From Freetown, SL to Kindia, Guinea and back…

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.

I just could not wait to see Pa Barrie’s grave again. It all seems as if he was waiting there to say “hello”. I spent sometime there in prayers with Ibrahim, one of his Grandsons

and also Sheriff, a friend I made on my way to Conakry.

The thoughts of spending another dreadful night with bed bugs and killer mosquitoes was on my mind from my last trip… so I wasted no time the following morning to make it quick out of Guinea and cross the border post before it closes down. Mama Marianna never said a word nor climb out of that vehicle till we get home in Freetown, late that evening.

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.

We had ten to fifteen break downs and any time this happens we have to wait for another vehicle to help up us out.

One long stop at Boamoi village where the tire could go no more so the bad driver finally decided to buy another old one.

Here I took a walk along the village greeting some of the villagers who were all in a happy mood

collecting peanuts and getting busy.

You’ll see the need but these people have no choice but to stick with it happily.

More kids rolling on the dust keeping the dry wind alive.

Thank God I am back home and Mama Marianna happy to be here.

She, along with me and the whole St. Laurence House family, say “hello” and send love to all at NHA for providing for and praying her back home safe.

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.