Learning to Give

I write this from the home of one the most selfless person I’ve met here. I sit among four young men and one young woman—people Mama Tijani brought into her home to care for. She provides food, shelter and school fees, as long as they participate in household chores and keep their grades up. The young men often make deliveries of food she sends out—Lexi and I were one of those recipients while living with Dr. Koroma.

Last week, we received short notice we needed to find alternative accommodation—but we already made plans to travel to Tiwai Island over the weekend. Mama Tijani allowed us to leave our things at her home…as we reluctantly planned to stay at the more expensive guesthouse as they always have openings. When we came back to get our stuff, Mama Tijani said, “Why don’t you stay here…save your money. You will have food and a place to sleep, but I’m sorry I can’t provide you your own room.” She insisted we wouldn’t be a burden to her already nearly crowded home—so Lexi and I share a bed in a room with her granddaughter, Rosa, and Howa, the lady that cooks. It’s like living in a resort. We have three wonderful meals a day, warm water to bathe with and even get to participate in prayer and devotion each morning and night.

Her example of giving is among numerous others I’ve encountered. Mr. Moiforay, a man Lexi and I find so dear, told us as he was offering rides to hitchhikers in the back of his truck, he wouldn’t be where he is today without help so he must pay it forward—and his does this in so many ways.

I’ve lost track of how many times my selfishness hits me like a 2x4 over the head. I find myself getting annoyed when someone asks for food, money, the bread I just purchased, or even my laptop. They see my white skin that seems to me tattooed with dollar signs. Don’t they understand that I’m a working student? That I may seem well off here, but by the States’ standards I’m barely making it each month? BAM! It hits me, again, that all my possessions, each penny to my name is not my own—it’s a blessing from God and I should use it all to bless others.

It took Mama Tijani’s example of giving a tip to children selling sweet corn for me to do the same at the market a few days later. It took a little girl selling me sweet cake telling me she’s hungry for me to give the snack I just bought (and really didn’t need) back to her to eat…she isn’t allowed to eat the food she has to sell. It took a few hours for me to agree to help a friend with her sick baby’s hospital bills—because I was worried she was just “using” me. (Which I’m happy to report I was entirely wrong…she has never asked for money since)

I’m so flawed when it comes to this giving thing. I mean, yes…I LOVE to give gifts, but daily being receptive to opportunities to bless others is something I am now challenged to do. Thankfully, this is a lesson I’ve been learning since arriving, and I am getting better at pushing down my selfishness—though if that 2x4 labeled “selfish” were real, I would have a least a dozen bumps.

Joyful Journeys,

Julie

PS: Though it takes only very to change someone’s life in Sierra Leone, Lexi and I are working on some ideas that will allow us to give back in a bigger way. For any of you interested in joining us…keep checking back as we hope to have some information out to our friends soon!