A Healthy and Prosperous 2011 to all our Readers.

In the UK we are looking forward to a film due to be released on the 7th January called "The King's Speech".   It is about King George VI who suddenly became King when his brother, Edward, abdicated the throne to marry a twice-divorced American, Wallis Simpson, in December 1936. England was on the brink of war and the new King had to overcome his stammer to deliver a radio address to rally the nation.

                                                           Colin Firth as King George VI



King George VI in his Christmas Day broadcast in 1939, four months after the start of World War II, ended by quoting this poem by Minnie Haskins (1875-1957).

"I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown" and he replied "Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the hand of God. That shall be better to you than a light and safer than a known way."


At that time, Freetown was a major naval base and sent troops to fight for the Allied cause, but no-one knew what the outcome of the war would be.

I came across a blog setting out some New Year Wishes for "Mama Salone" from an author living in the country called "Edenliving".  Those of us who know the place would echo them, though not necessarily put them in the same order.
a)  Electricity on continuously all the time.
b)  Cleaner streets. In the area in Looking Town where we work, the rubbish lying around is appalling.
c)  Cleaner Lumley Beach. The article mentions needles and broken bottles, although this was not our experience on our visit. However the area should be a major tourist attraction.
d and e) Better roads and better health care. We hope we are doing a little bit towards the latter!
f) More professional businesses. We have been looking at setting up an Internet Cafe. Will it ever happen?

g) Last but not least - that all Sierra Leoneans here and abroad will rise up and be proud of their country.

 

But where do we fit in? What contribution can we make? Just over a week ago we were remembering the birth of Jesus Christ.   Jesus said, '...for this reason I was born...' (John 18:37 NIV).   My wish for all readers of this blog, as well as for those living in Sierra Leone or visiting, is that we all might know the reason for which we were born. That will be different for each of us, and we may have to overcome many obstacles, but the search will lead to safety, joy and the power to overcome as we find the will of God for our life. We must work with God to create a stable society or country, "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." Psalm 127. v1.