Here we are in Kenya. Today is a beautiful day with sunshine and 80 degrees. One of the things I love about Nairobi is that just about anytime of the year it is nice enough to eat outside! Most restaurants have outdoor seating, actually more outdoor than indoor:)
As we are here, eating good food, shopping for things to take back and enjoying the cooler temperatures, I feel guilty. There are four young men who have not been home since January and they are sitting in Juba trying to find a way home. These men are in the Teacher Training Program through the Education Project that we work with. After classes ended the beginning of December we flew them to Juba so they could then get on flights to their home town of Pochalla. Yes, the same Pochalla that Lynn got stuck in:) We had 3 flights fall through and are now hoping for a flight tomorrow. Please pray that these men get on that flight! These men are polite, kind young men who keep telling us that God is with them and that He knows their need. Not sure I could be that positive if I was them! They have to leave their homes again the beginning of Feb. to be gone another year for school.
While here in Nairobi we always try to get medical stuff done. Lynn has just had it confirmed that he is getting older - he now has a frozen left shoulder! :) This will get better with exercises. Maybe Lynn is right, he can never retire because then his body will fall apart. Oh, man is he going to get me for writing this.:)
It is hard to believe that Christmas is just days away. We are going to keep the Kandel tradition of Ethiopian food for supper Christmas Eve, it just will not be with our children who will be doing the same thing about 8 hours after we eat ours. While at the mall the other day we had the opportunity to listen to a band playing Christmas music. It reminded me of the days when Dana was in band in high school - good memories! It also helped to focus me on the time of year we are in and to think about the meaning of this time of year. It really is the simple things that bring us the most joy.
Enjoy time with your families and thank our heavenly Father for the life He has given us.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Lessons in Patience and God's Planning
As I told you, Lynn went to Pochalla last week. He was supposed to go on Wednesday the 2nd but then last minute we found out the plane was going on Thursday instead. Ok, that was fine with Lynn since that meant one less day in Pochalla. Now, while in Pochalla Lynn has internet for maybe 4 hours in a day and that is the only way we have to communicate. So, now this week we learn on Tuesday that somehow Lynn never got booked on the return flight and, remember, these flights only go once a week. So, now what?? We are supposed to leave on Monday the 14th for Kenya and no planes are allowed to land in Juba on Saturdays and Sundays. Many phone calls later and lots of friends helping us we get a possibility. I was at the church offices on Wednesday, spending hours waiting for the car to come back to take the Treasurer and I to the bank. I was doing ok with the wait but it was boring. Along comes one of the women I have been getting to know and she tells me about a flight going into Pochalla with one of the churches partner organizations. I make a call and, yes! they can bring Lynn back. YIPPIE!! The plane is leaving early Thursday morning and will get back late in the day but that is ok as long as Lynn is on the plane. I am able to communicate with Lynn to let him know the plan. Thursday morning I get a call from my new best friend, Rev. John Philip, the guy who said Lynn could come back with them, and he says they are at the airport (8am) and will be leaving soon. At noon Lynn is able to message me to say no plane yet and what is going on! I call Rev. Philip and he says they are having a bad time at the airport and some people are being detained but they are still hoping to leave within the hour. Fast forward to 6pm and a call from Rev. Philip saying they were not allowed to leave on the plane and he was only just then leaving the airport! They have everything worked out and are leaving tomorrow morning at 8am with a shorter day so hopefully will be back early afternoon. Rev. Philip reminded me that our plans are not always God's plans. I had to agree and say that I would rather go with God's plans as they are always the best for us. Not that I am happy that my husband is not back in Juba yet and there is still some question as to if he will be able to get on the fight so please, pray, pray, pray! If he does not get back tomorrow then our trip to Kenya is put off and we are out the ticket but that is a small thing compared to getting Lynn back to Juba.
I spent the day yesterday doing 3 things that should have taken about 2 hours but actually took 7 hours:) That is the way of things here and I felt I had accomplished a lot in the day. It is a chance to sit and get to know people and practice Arabic and pray. I also got to watch the dynamics in the office with all the people coming in and out with issues.
Anyhow, life is all about changes.
I spent the day yesterday doing 3 things that should have taken about 2 hours but actually took 7 hours:) That is the way of things here and I felt I had accomplished a lot in the day. It is a chance to sit and get to know people and practice Arabic and pray. I also got to watch the dynamics in the office with all the people coming in and out with issues.
Anyhow, life is all about changes.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
A busy weekend
We had a busy weekend last weekend. We went to a 24th anniversary celebration of Nile Theological College on Saturday and then I (Sharon) went to a church service that lasted from 9 am to 1:30 pm. Then Monday Morning had a 9am meeting that started about 9:30:)
This is the banner that was at the front for the College celebration.
This was a really nice day for us and we were so glad we had been invited to it. We got to meet lots of new people and had the chance to put faces to names of people we have heard about.
I have to admit, this little boy ( plus all the others I did not get a picture of) cracked my up. Even here in a refugee camp everyone has a cellphone and they use them to entertain the kids. The choir was singing and there were 3 kids 5 and under recording the singing:) This had been a very long service and the kids were getting rowdy so the moms were all handing the kids their phones to distract them.
I should have gotten a picture of the kids sleeping on a mat right in front of me at the front of the church. This is the the kind of church service I remember from down country with dad.
Ok, I was going to add a video from the church service but I am not sure if I am doing it wrong or our internet is just to slow to do it so I guess no video this time.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
travel delay
Please don't go into shock that I am writing again within a week of the last post! :)
Lynn was supposed to leave today to go to the village of Pochalla but the flight was postponed for a day because they had to use that plane/helicopter for something else. No, we did not get official word that the flight was postponed, we just heard through the grapevine and then confirmed with a friend such is life here, no certainties. He hopes to leave tomorrow but we shall see.
I made a "big" lunch yesterday since Lynn was to leave today. Have you ever made a meal that requires 4 burners and you only have 2 and one of them does not work right? It is hard to have everything ready at the same time so it is all hot but somehow I managed and felt like I had really accomplished something for the day.
Monday we spent time at the Church office working on the budget for next year. A co-worker had already done one draft and we are just trying to fine tune it now. It was an interesting time trying to make sure we were all understanding each other when discussing money issues - never an easy topic! I think we did pretty good with the whole thing but we shall see when we meet again on Thursday:) Overall, it was a good time at the office, much like usual.
One special thing that happened at the office is that the General Secretary arrived! He has been in Khartoum for most of the year with back issues that resulted in surgery. It was wonderful to see him being greeted so wonderfully by his peers. There were a lot of people coming in on Monday because they (the church) are having Executive meetings this week so there were a lot of reunions happening and seeing their joy in each other was heartwarming.
Lynn was supposed to leave today to go to the village of Pochalla but the flight was postponed for a day because they had to use that plane/helicopter for something else. No, we did not get official word that the flight was postponed, we just heard through the grapevine and then confirmed with a friend such is life here, no certainties. He hopes to leave tomorrow but we shall see.
I made a "big" lunch yesterday since Lynn was to leave today. Have you ever made a meal that requires 4 burners and you only have 2 and one of them does not work right? It is hard to have everything ready at the same time so it is all hot but somehow I managed and felt like I had really accomplished something for the day.
Monday we spent time at the Church office working on the budget for next year. A co-worker had already done one draft and we are just trying to fine tune it now. It was an interesting time trying to make sure we were all understanding each other when discussing money issues - never an easy topic! I think we did pretty good with the whole thing but we shall see when we meet again on Thursday:) Overall, it was a good time at the office, much like usual.
One special thing that happened at the office is that the General Secretary arrived! He has been in Khartoum for most of the year with back issues that resulted in surgery. It was wonderful to see him being greeted so wonderfully by his peers. There were a lot of people coming in on Monday because they (the church) are having Executive meetings this week so there were a lot of reunions happening and seeing their joy in each other was heartwarming.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
We have just had 3 weeks of having people visiting here in Juba. These were all mission folks doing work but also visiting with us. It was fun to have visitors here but sure made me wish for a nice big kitchen so I could cook for them. Poor Jim had to eat baked oatmeal for breakfast every morning and then eat out the other meals, well, except for pancakes for supper one night and smoothies another night. I can't believe I really do miss cooking - at least a little:) Makes me wonder, when we are back in the States next year if I will cook? Hmm, maybe I will let Dana cook for me!
It really was nice to have things going on and to learn more about places around Juba. We had our share of all day meetings and long talks about missions and South Sudan. Wonder what we will do with all the "wisdom" ?
Lynn is hoping to go to the village of Pochalla next week. He will probably be gone for a week. He will fly in on a UN flight and if he has to use the Un flight to come back out he will be gone for a week as they only fly in there on Wednesdays. I will not go with him since I do not have a travel budget and I am ok with that. It will be strange to be here by myself but then that means I can party with my co-workers!! HA! This place that he is going to is on the border to Ethiopia and right on a river. Lynn was there in January and says it is a nice quiet village and that he wants to live there. That would be ok with me except there is no phone or internet service:( Not sure I could handle not being able to keep up with the family.
To those of you who have asked about our days and what we do, here are some examples. Today, Lynn has spent a couple of hours trying to make flight bookings for our trip to Kenya and he has not succeeded yet! He has also spent hours doing computer work for PCUSA and this is the guy who does not like desk work. With the fuel shortage buses are hard to get so the other day we waited 45 minutes for a bus then I went back home and Lynn took a motorcycle taxi which I refuse to ride. Today I spent most of the morning making a meal and cleaning up after myself in our tiny kitchen, oh, and washing some clothes by hand. Last Wednesday I went to the office for a short meeting with the treasurer and spent 3 1/2 hours there and did not have my meeting. Mind you, I did have a great time with the two ladies in the women's department and had tea and bread with them:) Relationship building at its finest. It is crazy how we can spend so much time not getting things done and yet feel like we have accomplished so much. It is a good thing that we both like the slow pace and drinking tea!
We are still looking at being in the States next spring but don't have dates set yet. We are thinking that we will be there by May and even with that i am worried about how cold it will seem to us. Guess we will have to have someone bring winter coats to the airport for us. :)
I know many of you are worried about the situation here and want to know if we are safe. We are safe for the most part. There is a lot more petty crime but there are also more shootings. We are ok here in the city during the day and we just don't go out at night unless we are using a taxi. There are supposed to be some changes taking place in the next month and we will see how all that works out. I don't like seeing all the soldiers and their guns riding around in open vehicles but that is part of life here. I still walk back from the office to the apartment and feel ok doing so.
It really was nice to have things going on and to learn more about places around Juba. We had our share of all day meetings and long talks about missions and South Sudan. Wonder what we will do with all the "wisdom" ?
Lynn is hoping to go to the village of Pochalla next week. He will probably be gone for a week. He will fly in on a UN flight and if he has to use the Un flight to come back out he will be gone for a week as they only fly in there on Wednesdays. I will not go with him since I do not have a travel budget and I am ok with that. It will be strange to be here by myself but then that means I can party with my co-workers!! HA! This place that he is going to is on the border to Ethiopia and right on a river. Lynn was there in January and says it is a nice quiet village and that he wants to live there. That would be ok with me except there is no phone or internet service:( Not sure I could handle not being able to keep up with the family.
To those of you who have asked about our days and what we do, here are some examples. Today, Lynn has spent a couple of hours trying to make flight bookings for our trip to Kenya and he has not succeeded yet! He has also spent hours doing computer work for PCUSA and this is the guy who does not like desk work. With the fuel shortage buses are hard to get so the other day we waited 45 minutes for a bus then I went back home and Lynn took a motorcycle taxi which I refuse to ride. Today I spent most of the morning making a meal and cleaning up after myself in our tiny kitchen, oh, and washing some clothes by hand. Last Wednesday I went to the office for a short meeting with the treasurer and spent 3 1/2 hours there and did not have my meeting. Mind you, I did have a great time with the two ladies in the women's department and had tea and bread with them:) Relationship building at its finest. It is crazy how we can spend so much time not getting things done and yet feel like we have accomplished so much. It is a good thing that we both like the slow pace and drinking tea!
We are still looking at being in the States next spring but don't have dates set yet. We are thinking that we will be there by May and even with that i am worried about how cold it will seem to us. Guess we will have to have someone bring winter coats to the airport for us. :)
I know many of you are worried about the situation here and want to know if we are safe. We are safe for the most part. There is a lot more petty crime but there are also more shootings. We are ok here in the city during the day and we just don't go out at night unless we are using a taxi. There are supposed to be some changes taking place in the next month and we will see how all that works out. I don't like seeing all the soldiers and their guns riding around in open vehicles but that is part of life here. I still walk back from the office to the apartment and feel ok doing so.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
In a groove - NOT!
Just when I thought things were settling down and maybe, just maybe, we were on an upswing, life throws us another curve ball.
We found out last week that the banks are either not giving out any US dollars or are only giving out a few hundred dollars to the first number of people in line. This is a real blow for the church. Many things we could pay for in dollars and get a better price but now we cannot do that so things will cost 3-4 times more money. This will not stop the work but may change how we some things. We will be fine, personally and the church will keep on keeping on but the people on the street, the average person.....oh,my. Most people are paid in local currency but the majority of food stuffs are imported (even rice and beans) and with the dollar crisis the prices are going up but not wages. I cannot even begin to imagine how people will make ends meet.
Then there is the fuel shortage. Last week we figured a gallon of fuel cost about $21 - road trip anyone????? On the plus side with this is that there are not as many cars on the road so it is easier to cross the street:) Taxi prices have doubled, food is still going up but the good news is that we can still afford the a taxi and can still find food:)
Now, I realize that as I am writing this that it all sounds like negative things and while it is not all rosy it is really not all that bad here. Hot? yes, rain? yes, stress and tension? yes. There are also smiles, laughter, hope and relationships that are building. I am learning (still!) that I have to just put my trust in God even when things may not look to bright. God has brought me here and I need to fulfill His purpose for me here.
As we were talking to the church people about the money situation here I was taken back, at first, by their laughter and "oh well" attitude but then I realized, they have been through this so many times that they have learned to just go with the flow, a lesson I need to learn:)
Lynn is hoping to go to a town called Pibor on the 6th but there has been so much rain that we are not sure the plane will be able to go because it will not be able to land on the dirt airstrip. This will just be a 3 day trip to go along with a co-worker to check out some water well possibilities. He gets to stay in a tent! hehehe:) No, I am not going!
So, I have to say that even with all that is happening here, I feel more at peace and at home here than I did a month ago and it is a really good feeling. So, maybe we are on an upswing. I am ever so thankful that God knows where all the pieces of the puzzle go and I just have to be willing to be placed by His hand.
We found out last week that the banks are either not giving out any US dollars or are only giving out a few hundred dollars to the first number of people in line. This is a real blow for the church. Many things we could pay for in dollars and get a better price but now we cannot do that so things will cost 3-4 times more money. This will not stop the work but may change how we some things. We will be fine, personally and the church will keep on keeping on but the people on the street, the average person.....oh,my. Most people are paid in local currency but the majority of food stuffs are imported (even rice and beans) and with the dollar crisis the prices are going up but not wages. I cannot even begin to imagine how people will make ends meet.
Then there is the fuel shortage. Last week we figured a gallon of fuel cost about $21 - road trip anyone????? On the plus side with this is that there are not as many cars on the road so it is easier to cross the street:) Taxi prices have doubled, food is still going up but the good news is that we can still afford the a taxi and can still find food:)
Now, I realize that as I am writing this that it all sounds like negative things and while it is not all rosy it is really not all that bad here. Hot? yes, rain? yes, stress and tension? yes. There are also smiles, laughter, hope and relationships that are building. I am learning (still!) that I have to just put my trust in God even when things may not look to bright. God has brought me here and I need to fulfill His purpose for me here.
As we were talking to the church people about the money situation here I was taken back, at first, by their laughter and "oh well" attitude but then I realized, they have been through this so many times that they have learned to just go with the flow, a lesson I need to learn:)
Lynn is hoping to go to a town called Pibor on the 6th but there has been so much rain that we are not sure the plane will be able to go because it will not be able to land on the dirt airstrip. This will just be a 3 day trip to go along with a co-worker to check out some water well possibilities. He gets to stay in a tent! hehehe:) No, I am not going!
So, I have to say that even with all that is happening here, I feel more at peace and at home here than I did a month ago and it is a really good feeling. So, maybe we are on an upswing. I am ever so thankful that God knows where all the pieces of the puzzle go and I just have to be willing to be placed by His hand.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
A week difference
We go back to Juba tomorrow after a week in Nairobi. It has been a week of beautiful weather, shopping, eating and resting. Guess what? this time we did not go anywhere near a hospital! We did not run into as many people that we know this time but we did have a really nice evening last night with Chase and Audrey!
The break was needed by me more than Lynn but I have spent a lot of time in prayer and Lynn and I have talked quite a bit about the situation in Juba and I think I have been able to get a better perspective on things. Yes, I am still a little nervous but I go back having been reminded of who is in control and I am SO glad it is not me! And, NO, it is not Lynn!!!! sure wouldn't want anyone confused on that point. Ha! Thank you so much to 2 cousins who listened to a nudge to write me - it was just the encouragement I needed.
I keep seeing all this posts about snow and it makes me so glad I am not where that stuff is:) Our rainy season ends sometime in November which means our cooler weather ends and we will start seeing over 100 degrees. The rains have not been as good this year in many places in South Sudan so there is more hunger in many areas.
We are going back to Juba knowing that we will be busier than we have been. Lynn will be traveling to 2 different locations and is picking up a lot more office work. Well, we, are picking up more office work:) While Lynn is gone on these trips I will cover for him with the emails and such but even when he is around we tend to share that work. I like the office work more than Lynn so I write letters and send forms and he does all the official stuff:) It is good to stay busy but us old folks still manage to get our naps in!
If any of you cannot take the cold weather heading your way, just plan a trip to see us and I promise you will warm up:)
The break was needed by me more than Lynn but I have spent a lot of time in prayer and Lynn and I have talked quite a bit about the situation in Juba and I think I have been able to get a better perspective on things. Yes, I am still a little nervous but I go back having been reminded of who is in control and I am SO glad it is not me! And, NO, it is not Lynn!!!! sure wouldn't want anyone confused on that point. Ha! Thank you so much to 2 cousins who listened to a nudge to write me - it was just the encouragement I needed.
I keep seeing all this posts about snow and it makes me so glad I am not where that stuff is:) Our rainy season ends sometime in November which means our cooler weather ends and we will start seeing over 100 degrees. The rains have not been as good this year in many places in South Sudan so there is more hunger in many areas.
We are going back to Juba knowing that we will be busier than we have been. Lynn will be traveling to 2 different locations and is picking up a lot more office work. Well, we, are picking up more office work:) While Lynn is gone on these trips I will cover for him with the emails and such but even when he is around we tend to share that work. I like the office work more than Lynn so I write letters and send forms and he does all the official stuff:) It is good to stay busy but us old folks still manage to get our naps in!
If any of you cannot take the cold weather heading your way, just plan a trip to see us and I promise you will warm up:)
Sunday, October 11, 2015
I remember
" I remember your father", "My parents knew your parents", " I knew little Timmy" Names of places like Doleb Hill, Nasir, Leer. These are all things I heard this morning at a very large Nuer Church here in Juba. I was introduced to the congregation as Nya Dhouram, daughter of Dhouram, with Dhouram being my father. I was touched by the cheer that came with my being introduced and by my very simple one word greeting in Nuer. After church as we stood in line to greet everyone so many people said they remember my father or have heard of my father and were so appreciative of the work and years my father gave to the Nuer. When the one man said he knew "little Timmy" ( sorry Tim) I almost cried. For those of you who don't know my family, Tim is my oldest brother.
How different this mornings service with the Nuers was compared to the services I went to as a kid in Ethiopia. The biggest difference is that there were 2470 people in church this morning!!! That number is right -2470!!!!! I knew the church was large but that is a lot of people:) I was afraid we would be there all day when the pastor said he had two parts to the sermon and 22 points but we actually only had a 2 1/2 hour service :)
We are trying to visit different churches in the Juba area and this was a really good start. Most of the congregations are by tribe and the services are in either the tribal language or in Arabic. It makes for time to think if we can't understand what is being said.
Right now, Lynn is between building projects and the church office people are gone for a week so we are heading to Kenya again for a one week break. It will be good to get away for a little bit, away from the heat, the tension and the dust. It will be good to have different food and even some really good ice-cream. You know, priorities are important and ice-cream is at the top of that list:) We will be doing a little work in Kenya too, with trying to touch base with a group there that will be helping with a project in the town of Pibor here in South Sudan.
So, while there is not really much new going on with us, we are doing well and continue to put our lives in God's hands daily. We continue to be challenged with how to respond to so much need but we are also inspired by the faith of the people around us and by their positive outlook for the future.
How different this mornings service with the Nuers was compared to the services I went to as a kid in Ethiopia. The biggest difference is that there were 2470 people in church this morning!!! That number is right -2470!!!!! I knew the church was large but that is a lot of people:) I was afraid we would be there all day when the pastor said he had two parts to the sermon and 22 points but we actually only had a 2 1/2 hour service :)
We are trying to visit different churches in the Juba area and this was a really good start. Most of the congregations are by tribe and the services are in either the tribal language or in Arabic. It makes for time to think if we can't understand what is being said.
Right now, Lynn is between building projects and the church office people are gone for a week so we are heading to Kenya again for a one week break. It will be good to get away for a little bit, away from the heat, the tension and the dust. It will be good to have different food and even some really good ice-cream. You know, priorities are important and ice-cream is at the top of that list:) We will be doing a little work in Kenya too, with trying to touch base with a group there that will be helping with a project in the town of Pibor here in South Sudan.
So, while there is not really much new going on with us, we are doing well and continue to put our lives in God's hands daily. We continue to be challenged with how to respond to so much need but we are also inspired by the faith of the people around us and by their positive outlook for the future.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
changes
So, It has been almost a month again since I last updated our blog!
We have had some changes in the last month. Lynn has been really busy with the construction of our first school building. This has been interesting as he deals with a contractor who knows no English and does not have a lot of patience with Lynn's slow Arabic. Then there is the teacher who speaks pretty decent English but does not know construction terms and the church Elder that only speaks Murle but helps to make decisions about the building! it makes for very interesting meetings:) We are very thankful that all of these people have a wonderful sense of humor
We have had some changes in the last month. Lynn has been really busy with the construction of our first school building. This has been interesting as he deals with a contractor who knows no English and does not have a lot of patience with Lynn's slow Arabic. Then there is the teacher who speaks pretty decent English but does not know construction terms and the church Elder that only speaks Murle but helps to make decisions about the building! it makes for very interesting meetings:) We are very thankful that all of these people have a wonderful sense of humor
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| Humm, what DID Lynn say?? |
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| John Mushingo, me, Peter Shabak, Peter Gai |
The man in the stripped shirt is the site contractor, Tiro, and the other man, John, is the foreman. John speaks a little English and Tiro even less so communicating is interesting:)
Rev. Peter Gai is the Moderator of Presbyterian Church South Sudan and is also the Chairman of the South Sudan Council of Churches. He was also on the plane with my dad when they were flying in to dedicate the Nuer Bible - the plane that crashed with 22 people on board and not one person was injured, even the woman 7 months pregnant with twins!
Rev. Peter Shabak is the man I work with the most as he is the Treasurer and John gets us money when we need it. These men are a lot of fun to work with even if I could not get them to smile for the picture:) Yes, I feel short around them!!
One of our co-workers, Debbie Blane, left last week. She is in need of a hip transplant and was in a lot of pain here so the best option was to head to the States. Our other co-worker, Leisa, who had ankle surgery is hoping to be back in October. So, changes keep happening and we never know who or what it might be.
I do a lot of walking - exercise in the morning and then walk either to or from the office which is about a 30 minute walk. Then there are the days I walk to the Nile Theological College (15 min one way) or over to the ECS guesthouse (10 min one way) where we meet for short meetings or maybe even to get lunch. Then we walk for groceries, out to eat and to church. I thought when you got older you slowed down and did not do as much physical stuff??!! We are some of the few white people we see out walking so people recognize us now and greet us as we walk by - a nice side effect of not having a car.
I have been working with lots of different people, TEE, NTC, Womens group, PCOSS office, and then with the people in the apartment building and it has been fun to work with so many different people and to hear their stories.
Things remain a little tense here in Juba. No gunfire at night but lots of NGO compounds being broken into and lots of petty theft. We are safe and do not go out at night unless we are in a taxi. During the day I walk all over the place but it is all on main roads. I can still buy Nutella so I stay calm and happy! HA :)
Monday, August 24, 2015
Church, Work and Life
Today we went to church with Manwella.
Manwella is the head house keeper in our apartment building and goes about her work singing praise songs and laughing all day. She has been a real blessing to us by also teaching us Arabic once a week. She attends a very, well lets just say, lively church:) Lots of dancing and very loud preaching! We arrived ten minutes late because of not understanding the directions given us ( our fault, she gave good directions) and 3 hours later we left with the service still going on. It had to be well over 100 degrees in the building and there were some fans but we did not get the benefit of them. I am so glad we went but am not sure if we will go again.
being put to good use these days! He is glad to have a congregation to be working with and they are really anxious to get a school built. It takes him about 40 minutes to get from our bus stop to the one near the church and then about a 10 minute walk to the church. He has taken the Boda Boda (motorcycle taxi) to the church but these drivers are kind of crazy and it is not the safest way to travel so I think(hope) he will use the bus from now on. He even went and bought himself a "briefcase" to carry his papers, measuring tape, bottle of water and calculator in so he looks kind of official now:)
Manwella is the head house keeper in our apartment building and goes about her work singing praise songs and laughing all day. She has been a real blessing to us by also teaching us Arabic once a week. She attends a very, well lets just say, lively church:) Lots of dancing and very loud preaching! We arrived ten minutes late because of not understanding the directions given us ( our fault, she gave good directions) and 3 hours later we left with the service still going on. It had to be well over 100 degrees in the building and there were some fans but we did not get the benefit of them. I am so glad we went but am not sure if we will go again.
Lynn's dresser/desk/ironing board/storage area is
being put to good use these days! He is glad to have a congregation to be working with and they are really anxious to get a school built. It takes him about 40 minutes to get from our bus stop to the one near the church and then about a 10 minute walk to the church. He has taken the Boda Boda (motorcycle taxi) to the church but these drivers are kind of crazy and it is not the safest way to travel so I think(hope) he will use the bus from now on. He even went and bought himself a "briefcase" to carry his papers, measuring tape, bottle of water and calculator in so he looks kind of official now:)
You know, we work really hard long days (?!) so we have to stop and have tea when ever we can:) This place has now become on of my favorite places for tea because I can get toast here! I can't make toast at home and we don't eat out for breakfast so this was my first toast in South Sudan and this was just this month(Aug.)! This place is right across from the church office so when Lynn goes with me we stop over here before trying to get a bus back home.
It is really hard to believe that we have been here for 9 months now! The time has gone really fast and now that we are a little busier I think the time will go even faster. I feel like we are getting settled and starting to feel like there is a reason for our being here:) We have really had to wait on the Lord to show us what He wanted of us and since I am such a patient person that was really easy for me! That should get some comments:) I keep reflecting on how we do not know God's plan for us but that if we step out in faith He will lead. I look at the conditions of people here and am amazed at how they sing and dance to the Lord - I have much to learn from the people of South Sudan.
Juba is a really interesting mix of people. There are a lot of people here from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. These people have all come here to work because they can make a pretty good living for a few years and then go home. The Ethiopians and Eritreans stay longer and are the ones building hotels. You can go to the market and here almost as much Swahili and English as Arabic. The taxi drivers tend to be Kenyan so we speak Swahili to them but in the market it is a mix of Arabic and English.
Lynn and I have been walking every morning (for exercise not to be romantic - Kaye!). This used to be a quiet time for me, a time to pray and think and now I still pray and think but I also have a new way to connect with my husband:) I would never have thought we would be walking together like this!! You know, after having him on the road driving truck for something like 18 years, we have had to learn how to be together 24/7 and we are learning that old (dogs) folks can learn new ways of living.
Hopefully the next blog will have some pictures of the school construction!
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Rain and more rain
I think I better get another entry done or I will be in trouble again for going so long:)
We have been having rain almost every day and while that does bring the temps down to the mid 80's, the humidity is almost 100% and it is worse than Ohio in August! When we (yes, we! Lynn has started walking with me) go walking in the morning the air may be cool but after a few minutes we are sweating like crazy and breathing is hard in the humidity. The mosquitos are REALLY bad right now but since they like Lynn and not me I am not bothered:) I know, not very nice of me is it. We are trying all kinds of sprays and natural traps and not much is working so we may have to give in and buy a mosquito net:( We have liked not having one but with Lynn being bothered every night and even in the evenings we may have to to avoid him getting malaria. The hospitals and clinics are full right now with people with malaria and typhoid. This is normal for this time of year.
I was so proud of myself - I started my own sourdough starter and baked with it but Lynn and I decided that for out here it is just easier to make regular bread. The process is just to long to do here when we have no idea what we will be doing from day to day.
Lynn has been working on plans for schools of different sizes and getting prices for things. I went along with him on one of the price shopping trips and it was fun. We were talking in 3 different languages, Arabic, Swahili and English, and everyone was getting a laugh out of our attempts in Arabic. Lynn is doing pretty good anymore and I, well, I am not doing as well. I do understand but am afraid to try and say anything. Anyway, the lumber places always have guys who are willing to talk with you and help you understand and there is lots of laughing. If Lynn does not understand something that was said I tell them that he is old and cannot hear and I say it in Arabic which really makes them laugh.
I have been going to the office about twice a week and it has been good. The Moderator and the Treasurer are really nice men and we have lots of laughter and good conversations. We do get some work done too!! I usually ride the bus to the office and then walk home (30-40 min). It would work better to walk down and ride back but it is really hard to get a bus back and I don't want to walk both ways - I am NOT that ambitious:)
The General Secretary for the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan is in Khartoum waiting to have back surgery so if you could keep him in your prayers we would appreciate it. He has to wait until he has the funds to have the surgery so we are not sure when it will happen. This makes things interesting in the office since he did a lot of the letter writing and signing of papers but so far the men in the office are making it work.
We are hoping to go to a school site this week and talk with the people there about what they want and let them know what we can do so maybe next entry will have some pictures of that place. It feels so good to actually have something to do!
I can't believe we have been here for 8 months already and that we are looking at the calendar to start planning our trip home next year.
We have been having rain almost every day and while that does bring the temps down to the mid 80's, the humidity is almost 100% and it is worse than Ohio in August! When we (yes, we! Lynn has started walking with me) go walking in the morning the air may be cool but after a few minutes we are sweating like crazy and breathing is hard in the humidity. The mosquitos are REALLY bad right now but since they like Lynn and not me I am not bothered:) I know, not very nice of me is it. We are trying all kinds of sprays and natural traps and not much is working so we may have to give in and buy a mosquito net:( We have liked not having one but with Lynn being bothered every night and even in the evenings we may have to to avoid him getting malaria. The hospitals and clinics are full right now with people with malaria and typhoid. This is normal for this time of year.
I was so proud of myself - I started my own sourdough starter and baked with it but Lynn and I decided that for out here it is just easier to make regular bread. The process is just to long to do here when we have no idea what we will be doing from day to day.
Lynn has been working on plans for schools of different sizes and getting prices for things. I went along with him on one of the price shopping trips and it was fun. We were talking in 3 different languages, Arabic, Swahili and English, and everyone was getting a laugh out of our attempts in Arabic. Lynn is doing pretty good anymore and I, well, I am not doing as well. I do understand but am afraid to try and say anything. Anyway, the lumber places always have guys who are willing to talk with you and help you understand and there is lots of laughing. If Lynn does not understand something that was said I tell them that he is old and cannot hear and I say it in Arabic which really makes them laugh.
I have been going to the office about twice a week and it has been good. The Moderator and the Treasurer are really nice men and we have lots of laughter and good conversations. We do get some work done too!! I usually ride the bus to the office and then walk home (30-40 min). It would work better to walk down and ride back but it is really hard to get a bus back and I don't want to walk both ways - I am NOT that ambitious:)
The General Secretary for the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan is in Khartoum waiting to have back surgery so if you could keep him in your prayers we would appreciate it. He has to wait until he has the funds to have the surgery so we are not sure when it will happen. This makes things interesting in the office since he did a lot of the letter writing and signing of papers but so far the men in the office are making it work.
We are hoping to go to a school site this week and talk with the people there about what they want and let them know what we can do so maybe next entry will have some pictures of that place. It feels so good to actually have something to do!
I can't believe we have been here for 8 months already and that we are looking at the calendar to start planning our trip home next year.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Life gets busier
A friend just reminded me that I have not written since May! I knew it had been a while but not that long. Thanks for the reminder, Shannon.
Life has its seasons and we don't always know the reason for each season. We have had a long season of waiting and wondering. We have been here almost 7 1/2 months and feel like we have accomplished very little and this from people who know that things move slowly here! Maybe this time was for Lynn and I to get used to spending all out time together! HA :) It has also been a time of turning to God and learning to be patient.
I have started going to the church offices a couple of times a week but often it is just to say hi and find there is nothing to do so I return home. I like getting out and even if there is no work I have the chance to visit with the men and that is important too. But things do change and I want to tell you about some of that.
In June Lynn and went to Kenya again for R&R. The day we flew in a co-worker was to fly out on that same plane and we had thought how cool if we saw each other at the airport. She was returning to Juba from her R&R. When we arrived at the airport and went in and had just started to fill out our immigration papers when a lady from the airline approached me and asked if I was Lynn ( here anyone with the name Lynn is a woman ) and it startled me and I said no that that was my husband and took her to Lynn. She said that there was someone who wanted to give us something on the other side of the wall. What?? We asked for more explanation and figured out it was our co-worker and then she told us the person was hurt. So, without filling out paper work they took us to the departure lounge which was just on the other side of the wall from us, and there was our co-worker sitting in a chair with her ankle wrapped up. She had fallen and was not sure if it was broken or if she should go on to Juba. Lynn told her that she should not go to Juba and instead go back into the city with us and get it x-rayed. This was all on the 14th of June. We took her to the ER ( called Casualty here ) and found her ankle was broken in 2 places and would require surgery! Surgery was on the 17th and on the 28th she flew to the States for recovery. She lives on the 3rd floor of our building and there is no elevator and she did not seem to want to be hauled up and down by rope:) Our 2 weeks in Nairobi we spent caring for her and taking care of insurance things for her and we were so thankful that we were able to give her a helping hand. Now, you could say it was coincidence that we were at the airport when this happened but we know this was in Gods plan. Mind you, the 2 times we have gone to Kenya for R&R someone has been admitted to the hospital and so I think we should not go back there! :)
With this co-worker in the States for a while we are trying to pick up some of her work, like doing logistics things for her. Then we found out that the money has come through for 2 schools so that will keep Lynn busy. Our season of waiting seems to be coming to an end.
Life in Juba continues much the same for us. It is such a "hardship" to HAVE to eat Ethiopian food several times a week. (Sorry Russel and Dana, just had to say it) Prices have gone up on a lot of things but so far we have still been able to get whatever we need, well except that I "need" more chocolate than I can find! Oh, one reason to go back to Kenya is I had the best chocolate milkshake I have ever had and it was that good the 3 or 4 times I had one:)
There continues to be heavy fighting north or us and so many places where Aid organizations have had to pull out of. In one town the hospital was targeted. We feel a little more tension in Juba but so far it has been ok to keep doing what we do. I even go walking at 6:30 in the morning and feel safe. The on going war does affect people negatively even though the fighting isn't in Juba. People ( including us) have difficulty making long term plans for fear that whatever they're planning and investing their time in will be destroyed at a later time. The local currency is also being devalued at a steady rate. Imagine that the sugar you bought 6 months ago has doubled or tripled in price but your wages have stayed the same. Many things including food are imported which means businesses must have a way of getting hard currency to buy these goods in neighboring countries. The only real source of hard currency for South Sudan is the oil they sell from the Northern part of the country. That's where the fighting is taking place and thus oil production is affected negatively. Needless to say this makes people unhappy with their government ! Pray for peace for those who are affected here in many direct and indirect ways.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about another really neat things that happened! I had a call from one of our co-workers giving me a phone number for someone here in Juba who was supposed to be a relative. What in the world? I don't have relatives here! I called the number and this lady answers and I say who I am and then tell her I have no idea who I am talking to. She laughs and says her name is Sara Sawylka. Yes I recognized that last name but was not real sure of the connection. She had been at a meeting where the moderator of our church was a speaker and after the meeting she asked him if he knew the name Robb McLaughlin and he said " yes, and did you know his daughter is here in Juba?" So, numbers were exchanged and we met up for supper and she lives about a 5 minute walk from us. It is truly a small world. She is a second cousin once removed. Tim, I think we share a great grandfather?
So, all in all, we continue doing what we do - wait. It makes being away from everyone even harder but we still know we are where we are supposed to be. Hearing from so many of you keeps us feeling connected. It is hard to believe that we will be back in the States in less than a year so while we are waiting the time has been going quickly.
Life has its seasons and we don't always know the reason for each season. We have had a long season of waiting and wondering. We have been here almost 7 1/2 months and feel like we have accomplished very little and this from people who know that things move slowly here! Maybe this time was for Lynn and I to get used to spending all out time together! HA :) It has also been a time of turning to God and learning to be patient.
I have started going to the church offices a couple of times a week but often it is just to say hi and find there is nothing to do so I return home. I like getting out and even if there is no work I have the chance to visit with the men and that is important too. But things do change and I want to tell you about some of that.
In June Lynn and went to Kenya again for R&R. The day we flew in a co-worker was to fly out on that same plane and we had thought how cool if we saw each other at the airport. She was returning to Juba from her R&R. When we arrived at the airport and went in and had just started to fill out our immigration papers when a lady from the airline approached me and asked if I was Lynn ( here anyone with the name Lynn is a woman ) and it startled me and I said no that that was my husband and took her to Lynn. She said that there was someone who wanted to give us something on the other side of the wall. What?? We asked for more explanation and figured out it was our co-worker and then she told us the person was hurt. So, without filling out paper work they took us to the departure lounge which was just on the other side of the wall from us, and there was our co-worker sitting in a chair with her ankle wrapped up. She had fallen and was not sure if it was broken or if she should go on to Juba. Lynn told her that she should not go to Juba and instead go back into the city with us and get it x-rayed. This was all on the 14th of June. We took her to the ER ( called Casualty here ) and found her ankle was broken in 2 places and would require surgery! Surgery was on the 17th and on the 28th she flew to the States for recovery. She lives on the 3rd floor of our building and there is no elevator and she did not seem to want to be hauled up and down by rope:) Our 2 weeks in Nairobi we spent caring for her and taking care of insurance things for her and we were so thankful that we were able to give her a helping hand. Now, you could say it was coincidence that we were at the airport when this happened but we know this was in Gods plan. Mind you, the 2 times we have gone to Kenya for R&R someone has been admitted to the hospital and so I think we should not go back there! :)
With this co-worker in the States for a while we are trying to pick up some of her work, like doing logistics things for her. Then we found out that the money has come through for 2 schools so that will keep Lynn busy. Our season of waiting seems to be coming to an end.
Life in Juba continues much the same for us. It is such a "hardship" to HAVE to eat Ethiopian food several times a week. (Sorry Russel and Dana, just had to say it) Prices have gone up on a lot of things but so far we have still been able to get whatever we need, well except that I "need" more chocolate than I can find! Oh, one reason to go back to Kenya is I had the best chocolate milkshake I have ever had and it was that good the 3 or 4 times I had one:)
There continues to be heavy fighting north or us and so many places where Aid organizations have had to pull out of. In one town the hospital was targeted. We feel a little more tension in Juba but so far it has been ok to keep doing what we do. I even go walking at 6:30 in the morning and feel safe. The on going war does affect people negatively even though the fighting isn't in Juba. People ( including us) have difficulty making long term plans for fear that whatever they're planning and investing their time in will be destroyed at a later time. The local currency is also being devalued at a steady rate. Imagine that the sugar you bought 6 months ago has doubled or tripled in price but your wages have stayed the same. Many things including food are imported which means businesses must have a way of getting hard currency to buy these goods in neighboring countries. The only real source of hard currency for South Sudan is the oil they sell from the Northern part of the country. That's where the fighting is taking place and thus oil production is affected negatively. Needless to say this makes people unhappy with their government ! Pray for peace for those who are affected here in many direct and indirect ways.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about another really neat things that happened! I had a call from one of our co-workers giving me a phone number for someone here in Juba who was supposed to be a relative. What in the world? I don't have relatives here! I called the number and this lady answers and I say who I am and then tell her I have no idea who I am talking to. She laughs and says her name is Sara Sawylka. Yes I recognized that last name but was not real sure of the connection. She had been at a meeting where the moderator of our church was a speaker and after the meeting she asked him if he knew the name Robb McLaughlin and he said " yes, and did you know his daughter is here in Juba?" So, numbers were exchanged and we met up for supper and she lives about a 5 minute walk from us. It is truly a small world. She is a second cousin once removed. Tim, I think we share a great grandfather?
So, all in all, we continue doing what we do - wait. It makes being away from everyone even harder but we still know we are where we are supposed to be. Hearing from so many of you keeps us feeling connected. It is hard to believe that we will be back in the States in less than a year so while we are waiting the time has been going quickly.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
A short break
Last week I (Sharon) had the opportunity to go on a trip with a co-worker to Bor and Mingkaman.
Those places are northeast of Juba, about a 40 minute plane ride. We left on Wednesday, spent the day in and around Bor and then on Thursday we went to Mingkaman. To get there we had to go on a 40 minute boat ride. I admit, I was really excited for the boat ride!! The boat could seat 15 easily and then there was room for sacks of grain. It also had a nice canopy over it. So many thoughts about my parents as we rode along the river (which the locals call the Nile but I don't think it is). I thought a lot about my brothers - ok, I was really hoping they would be jealous! LOL We came back on Friday and was back in our apartment by 11 am, so it really was a quick trip.
The trip was just what I needed. In my last post I talked about being depressed and God gave me just what I needed - God is SO good. It was good to talk to people about what they have accomplished and what they hope to do yet and their dreams for their country. They shared their concerns for the education system when they found out what I was here to do and they encouraged me in learning Arabic.
Here are a few pics from the river ride - wish I could go back and take more pics but these will have to do.
I had a great time and hope I can go again with Nancy.
As many of you have heard, PC(USA) has had to recall several missionaries home due to insufficient funds. A couple here with us Juba are among those called home. They will be leaving on the 18 of this month and will be missed. Please remember them as they go through the adjustment of returning to the States.
Guess what?!? I actually went to the office yesterday and talked with the treasurer about my coming in to work and talked about how we see things working for us. We also went through a list of things that need to be done. I was not there very long but it sure felt good to "do" something.:)
Those places are northeast of Juba, about a 40 minute plane ride. We left on Wednesday, spent the day in and around Bor and then on Thursday we went to Mingkaman. To get there we had to go on a 40 minute boat ride. I admit, I was really excited for the boat ride!! The boat could seat 15 easily and then there was room for sacks of grain. It also had a nice canopy over it. So many thoughts about my parents as we rode along the river (which the locals call the Nile but I don't think it is). I thought a lot about my brothers - ok, I was really hoping they would be jealous! LOL We came back on Friday and was back in our apartment by 11 am, so it really was a quick trip.
The trip was just what I needed. In my last post I talked about being depressed and God gave me just what I needed - God is SO good. It was good to talk to people about what they have accomplished and what they hope to do yet and their dreams for their country. They shared their concerns for the education system when they found out what I was here to do and they encouraged me in learning Arabic.
Here are a few pics from the river ride - wish I could go back and take more pics but these will have to do.
I had a great time and hope I can go again with Nancy.
As many of you have heard, PC(USA) has had to recall several missionaries home due to insufficient funds. A couple here with us Juba are among those called home. They will be leaving on the 18 of this month and will be missed. Please remember them as they go through the adjustment of returning to the States.
Guess what?!? I actually went to the office yesterday and talked with the treasurer about my coming in to work and talked about how we see things working for us. We also went through a list of things that need to be done. I was not there very long but it sure felt good to "do" something.:)
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Something to do.
Ok, I admit to being a little depressed and bored. We have not had the language help we needed for the last month so it has been boring on that front. I have tried to go to the church offices to start getting acquainted with the system they use BUT the men have been gone for the last 3 weeks so here I sit. We still try to find things to do several days a week and we have one language helper on Saturdays but for the most part it is sit around and try to find something to do.
We have had some things going on. Michael Weller, who lives in Ethiopia, has been here several times in the last month and that has been nice to have someone different to talk to plus he has given us some things to do. Michael is our Regional Liaison and is handing over some of his work to Lynn and he has been introducing us to people. Michael also happens to be married to my ( Sharon ) good friend from growing up in Ethiopia so we have lots to talk about:) Michael and Rachel just went to the States and my oldest brother sent a birthday gift along with them when they came back - a pan to make hot dog buns in!! I did not even know there was such a thing! So, now we can have hotdogs for supper once in a while:)
Things continue to not look good for peace. There has been renewed fighting in the Malakal area and people are frustrated with the government. We do wonder if there will be another big blow up and pray that that does not happen. Don't worry about us - if it does happen we can get out quickly.
We now have all the missionaries here in country that are supposed to be here with the last one arriving April 2. This means that in our building we have 7 PCUSA people spread out on all 3 floors.
This is when having such a small place is really a pain cause I can't have everyone over for a meal or really even for cake or sodas. I bake and then make the rounds just giving the stuff away rather than having people in to help eat it. Well, the only one who comes in to see what I have to eat is one of the workers here, he is the maintenance guy and likes to practice his English with us.
We continue to believe that we are where God wants us to be. It is hard when we have so little to do right now. It is easy to get discouraged and wonder why we came here but God has His ways of reminding us that we just need to do as He asks and that when the time is right He will show us His plans for us. Waiting has never been my strong point:) ( I can hear our kids saying AMEN that).
I am sorry that it took me so long to post the Easter blog -I wanted Lynn to read it and we both kept forgetting. So, now you are getting two of them back to back.
We are enjoying the rainy season. Things are a little cooler these days (88) and it is actually nice and cool when I go for my walk in the morning. We get rain for a day or two and then none for several days. When it does rain it rains long and hard and the roads are a muddy mess but then the next day things are drying up quickly. People are planting where ever they can and it is nice to see things so green.
What do you want to hear about? Leave a comment or email me.
We have had some things going on. Michael Weller, who lives in Ethiopia, has been here several times in the last month and that has been nice to have someone different to talk to plus he has given us some things to do. Michael is our Regional Liaison and is handing over some of his work to Lynn and he has been introducing us to people. Michael also happens to be married to my ( Sharon ) good friend from growing up in Ethiopia so we have lots to talk about:) Michael and Rachel just went to the States and my oldest brother sent a birthday gift along with them when they came back - a pan to make hot dog buns in!! I did not even know there was such a thing! So, now we can have hotdogs for supper once in a while:)
Things continue to not look good for peace. There has been renewed fighting in the Malakal area and people are frustrated with the government. We do wonder if there will be another big blow up and pray that that does not happen. Don't worry about us - if it does happen we can get out quickly.
We now have all the missionaries here in country that are supposed to be here with the last one arriving April 2. This means that in our building we have 7 PCUSA people spread out on all 3 floors.
This is when having such a small place is really a pain cause I can't have everyone over for a meal or really even for cake or sodas. I bake and then make the rounds just giving the stuff away rather than having people in to help eat it. Well, the only one who comes in to see what I have to eat is one of the workers here, he is the maintenance guy and likes to practice his English with us.
We continue to believe that we are where God wants us to be. It is hard when we have so little to do right now. It is easy to get discouraged and wonder why we came here but God has His ways of reminding us that we just need to do as He asks and that when the time is right He will show us His plans for us. Waiting has never been my strong point:) ( I can hear our kids saying AMEN that).
I am sorry that it took me so long to post the Easter blog -I wanted Lynn to read it and we both kept forgetting. So, now you are getting two of them back to back.
We are enjoying the rainy season. Things are a little cooler these days (88) and it is actually nice and cool when I go for my walk in the morning. We get rain for a day or two and then none for several days. When it does rain it rains long and hard and the roads are a muddy mess but then the next day things are drying up quickly. People are planting where ever they can and it is nice to see things so green.
What do you want to hear about? Leave a comment or email me.
Easter
Our first Easter in Juba. I had great expectations for this Easter. I told Lynn I wanted to go to an English speaking service so I could actually understand what was being said. We normally go to an Arabic service to try and hear more Arabic and learn some new words. Of course, this Sunday, the buses took forever to fill up ( they are about a 14 seater van) and they will not go until they are full! So, we were late for church but when the service goes 2 hours that is not all bad :). We got in on some of the singing, all of the announcements, more singing and then it was 10:24 and the service is supposed to end at 10:45 (there is another service at 11) and we still needed to have the sermon and communion! The preacher preached fast and we quickly had communion and as the last person received the wine we were dismissed. It was not how I envisioned our Easter being but it was ok. It reminded me that Easter and any other service at any time of year, is what you make of it. I can decide to worship no matter what the situation and make it a meaningful time for me. I can always go home and listen to the music I want to hear, read the scripture I want to and meditate on the Glory of God. It is what we make it. So, while it was not what I had in mind for Easter Sunday, it was still a time with other believers and a time to reflect on what Easter means to me.
We are enjoying cooler temperatures these days - only 88 - 95 with rain about 4 times a week. It is overcast most every day which really helps when out walking around. I have been getting up early and going for a walk while it is still cool. I have been amazed at how many people are out running in the morning and they are not all expats! It is kind of fun to see the city coming awake at 6:30 in the morning. Mind you, I think the guards here at the apartment think I am crazy but, oh well.:)
We are still having trouble with getting a language helper. We do have one that we meet with once a week and she is really helping us, but the others have wanted WAY to much money so we are not sure what to do now. I will be starting work next week at the church offices just because I need to be doing something and since language is not happening I may as well get to work. I will be helping the Treasurer with learning how to do reporting of funds received and spent. We will both be learning a new program so this could get interesting! I will also be working with the General Secretary of the Church helping with anything he needs help with. These men both speak English so that will not be a problem but working in a small room with no air conditioning or even fans will be ....interesting.
Things here in Juba have been quiet but in other areas there has been fighting again. In the Malakal area ( where I lived until I was 4 ) there has been fighting again this week(and just about every week).
There is still uncertainty about what may happen between the two leaders here and so people are edge. All anyone wants is peace!
Lynn continues to be doing well. He is back to his normal, ornery self. It is interesting that while we were in Nairobi for Lynn's kidney stones, the General Secretary of the Church went to Khartoum with the same problem and then Lynn's mother had a kidney stone! Who knew that Lynn could be such a trend setter:)
Ok, enough rambling for this time! We miss all of you and love hearing from you.
We are enjoying cooler temperatures these days - only 88 - 95 with rain about 4 times a week. It is overcast most every day which really helps when out walking around. I have been getting up early and going for a walk while it is still cool. I have been amazed at how many people are out running in the morning and they are not all expats! It is kind of fun to see the city coming awake at 6:30 in the morning. Mind you, I think the guards here at the apartment think I am crazy but, oh well.:)
We are still having trouble with getting a language helper. We do have one that we meet with once a week and she is really helping us, but the others have wanted WAY to much money so we are not sure what to do now. I will be starting work next week at the church offices just because I need to be doing something and since language is not happening I may as well get to work. I will be helping the Treasurer with learning how to do reporting of funds received and spent. We will both be learning a new program so this could get interesting! I will also be working with the General Secretary of the Church helping with anything he needs help with. These men both speak English so that will not be a problem but working in a small room with no air conditioning or even fans will be ....interesting.
Things here in Juba have been quiet but in other areas there has been fighting again. In the Malakal area ( where I lived until I was 4 ) there has been fighting again this week(and just about every week).
There is still uncertainty about what may happen between the two leaders here and so people are edge. All anyone wants is peace!
Lynn continues to be doing well. He is back to his normal, ornery self. It is interesting that while we were in Nairobi for Lynn's kidney stones, the General Secretary of the Church went to Khartoum with the same problem and then Lynn's mother had a kidney stone! Who knew that Lynn could be such a trend setter:)
Ok, enough rambling for this time! We miss all of you and love hearing from you.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Back to Juba
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| mosquito net over the hospital bed :) |
Lynn did get an MRI and a CT scan done. The scan showed one large stone and several smaller stones right behind it so no wonder he was in a lot of pain. All the tests they did that first day came back kind of scary, they said his kidneys were working at less than 50% and other numbers were off also. Not what you want to hear when you are far from home. On day 13 of pain he finally passed the stone but by then he was so worn down it was hard for him to eat and drink like he needed to and he ended up in the hospital with dehydration and a fever but was discharged after only 2 nights in the hospital.
I feel like the last 2 weeks would need about 6 blogs just to get caught up!
Some things we learned:
1. Every time you go to the Dr or get any kind of test done at the hospital you need a letter from your insurance promising to pay the bill. It does not matter if you were there the day before for the same test, you better have a letter.
2. God provides support where ever you are.
3. I (Sharon) do not have any patience for dealing with people in the States who are supposed to know how to handle things, insurance wise, in another country and don't believe me when I say I cannot get a certain phone number for them.
4. It is easy to pick up with friends you have not seen for 20+ years
5. The food in the hospital was served stove hot.
6. God is good!
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| I love that whenever we go to Nairobi we see beautiful flowers! |
7. Even good guesthouse food gets old after 2 weeks.
8. Even with all the uncertainty at first with Lynn's health, we felt the prayers of you all and we knew that God was in control - even when it was hard for us to pray.
9. In Kenya, Lynn is a girls name only, so at the hospital everyone was getting a good laugh out of his name. Yes, Lynn fed into the jokes all the time.
Lynn did get a real ego boost our first day in Kenya. When we went down to get an appt. for the MRI the lady there wanted to know where the person was who was getting the MRI. When I pointed at Lynn, who was standing right there and talking to her she said there was no way Lynn is 60 years old! She was looking behind us to find an old man :) She thought Lynn was 45!!
We did enjoy getting away from the heat of Juba and even though I would not call it a relaxing time away we were still ready to get back to Juba and try to get into a normal routine again. We are hoping to find another language teacher and continue with learning Arabic.
There is really no way I can express how much your emails meant to us during that time. I know some of you felt like you did not want to "bother" us but reading those is no bother and I answer as I can.
Please continue to pray for Lynn to gain strength. Pray also for South Sudan.
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| Headed back to Juba! |
Friday, March 6, 2015
Traveling Fun
Well, our adventure continues! We are taking a little break in Nairobi, Kenya and the process of getting here was....interesting.
We were to be at the Juba airport at 2pm for check in and when they say 2 they mean 2 and not one minute before! We arrived 20 minutes early and while the people were at the desk they said not before 2, so okay, we wait. At 2 the people behind the desk get up and leave! So, wait a minute, you said wait until 2 and then you leave???? They came back in about 10 minutes with 2 briefcases which at first we thought were computers and since the power had just gone off we thought, oh boy, but the cases were full of boarding passes, luggage tags etc. Ok, so now we get checked in, someone takes our suitcase to weigh and we try to keep track of it through the crowd. Oh, and it is over 100 degrees, no air-conditioning and no breeze, just sweat running down the body in rivers. Ok, get our suitcase back and tagged, now what? Oh, on to immigration, ok. At immigration they have one of those things that scans your face but they can't have air-conditioning in the building? I love Juba:) Done with immigration and off to go through security and into another HOT room where there are no empty seats so we stand until a plane boards and then there is a rush for the empty seats. Guess what? there is air-conditioning in the room - you just have to sit right beside the air-conditioner to feel it! I was just glad to have a seat! Our plane was to leave at 4 with boarding at 3:30. Mind you, someone just walks through the area announcing boarding so you have to pay attention. At about 5 til 4 they announce our plane and we go to the door where someone leads across the tarmac, under the wings of other airplanes, around airplanes, through other people getting off airplanes and finally to our airplane which I think was the furthest from the building. At the plane you go over to a cart, identify your suitcases and then they put them on the plane - it was nice to know our suitcase was going to be on the plane with us.
We arrive in Nairobi and, wow, was I impressed with the airport! Mind you, it has been 20 years since I was last here so things should have changed. We landed and went through immigration, got our suitcase, went through customs and were outside in less than 30 minutes!!!! We we got off the airplane we went down the steps and walked over to a bus that would take us to the building. Well, when we got off the airplane it was breezy and cool - maybe 70 degrees and it felt great! I know, I know, we have been bragging about our hot weather but I will admit that Juba is just plain HOT so this felt really good. Now, don't get me wrong, I will take Juba weather any day over what Ohio has been getting this winter!
So, here we are at Amani Gardens Inn ( formerly the Mennonite Guesthouse ) in Nairobi, for a week. We have stayed here many times years ago, but things have changed - new buildings, different meal set up but the feel is still the same. This is a little piece of heaven. Beautiful gardens, big play area for kids, tennis court, friendly people. A chance to recharge the body.
We are also going to get some medical things taken care of while here and do some shopping for things we can't get in Juba.
I could not get this posted yesterday so I can give a bit of an update today.
We spent most of the day yesterday at the hospital getting tests done on Lynn. We still have some more to do but would really appreciate your prayers. Lynn is having trouble with pain in the kidney area and the Dr. here in Nairobi wants to do an MRI on Monday.
One thing about Nairobi that has changed that we really do not like is the traffic. I think we could have walked back from the hospital faster than the taxi drove! It is nothing for a 20 min ride to take an hour! I am really glad I do not have to drive in this city. What is normally a 1 hour drive to the airport can now take close to 3 hours depending on the time of day. There is a very narrow window that you can do it in the 1 hour.
We are blessed to have all of you praying for us.
We were to be at the Juba airport at 2pm for check in and when they say 2 they mean 2 and not one minute before! We arrived 20 minutes early and while the people were at the desk they said not before 2, so okay, we wait. At 2 the people behind the desk get up and leave! So, wait a minute, you said wait until 2 and then you leave???? They came back in about 10 minutes with 2 briefcases which at first we thought were computers and since the power had just gone off we thought, oh boy, but the cases were full of boarding passes, luggage tags etc. Ok, so now we get checked in, someone takes our suitcase to weigh and we try to keep track of it through the crowd. Oh, and it is over 100 degrees, no air-conditioning and no breeze, just sweat running down the body in rivers. Ok, get our suitcase back and tagged, now what? Oh, on to immigration, ok. At immigration they have one of those things that scans your face but they can't have air-conditioning in the building? I love Juba:) Done with immigration and off to go through security and into another HOT room where there are no empty seats so we stand until a plane boards and then there is a rush for the empty seats. Guess what? there is air-conditioning in the room - you just have to sit right beside the air-conditioner to feel it! I was just glad to have a seat! Our plane was to leave at 4 with boarding at 3:30. Mind you, someone just walks through the area announcing boarding so you have to pay attention. At about 5 til 4 they announce our plane and we go to the door where someone leads across the tarmac, under the wings of other airplanes, around airplanes, through other people getting off airplanes and finally to our airplane which I think was the furthest from the building. At the plane you go over to a cart, identify your suitcases and then they put them on the plane - it was nice to know our suitcase was going to be on the plane with us.
We arrive in Nairobi and, wow, was I impressed with the airport! Mind you, it has been 20 years since I was last here so things should have changed. We landed and went through immigration, got our suitcase, went through customs and were outside in less than 30 minutes!!!! We we got off the airplane we went down the steps and walked over to a bus that would take us to the building. Well, when we got off the airplane it was breezy and cool - maybe 70 degrees and it felt great! I know, I know, we have been bragging about our hot weather but I will admit that Juba is just plain HOT so this felt really good. Now, don't get me wrong, I will take Juba weather any day over what Ohio has been getting this winter!
So, here we are at Amani Gardens Inn ( formerly the Mennonite Guesthouse ) in Nairobi, for a week. We have stayed here many times years ago, but things have changed - new buildings, different meal set up but the feel is still the same. This is a little piece of heaven. Beautiful gardens, big play area for kids, tennis court, friendly people. A chance to recharge the body.
We are also going to get some medical things taken care of while here and do some shopping for things we can't get in Juba.
I could not get this posted yesterday so I can give a bit of an update today.
We spent most of the day yesterday at the hospital getting tests done on Lynn. We still have some more to do but would really appreciate your prayers. Lynn is having trouble with pain in the kidney area and the Dr. here in Nairobi wants to do an MRI on Monday.
One thing about Nairobi that has changed that we really do not like is the traffic. I think we could have walked back from the hospital faster than the taxi drove! It is nothing for a 20 min ride to take an hour! I am really glad I do not have to drive in this city. What is normally a 1 hour drive to the airport can now take close to 3 hours depending on the time of day. There is a very narrow window that you can do it in the 1 hour.
We are blessed to have all of you praying for us.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
I keep seeing how cold it is in Ohio and all the snow that they have and I keep thinking " THANK YOU, God for allowing me to be here, in Juba, where it is 104 today. Now, I am not really trying to rub it in ( ok, maybe a little ) I am just very thankful I am not in that cold and snow!
We are almost two months into learning Juba Arabic and we can now say....... well I am not sure WHAT we can say:) We both thought we were doing about as good as could be expected and then we tried to talk to the taxi driver and he looked at us like we were speaking gibberish. What we have realized is that there are about 3 different levels of Juba Arabic and while we thought we could aim for the middle one we have found out that we need the top two. This means that for a lot of the words we have to learn 2 different ones or at least understand one and use the other. Now, for our tired brains, this is proving difficult. There has been progress in that the one shop keeper seems to like that we are trying to learn a little more classical Arabic and is willing for us to try our luck with him. Actually, I think we could ask basic directions (very basic) and maybe even understand the directions given. We have started going to and Arabic church service just to get used to hearing the language and picking out words that we know. We are pretty proud of ourselves when we get the chapter and verse of scripture, now if we could just figure out which book they are in!
We were cautioned that it may not be a good idea for Lynn and I to be in class together but we have found that it has been good for both of us. Interestingly, I hear the language(right now) better than Lynn but he remembers words and speaks it better than I do. So, I listen and he talks!:) I know, I know, I can hear the comments now - be nice!
We continue to explore the city. Lynn has had great luck in finding little grocery stores that carry wonderful items like almonds ( about the same price as in the States), cocoa from Saudi Arabia and Ferrerro Roche chocolates! It is kind of like a treasure hunt when we go to new areas. We also keep trying new restaurants and little cafes that serve ice-cream (mango flavored!) so we are not suffering.
Lynn had a meeting with a man from one of the villages that wants a school built and so while we are not officially on the job, we are trying to do some things around language school. It is nice to have something to think about besides Arabic and my lack of grammar skills. :) Most of the people we work with, like this man, know English so we can get by but when you see how pleased people are that we are trying to learn Arabic it gives us the push to keep going.
We really do like to hear from all of you! It is nice to know our ramblings are being read and that people are praying for us. I think it is those prayers that have been getting us through language school and spending all of our time together. As most of you know, Lynn used to drive truck and would be gone from Sunday evening to Friday evening so this has been a huge change for us.
Please continue to pray for peace here in South Sudan, for the people as they put their lives back together and for the love of God to be felt here. Know that we are praying for all of you.
We are almost two months into learning Juba Arabic and we can now say....... well I am not sure WHAT we can say:) We both thought we were doing about as good as could be expected and then we tried to talk to the taxi driver and he looked at us like we were speaking gibberish. What we have realized is that there are about 3 different levels of Juba Arabic and while we thought we could aim for the middle one we have found out that we need the top two. This means that for a lot of the words we have to learn 2 different ones or at least understand one and use the other. Now, for our tired brains, this is proving difficult. There has been progress in that the one shop keeper seems to like that we are trying to learn a little more classical Arabic and is willing for us to try our luck with him. Actually, I think we could ask basic directions (very basic) and maybe even understand the directions given. We have started going to and Arabic church service just to get used to hearing the language and picking out words that we know. We are pretty proud of ourselves when we get the chapter and verse of scripture, now if we could just figure out which book they are in!
We were cautioned that it may not be a good idea for Lynn and I to be in class together but we have found that it has been good for both of us. Interestingly, I hear the language(right now) better than Lynn but he remembers words and speaks it better than I do. So, I listen and he talks!:) I know, I know, I can hear the comments now - be nice!
We continue to explore the city. Lynn has had great luck in finding little grocery stores that carry wonderful items like almonds ( about the same price as in the States), cocoa from Saudi Arabia and Ferrerro Roche chocolates! It is kind of like a treasure hunt when we go to new areas. We also keep trying new restaurants and little cafes that serve ice-cream (mango flavored!) so we are not suffering.
Lynn had a meeting with a man from one of the villages that wants a school built and so while we are not officially on the job, we are trying to do some things around language school. It is nice to have something to think about besides Arabic and my lack of grammar skills. :) Most of the people we work with, like this man, know English so we can get by but when you see how pleased people are that we are trying to learn Arabic it gives us the push to keep going.
We really do like to hear from all of you! It is nice to know our ramblings are being read and that people are praying for us. I think it is those prayers that have been getting us through language school and spending all of our time together. As most of you know, Lynn used to drive truck and would be gone from Sunday evening to Friday evening so this has been a huge change for us.
Please continue to pray for peace here in South Sudan, for the people as they put their lives back together and for the love of God to be felt here. Know that we are praying for all of you.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Pochalla Trip
December 23, 2014
For those of you who were doubters I "Lynn" a soon to be 60 year old am actually making a blog entry (I can't believe it either)An MAF plane arrives in Pochalla, South Sudan with a bunch of westerners hoping to some day make a small difference in a small village. A choir is singing and probably 200 people show up to welcome the long awaited arrival of these people. Maybe Pochalla will some day have a school ! Pochalla is so remote that change is almost unimaginable. Sandwiched between two rivers access is very difficult. Plane, funny as it may seem is one of the few ways to get to Pochalla. By foot is the other sure way. Trucks, pretty much impossible unless you have a 6 wheel drive army truck and it's the dry season so the river will only be 4' feet deep.
The river in the photo below is the Akobo River . The land on the opposite side is actually Ethiopia. Pochalla is a beautiful town and I wouldn't mind living there but the area also presents many challenges. Peaceful and quiet yes. Also no schools, medical care, internet service, phones, etc.
It will likely be the end of this year before much of anything will be happening in Pochalla, but we hope to make a difference there with time.
Prayer concerns for the Kandels:
Language learning
Continued good health
Smooth transition to our new roles once we finish language learning.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Learning Arabic
This will probably be a short one.
Our big news is that we finally have a language teacher and have had 4 classes so far! Lynn and I are learning from the same person at the same time even tho we had first wanted our own teachers. This seems to be working pretty good for us - I can hear what is being said and I tell Lynn and then he knows how to answer! :) We are recording the classes so that we can listen to them later to pick up what we missed the first time around. The classes are for 1 - 1 1/2 hours and my the time we are done so is my brain.
Now that we are learning some Arabic we hope that we will be able to move around the city with more ease. Many people know at least some English but when asking directions it will be helpful to know Arabic.
Saturday we spent 3 hours trying to find a hotel on the outskirts of town and never did find it. We will go back and try again now that we have a better idea of where to look. Lucky for us it was not as hot on Saturday - only about 93 - so walking around all that time was not to bad. This place we are looking for is supposed to have pretty good "American" food and we thought it would be fun to try.
How could I forget my other big news??? I found baking cocoa!!!! That makes for a very happy Sharon :) We have been eating mangos ( hoping to make my brothers jealous) and papaya and even some passion fruit.
Okay, that is all I have for now. We are looking forward to some visitors next week from our head offices in Louisville so maybe next time I will have some travel things to write about.
Our big news is that we finally have a language teacher and have had 4 classes so far! Lynn and I are learning from the same person at the same time even tho we had first wanted our own teachers. This seems to be working pretty good for us - I can hear what is being said and I tell Lynn and then he knows how to answer! :) We are recording the classes so that we can listen to them later to pick up what we missed the first time around. The classes are for 1 - 1 1/2 hours and my the time we are done so is my brain.
Now that we are learning some Arabic we hope that we will be able to move around the city with more ease. Many people know at least some English but when asking directions it will be helpful to know Arabic.
Saturday we spent 3 hours trying to find a hotel on the outskirts of town and never did find it. We will go back and try again now that we have a better idea of where to look. Lucky for us it was not as hot on Saturday - only about 93 - so walking around all that time was not to bad. This place we are looking for is supposed to have pretty good "American" food and we thought it would be fun to try.
How could I forget my other big news??? I found baking cocoa!!!! That makes for a very happy Sharon :) We have been eating mangos ( hoping to make my brothers jealous) and papaya and even some passion fruit.
Okay, that is all I have for now. We are looking forward to some visitors next week from our head offices in Louisville so maybe next time I will have some travel things to write about.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Happy New Year!
We had an interesting night New Years Eve. The singing at the church behind us started at 10 pm then at midnight the church bells started going as well as the fireworks. At 1 pm things quieted down for about 5 minutes and then the LOUD, kind of like rock, music started and it went all until 3 or so. to say the least, it was not a restful night!
We did not go to church on New Years Day and the lady who cleans our apartment scolded me for that. She said" It is an important day and you should go to church on important days!" Guess I got put in my place:) This woman is wonderful - she has been helping us learn the greetings in Arabic and she always puts me in a good mood cause she is always singing Christian songs as she cleans.
We are feeling a little more comfortable here. This last week we have been taking the "bus" different places just to see what is around and how the bus system works. Our first big outing was to find where Lynn lived 34 years ago. After emailing a friend in Kenya who got us in contact with people living on the SIL compound here and getting their phone number and then directions, we set out. When you get a bus here, you go to the bus stop and there are 4 lines of buses and they each have their own area that they go to. Now, we knew that we needed to get to the Juba University but did not know which bus to take so we get to the buses and just start asking around and finally are told to get on the bus that goes to Customs. Ok, we get on the bus and Lynn asks a guy if he will tell us when to get off and another guy speaks up and says that is where he is going so we just following him. We get off the bus and have no idea which way to go so again we ask and get some sort of directions. Another phone call and we are on the right road wondering down it and we see another foreigner standing outside a gate and, yup, that is our guy looking for some lost folks:) It was great to see the place and see all the changes that have happened. We then walked 1 1/2 hours to get home. All that to say that we are finding our way around town and it feels good to be able to get where we need to go.
We are looking forward to 2015. We pray it is a year of peace here in South Sudan and a year for people to start putting their lives back together. We also pray for each of you and give thanks for the support that you all are giving us.
We had an interesting night New Years Eve. The singing at the church behind us started at 10 pm then at midnight the church bells started going as well as the fireworks. At 1 pm things quieted down for about 5 minutes and then the LOUD, kind of like rock, music started and it went all until 3 or so. to say the least, it was not a restful night!
We did not go to church on New Years Day and the lady who cleans our apartment scolded me for that. She said" It is an important day and you should go to church on important days!" Guess I got put in my place:) This woman is wonderful - she has been helping us learn the greetings in Arabic and she always puts me in a good mood cause she is always singing Christian songs as she cleans.
We are feeling a little more comfortable here. This last week we have been taking the "bus" different places just to see what is around and how the bus system works. Our first big outing was to find where Lynn lived 34 years ago. After emailing a friend in Kenya who got us in contact with people living on the SIL compound here and getting their phone number and then directions, we set out. When you get a bus here, you go to the bus stop and there are 4 lines of buses and they each have their own area that they go to. Now, we knew that we needed to get to the Juba University but did not know which bus to take so we get to the buses and just start asking around and finally are told to get on the bus that goes to Customs. Ok, we get on the bus and Lynn asks a guy if he will tell us when to get off and another guy speaks up and says that is where he is going so we just following him. We get off the bus and have no idea which way to go so again we ask and get some sort of directions. Another phone call and we are on the right road wondering down it and we see another foreigner standing outside a gate and, yup, that is our guy looking for some lost folks:) It was great to see the place and see all the changes that have happened. We then walked 1 1/2 hours to get home. All that to say that we are finding our way around town and it feels good to be able to get where we need to go.
We are looking forward to 2015. We pray it is a year of peace here in South Sudan and a year for people to start putting their lives back together. We also pray for each of you and give thanks for the support that you all are giving us.
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