My Story

Stepping Far Outside My Comfort Zone

Hello, thanks for stopping by my name is Stacy and I’d love to share my story with you. I’ve had a complicated relationship with God, and it’s been a long journey to get to where I am, but I’ve never been happier. I took my 1st trip to Sierra Leone in June 2022 and I have been pulled out of my comfort zone ever since.

The Dinner that Changed Everything!!!!!

My husband Braxton and I have known Osman and Barb for years, we knew he was from Sierra Leone and and started a mission to help his people, but I didnt really know anything about it. Osman had told my husband and I we should come on a mission trip there for a long time before I had finally listened. It was early 2022 and I was working as an aide to the reading specialist in an elementary school and finding my interests. For a couple of months I would wake up in the morning with this nagging feeling I couldn’t shake telling me that I needed to learn more about Osman’s mission SLMDinc. I finally mentioned it to Braxton and he said so call to see if Osman and Barb would come to dinner and tell me more about the mission, simple right? I knew Osman was leaving in a week for Sierra Leone so I called to see if they could fit dinner in before they left and they were happy to make time. From the time they walked in the door I knew this would end up being more than just dinner.

$5,000 Stands in the Way

We talked all through dinner, they explained all the different ways they were working over there, and then they mentioned the village school and my ears perked right up. We talked about them building a primary school and I questioned what happened after grade 6, that was the moment my life changed for the better. He told me how for the children to stay in school they had to walk 5 miles or more each way to Secondary school, so of course I asked if they were going to build one in the village. He told me that they had the land but no one really stepped up to push for it, and unfortunately he was pulled in so many different directions that it just hadn’t happened yet. Braxton saw the look in my eyes before I started questioning he knew that he was going to have to reign me in. I asked what the cost would be, and was blown away when I was told that a simple structure could be built for 5-10 thousand. $5000-$10000 is all that stood between those kids and an education! I immediately said “That’s It? I could probably raise that.” To which Braxton eye started to twitch because he could see me ready to write a check, but Osman stepped in and told me I needed to pray about it, talk it over with Braxton, and come see Sierra Leone first. So that night after they left Braxton and I talked about it, and I knew I was going. Now what I didn’t know was how far out of my comfort zone God was planning to take me when I decided to take his call…..It only took a couple of days for Braxton and I to decide I should go to Sierra Leone.

“You’re the Keynote Speaker?!”

Unfortunately Braxton couldn’t work it out to come, so I called Osman and told him I could come the 1st 2 weeks in June while he was there and asked if that would work. He sent me all the information I needed to get my visa and immunizations and me and my American brain started planning to go. I knew Osman had built a “house” in the village he came from I ASSUMED that meant a house like I was used to. Yes I know we’re talking about Africa, yes I know they are 3rd world, but in my defense we had traveled to India (also 3rd world) on a mission trip and the building there had all the things we have at home in America. Anyway, I spent a couple of months getting ready (spoiler alert, that did not include asking questions that I should have) took care of all the paperwork, purchased tickets, prepared for a new adventure. About a week before I was to leave, Osman contacted me and told me they would have a graduation ceremony in the village while I was there for grade 6 and asked if I would say a few words, public speaking wasn’t something I really did, but I agreed. I asked what I should talk about and he said it didn’t really matter just say “a few words.” Ok, I can manage a few words….. except a few days later that turned into “you’re the key note speaker.” Can you see where we are starting to pull me out of my comfort zone? And I haven’t even boarded a plane yet……

So I’m busy getting ready to leave for Africa and trying to figure out what a “key Note” speaker talks about. Departure day finally arrives and I am on my way to the biggest adventure of my life with no clue….

Cold Showers and Toilet Troubleshooting

In case you are curious Africa is a long way from the USA. I had a layover in Brussels before travelling on to Freetown. While in Brussels I check in with Osman, and he informs me he will meet me in Freetown, the airport is actually in Lungi, across the bay from Freetown. Okay I can handle that right? By God’s grace I finally connected with the man in the total chaos that was Freetown Lungi Airport, he gets me in the van and over to the water taxi. Did I mention that by this point it is getting dark, I’m in a foreign 3rd war country and the only person I know is somewhere across the water….Might as well start getting used to being outside my comfort zone because this is just the beginning. Thankfully when I got off the water taxi Osman was there waiting. The 1st night we headed to the beach, I can handle the beach lol. Osman has a connection at #2 river beach, they have little cabana type houses. After having a very late dinner on the beach, I went into my room to shower and get some rest. This is when I discovered while there was a shower with running water, that water was COLD!!!!!! Interesting fact, you do indeed become used to bathing in cold water, especially with how hot it is. I was pleasantly surprised to find a fan and electricity in my room which made it much easier to fall asleep. However I woke up sweating and that is when I learned the “resort” ran on generator power at night, but that turned off around 6am in Sierra Leone. Waking up and walking out my door right onto the beach was pretty awesome, not gonna lie that could easily become my comfort zone. So in case you haven’t figured it out yet, Osman has so many projects and things going on that he is pulled in multiple directions at once. Therefore it shouldn’t be surprising that while he came in and checked on me, it was one of his SLMDinc Freetown staff that came and picked me up. My time in Freetown was spent going to different schools and orphanages. everywhere I went they asked me to speak, remember me not the public speaker, and so I spoke. I asked the kids what they liked about school, I talked to them about the importance of school, and just about life in general. We headed up to the village a couple of days before the graduation, it was time to see this house Osman had built. I’m pretty sure the best way to put this in perspective is to explain the bathroom…. It’s several hours up to the village (Maforay) from Freetown so when we arrived I asked for the bathroom. I walk in and there is a toilet and a sink, at this point I haven’t noticed the lack of shower and faucets, although I do notice a 55gal drum of water and a bucket in the corner. So I go to the bathroom and when I was done I attempt to flush the toilet…. Nothing happens……I’m jiggling the handle trying to figure out if its broke, or I’m dumb, or what was going on. I finally go out and find Osman and sheepishly ask how I flush the toilet. After he got done laughing at me he explained it wasn’t hooked up, you use the bucket to pour water in to “flush.” I’m starting to think of questions I should have asked before jumping on a plane lol. Osman then explained in the village there is no running water or electricity….. The 55gal drum of water and the bucket, that’s how you bathe. While there isn’t electricity per se, there are solar powered battery packs which will charge a phone and run a fan over night. It’s like a permanent camping trip……..

The Best Two Weeks of My Life

It took me a bit to wrap my “American” brain around everything, but now they find it difficult to get me out of the village. Anyway I managed to finally write a speech I thought could work the day before the graduation. Graduation day was a whole new adventure. We got up and had total chaos, while everyone got ready and gathered a 1/2 mile away so that we could march into the village. As we were walking to the gathering spot, someone came by on a motorbike and asked if I wanted a ride, I declined because I wanted to be apart of things, not elevated above. Pretty soon others came by and cheered yelling in Africa we walk. After everyone gathered and the children were organized we started our parade back to the village, complete with a band. I’ve never seen such a celebration, it was a blessing to be apart of it. As we arrived in the village I stepped away and headed into the church where the ceremony was to take place. I was seated up front waiting when Osman called for me from the back of the church. I walked back to where he was and he introduced me to a reporter and his cameraman. Yup, the person who was not a public speaker when they arrived in Sierra Leone was being interviewed on camera for a news spot. I can add on TV to my list of things I’ve done.. SMH. After the interview I went back in and the ceremony started. There were several officials and people of importance there and many spoke but then it was time for my speech. They had a translator for me and it took a bit to get a rhythm with that but I think in the end it went well.

After graduation I was blessed to have a few more days before I had to head to Freetown to leave. Osman arranged for me to go to a couple of local clinics where I met with pregnant women and lactating mothers. We passed out baby blankets and baby hats. He also took me to Kalangba where we met with pastors from Horizons of Hope. Interestingly enough, I happened to be there when they were electing a new Paramount Chief for Ngowahun chiefdom. Since Kalangba is the capitol of the chiefdom that is where the elections are held and it just so happened to be the same day we were there to meet with the pastors. It made for chaos in town, but also a very special memory. Paramount chiefs are elected for life similar to our supreme court justices, and our are considered the “custodian of the land.” The primary role of a Paramount Chief is to serve as the traditional custodian, and administrative leader for their Chiefdom. They act as a critical bridge between local communities and the central government. The chief elected that day is Paramount Chief Kandeh Gbanka III and he is not only still in office but a friend. The day after the election, I had the honor of meeting the newly elected chief in Makeni before heading back to Freetown to end my trip.

Looking Forward

From cold showers to public speaking to local elections to bathrooms with out running water to goats on motorbikes to all the things outside my “comfort zone.” I found myself having had the best 2 weeks of my life and feeling very sad to be leaving. One of my biggest things I took home with me was knowing we needed to put a secondary school in Maforay.

God called me completely out of my comfort zone, and I am so glad I
answered. Thank you for reading my story, and thank you for
considering partnering with me on this next great adventure!