This Mutha is back!

I know it's been a few weeks since I've actually been back - I apologize for not giving an update regarding the trip sooner. Culture shock is a tricky little thing to master, even more so when returning to the US. So without further ado, I give you some highlights from my trip (photographs can be viewed here!):

• Helped design and paint 3 children's homes along with lead designer Katie Fitzpatrick


• Cleared land and planted ECHO seeds with Jess and company (I'll post an article I wrote about this project just as soon as get a copy of it)


• Gave a sermon at church regarding wealth and contentment


• Traveled to a number of villages in Banta Mokelleh to teach VBS (bible stories for children and adults alike)


• Met a man named Munda who had two dogs, one named "Dog" and the other named "Tinky Town"


• Discussed the issue of contentment/material possessions with my good friend Emmanuel Jongo (and a few other teenagers) in great lengths on many occasions


• Helped Jess lead a Soap Making Demonstration for a handful of teenagers... in the middle of Africa!


• "Pig Whispered" a couple of scared piglets after my teammate Billy set up an interesting game of "Blind Fold Austin, Put Petroleum Jelly On His Hands, Put Him In A Room With 2 Baby Pigs, And See What Happens!" (This was one of my birthday presents)


• Stirred up most of the village of Ngolala to chant "Hugs Not Drugs!" at our going-away celebration
  

A Video About COTN & Sierra Leone