SIERRA LEONE-Aminata King-Revisted Transformation

SIERRA LEONE: Aminata King: Revisited Transformation

Aminata warmly welcomed Sandy, throwing her arms around her friend of almost 20 years. Sandy beamed and hugged her back. Their friendship began in 1992 when Sandy was a volunteer on the Anastasis, and Aminata was a patient onboard the hospital ship.                                                 It is difficult to believe that Aminata, a gracious and gentle woman, was known as “the witch of Freetown” when they first met. Her neighbors thought the grapefruit-sized growth on her jaw was the result of an evil spell. As it grew, she became increasingly isolated from family and friends. The growth destroyed her clothing business, her marriage, her family and her life. Her husband left, her friends turned their backs on her, and customers wouldn’t even buy peeled oranges from her in the street.

Poor, sick and friendless, she prayed to Allah for help. When help was not forthcoming, she found warm acceptance in a nearby church. The grace and supportive love shown to her there won her heart, and Aminata gave her life to Jesus.

One night, she dreamed of a big white ship.  In her dream, Jesus healed her using the people on that ship. A few months later, the Anastasis arrived. The volunteer surgeons onboard removed the tumor and installed a titanium jaw. Several surgeries were required to do all that was required, giving Sandy and Aminata more time for their friendship to grow.

Aminata’s community was astonished when she returned home after the surgery. Everyone thought she would die, but she came back healed. “Because of the miracle, they were fighting to see her,” said Felix, Aminata’s new husband. “They wanted to touch her. Before the surgery they would spit on her – but not now!” he said.

Sandy eventually served eight years with Mercy Ships and then returned to Sierra Leone in 2002 to visit her dear friend. Over the years, Aminata had grown in her faith.  She spoke of her gratitude to God, who had sustained her and her family, even through a violent civil war. In fact, on one occasion, rebel soldiers had held her at gunpoint.  “Jesus kept us safe,” she said simply.              

Now, Sandy is back in Sierra Leone once again, this time serving in the dining room onboard the Africa Mercy, docked in Freetown. This ten-month field service offers an opportunity for the two friends to enjoy each other’s company – beginning with a visit to Aminata’s home. Aminata warmly welcomed Sandy into her living room, and they immediately began catching up on the events in each other’s lives.

Much has changed in Aminata’s life since she last visited with Sandy. She and her husband have moved from the tiny, cramped corner of one room to larger quarters in another part of town.  Now they have enough bedrooms for Felix’s 18-year-old daughter Felicia, as well as  15-year-old Murray and 9-year-old Sorie. Sorie was born to Aminata’s brother. Since he already had a son, and Aminata was childless, he gave Sorie to Aminata to raise.  Murray was Aminata’s sister’s son.  He was found lost in the bush with his grandmother after his mother was killed during the war.       

Felix and Aminata are building a life of faith together. Felix was born into a Muslim family but says, “I found God; there is no other God, only Him.”

The conversation drifted to years gone by and wonderful memories that Aminata cherishes – such as when crew members built a concrete store where she sold her provisions. She ran a very successful business there for three years until her parents got sick. Aminata spent her money on doctor bills for them. “By the time they died, the money was all gone,” she said wistfully.

She no longer sells in the market because there is no money to buy product to sell. Felix was an upholsterer, but can’t operate the sewing machine anymore because of a problem with his back. Aminata and Felix hope to be able to send Felicia to university if they can find the funds. They want to set up a business in Guinea, which is a free port where products cost less. This would allow them to sell in Sierra Leone for a larger profit. “We have to keep the family together,” declared Felix. “That’s the work of the father.”

  

When Aminata produced a large plastic drinking mug bearing the Mercy Ships logo, they all began to laugh. Although it had melted on one side and was no longer usable, Aminata had kept it. When the rebels attacked their home during the civil war, they tried to burn down the house. But the flame landed on the Mercy Ships mug and melted it, thus saving their home. What could have been a disaster is now a chuckle. “We thank God for His protection,” said Aminata.

After admiring photos of family members and offering a prayer of thanks, Aminata and Sandy walked hand-in-hand to the Mercy Ships vehicle. They made plans for another visit and shared one last hug before parting. The friendship that began almost twenty years ago has made a tremendous difference in their lives, and they are nurturing that friendship. It is a treasure that grows more valuable with each passing year.

“Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.” – Aristotle

Photos by Debra Bell / Story by Elaine B. Winn