31 March 2011

EDITOR'S NOTE: Landing in one of Africa's poorest countries last week, Grant MacLean visited Sierra Leone to help develop volunteer programs to assist the beleaguered nation. MacLean is the international director of programs at Mercy Ships, a medical charity headquartered in Garden Valley, Texas. The Africa Mercy, the world's largest non-governmental hospital ship, has just docked in the desperate nation for a 10-month term of service. MacLean was asked by ResonateNews.com to describe what he saw and felt in one of world's most struggling economies.

By Grant MacLean
Dispatch From Sierra Leone

A wall of conGrant MacLeantainers fronted the hills outside my ship window in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Dust and heat greeted disembarkation and Africa waited at the end of the gangway. Sierra Leone with all her needs and potential, has welcomed the Africa Mercy with open arms. It has been seven years since a hospital ship has visited this port.

Meanwhile, God has been busy. Change is occurring, even if you need a seasoned eye to detect it. Although life expectancy is still only 48 years old and almost two children in 10 will not live to 5 years old, these statistics are actually an improvement.

In the health sector, a national strategic plan has been formulated and the initial phase — free medical care for children under five and maternal care — has been implemented. New methods of paying medical staff are being tested so that there is hope for fair employment practices.

After decades and generations of scarcity in a land blessed with beauty, rich soils, a reliable climate and rich mineral wealth, Sierra Leone, like much of Africa is poised for change.

Sierra Leoneans and the international community are working together to overcome years of exploitation, corruption, poor governance and a worldview that is manifest in grinding poverty and overwhelming need. Local political activists have sought to demonstrate commitment to change that has resulted in new levels of support from the international community. This is where God is at work.

Just as the Christian church is instructed to work together as the Body of Christ, change in Africa will only come through combined efforts of local leaders (political, community and spiritual), the international community and the people themselves. Most of the responsibility rests on the people — always a risky bet — but one Jesus made when He entrusted the church with discipling the nations.

Signs in Sierra Leone are promising — even if barely so. Wisdom would remember that these days have visited before and caution should temper optimism. However, at the end of the gangway, I feel hopeful.

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