Under the Mango Tree

This is the story of Bambay Sawaneh who at the age of 15 experienced the terror of rebels attacking his little village in Sierra Leone, West Africa resulting in the death of many of his family and friends and the amputation of his hands. His survival alone is a great challenge for any who might consider giving up when difficulty strikes. Bambay not only survived, he forgave the man who cut off his hands with a dull axe.  He now operates a farm with pineapple, almond, cassava in addition to chickens. As if that were not enough for a man with no hands, Bambay manages football teams in Makeni and Freetown. Following the Ebola crisis Bambay established an orphanage for children who had lost their parents.

When I think of Bambay I think of the verse, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.” Bambay has taken a tragedy in his life and has turned it around and used it for good: serving others, building churches, orphanages and sharing the gospel message to others. He has inspired me to do the same.