I found an article from the BBC about a man who lived in the Aberdeen Bridge in Freetown during the Rebel war. He has moved his family in and remained there ever since. He paints the walls and fixes the place up as a normal home. After reading the article and seeing the pictures, I asked James to go find him. He and Johnny went there this afternoon and met the man. James promises a full report tomorrow and I will share it with you. To read the BBC articles & photos visit this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/africa_sierra_leone_bridge_house/html/9.stm
In other news today in Freetown, as I mentioned before, it has become vitally important for us to secure another compound for Nazareth House to work out of in Freetown. We can no longer continue to rent, we must own in order to be free of the expense of renting a place we cannot own. We have no security, the landlord can ask you to leave and you have no choice. Our rental agreement at the currrent St. Laurence House ends March 2008. We must have a center to work out of, distribute medication and needs, and to house overseas quests who we bring to experience the Nazareth life and work in Sierra Leone.
James has been actively searching and investigating property in Freetown. He sent pictures of a piece of property that needs lots of work, needs all new plumbing, roof leaks, wall around compound is falling apart, ...you name it and it is in need of repair. A front view of the house is above upper right. Anyway, they didn't give an asking price until today after having James wait for an appointment. Shockingly they are asking 85,000 Britsh pounds which is equivilent to $174,233 dollars! The repairs alone on this house could cost up to $80,000! It has 5 bedrooms, couple of inadequate bathrooms, storage room. Can you imagine? So this is what we are up against...insane asking prices, inadequate facilities... please pray as we search for a home in Freetown for Nazareth House... Pray for James as he investigates all this...pray for open doors.
