Travel Report December 2025

A week full of connection

Tuesday – the journey to Sierra Leone

After a smooth journey we arrived safely at our hotel in Bo. Tired from the long flight, but grateful for a good trip, we began a week that would become special for all of us.

Limba and Bontiwo

Wednesday – Meeting in Limba and opening in Bontiwo

The next morning we travelled to Limba, where we met Daniel at the school and the church. Koos and Herwin got straight to work upgrading the water pump. The new system, fully monitorable remotely from the Netherlands, was successfully installed. Thanks to this system, water pressure, water supply and the condition of the pump can now be continuously monitored.

Wim, Coby, Rev. Ude, Jan, Erik and Arianne travelled on to Bontiwo for the opening of the new branch of the Grace Academy. This branch was built to bring children from surrounding villages closer to education. The ceremony was festive and well attended: the minister of education, the local chief and journalists were present.

The speeches looked back on God's guidance in the founding of this school. Erik spoke about the work of Njalowei using BRON (Prayer, Salvation, Education, Needs). Jan gave a meditation on Mark 10:13-16: "Let the children come to Me." Afterwards we fixed a sign with this Bible text to the school. Our prayer is that the daily openings will be a rich blessing for these children.

Visits in Malal

Thursday – Malal, handover of the keys and remembering Fofonah

On Thursday we drove from Limba to Malal. There we visited the family of our late friend and contact person Hassan Fofonah, who had passed away two weeks earlier. We offered our condolences and wished his wife much strength.

After that we drove on to the newly built school; what a beautiful building it has become, with fine toilet blocks and a schoolyard. During the festive but restrained ceremony, the official handover of the keys took place: the contractor handed the key to Erik on behalf of Njalowei, after which Erik ceremonially passed it on to the community. This way the villagers feel responsible for the use, maintenance and preservation of the school.

Following this wonderful event, the new well was opened, using the same technology as in Limba. It was moving to see the children watching the running water that came out of the tap without pumping. During the opening, reference was made to John 4. Afterwards, a memorial moment was held in the centre of the village in remembrance of Hassan Fofonah.

In the evening the brothers Rev. J.I. Nwoji, Rev. C.A. Ofor and Rev. P.I. Nwede arrived safely from Nigeria. We met each other at the hotel in Freetown and discussed the plans for the coming days.

Friday – Makollo, workshop in Mile91 and visit to Malal

In Makollo the well at Daniëlle's house was fully completed by Koos, Herwin and Wim. The children were happy with the water and visibly enjoyed the attention they received. Three complete wells that can be managed from the Netherlands; the good preparations bore fruit.

Together with the brothers from Nigeria we travelled to Mile91, where we gave a workshop to all our contact persons. The focus was on budgeting, accountability and transparency. In the afternoon we travelled again to Malal, this time together with the brothers from Nigeria. They visited the school, the well and the little church.

Brothers from Nigeria and the orphanage

Saturday – Discussions with NRC and visit to the orphanage

Saturday began with an important discussion with the brothers from Nigeria about future cooperation, aimed at providing Reformed, theological education in Sierra Leone. One of the brothers put it aptly: "The Lord has, in a wondrous way, brought together insignificant instruments who may serve."

After that we visited Daniella's Home. The twenty orphans welcomed us warmly. Arianne told the story of Zacchaeus, after which each child received a booklet of Bible stories by Rev. C. Meeuse. They gave us a tour, sang songs, and we enjoyed together a wonderful meal that Rejoice had prepared for us.

Sunday – Church service in Freetown

On Sunday we visited a small church in Freetown. Pastor Abu Bakarr Tarawalie belongs to the group that has asked for instruction in Reformed doctrine. Rev. Ude spoke about the prodigal son from Luke 15.

CRC conference

Monday – conference for students

On Monday the biennial conference took place with our students, now around thirty of them. There was a valuable mix of meditation, workshops, teaching and interaction. In the afternoon Rev. Ude gave a summary of Reformed doctrine using the five Solas. At the end of the day, certificates were handed out to those who had completed their lessons.

Gratitude and prayer

We look back on an impressive, intensive and above all blessed week. We feel that people are praying along with us. The first letter of BRON, the P of Prayer, is and remains the most important. Will you pray along for the work in Sierra Leone? That everything may be to the honour of His Name — that is our hope and prayer.