All Dogs Bark the Same Language

Scott-

Yesterday, Monday, July 1, 2024, was Day-One for the new Sierra Leone Bo Mission.

First. Kathy and I woke up to discover the generator powering our rented building, serving as a temporary mission home, senior couple apartments, and office, leaked diesel fuel in the night. The fuel flowed down a slight gradient and seeped into a neighborhood well 100 feet away. It goes without saying that the first Mende woman to draw water in the morning was not happy. Who would be? Yet, we were astonished by the way the Mende people, who live in the small homes clumped around the spoiled well, treated us. As Elder Ettinger (senior office missionary) worked toward a resolution, many of them approached us in the most friendly way. “You’re welcome,” some said with a smile, meaning they welcomed us into their small neighborhood community. One of them walked up to Kathy and I and taught us how to say hello in their tribal language. An elderly man shook my hand and introduced himself to me by name in the kindest manner. Children smiled at our white faces. We did not hear a cross word from any of them. By the way, Elder Ettinger did a great job resolving the immediate problem and improving the well situation long-term—and with labor and materials it only set us back $300 USD total.

(This is our neighborhood. The men on the left are building the concrete-lined diversion that Elder Ettinger funded. The well is visible on the left, behind the guy in the yellow shirt. A second well in on the right.)

Next. Some glitches in systems failed and our young missionaries were not able to draw their $25 USD for food. Elder Ettinger spent the rest of the day and into the evening working around all the systems to ensure our missionaries, all 106 of them spread across half the country of Sierra Leone, got enough money to buy their food this week.

Finally. A young sister missionary called in feeling sick with malaria. Kathy took the call and helped her, which included getting her into a hospital for a brief stay. The use of the word hospital in Bo is a bit of an overstatement. Okay, it’s a lot more than an overstatement.

I walked around the neighborhood and took a few pictures of the well and new diversion this afternoon. When the children playing games in the yard, between the homes, caught my eye, and I smiled back--they rushed me. If our grandkids come out for a visit they will have some little friends to play with in the neighborhood. Hint, hint, hint. :-)

I am writing this post late at night while lying in bed. And I am kept company (awake) by the steady barking of a mut in our new neighborhood. I think to myself, “I hope he quiets down before the rooster next door starts back up.” Hmmm. Wide awake still, it occurs to me that African and American dogs bark the same language, at least it sounds the same to me.