Excited

I can't believe it has been 3 weeks since I last wrote! I really thought it was only maybe 2 weeks. Oh, well, I am here now.

Why excited? to see some of our family who are coming out! We will have 2 weeks with them in Kenya and Tanzania. When we left Tanzania many years ago, Russel was 11 and Dana 4 1/2. Dana has been back and seen the place she heard so much about but Russel never has and now he is returning with HIS 11 year old son,Austin! We will go through the Serengeti because if you go to Tanzania you have to see animals and what better place than the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater?! Dana and her hubby, Brandon are coming and so is my (Sharon) oldest brother, Tim. I am excited to see Africa through the eyes of an 11 year old and also our son-in-law who has never been to Africa.

We have been working too, and not just anticipating the arrival of family. It seems we spend a lot of time on the phone and the computer which means a lot of sitting. The nice thing is that our apartment is in a good location for people to stop in and visit or just meet here because we have a/c.:)

The South Sudan Independence day holiday was peaceful! Actually the day itself (9th) was very rainy and cool - yes it really was cool! We had rain for about 12 hours and it was so nice:) The rain also helped to keep the day quiet. The next day was a holiday and things stayed quiet. We are really hoping and praying that there is a change coming for this country.

Lynn got lucky and had to go to Kenya for some dental work. Why lucky? because he got to have a break, eat good food, see some friends AND get his teeth fixed. He better be bringing a suitcase of food back for me - you know, important things like butter and cheese maybe some chocolate and any other goodies he can find.

I am trying to plan a trip to Ethiopia in September. I will be gone for at least 2 weeks and no, Lynn is not going with me. This will be my first trip on my own and I am glad it is to a country that I am familiar with. I will be traveling to 5 different areas of Ethiopia to see the Presbyteries in those areas. These are all partners that I help with. I want to see their projects and schools so that I can better represent them to people around the world. I have been impressed with what many of them are doing and am excited to see some places I have never seen before in Ethiopia and to visit places from long ago. I am also sure I will get my fill of Ethiopian food - such a sacrifice!

I am always amazed at how tied to this place I feel. I grew up in Ethiopia but this is where my heart seems to be. I think back on the 20 years I longed to return to Africa and how it was not in Gods plan but when I gave up on coming back - rather I allowed God to be in control - then we are called to South Sudan. This place had never been on my radar as a place to live but now I can't imagine living anywhere else! When we let God be in charge He makes wonderful things happen. Yes, I miss my family and having a relationship with our grandchildren and yet I hope that they can learn something from what we are doing. I wish I was a better writer so I could express what I am feeling and meaning without sounding dumb or not getting the idea across. I have never felt so at peace with where I am even while missing family.