Written by James Mansaray, 16 March, 2009
(Pa Barrie’s widow, Marianna, and James at St. Laurence House)
Greetings from Freetown, Sierra Leone
Having gone through several weeks of mourning for her late husband, Mama Marianna made yet another trip to Kindia town/ Conakry Guinea to pay last respect to her late husband, Pa Barrie.
( Pa Amadu Barrie, Waliullah -صديق الله)
It was our promise at NHA to continue helping and seeing her through this and to take responsibility for her hence forth.
(Fr. Seraphim and Mama Vicki paying the rent for 2009 of Marianna’s tiny little “house”)
Mama Marianna, Mama Vicki, Fr. Seraphim, Pa Barrie and Jaria Barrie at the Barrie Home, September 2008.
Mama Vicki and Pa Barrie, September 2008 at his home.
Below, the photo is of the inside of the Barrie house, storage of foods, etc.
Once more, I was on the road again last week to bring Marianna Barrie home. As usual, passing through that road is always hectic, meeting more military and police check points, harassment and not mentioning the pains from the continuous road bumps. Despite the dust and broken bridges,this time round I consider it much better. No trouble on the Sierra Leonean part of the road so it was a lucky trip. Thanks to you all for your prayers.
To prevent more damage to my working tools (Cameras) I bury them among my few clothes and placed all in my bag. Remember they damaged and almost took my only camera on the Guinean part during my last trip to Kindia, so I was kind of conscious and a bit worried making way through those guys again.
A quick stop at Conakry, before jumping into another jam-packed vehicle to Kindia the following day.
(James is wearing mask to prevent all the dust from entering his lungs during the drive)
Yet again at this big check point called Transis, a Guinean soldier having found no fault in me decided to take money from me somehow so he said that I need an official medical proof to enter their Country. I did’t know what to say, as he was already walking away with my Passport. God bless the heart of a lady sitting next to me who went out arguing on my behalf and brought back my Passport. Like Mama Vicki says “Miracles are LOUD in Salone” and they were shouting to make it so easy for me to cross the border this time.
Once in Kindia, Mama Marianna was there waiting and I received a warm welcome again from the few family members that I met there.
Eight hours from Pamalap to Freetown in a drive that was supposed to be just three hours. This time we squeezed into the car of the most rotten and bad driver I had ever met in my life, with no spare tires, no jack for his vehicle etc.
One long stop at Boamoi village where the tire could go no more so the bad driver finally decided to buy another old one.
Thank God I am back home and Mama Marianna happy to be here.
Thanks for keeping up the support of Nazareth House and not forgetting needs of those in my country. You are making a difference. God bless you.
James.