We are at New Wilmington Mission Conference in Western Pa. SOOOO many people to talk to, catch up with and get to know! People that know my oldest brother from Shutz in Egypt to people who saw me at 2 weeks old. Stories upon stories. I had forgotten what this place could feel like when you know lots of people.:)
Bumps in the road again. We are delaying our return to South Sudan until September or later, depending on the situation in South Sudan. With the recent events in Juba and so many people being evacuated and still so much uncertainty it is better to wait for things to settle down. This is disappointing to us as we feel ready to return and yet it is nice to know we will have a little more time with our families.
So many thoughts are going through my mind these days. Wondering about our friends in South Sudan, wondering what we will be doing for the next month or so and then wondering what God's plan is in all of this. This delay is nice because we get to see our grandkids start the new school year, we get to touch base with some folks we have not seen yet and of course now there is more time for shopping. Unfortunately there is also more time to eat ice cream and gain weight!:)
I can't believe how fast the summer has gone! When we first arrived it felt like May was taking a long time(and I was happy about that!) and then all of a sudden we were celebrating the 4th of July and only had about 4 weeks left!
I know the last two posts have been on the short side but I am afraid that I find it hard to put into words all that I am feeling these days. There is joy at being with family, so much sorrow and worry for friends in South Sudan, confusion as to how there can be that much hate in one country, happiness at hearing from friends in south Sudan that they are safe, hope for the future of South Sudan but also despair for the future there.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Monday, July 11, 2016
Please, Lord....
I have not written about the current situation in South Sudan as I really have no words to describe my feelings but I need to let you all know what we know.
First of all, Leisa, our mission co-worker, is still in Juba during all of this fighting. We have had contact with her several times a day and while scared, she is doing okay. There are not many at the apartment building and those that are there are keeping each other company, sharing Bible verses and news and helping each other cope with all the uncertainty. They have not been able to leave the building since Friday (or maybe Saturday) of last week.
We have also heard from some of our South Sudanese co - workers and have been so glad to know that they are still able to communicate with us. We don't know how long communication will last with anyone but as of today, Monday the 11th we have heard from the Moderator. I cannot begin to imagine the trauma these good people are going through yet again.
Leisa has expressed that the not knowing what is, or going to, happen is what is so hard so please pray for all those there that they will have communications with each other and be able to know how their families are doing.
We have read that both the President and Vice President have ordered a ceasefire. I don't have a lot of hope for that order and yet am praying that it will be listened to. As all this fighting shows, there is a long way to go for peace in South Sudan but the people are tired of all the fighting and wish those that are doing it would just STOP!
First of all, Leisa, our mission co-worker, is still in Juba during all of this fighting. We have had contact with her several times a day and while scared, she is doing okay. There are not many at the apartment building and those that are there are keeping each other company, sharing Bible verses and news and helping each other cope with all the uncertainty. They have not been able to leave the building since Friday (or maybe Saturday) of last week.
We have also heard from some of our South Sudanese co - workers and have been so glad to know that they are still able to communicate with us. We don't know how long communication will last with anyone but as of today, Monday the 11th we have heard from the Moderator. I cannot begin to imagine the trauma these good people are going through yet again.
Leisa has expressed that the not knowing what is, or going to, happen is what is so hard so please pray for all those there that they will have communications with each other and be able to know how their families are doing.
We have read that both the President and Vice President have ordered a ceasefire. I don't have a lot of hope for that order and yet am praying that it will be listened to. As all this fighting shows, there is a long way to go for peace in South Sudan but the people are tired of all the fighting and wish those that are doing it would just STOP!
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Time
Well, it has again been a month since I wrote anything.
It is amazing how at first the time seemed to be going slowly but now I find that time is flying by and we only have a month left in the States.
We have been having really good visits with so many different churches and Presbyteries! It is interesting to me how it is a little hard to walk in the door of a new church but then it is hard to leave because we have made new friends. I love how people know where South Sudan is and know what is happening there and still want to know more and are willing to commit to prayer for the people there.
We have been hearing from our friends in South Sudan and know that things are getting worse, economically but we also hear that the Project continues to move along with Rev. Stephen and Leisa keeping up with things.
The one thing I hope we have been able to explain to people is just how slow things move in South Sudan and how we rejoice over every small accomplishment. It takes days, and sometimes weeks, to do something there that we could do in hours here in the States. While on one hand this is frustrating to us it is also teaching us to slow down and look at the relationships we are building and know that in the long run we need those relationships if we hope for things to change and move forward. Lucky for us, we love building those relationships and find that is one of the perks of living in South Sudan.
We will be at New Wilmington Missionary Conference in Western Pa the end of August and hope to see many of you there. If we have not already met you, please come up an introduce yourself to us.
It is amazing how at first the time seemed to be going slowly but now I find that time is flying by and we only have a month left in the States.
We have been having really good visits with so many different churches and Presbyteries! It is interesting to me how it is a little hard to walk in the door of a new church but then it is hard to leave because we have made new friends. I love how people know where South Sudan is and know what is happening there and still want to know more and are willing to commit to prayer for the people there.
We have been hearing from our friends in South Sudan and know that things are getting worse, economically but we also hear that the Project continues to move along with Rev. Stephen and Leisa keeping up with things.
The one thing I hope we have been able to explain to people is just how slow things move in South Sudan and how we rejoice over every small accomplishment. It takes days, and sometimes weeks, to do something there that we could do in hours here in the States. While on one hand this is frustrating to us it is also teaching us to slow down and look at the relationships we are building and know that in the long run we need those relationships if we hope for things to change and move forward. Lucky for us, we love building those relationships and find that is one of the perks of living in South Sudan.
We will be at New Wilmington Missionary Conference in Western Pa the end of August and hope to see many of you there. If we have not already met you, please come up an introduce yourself to us.
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