We go back to Juba tomorrow after a week in Nairobi. It has been a week of beautiful weather, shopping, eating and resting. Guess what? this time we did not go anywhere near a hospital! We did not run into as many people that we know this time but we did have a really nice evening last night with Chase and Audrey!
The break was needed by me more than Lynn but I have spent a lot of time in prayer and Lynn and I have talked quite a bit about the situation in Juba and I think I have been able to get a better perspective on things. Yes, I am still a little nervous but I go back having been reminded of who is in control and I am SO glad it is not me! And, NO, it is not Lynn!!!! sure wouldn't want anyone confused on that point. Ha! Thank you so much to 2 cousins who listened to a nudge to write me - it was just the encouragement I needed.
I keep seeing all this posts about snow and it makes me so glad I am not where that stuff is:) Our rainy season ends sometime in November which means our cooler weather ends and we will start seeing over 100 degrees. The rains have not been as good this year in many places in South Sudan so there is more hunger in many areas.
We are going back to Juba knowing that we will be busier than we have been. Lynn will be traveling to 2 different locations and is picking up a lot more office work. Well, we, are picking up more office work:) While Lynn is gone on these trips I will cover for him with the emails and such but even when he is around we tend to share that work. I like the office work more than Lynn so I write letters and send forms and he does all the official stuff:) It is good to stay busy but us old folks still manage to get our naps in!
If any of you cannot take the cold weather heading your way, just plan a trip to see us and I promise you will warm up:)
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Sunday, October 11, 2015
I remember
" I remember your father", "My parents knew your parents", " I knew little Timmy" Names of places like Doleb Hill, Nasir, Leer. These are all things I heard this morning at a very large Nuer Church here in Juba. I was introduced to the congregation as Nya Dhouram, daughter of Dhouram, with Dhouram being my father. I was touched by the cheer that came with my being introduced and by my very simple one word greeting in Nuer. After church as we stood in line to greet everyone so many people said they remember my father or have heard of my father and were so appreciative of the work and years my father gave to the Nuer. When the one man said he knew "little Timmy" ( sorry Tim) I almost cried. For those of you who don't know my family, Tim is my oldest brother.
How different this mornings service with the Nuers was compared to the services I went to as a kid in Ethiopia. The biggest difference is that there were 2470 people in church this morning!!! That number is right -2470!!!!! I knew the church was large but that is a lot of people:) I was afraid we would be there all day when the pastor said he had two parts to the sermon and 22 points but we actually only had a 2 1/2 hour service :)
We are trying to visit different churches in the Juba area and this was a really good start. Most of the congregations are by tribe and the services are in either the tribal language or in Arabic. It makes for time to think if we can't understand what is being said.
Right now, Lynn is between building projects and the church office people are gone for a week so we are heading to Kenya again for a one week break. It will be good to get away for a little bit, away from the heat, the tension and the dust. It will be good to have different food and even some really good ice-cream. You know, priorities are important and ice-cream is at the top of that list:) We will be doing a little work in Kenya too, with trying to touch base with a group there that will be helping with a project in the town of Pibor here in South Sudan.
So, while there is not really much new going on with us, we are doing well and continue to put our lives in God's hands daily. We continue to be challenged with how to respond to so much need but we are also inspired by the faith of the people around us and by their positive outlook for the future.
How different this mornings service with the Nuers was compared to the services I went to as a kid in Ethiopia. The biggest difference is that there were 2470 people in church this morning!!! That number is right -2470!!!!! I knew the church was large but that is a lot of people:) I was afraid we would be there all day when the pastor said he had two parts to the sermon and 22 points but we actually only had a 2 1/2 hour service :)
We are trying to visit different churches in the Juba area and this was a really good start. Most of the congregations are by tribe and the services are in either the tribal language or in Arabic. It makes for time to think if we can't understand what is being said.
Right now, Lynn is between building projects and the church office people are gone for a week so we are heading to Kenya again for a one week break. It will be good to get away for a little bit, away from the heat, the tension and the dust. It will be good to have different food and even some really good ice-cream. You know, priorities are important and ice-cream is at the top of that list:) We will be doing a little work in Kenya too, with trying to touch base with a group there that will be helping with a project in the town of Pibor here in South Sudan.
So, while there is not really much new going on with us, we are doing well and continue to put our lives in God's hands daily. We continue to be challenged with how to respond to so much need but we are also inspired by the faith of the people around us and by their positive outlook for the future.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
changes
So, It has been almost a month again since I last updated our blog!
We have had some changes in the last month. Lynn has been really busy with the construction of our first school building. This has been interesting as he deals with a contractor who knows no English and does not have a lot of patience with Lynn's slow Arabic. Then there is the teacher who speaks pretty decent English but does not know construction terms and the church Elder that only speaks Murle but helps to make decisions about the building! it makes for very interesting meetings:) We are very thankful that all of these people have a wonderful sense of humor
We have had some changes in the last month. Lynn has been really busy with the construction of our first school building. This has been interesting as he deals with a contractor who knows no English and does not have a lot of patience with Lynn's slow Arabic. Then there is the teacher who speaks pretty decent English but does not know construction terms and the church Elder that only speaks Murle but helps to make decisions about the building! it makes for very interesting meetings:) We are very thankful that all of these people have a wonderful sense of humor
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| Humm, what DID Lynn say?? |
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| John Mushingo, me, Peter Shabak, Peter Gai |
The man in the stripped shirt is the site contractor, Tiro, and the other man, John, is the foreman. John speaks a little English and Tiro even less so communicating is interesting:)
Rev. Peter Gai is the Moderator of Presbyterian Church South Sudan and is also the Chairman of the South Sudan Council of Churches. He was also on the plane with my dad when they were flying in to dedicate the Nuer Bible - the plane that crashed with 22 people on board and not one person was injured, even the woman 7 months pregnant with twins!
Rev. Peter Shabak is the man I work with the most as he is the Treasurer and John gets us money when we need it. These men are a lot of fun to work with even if I could not get them to smile for the picture:) Yes, I feel short around them!!
One of our co-workers, Debbie Blane, left last week. She is in need of a hip transplant and was in a lot of pain here so the best option was to head to the States. Our other co-worker, Leisa, who had ankle surgery is hoping to be back in October. So, changes keep happening and we never know who or what it might be.
I do a lot of walking - exercise in the morning and then walk either to or from the office which is about a 30 minute walk. Then there are the days I walk to the Nile Theological College (15 min one way) or over to the ECS guesthouse (10 min one way) where we meet for short meetings or maybe even to get lunch. Then we walk for groceries, out to eat and to church. I thought when you got older you slowed down and did not do as much physical stuff??!! We are some of the few white people we see out walking so people recognize us now and greet us as we walk by - a nice side effect of not having a car.
I have been working with lots of different people, TEE, NTC, Womens group, PCOSS office, and then with the people in the apartment building and it has been fun to work with so many different people and to hear their stories.
Things remain a little tense here in Juba. No gunfire at night but lots of NGO compounds being broken into and lots of petty theft. We are safe and do not go out at night unless we are in a taxi. During the day I walk all over the place but it is all on main roads. I can still buy Nutella so I stay calm and happy! HA :)
Monday, August 24, 2015
Church, Work and Life
Today we went to church with Manwella.
Manwella is the head house keeper in our apartment building and goes about her work singing praise songs and laughing all day. She has been a real blessing to us by also teaching us Arabic once a week. She attends a very, well lets just say, lively church:) Lots of dancing and very loud preaching! We arrived ten minutes late because of not understanding the directions given us ( our fault, she gave good directions) and 3 hours later we left with the service still going on. It had to be well over 100 degrees in the building and there were some fans but we did not get the benefit of them. I am so glad we went but am not sure if we will go again.
being put to good use these days! He is glad to have a congregation to be working with and they are really anxious to get a school built. It takes him about 40 minutes to get from our bus stop to the one near the church and then about a 10 minute walk to the church. He has taken the Boda Boda (motorcycle taxi) to the church but these drivers are kind of crazy and it is not the safest way to travel so I think(hope) he will use the bus from now on. He even went and bought himself a "briefcase" to carry his papers, measuring tape, bottle of water and calculator in so he looks kind of official now:)
Manwella is the head house keeper in our apartment building and goes about her work singing praise songs and laughing all day. She has been a real blessing to us by also teaching us Arabic once a week. She attends a very, well lets just say, lively church:) Lots of dancing and very loud preaching! We arrived ten minutes late because of not understanding the directions given us ( our fault, she gave good directions) and 3 hours later we left with the service still going on. It had to be well over 100 degrees in the building and there were some fans but we did not get the benefit of them. I am so glad we went but am not sure if we will go again.
Lynn's dresser/desk/ironing board/storage area is
being put to good use these days! He is glad to have a congregation to be working with and they are really anxious to get a school built. It takes him about 40 minutes to get from our bus stop to the one near the church and then about a 10 minute walk to the church. He has taken the Boda Boda (motorcycle taxi) to the church but these drivers are kind of crazy and it is not the safest way to travel so I think(hope) he will use the bus from now on. He even went and bought himself a "briefcase" to carry his papers, measuring tape, bottle of water and calculator in so he looks kind of official now:)
You know, we work really hard long days (?!) so we have to stop and have tea when ever we can:) This place has now become on of my favorite places for tea because I can get toast here! I can't make toast at home and we don't eat out for breakfast so this was my first toast in South Sudan and this was just this month(Aug.)! This place is right across from the church office so when Lynn goes with me we stop over here before trying to get a bus back home.
It is really hard to believe that we have been here for 9 months now! The time has gone really fast and now that we are a little busier I think the time will go even faster. I feel like we are getting settled and starting to feel like there is a reason for our being here:) We have really had to wait on the Lord to show us what He wanted of us and since I am such a patient person that was really easy for me! That should get some comments:) I keep reflecting on how we do not know God's plan for us but that if we step out in faith He will lead. I look at the conditions of people here and am amazed at how they sing and dance to the Lord - I have much to learn from the people of South Sudan.
Juba is a really interesting mix of people. There are a lot of people here from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. These people have all come here to work because they can make a pretty good living for a few years and then go home. The Ethiopians and Eritreans stay longer and are the ones building hotels. You can go to the market and here almost as much Swahili and English as Arabic. The taxi drivers tend to be Kenyan so we speak Swahili to them but in the market it is a mix of Arabic and English.
Lynn and I have been walking every morning (for exercise not to be romantic - Kaye!). This used to be a quiet time for me, a time to pray and think and now I still pray and think but I also have a new way to connect with my husband:) I would never have thought we would be walking together like this!! You know, after having him on the road driving truck for something like 18 years, we have had to learn how to be together 24/7 and we are learning that old (dogs) folks can learn new ways of living.
Hopefully the next blog will have some pictures of the school construction!
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Rain and more rain
I think I better get another entry done or I will be in trouble again for going so long:)
We have been having rain almost every day and while that does bring the temps down to the mid 80's, the humidity is almost 100% and it is worse than Ohio in August! When we (yes, we! Lynn has started walking with me) go walking in the morning the air may be cool but after a few minutes we are sweating like crazy and breathing is hard in the humidity. The mosquitos are REALLY bad right now but since they like Lynn and not me I am not bothered:) I know, not very nice of me is it. We are trying all kinds of sprays and natural traps and not much is working so we may have to give in and buy a mosquito net:( We have liked not having one but with Lynn being bothered every night and even in the evenings we may have to to avoid him getting malaria. The hospitals and clinics are full right now with people with malaria and typhoid. This is normal for this time of year.
I was so proud of myself - I started my own sourdough starter and baked with it but Lynn and I decided that for out here it is just easier to make regular bread. The process is just to long to do here when we have no idea what we will be doing from day to day.
Lynn has been working on plans for schools of different sizes and getting prices for things. I went along with him on one of the price shopping trips and it was fun. We were talking in 3 different languages, Arabic, Swahili and English, and everyone was getting a laugh out of our attempts in Arabic. Lynn is doing pretty good anymore and I, well, I am not doing as well. I do understand but am afraid to try and say anything. Anyway, the lumber places always have guys who are willing to talk with you and help you understand and there is lots of laughing. If Lynn does not understand something that was said I tell them that he is old and cannot hear and I say it in Arabic which really makes them laugh.
I have been going to the office about twice a week and it has been good. The Moderator and the Treasurer are really nice men and we have lots of laughter and good conversations. We do get some work done too!! I usually ride the bus to the office and then walk home (30-40 min). It would work better to walk down and ride back but it is really hard to get a bus back and I don't want to walk both ways - I am NOT that ambitious:)
The General Secretary for the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan is in Khartoum waiting to have back surgery so if you could keep him in your prayers we would appreciate it. He has to wait until he has the funds to have the surgery so we are not sure when it will happen. This makes things interesting in the office since he did a lot of the letter writing and signing of papers but so far the men in the office are making it work.
We are hoping to go to a school site this week and talk with the people there about what they want and let them know what we can do so maybe next entry will have some pictures of that place. It feels so good to actually have something to do!
I can't believe we have been here for 8 months already and that we are looking at the calendar to start planning our trip home next year.
We have been having rain almost every day and while that does bring the temps down to the mid 80's, the humidity is almost 100% and it is worse than Ohio in August! When we (yes, we! Lynn has started walking with me) go walking in the morning the air may be cool but after a few minutes we are sweating like crazy and breathing is hard in the humidity. The mosquitos are REALLY bad right now but since they like Lynn and not me I am not bothered:) I know, not very nice of me is it. We are trying all kinds of sprays and natural traps and not much is working so we may have to give in and buy a mosquito net:( We have liked not having one but with Lynn being bothered every night and even in the evenings we may have to to avoid him getting malaria. The hospitals and clinics are full right now with people with malaria and typhoid. This is normal for this time of year.
I was so proud of myself - I started my own sourdough starter and baked with it but Lynn and I decided that for out here it is just easier to make regular bread. The process is just to long to do here when we have no idea what we will be doing from day to day.
Lynn has been working on plans for schools of different sizes and getting prices for things. I went along with him on one of the price shopping trips and it was fun. We were talking in 3 different languages, Arabic, Swahili and English, and everyone was getting a laugh out of our attempts in Arabic. Lynn is doing pretty good anymore and I, well, I am not doing as well. I do understand but am afraid to try and say anything. Anyway, the lumber places always have guys who are willing to talk with you and help you understand and there is lots of laughing. If Lynn does not understand something that was said I tell them that he is old and cannot hear and I say it in Arabic which really makes them laugh.
I have been going to the office about twice a week and it has been good. The Moderator and the Treasurer are really nice men and we have lots of laughter and good conversations. We do get some work done too!! I usually ride the bus to the office and then walk home (30-40 min). It would work better to walk down and ride back but it is really hard to get a bus back and I don't want to walk both ways - I am NOT that ambitious:)
The General Secretary for the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan is in Khartoum waiting to have back surgery so if you could keep him in your prayers we would appreciate it. He has to wait until he has the funds to have the surgery so we are not sure when it will happen. This makes things interesting in the office since he did a lot of the letter writing and signing of papers but so far the men in the office are making it work.
We are hoping to go to a school site this week and talk with the people there about what they want and let them know what we can do so maybe next entry will have some pictures of that place. It feels so good to actually have something to do!
I can't believe we have been here for 8 months already and that we are looking at the calendar to start planning our trip home next year.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Life gets busier
A friend just reminded me that I have not written since May! I knew it had been a while but not that long. Thanks for the reminder, Shannon.
Life has its seasons and we don't always know the reason for each season. We have had a long season of waiting and wondering. We have been here almost 7 1/2 months and feel like we have accomplished very little and this from people who know that things move slowly here! Maybe this time was for Lynn and I to get used to spending all out time together! HA :) It has also been a time of turning to God and learning to be patient.
I have started going to the church offices a couple of times a week but often it is just to say hi and find there is nothing to do so I return home. I like getting out and even if there is no work I have the chance to visit with the men and that is important too. But things do change and I want to tell you about some of that.
In June Lynn and went to Kenya again for R&R. The day we flew in a co-worker was to fly out on that same plane and we had thought how cool if we saw each other at the airport. She was returning to Juba from her R&R. When we arrived at the airport and went in and had just started to fill out our immigration papers when a lady from the airline approached me and asked if I was Lynn ( here anyone with the name Lynn is a woman ) and it startled me and I said no that that was my husband and took her to Lynn. She said that there was someone who wanted to give us something on the other side of the wall. What?? We asked for more explanation and figured out it was our co-worker and then she told us the person was hurt. So, without filling out paper work they took us to the departure lounge which was just on the other side of the wall from us, and there was our co-worker sitting in a chair with her ankle wrapped up. She had fallen and was not sure if it was broken or if she should go on to Juba. Lynn told her that she should not go to Juba and instead go back into the city with us and get it x-rayed. This was all on the 14th of June. We took her to the ER ( called Casualty here ) and found her ankle was broken in 2 places and would require surgery! Surgery was on the 17th and on the 28th she flew to the States for recovery. She lives on the 3rd floor of our building and there is no elevator and she did not seem to want to be hauled up and down by rope:) Our 2 weeks in Nairobi we spent caring for her and taking care of insurance things for her and we were so thankful that we were able to give her a helping hand. Now, you could say it was coincidence that we were at the airport when this happened but we know this was in Gods plan. Mind you, the 2 times we have gone to Kenya for R&R someone has been admitted to the hospital and so I think we should not go back there! :)
With this co-worker in the States for a while we are trying to pick up some of her work, like doing logistics things for her. Then we found out that the money has come through for 2 schools so that will keep Lynn busy. Our season of waiting seems to be coming to an end.
Life in Juba continues much the same for us. It is such a "hardship" to HAVE to eat Ethiopian food several times a week. (Sorry Russel and Dana, just had to say it) Prices have gone up on a lot of things but so far we have still been able to get whatever we need, well except that I "need" more chocolate than I can find! Oh, one reason to go back to Kenya is I had the best chocolate milkshake I have ever had and it was that good the 3 or 4 times I had one:)
There continues to be heavy fighting north or us and so many places where Aid organizations have had to pull out of. In one town the hospital was targeted. We feel a little more tension in Juba but so far it has been ok to keep doing what we do. I even go walking at 6:30 in the morning and feel safe. The on going war does affect people negatively even though the fighting isn't in Juba. People ( including us) have difficulty making long term plans for fear that whatever they're planning and investing their time in will be destroyed at a later time. The local currency is also being devalued at a steady rate. Imagine that the sugar you bought 6 months ago has doubled or tripled in price but your wages have stayed the same. Many things including food are imported which means businesses must have a way of getting hard currency to buy these goods in neighboring countries. The only real source of hard currency for South Sudan is the oil they sell from the Northern part of the country. That's where the fighting is taking place and thus oil production is affected negatively. Needless to say this makes people unhappy with their government ! Pray for peace for those who are affected here in many direct and indirect ways.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about another really neat things that happened! I had a call from one of our co-workers giving me a phone number for someone here in Juba who was supposed to be a relative. What in the world? I don't have relatives here! I called the number and this lady answers and I say who I am and then tell her I have no idea who I am talking to. She laughs and says her name is Sara Sawylka. Yes I recognized that last name but was not real sure of the connection. She had been at a meeting where the moderator of our church was a speaker and after the meeting she asked him if he knew the name Robb McLaughlin and he said " yes, and did you know his daughter is here in Juba?" So, numbers were exchanged and we met up for supper and she lives about a 5 minute walk from us. It is truly a small world. She is a second cousin once removed. Tim, I think we share a great grandfather?
So, all in all, we continue doing what we do - wait. It makes being away from everyone even harder but we still know we are where we are supposed to be. Hearing from so many of you keeps us feeling connected. It is hard to believe that we will be back in the States in less than a year so while we are waiting the time has been going quickly.
Life has its seasons and we don't always know the reason for each season. We have had a long season of waiting and wondering. We have been here almost 7 1/2 months and feel like we have accomplished very little and this from people who know that things move slowly here! Maybe this time was for Lynn and I to get used to spending all out time together! HA :) It has also been a time of turning to God and learning to be patient.
I have started going to the church offices a couple of times a week but often it is just to say hi and find there is nothing to do so I return home. I like getting out and even if there is no work I have the chance to visit with the men and that is important too. But things do change and I want to tell you about some of that.
In June Lynn and went to Kenya again for R&R. The day we flew in a co-worker was to fly out on that same plane and we had thought how cool if we saw each other at the airport. She was returning to Juba from her R&R. When we arrived at the airport and went in and had just started to fill out our immigration papers when a lady from the airline approached me and asked if I was Lynn ( here anyone with the name Lynn is a woman ) and it startled me and I said no that that was my husband and took her to Lynn. She said that there was someone who wanted to give us something on the other side of the wall. What?? We asked for more explanation and figured out it was our co-worker and then she told us the person was hurt. So, without filling out paper work they took us to the departure lounge which was just on the other side of the wall from us, and there was our co-worker sitting in a chair with her ankle wrapped up. She had fallen and was not sure if it was broken or if she should go on to Juba. Lynn told her that she should not go to Juba and instead go back into the city with us and get it x-rayed. This was all on the 14th of June. We took her to the ER ( called Casualty here ) and found her ankle was broken in 2 places and would require surgery! Surgery was on the 17th and on the 28th she flew to the States for recovery. She lives on the 3rd floor of our building and there is no elevator and she did not seem to want to be hauled up and down by rope:) Our 2 weeks in Nairobi we spent caring for her and taking care of insurance things for her and we were so thankful that we were able to give her a helping hand. Now, you could say it was coincidence that we were at the airport when this happened but we know this was in Gods plan. Mind you, the 2 times we have gone to Kenya for R&R someone has been admitted to the hospital and so I think we should not go back there! :)
With this co-worker in the States for a while we are trying to pick up some of her work, like doing logistics things for her. Then we found out that the money has come through for 2 schools so that will keep Lynn busy. Our season of waiting seems to be coming to an end.
Life in Juba continues much the same for us. It is such a "hardship" to HAVE to eat Ethiopian food several times a week. (Sorry Russel and Dana, just had to say it) Prices have gone up on a lot of things but so far we have still been able to get whatever we need, well except that I "need" more chocolate than I can find! Oh, one reason to go back to Kenya is I had the best chocolate milkshake I have ever had and it was that good the 3 or 4 times I had one:)
There continues to be heavy fighting north or us and so many places where Aid organizations have had to pull out of. In one town the hospital was targeted. We feel a little more tension in Juba but so far it has been ok to keep doing what we do. I even go walking at 6:30 in the morning and feel safe. The on going war does affect people negatively even though the fighting isn't in Juba. People ( including us) have difficulty making long term plans for fear that whatever they're planning and investing their time in will be destroyed at a later time. The local currency is also being devalued at a steady rate. Imagine that the sugar you bought 6 months ago has doubled or tripled in price but your wages have stayed the same. Many things including food are imported which means businesses must have a way of getting hard currency to buy these goods in neighboring countries. The only real source of hard currency for South Sudan is the oil they sell from the Northern part of the country. That's where the fighting is taking place and thus oil production is affected negatively. Needless to say this makes people unhappy with their government ! Pray for peace for those who are affected here in many direct and indirect ways.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about another really neat things that happened! I had a call from one of our co-workers giving me a phone number for someone here in Juba who was supposed to be a relative. What in the world? I don't have relatives here! I called the number and this lady answers and I say who I am and then tell her I have no idea who I am talking to. She laughs and says her name is Sara Sawylka. Yes I recognized that last name but was not real sure of the connection. She had been at a meeting where the moderator of our church was a speaker and after the meeting she asked him if he knew the name Robb McLaughlin and he said " yes, and did you know his daughter is here in Juba?" So, numbers were exchanged and we met up for supper and she lives about a 5 minute walk from us. It is truly a small world. She is a second cousin once removed. Tim, I think we share a great grandfather?
So, all in all, we continue doing what we do - wait. It makes being away from everyone even harder but we still know we are where we are supposed to be. Hearing from so many of you keeps us feeling connected. It is hard to believe that we will be back in the States in less than a year so while we are waiting the time has been going quickly.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
A short break
Last week I (Sharon) had the opportunity to go on a trip with a co-worker to Bor and Mingkaman.
Those places are northeast of Juba, about a 40 minute plane ride. We left on Wednesday, spent the day in and around Bor and then on Thursday we went to Mingkaman. To get there we had to go on a 40 minute boat ride. I admit, I was really excited for the boat ride!! The boat could seat 15 easily and then there was room for sacks of grain. It also had a nice canopy over it. So many thoughts about my parents as we rode along the river (which the locals call the Nile but I don't think it is). I thought a lot about my brothers - ok, I was really hoping they would be jealous! LOL We came back on Friday and was back in our apartment by 11 am, so it really was a quick trip.
The trip was just what I needed. In my last post I talked about being depressed and God gave me just what I needed - God is SO good. It was good to talk to people about what they have accomplished and what they hope to do yet and their dreams for their country. They shared their concerns for the education system when they found out what I was here to do and they encouraged me in learning Arabic.
Here are a few pics from the river ride - wish I could go back and take more pics but these will have to do.
I had a great time and hope I can go again with Nancy.
As many of you have heard, PC(USA) has had to recall several missionaries home due to insufficient funds. A couple here with us Juba are among those called home. They will be leaving on the 18 of this month and will be missed. Please remember them as they go through the adjustment of returning to the States.
Guess what?!? I actually went to the office yesterday and talked with the treasurer about my coming in to work and talked about how we see things working for us. We also went through a list of things that need to be done. I was not there very long but it sure felt good to "do" something.:)
Those places are northeast of Juba, about a 40 minute plane ride. We left on Wednesday, spent the day in and around Bor and then on Thursday we went to Mingkaman. To get there we had to go on a 40 minute boat ride. I admit, I was really excited for the boat ride!! The boat could seat 15 easily and then there was room for sacks of grain. It also had a nice canopy over it. So many thoughts about my parents as we rode along the river (which the locals call the Nile but I don't think it is). I thought a lot about my brothers - ok, I was really hoping they would be jealous! LOL We came back on Friday and was back in our apartment by 11 am, so it really was a quick trip.
The trip was just what I needed. In my last post I talked about being depressed and God gave me just what I needed - God is SO good. It was good to talk to people about what they have accomplished and what they hope to do yet and their dreams for their country. They shared their concerns for the education system when they found out what I was here to do and they encouraged me in learning Arabic.
Here are a few pics from the river ride - wish I could go back and take more pics but these will have to do.
I had a great time and hope I can go again with Nancy.
As many of you have heard, PC(USA) has had to recall several missionaries home due to insufficient funds. A couple here with us Juba are among those called home. They will be leaving on the 18 of this month and will be missed. Please remember them as they go through the adjustment of returning to the States.
Guess what?!? I actually went to the office yesterday and talked with the treasurer about my coming in to work and talked about how we see things working for us. We also went through a list of things that need to be done. I was not there very long but it sure felt good to "do" something.:)
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