It has been awhile since I last wrote - my excuse? Waiting until after Christmas and New Years and then waiting for our next change.
We start the new year with a new job. We are now the Regional Liaisons for Sudan, Ethiopia and South Sudan!. We will continue to live here in Juba and travel to the other countries as needed and will continue to be involved with the Education Project.
Ok, I admit that as soon as we started getting all the emails and info on this new job (after accepting the position) I wondered if we had made a mistake:) Not really, but you know how it is when you start a new job and things seem overwhelming? Well that is a little bit how we feel but I think it is mostly because we have not had our orientation yet. We will be in the States for 10 days of RL orientation in March. I wish we would have time to travel and see so many people but it will be a quick trip. At least with this new position we have the perk of 2 trips to the States each year - you know, so we can stock up on food......oh, and see family too! Really those trips are to talk with different Mission Networks so they are work trips.
So, how was our Christmas and New Years? Very quiet! So thankful for no renewed fighting in Juba but heartbroken over the fighting in Yei and other parts of South Sudan. Most of the NGO's and church people all leave over the holidays and many are just now getting back. The restaurants were empty and getting a bus or rickshaw was easy. But! Juba is really boring with many people gone and there is really nothing to do here except go out to eat. Ah, well, at least we do not have to deal with snow and ice!!!
I truly believe God led us to this new position and I think we will like it once we get some things figured out. I told Lynn last night that I really do have peace with living here and while I miss family I know I this is where I am to be and I am happy with that.
As we celebrated Christmas with a local congregation I was again struck with the joy they express in their faith. Most would not have had any kind of presents or anything special other than a LONG church service and, for some, time with family. Some how the parents were able to buy new clothes or shoes for their children and, believe me, those kids were proud!!
We are going to Ethiopia on the 23rd of January to meet the folks there that we will be working with. We will be in Addis most of the time but will also go to Gambella to see the Wellers and meet folks there. The Gambella part will be a bit of a trip down memory lane for me as that is where dad went all the time. So, I think you can expect to see another blog after we get back from that trip.
