Rev Sahr Yambasu, the former minister for Galway’s United Presbyterian and Methodist Church will return to the city next week to launch his autobiography.
Rev Sahr Yambasu will launch Between Africa and The West: A Story of Discovery, on Sunday November 17 in the Menlo Park Hotel. The event, which runs from 5.30pm to 9pm, will be hosted by Rev Patrick Towers and the guest speaker will be the Mayor of Galway Pádraig Conneely.
Between Africa and The West is part autobiography, part spiritual journey, and part adventure.
“I have dreamed for so long about doing this, about putting my story into print,” said Rev Yambasu. “It’s a huge personal achievement and I’m really excited to discover what people think of what I have to say.”
Rev Yambasu was born in Sierra-Leone and is a Cambridge University graduate. He is married to Clodagh, a serving vicar at Methodist Church Carlow. He is the Methodist Minister for Carlow and Kilkenny and he is a board trustee in several professional and community based organisations.
Rev Yambasu’s father brought Christianity to the village when he was a child. Supported by English Methodists, he received an education and later went to seminary. Although Sierra-Leone has been plagued by violence, feuding, bloodshed, and poverty, he is concerned to show that there is more to Africa than people often think.
“A lot of people know very little about Africa beyond the redundant caricatures and ignorant prejudices,” he said. “Africa, despite all its failings, has much to say to the West.”
Although a passionate Christian, Rev Yambasu says his autobiography is “not a religious book”.
“It is more than that,” he says. “It’s a life story, a love story, an adventure story, a story of discovery and hope. At its heart I share how I came to know that I was loved by a gentle God who cared about me, who cared enough to give His life. That’s my personal story.”
The event is free and all are welcome. Rev Yambasu will also sign copies of his new book and give a reading. Between Africa and The West: A Story of Discovery costs €15. For more information see www.africanshamrockpublications.com
