So, don't go into shock that I am writing again so soon.

For those of you have been asking about how we handle living here with so many hungry people all around us, here is a sort of answer.

Yesterday I was sitting in my living room working at emails when I realized that there seemed to be a lot of commotion on the street in front of our building. I went out in the hall to look out the window and see what was going on. I saw 4 boys, ages maybe 10-12, across the street at the bus stop. ( yes we do have a few actual bus stops with benches!) These boys were talking to an older boy who has only one leg and judging by his age I am guessing he lost his leg as a soldier - this young man was maybe 20. I am not sure what was said but the older boy took his crutch and hit one of the younger boys who fell to the ground. One of the other young boys then proceeded to pummel the one one on the ground. No one intervened. The really unusual part of this is that no one intervened. Usually anyone walking by or at the bus stop will stop this sort of thing but not that day. Part of the reason, I think, for the fight was that the all of the boys were sniffing glue and the older boy wanted some of it. This is something we see everyday here, boys sniffing glue, smoking and drinking. They are hungry and these things help curb the appetite. Now they are getting addicted to these things and there just is not enough help to go around for everyone. On top of that, even if there was help, these boys have gotten used to living on their own and do not take very well to living where there are rules and expectations.

So, how do we deal with it???? We do not give them money since we are not sure what it will be spent on but we do give food at times and we do a lot of asking about where or how these boys could get some help. The really hard part is that some of these boys have homes and the parents have found there is more money to be made by having their children beg than working themselves so why send their children to school?

The encouraging thing is that we do not see near as many boys across the street as we used to. A couple of months ago an effort was made to round up these kids and get them into some kind of home or with family somewhere. I asked if they were actually being taken care of or were they just moved someplace else and I was told they were being taken to orphanages until family could be found and then they were being returned to family - this may mean distant aunts and uncles but at least it is some kind of family.

I pray a lot and then when I am feeling overwhelmed I try not to see. Am I proud of that? No, but it is my reality.

I wrote this just to try and give you all a glimpse into our lives, not to seek sympathy but rather to encourage prayers for South Sudan and its wonderful people. 

So, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. We will not have the traditional meal but we will do something to celebrate the day. A new restaurant has opened just down the street from us so 7 of us will go there for supper tomorrow. This place is on the expensive side so we usually only go there for a coffee. When we are in this place it really feels like we are not in South Sudan - the furnishings, art, decor and colors are all something you would see in the States. They say they have lasagna so I may just give that a try. I do miss turkey, stuffing and the works but this way I do not have to cook. :)

What am I thankful for this year? Health! the older I get the more I appreciate that. :) Family, of course and then there are things like, being able to buy food and water, clothes to wear and friends around me. I am also really thankful for all the emails and prayers that are said on our behalf.

We are winding down the year and getting ready for the slow time. Mid December the Church office folks all leave for one month. They go to where ever their families are so, Khartoum, Kenya, Uganda and Egypt. This is the one long time period that they have with their families - can you imagine not seeing your children for a year? I am talking school age children. Sometimes they get trips other times of the year but those are only for a week or so and only happen if they already have a trip going to that area. So, we are going to be lonely here in Juba so if anyone wants to come visit, that would be a great time. Just think, Christmas where you don't have to put on coats and boots!

Last Sunday we had a pleasant surprise. We had been invited to lunch by someone we only had had email contact with but she was here in Juba and wanted to meet us. You know how you accept the invitation but are not sure what you are getting into? That was us. We did know her name and the last name is Kisare and we figured she must be from Tanzania and maybe even from an area we knew from living there years ago. We arrived at the hotel and she met us in the lobby and the first thing we asked her was about her name and found out she is the granddaughter of Bishop Kisare from Shirati - a man we had known years ago! What a very small world and what fun to have almost 4 hours with her talking about so many things. I love how God has us make these connections throughout our lives.

Things continue in South Sudan pretty much the same. There is fighting in the country but not in Juba, people are going hungry, crime is on the upswing and it is getting hot as the dry season has begun. There are also things like the Pochalla school having a huge positive impact on that community, churches being built, new ideas being thought of for development within the church and a very small renewed hope for peace.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

2 months!

Oh my goodness! 2 months since I last wrote???? I was sure I was doing better than that! Here is my reason/excuse for what it is worth.

In September I went to Ethiopia for 2 weeks and when I got back at the beginning of October we were in the final stages of making plans for 2 people to visit for one week and that week was a BUSY one! Then 3 days after the visitors left, we left for a quick 2 1/2 weeks trip to the States and arrived back in Juba on Nov. 4.

So, how are we?? Besides being tired really not to bad. It was good to come back to where it is warm since Ohio was cold and rainy our last week there. It was good to see some of you and Brandon Leatherman, I am sorry I did not get to meet you for coffee - please forgive me. :)

We were in the States for Sudan/South Sudan Mission network meeting in Kentucky and it was a good time. It is always nice to get together with people who are actively involved in the places we live and work. I will admit that I was a bit overcome with all the political talk but I also learned some things and made some new connections that will last a long time.

We arrived back to Juba with word that things were tense because of the former Head of Military being under house arrest and some of his supporters were threatening to take him out by force. Well, things are not as bad as we first thought but there is a lot more military around that mans house and it is on one of the main roads in town so it is interesting driving by there like we did today.

Can you believe that we have been here for 3 years now? It is hard for me to believe it. It is funny how this feels like home in many ways and in other ways Ohio is home. I wonder how it will be to live in the States again? No we are not, retiring yet but I think of these things since we are back in the States so often. I get how it was hard for my dad to leave Africa.

I was asked why we would extend our time here when at times we seem unhappy. We are not unhappy, but at times we are stressed and that is when I seem to sound off the most. I am going to try and show the positives things and this is one of them. Today Lynn and I sat in a meeting with the Moderator, General Secretary and Treasurer of the Church and had a very open and honest discussion. It was so good to be able to have this kind of talk about so many different things and to feel like we really are a part of the church here in South Sudan. It is good to be getting to the point of really feeling a friendship with these men - one where there is give and take on both sides.

We are often asked for financial help that we cannot give but we can give of our time and energy and it is by doing this that we develop real relationships. Sometimes people just need to know that you care enough that you will spend time with them.