Sometimes I just don't understand what is going on in this world and especially this corner of the world. Sunday evening a fire went through one of the refugee camps here in Juba. It was accidental ( and it is really sad that it is even considered that it was not accidental) and destroyed 154 homes and one 5 or 6 year old girl was killed because she hid under her bed.
Where and how to help? These people already had next to nothing and then that was taken away. Of course we were in a few days of rains and they had no shelter what so ever. One person is a student at Nile Theological College and was able to get his pants and shirt on before running - everything was destroyed, his Bible, school books, clothes, bed - everything! This young man still went to school!
There are days when I wonder where God is in all this suffering. I KNOW He is here but it hurts so much to see so much suffering. The Christians here are very strong and they just keep helping each other in anyway that they can. People keep planning for the future even when things like this happen. It makes me ashamed to have a "bad" day.
As you may have read, there are areas of South Sudan that have been declared famine areas and many people are dying from hunger. Even here in the city there are people going hungry and the beggars have gotten very aggressive. There is an orphanage in Juba that we go to on Sundays for tea with friends that work there. Often there is a little girl that comes and has tea with us. When she started coming her hair was orangeish from malnutrition. She looks so much better these days and is smiling and talking but what of all the others that have not been lucky enough to find a place like this.
This is a real downer of a blog but this is our reality. Daily we are being told of rapes, killings, robberies and such like.
We are also told of how people are helping each other, women who are not getting married but instead are getting an education ( for many women you can't do both) so that they will have a better life. I try to remember the good stories and next time I will try to share some of those.
I know this is where we are supposed to be and I am content to stay here. There is something about really living here that makes me feel close to God - probably because I have to rely on Him more and not myself - and I like to be in control! :) That is not to say I don't miss a good coffee shop and Mexican food. Haha
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Tired Brain
We just got back from a 2 week trip to Ethiopia and we are tired!!
We went there to meet the partners that we will be working with and since they were in Addis for a meeting it seemed like a good time to meet them all. That may not have been such a good idea since there were so many people and names to remember! It was a good visit and I do remember some names and can put them with the right people but there are a bunch that I can't do that with.
As we pulled into the old mission compound there was a feeling of coming home as I looked at the old office building, that still looks the same, where my dad worked years ago. Then I looked around and things had changed everywhere else so it was disorienting. It is funny how a place can feel the same and so different.
We then went to Gambella where dad had a little house and where I remember being so many times. The town has grown SO much and looks nothing like it did before! Gone are the quiet dusty streets and lanes, the one little cafe and the village feel. Now there are paved roads, banks on every corner, electricity and running water(most of the time). We stayed at a guest house that is run by the Anywaa and after a meeting there I walked out of the office and was hit with the sounds and smells of the place that reminded me SO much of time there with my dad. I really felt my dad was right there with me. We then went to the Nuer compound where I meet men who were ordained my my dad and listened to stories about him and was so warmly welcomed as the daughter of Robb (Dhouryaom - his Nuer name). It was a healing trip for me and I was sad to leave but I will be going back!
Now we are back in Juba and trying to get caught up on emails and figure out how to do this new job. It will mean a lot of time on the computer. I am not sure how one person did this job before but I now understand the stress he was under.
We went there to meet the partners that we will be working with and since they were in Addis for a meeting it seemed like a good time to meet them all. That may not have been such a good idea since there were so many people and names to remember! It was a good visit and I do remember some names and can put them with the right people but there are a bunch that I can't do that with.
As we pulled into the old mission compound there was a feeling of coming home as I looked at the old office building, that still looks the same, where my dad worked years ago. Then I looked around and things had changed everywhere else so it was disorienting. It is funny how a place can feel the same and so different.
We then went to Gambella where dad had a little house and where I remember being so many times. The town has grown SO much and looks nothing like it did before! Gone are the quiet dusty streets and lanes, the one little cafe and the village feel. Now there are paved roads, banks on every corner, electricity and running water(most of the time). We stayed at a guest house that is run by the Anywaa and after a meeting there I walked out of the office and was hit with the sounds and smells of the place that reminded me SO much of time there with my dad. I really felt my dad was right there with me. We then went to the Nuer compound where I meet men who were ordained my my dad and listened to stories about him and was so warmly welcomed as the daughter of Robb (Dhouryaom - his Nuer name). It was a healing trip for me and I was sad to leave but I will be going back!
Now we are back in Juba and trying to get caught up on emails and figure out how to do this new job. It will mean a lot of time on the computer. I am not sure how one person did this job before but I now understand the stress he was under.
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