I reminisce on God’s grace as I reflect back on my travels to Freetown, Sierra Leone. There were many challenges that could have prevented me from making the trip. I did not anticipate the challenges that came with visiting Africa for the first time. I know God brought me through it all to make my visits in December 2023 and May 2024 possible. I felt the hand of the Lord guiding me in ways that I had not experienced before. I was fortunate to visit my father in December before he passed four months later in April. I was fortunate to attend my father’s funeral in May. The process of getting to Freetown was tiresome and difficult but my experiences there were rewarding and worth every penny.
The first time I visited Freetown was in December 2023. Prior to my trip, I had several dreams about my father which helped me understand the importance of the trip but also how it would strengthen my relationship with God. I had a big decision to make. Do I risk my job and my finances to go see my father for what would be the last time? Or do I chicken out and not go but regret that choice for the rest of my life? I chose to risk it all. I chose to be obedient and believe that God would be with me throughout the journey. I chose to see my father before he died. Each and every day, I am grateful that I took the risk and made that choice.
Getting to Freetown was not easy in the slightest. Travel to Africa can be expensive and tedious. I had many expenses including; a round trip ticket, vaccination(s), entry visas to Guinea and Sierra Leone, ferry fare, necessities, malaria tablets, pocket money, etc. In May, I had the additional expense of paying the airport tax to fly into Sierra Leone. Still, when given the choice, I would pay double, three-fold or whatever it cost to make that trip.
It turns out that God had more in store for me in Freetown. In true God fashion, He opened my eyes and ears to my identity outside of being an American. He allowed me to experience another continent. He gave me the opportunity to see my parents’ homeland. Most importantly, He gave me the privilege of meeting family for the first time and connecting with people that would stimulate my mind. It felt as if I had crossed over from one dimension to another. I had broken through a barrier that was blocking me. I did not know it at the time but I had stepped into a new season.
While in Freetown, I stayed at my dad’s house which he built. I commend my dad for being such a fierce figure in my life. I believe I inherited his strong drive, work ethic and ambitious nature. I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am grateful that God showed me the power of that scripture using my earthly dad as my first example.
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