On Sunday, some of the July team members visited their sponsored students at home.  It's a special time for the sponsors, the kids, and their families, and a wonderful opportunity for the missioners to learn about the lives of the children they sponsor.  On Monday the rest of the team is scheduled to go on home visits.

Sunday is Church day in Bo. Our team worshiped at the Leader Memorial United Methodist Church on the same tract of land as the ministries supported by HCW. Leader Church is served by four pastors, all of which took part in the leadership of the service. Recalling the air vent and fan under my pulpit back home, it was inspiring to watch them sing and dance and preach and pray during the 3 hour and 53 minute service wearing their clerical robes in the un-air-conditioned sanctuary.

It was a truly inspiring worship experience. We participated in the singing, prayers, Scripture readings, and the eight opportunities we had to give an offering or a donation. One of the donations was given to pay for a new drum set. Our team was asked to help unveil the drums still packaged in their shipping container. By the end of the service the drums were put together and played as we sang the closing hymn – The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Shortly after the service entered the fourth hour, the pastor leading the Communion Liturgy asked for any other pastors in the congregation to come forward to help serve the Bread and Cup. I was humbled to share the honor of participating in serving this Sacrament with our brothers and sisters in Bo. I'm also grateful that Leo Fox (said as one name by Sierra Leonians) was quick with the camera to get some great photos.

After lunch, Melody was joined by Katie and Rob on a visit to meet the child her family sponsors. It was a joyous time of celebration as this photo demonstrates. The Child Rescue Center coordinates these sponsorships. As we have learned, there are many children in Bo who are not able to afford to go to school. One sponsorship of only $300 per year through HCW gives a child the opportunity to get an education, receive food and healthcare, and have hope for the future all while experiencing the love of Christ. These children also receive monthly visits by CRC staff to monitor their well-being.
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Our team is having a great time learning about the work of the ministries supported by HCW, as well as the many other ministries of The United Methodist Church in Bo under the supervision of the visionary man of God, Bishop John K. Yambasu. It has been a joy to see how well the staff and board of HCW works to support the staffs leading the CRC and Mercy Hospital all under the umbrella of the Sierra Leone Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Blessings from Bo,
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Scott Wachter, Senior Pastor, Bethel UMC

The team worshiped at Leader UMC in Bo.

After lunch, some of the team went on a home visit with JJ, Sponsor A Child Coordinator.

Going on a visit to the home of a Child Rescue Centre student with JJ, Sponsor A Child coordinator.

Scenes from around the Bo campus.

Worshiping at Leader United Methodist Church on Sunday.

We had all the children for VBS in the morning, which made things quite busy, but all went well. In the afternoon, we attended the Christmas party for the residential CRC children, as they returned today. We also got to catch up with some past residential CRC children who are living now in the community.

​Day 5: Most of the team members who sponsor children got to see them today (one was on holiday). We celebrated the MTC’s 10th Anniversary with fried chicken, French fries, popcorn, and cake. We also made final preparations for VBS as our last three days will go quickly!