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.

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.