Beautiful Sierra Leone!

Good Monday morning from beautiful Sierra Leone! Our first 3 days here have been an exhausting but yet rewarding adventure! We are still adjusting to time change and culture but most importantly we are healthy and safe.

Saturday

We took a trip around the Freetown peninsula visiting beautiful River #2 Beach and Tokeh Beach.

Sunday

We had a service at 3 different churches in Freetown. These three visits completed the mission of visiting all 13 churches in the Freetown peninsula. God really helped, strengthened, and favored us yesterday; wonderful spirit filled services. The Sierra Leone people are so friendly and hospitable. Their welcome and generosity has been amazing. We left all locations yesterday bearing gift baskets of fruit and different foods. They are a beautiful people with amazing spirit. The people have so little in possession yet we have never seen a spirit of thanks, giving, and joy like we have seen here.

Coming up this week

This week we will take 2 trips further into the Provinces. These trips have the potential to be dangerous. We covet your prayers for safety and protection. Heidi will be staying back in the security and safety of our Freetown home. God bless you all. We love you. - Jeff

Birds singing!

I am once again awakened by birds singing. Not just birds.. West African birds. I usually love the sound of birds singing but this morning I needed to sleep.

We arrived safely. Today is a day of rest... maybe.

Travel pics

Good morning, short layover, and strong coffee in Brussels, Belgium.

Safe arrival in Freetown, Sierra Leone

 

Finally GO Time!

We depart tomorrow for Sierra Leone! Thank you to all of our family and friends for your prayers and support. Many of you have blessed us with monetary donations, gifts and supplies all of which will go straight to the precious people of Sierra Leone and the UPC of Sierra Leone. Check this out.. a class of students at Millbrook High School and lead teacher Courtney Chance made by hand 50+ dresses for us to take with us.. so wonderful! Thank you to all for your gifts of love.

We are packing. We are very excited.

Depart Thurs, Feb 23 at 12pm - Arrive Fri, Feb 24 at 5:50pm.
Travel time: 15h 55m.

Air Canada, Flight 7316. Raleigh to Toronto
Sn Brussels, Flight 552. Toronto to Brussels
Sn Brussels, Flight 241. Brussels to Freetown, SL

To our family, we will inform of our safe arrival through message or social media asap (as soon as we have wifi). Please know that once we land we have to go through customs and transport by water and land of 1.5 to 2 hours to our lodging.

Last Sunday in Sierra Leone with the Riddicks

"We had three services today, Ferry Junction, Kissy, Calaba Town and then a minister's conference fellowship this evening; it was a full day but a good one! Many received the Holy Ghost; God hath done great things!" - Adriane Riddick

The Riddick Family has arrived in Sierra Leone

Our friends the Riddick family (Rusty, Adriane, Ryan, and Lil Gent) arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone on Sunday, February 5. It is at the invitation of the Riddicks and the United Pentecostal Church of Sierra Leone that Heidi and I will visit. 

The Riddick family will spend approximately four weeks in Sierra Leone; 2 weeks ahead of our arrival on Feb. 24, 12 days together, and then departing together to come back home to the States on March 8. This incredible missionary family has been on the field for 4 years. Such sacrifice! The Riddick family will then travel the United States on deputation to raise funds to come back to their new field of labor Sierra Leone. 

Heidi and I have had the wonderful privilege to visit West Africa at their invitation before; first, the country of Cameroon in the years 2013 and 2015. West Africa has placed a permanent impression on our hearts.

We again have been joyfully invited back to West Africa; this time to Sierra Leone! Our Mission: to greet, encourage and assist in planning for progress for the future of the United Pentecostal Church International in Sierra Leone!

The Riddicks words and pictures since arrival

"Words can't describe how good it feels to be here in Sierra Leone! What a wonderful welcome committee by the fine brethren of the General Board. Beautiful people, beautiful country... God is good!" - Rusty Riddick

 "We have been blessed sitting with these brethren and hearing their vision and passion for the work of the Lord." - Rusty Riddick

"Yesterday Rusty ministered at headquarters; we enjoyed being with Bro. and Sis. Conteh. Thankful for what the Lord did in the altar.. He still fills, heals, and delivers! God is doing great things in Sierra Leone!" - Adriane Riddick

River #2 Beach

Let's take a ride around Freetown, Sierra Leone

via YouTube

Video 1: Around Freetown.. a ride through the streets of Freetown.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEwsbI1Zj5w

Video 2: Aerial footage via drone of Freetown and some oceanfront.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TmsmBWP0xU

Video 3: Let's travel together around Sierra Leone to see facts of development and progress.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxcpzPiIQl0

Sierra Leone invitation and itinerary

Sierra Leone invitation

"Dear Sir,
Re . Invitation to visit Sierra Leone from February to March 2017

The United Pentecostal Church Sierra Leone invites missionary Jeffrey Cecil and Heidi Cecil to Sierra Leone to assess the United Pentecostal Church mission work in Sierra Leone and to look for ways of adding value to the work in the United Pentecostal Church Sierra Leone.

We are looking forward to seeing you in this part of Africa name the Lion Mountain, a place of peace and happiness, a place where hospitalities is the best gift the people of this country can offer.

Thank you for the heart you have for Africa especially Sierra Leone and the desire you have to see the mission work in Africa grow to an appreciable high.

We pray for travel mercy as we await your safe arrival in Freetown.

Thanks.

Yours Faithfully, 

Rev. Rashid S. Turay
National Superintendent"

Flight Itinerary

Departure flights:
Air Canada, Flight 7316. Raleigh to Toronto
Sn Brussels, Flight 552. Toronto to Brussels
Sn Brussels, Flight 241. Brussels to Freetown, SL

Depart Thurs, Feb 23 at 12pm - Arrive Fri, Feb 24 at 5:50pm.
Travel time: 15h 55m.

Lodging Info

Family Kingdom Resort, Freetown, Sierra Leone. http://familykingdom-resort.com
Google Earth: google.com/maps/place/The+Family+Kingdom+Resort