NEWS FROM FREETOWN

Hi Everyone
We have been here for nearly a week and this is the first time I have been able to get into an Internet Cafe!
The first thing to say is that everyone he been v well with no tummy upsets or other medical problems.

This has been an incredible trip for all kinds of reasons and I will try to give you a brief resume of each day.

Friday 7th - Travelling all went well and we were met at the airport by two from Mission Direct. As you get off the plane being hit by the heat and himdity is always a shock. When the customs officer discovered that half of our cases contained aid he made his chalk marks on the cases and waved us through. We arrived at our hotel in Kissy just before midnight and fell into bed

Sat 8th - We visited somke of the projects - The Hastings Ladies Polio Co-operative - The St Gerorge's Foundation project working with the street children. All very moving to see how much can be done with so little

Sun 9th - Morning in small local church - amazing worship and dancing - Andrew preached really well. Then we drove for 1 hour and hit the beach at Bureh Town - so beatiful - lovely beach BBQ with local fish and rice. Very relaxing. Even Mo went in the water!

Mon 10th - The Conference Team (Terry, Mo, Glenda, Andrew) left to go to Lumley.
Problems with the hotel - no running water and rats droppings on the beds! Had to find a better one but not much better. NEVER MIND!
Rest of day spent planning for a ver big day on Tuesday - has evening meal in The Lighthouse Restaurant to test if for Tuesday night.

Tues 11th - Recorded half hour interview on national TV to be broadcast in the evening - amazing opportunity.
Drove to The State House for a meeting with His Excellency President Ernest Bao Koroma.
Could not believe that God hod opened up this opportunity for us. It was very scary as we walked up two flights of the spiral staircase passing through 4 security checkpoints.
Presented a signed copy of "Preach the Word" to the President - Terry gave a short speech and offered to pray for the President. He accepted so we gathered round and prayed the words of Isaiah 61 over him - JUST AMAZING! The next day he left for the Summit of Leaders of the Islamic Nations in Senegal. His Press Secretary (Sheka) and his wife (Rose) hec become such good friends.
In the evening we hosted a dinner at The Lighthouse with the Deputy Minister for Labour (they call her Auntie Cadie), A Senior Attache to the British High Commission, Sheka and Rose, and other local big wigs. We had great fun and got to bed at midnight.

Wed 12th - Opening of the conference by the Local MP and 'Auntie Cadie'
Andrew and Terry spoke - we went to a market and then rested in the afternoon
The open-air Crusade started well with about 500 attending and Terry preaching - good response with many people wanting prayer

Thurs 13th - Conference continues with more sessions from Andrew and Terry
Informal afternoon appointment at the British High Commission with Robert Collett - son of a man who lodged with Terry and Mo a few years ago! Back to Hotel for rest before the Crusade.
Andrew spoke really well - over 1,000 attending with many (around 100) becoming Christians - looks like there will be many baptisms on the beach on Sunday

Fri 14th - We have just finished the morning sessions at the conference and this afternoon we will rest again and may visit the 'City of Rest' drug rehab project
Then Terry will preach at the Crusade after we have shared a meal with the rest of the Mission Direct Team as they travel over for tonight's meeting.

Sat 15th - We have planned some practical preaching workshops in the moring as we build towards the final Crusade Meeting in the evening - we will not be showing the Jesus Film - instead Terry will preach again.

Sun 16th - Whole team at Lumley Church where Terry will preach followed by baptisms on the beach
Then we chill out on the beach and finish with team banquet!

Mon 17th - Morning visit to the Poli Ladies at Hasting
After lunch we catch the ferry to the Airport and ariive hom in the early hours of Tuesday morning

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS - KEEP PRAYING
WE ALL SEND OUR LOVE

TERRY - MO - GLENDA - ANDREW