Bird-B-Gone Gives Back

This is Mary. She was thought by her village to be possessed by witchcraft and was shunned and not fed then abandoned. COTN found her near death and STD. They saved her and she is attending school. She is a good student. A miracle on the road to Alfreds house.

Here are some of my new friends!

This is Stephen Michael. He can not walk. He is holding a solar flashlight which we gave him so he can study at night. He travels many miles to teach in isolated villages. All in a wheelchair. Now he will be able to see better when he travels alone at night.

Determination and COURAGE.

This is a group photo of the assembly of COTN kids.

Our new Sierra Leone Bird-B-Gone Sales Rep!

Made the 6-hour drive to Banta thru beautiful jungle. To current orphnge with 150 kids. They honored us with songs and cellibration.

Believe it or not I am stuck in a pig pen with my friend Alie Sesay. Torential rain

Humbled, amazed,

Bruce

Well, I FINALLY MADE IT to Freetown in Sierra Leone. the trip took 26 hours. We flew from Belgium to Dakar, Senegal. This took us directly over a portion of the Sahara Desert. Immense nothingness…..white sand for as far as you can see..amazing. Upon landing in Freetown we took a beat up old Russian helicopter into the city since the airport is on an island. We had dinner with the director of COTN  for Sierra Leone. He is a very kind and capable man who cares deeply for the future of his country….which is the children. The worldwide recession is taking its toll on countries like this. Many charitable organizations are pulling out due to lack of funding. The poor suffer terribly in times like this , which is logical, but still doesn’t seem right or fair. Of course, life just isn’t right or fair all the time. Time to go . I will try and add pictures tomorrow…..Bruce

Hello dear friends! Well, I leave this Monday the 17th. Flying first to Brussels, then to Freetown, Sierra Leone, where I meet up with Chris Clark, the founder of Children Of The Nations. COTN is the organization who builds and then manages the facilities….childrens housing, schools, churches. They are so good….since 1995. Lots still to do. We are taking alot of basic supplies. This will be the last blog until I am in Africa. So, blessings to all of you and thank you. I urge you look up COTN on the net  www.cotni.org    Bruce

This is the beginning of our faith adventure.  It is Saturday the 8th of May and I am preparing in earnest for my trip. I must say that I am overwhelmed with your kind responses to our mission. I read each message. They give me strength to tackle this challenge. Today we go out to buy 300 pairs of various sized underwear and socks for the children in the current facility in Sierra Leone. Also, flashlites, keyboards, AND lots of small umbrellas for the “rainy season” .

FFF [ Faith, Family, Friends] Bruce