanbrunt.ashley@gmail.com There are tangible things you can do to help.

*Presently the stats project that for every person that contracts the ebola virus they will spread it to two others. It'd be like me getting the virus and passing it to my two brothers.

What’s next for the Van Brunts?

For now, we are thankful to be settled back into Portland. We are blessed with amazing community and family here. We’re officially looking for America jobs. Going to church. Doing yoga. Back packing. Enjoying hipster land. Coffee and beer. Hanging out with Ava. Fishing. Tyler is working at Concordia University as a clinical instructor for nursing students. I just got hired to do on call work at Providence and did caregiving this last week. Normal America stuff.

We are praying and trying to be fully present here. In the back of our minds though (and often in the front) is Sierra Leone. It’s as if your heart exists in two different places at the same time. I said we’re settled in Portland. And we are! But, we’re also unsettled about not being in Sierra Leone. It is uncomfortable. I think this is a good place for Tyler and I to be in.

I personally don’t believe that happiness stems from comfort.

Welp…I’ve done it again. Too many words. Sorry!

I will therefore conclude this blog with three things:

1. Thank you! This is Tyler and I expressing our gratitude to our family, friends, and supporters who inspire us and have been essential in making our Africa Journey of Joy possible. Not only that, but you also have kept us fed and sheltered all summer. Thank you!

2. Words of wisdom that have provoked and compelled us:

“We should ask ourselves, ‘Have I really experienced the joy of loving?’ True love is love that causes us pain, that hurts, and yet brings us joy. That is why we must pray and ask for the courage to love.”

-Mother Teresa

3. Pictures. 

(These photos are exclusively from Sierra Leone. We will do an additional blog with more photos).

 Photo taken in COTN's Childrens Village.

 Photo by Doug Olsen. Taken in Mokpagumba, Sierra Leone.

 Classic scene. Near Ngolala, Sierra Leone. Photo by Doug Olsen.

 Three lovelies. COTN School.

 Ngolala Village, Moyumba District, Sierra Leone. Photo by Doug Olsen.

 Strength and honor. And fun :)

Taken inside our SL home near the COTN Children's village. 

 Nurse Florence inside COTN's medical clinic. 

 The morning we left we were bid farewell at the gate by Head Nurse and Midwife Agness. Sweet bundle of new life in her arms was just born an hour before.

 Sports day 2014

 Sports day 2014

 A mother and her child. And dear friends to us. Ngolala Village church.