I have not written in over a month again! Sorry about that all but as you know, there really wasn't much to say except, " no, we don't have a date of return yet". Now we have a date and for some reason it has been hard to want to sit down and write anything on here. We leave the US on Sept. 27 arrive in Kenya on the 28th, shop on the 29 and head to Juba on the 30th. Now it feels real.
People have been asking if we are excited about returning and for me the answer is yes but it is still hard to leave family. Lynn does not get excited so he is just glad to have a date of return :) It does feel really good to know that we are headed back even though we know that the situation there is not the best and that our living situation will not be quite as nice as before. Are we scared? No more than before and then we were not really scared, it is more the apprehension of not knowing.
It has been such a great summer ( and extra 2 months!) of seeing so many people again and meeting others for the first time. You know, when you go to a different church every Sunday and have to meet new people all the time it is tiring but we found it also to be very good! We like meeting people so that helps but just to have the chance to talk about South Sudan with people who are interested and want to know how to pray or help has been really special to us. Every where we went people were so warm and welcoming (and there was ALWAYS way to much to eat) and friendly that it made it easy for us. Seeing the different church buildings is always so interesting and then some of the beautiful places!
Now, as the weather is turning cooler, we really feel it is time to head to warmer places. Most people just head to Florida but that is so boring! Instead we have to go half way around the world :)
You know how everyone says they are changed from a trip to Africa or Mongolia or some such place? I have been changed there but I have also experienced change in these 5 months in the States. How? I go back with a renewed hope in the Church as a whole - each congregation was so interested in what is happening around the world and wanting to be involved in helping both nationally and internationally! What a great support system for us! I also go back feeling a new sense of calling to South Sudan and I think a more open heart and mind to ways of being a part of life there.
We have the fun of meeting up with my (Sharon) cousin in Kenya and with a new friend of ours from South Sudan who is still waiting for the ok to return. It is so much fun to see how small the world really is and to make connections like this. It is like having family all around the world!
Please keep the emails coming - I really do enjoy writing back!
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Waiting and Praying
Well, we are still here in the USA. As I said in the last post we are here until the end of August when we hope to be able to return. We are keeping in touch with our friends in South Sudan and with the students that we had to evacuate out of Yei. The students are in Juba right now but we hope to get them to Pochalla as it looks like the school will not open until October or later.
So, what are we doing?? I bet you think we are sitting around drinking coffee and tea and just being lazy, right? WRONG! We are in Springfield Mo taking a CHE (Community Health Evangelism) training course. We told our grandson that we were going back to school and he thought that was funny! It feels a little bit like school only we get a break and snacks every hour :). This training is in the hopes that we can start a CHE program in South Sudan at some point - maybe even right away in Juba but we will have to see what things are like when we get back. While here doing the CHE program we are getting emails from the students in South Sudan so we are constantly being pulled in different directions and needing to focus on our training. Not complaining just trying to give you an idea of how we are doing. I love the fact that we CAN have contact with people in South Sudan and know right away how they are doing.
We have enjoyed the extra time to see people we had not seen yet or just to visit a little longer with family and friends. It is hard being in limbo but I feel guilty even for saying that when our South Sudanese friends have been living in a kind of limbo for years. I am trying to learn from them about taking one day at time and focusing on what I can get done in that one day. It is also a time to be humbled by having to ask for the use of our daughters or cousins cars and to be thankful for such generous people to help us during this time.
It feels so odd to still feel a call to a country that we cannot even get into right now but we know that God is in this time of waiting and that it is a time for us to prepare for what He wants us to do.
So, what are we doing?? I bet you think we are sitting around drinking coffee and tea and just being lazy, right? WRONG! We are in Springfield Mo taking a CHE (Community Health Evangelism) training course. We told our grandson that we were going back to school and he thought that was funny! It feels a little bit like school only we get a break and snacks every hour :). This training is in the hopes that we can start a CHE program in South Sudan at some point - maybe even right away in Juba but we will have to see what things are like when we get back. While here doing the CHE program we are getting emails from the students in South Sudan so we are constantly being pulled in different directions and needing to focus on our training. Not complaining just trying to give you an idea of how we are doing. I love the fact that we CAN have contact with people in South Sudan and know right away how they are doing.
We have enjoyed the extra time to see people we had not seen yet or just to visit a little longer with family and friends. It is hard being in limbo but I feel guilty even for saying that when our South Sudanese friends have been living in a kind of limbo for years. I am trying to learn from them about taking one day at time and focusing on what I can get done in that one day. It is also a time to be humbled by having to ask for the use of our daughters or cousins cars and to be thankful for such generous people to help us during this time.
It feels so odd to still feel a call to a country that we cannot even get into right now but we know that God is in this time of waiting and that it is a time for us to prepare for what He wants us to do.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
more bumps
We are at New Wilmington Mission Conference in Western Pa. SOOOO many people to talk to, catch up with and get to know! People that know my oldest brother from Shutz in Egypt to people who saw me at 2 weeks old. Stories upon stories. I had forgotten what this place could feel like when you know lots of people.:)
Bumps in the road again. We are delaying our return to South Sudan until September or later, depending on the situation in South Sudan. With the recent events in Juba and so many people being evacuated and still so much uncertainty it is better to wait for things to settle down. This is disappointing to us as we feel ready to return and yet it is nice to know we will have a little more time with our families.
So many thoughts are going through my mind these days. Wondering about our friends in South Sudan, wondering what we will be doing for the next month or so and then wondering what God's plan is in all of this. This delay is nice because we get to see our grandkids start the new school year, we get to touch base with some folks we have not seen yet and of course now there is more time for shopping. Unfortunately there is also more time to eat ice cream and gain weight!:)
I can't believe how fast the summer has gone! When we first arrived it felt like May was taking a long time(and I was happy about that!) and then all of a sudden we were celebrating the 4th of July and only had about 4 weeks left!
I know the last two posts have been on the short side but I am afraid that I find it hard to put into words all that I am feeling these days. There is joy at being with family, so much sorrow and worry for friends in South Sudan, confusion as to how there can be that much hate in one country, happiness at hearing from friends in south Sudan that they are safe, hope for the future of South Sudan but also despair for the future there.
Bumps in the road again. We are delaying our return to South Sudan until September or later, depending on the situation in South Sudan. With the recent events in Juba and so many people being evacuated and still so much uncertainty it is better to wait for things to settle down. This is disappointing to us as we feel ready to return and yet it is nice to know we will have a little more time with our families.
So many thoughts are going through my mind these days. Wondering about our friends in South Sudan, wondering what we will be doing for the next month or so and then wondering what God's plan is in all of this. This delay is nice because we get to see our grandkids start the new school year, we get to touch base with some folks we have not seen yet and of course now there is more time for shopping. Unfortunately there is also more time to eat ice cream and gain weight!:)
I can't believe how fast the summer has gone! When we first arrived it felt like May was taking a long time(and I was happy about that!) and then all of a sudden we were celebrating the 4th of July and only had about 4 weeks left!
I know the last two posts have been on the short side but I am afraid that I find it hard to put into words all that I am feeling these days. There is joy at being with family, so much sorrow and worry for friends in South Sudan, confusion as to how there can be that much hate in one country, happiness at hearing from friends in south Sudan that they are safe, hope for the future of South Sudan but also despair for the future there.
Monday, July 11, 2016
Please, Lord....
I have not written about the current situation in South Sudan as I really have no words to describe my feelings but I need to let you all know what we know.
First of all, Leisa, our mission co-worker, is still in Juba during all of this fighting. We have had contact with her several times a day and while scared, she is doing okay. There are not many at the apartment building and those that are there are keeping each other company, sharing Bible verses and news and helping each other cope with all the uncertainty. They have not been able to leave the building since Friday (or maybe Saturday) of last week.
We have also heard from some of our South Sudanese co - workers and have been so glad to know that they are still able to communicate with us. We don't know how long communication will last with anyone but as of today, Monday the 11th we have heard from the Moderator. I cannot begin to imagine the trauma these good people are going through yet again.
Leisa has expressed that the not knowing what is, or going to, happen is what is so hard so please pray for all those there that they will have communications with each other and be able to know how their families are doing.
We have read that both the President and Vice President have ordered a ceasefire. I don't have a lot of hope for that order and yet am praying that it will be listened to. As all this fighting shows, there is a long way to go for peace in South Sudan but the people are tired of all the fighting and wish those that are doing it would just STOP!
First of all, Leisa, our mission co-worker, is still in Juba during all of this fighting. We have had contact with her several times a day and while scared, she is doing okay. There are not many at the apartment building and those that are there are keeping each other company, sharing Bible verses and news and helping each other cope with all the uncertainty. They have not been able to leave the building since Friday (or maybe Saturday) of last week.
We have also heard from some of our South Sudanese co - workers and have been so glad to know that they are still able to communicate with us. We don't know how long communication will last with anyone but as of today, Monday the 11th we have heard from the Moderator. I cannot begin to imagine the trauma these good people are going through yet again.
Leisa has expressed that the not knowing what is, or going to, happen is what is so hard so please pray for all those there that they will have communications with each other and be able to know how their families are doing.
We have read that both the President and Vice President have ordered a ceasefire. I don't have a lot of hope for that order and yet am praying that it will be listened to. As all this fighting shows, there is a long way to go for peace in South Sudan but the people are tired of all the fighting and wish those that are doing it would just STOP!
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Time
Well, it has again been a month since I wrote anything.
It is amazing how at first the time seemed to be going slowly but now I find that time is flying by and we only have a month left in the States.
We have been having really good visits with so many different churches and Presbyteries! It is interesting to me how it is a little hard to walk in the door of a new church but then it is hard to leave because we have made new friends. I love how people know where South Sudan is and know what is happening there and still want to know more and are willing to commit to prayer for the people there.
We have been hearing from our friends in South Sudan and know that things are getting worse, economically but we also hear that the Project continues to move along with Rev. Stephen and Leisa keeping up with things.
The one thing I hope we have been able to explain to people is just how slow things move in South Sudan and how we rejoice over every small accomplishment. It takes days, and sometimes weeks, to do something there that we could do in hours here in the States. While on one hand this is frustrating to us it is also teaching us to slow down and look at the relationships we are building and know that in the long run we need those relationships if we hope for things to change and move forward. Lucky for us, we love building those relationships and find that is one of the perks of living in South Sudan.
We will be at New Wilmington Missionary Conference in Western Pa the end of August and hope to see many of you there. If we have not already met you, please come up an introduce yourself to us.
It is amazing how at first the time seemed to be going slowly but now I find that time is flying by and we only have a month left in the States.
We have been having really good visits with so many different churches and Presbyteries! It is interesting to me how it is a little hard to walk in the door of a new church but then it is hard to leave because we have made new friends. I love how people know where South Sudan is and know what is happening there and still want to know more and are willing to commit to prayer for the people there.
We have been hearing from our friends in South Sudan and know that things are getting worse, economically but we also hear that the Project continues to move along with Rev. Stephen and Leisa keeping up with things.
The one thing I hope we have been able to explain to people is just how slow things move in South Sudan and how we rejoice over every small accomplishment. It takes days, and sometimes weeks, to do something there that we could do in hours here in the States. While on one hand this is frustrating to us it is also teaching us to slow down and look at the relationships we are building and know that in the long run we need those relationships if we hope for things to change and move forward. Lucky for us, we love building those relationships and find that is one of the perks of living in South Sudan.
We will be at New Wilmington Missionary Conference in Western Pa the end of August and hope to see many of you there. If we have not already met you, please come up an introduce yourself to us.
Monday, June 6, 2016
more about roads
It is funny how when in Juba I don't think so much about how little green there is around but now that we are in the States at such a green time of year I realize how much I miss the green grass and beautiful spring flowers.
One of the perks of having to do all this driving around the US is that we get to see a lot of beautiful countryside and quaint little towns. We have been to Cauldwell, Sharon and Lancaster Ohio and have had such wonderfully warm receptions at each place! The more we visit these churches in small town America and realize how important they are to the world wide church and how in even a small way they make a big impact on the world, the more hope I have for our world. It was heart warming at the one church to hear a new high school graduate thank her church for all they had done for her through her high school years. There just is something really special about the church family and I think sometimes we forget the impact we can have on our young people at church.
The news we are getting from South Sudan is both encouraging and discouraging but I guess that is not anything new. The economic situation has gotten worse which means more people going hungry. There is still a sense of hope that the government will be able to do what it should to help bring this country up out of the mess that it is in.
It is funny how when I am here in the State it is so easy to forget how long it takes to get things done in South Sudan, that is until I get a letter from our co worker and I am quickly reminded of how slow things happen. In South Sudan you measure your successes in inches or moments. I like the slow pace of life but get frustrated when I feel the need to produce results that we can then show people.
One of the perks of having to do all this driving around the US is that we get to see a lot of beautiful countryside and quaint little towns. We have been to Cauldwell, Sharon and Lancaster Ohio and have had such wonderfully warm receptions at each place! The more we visit these churches in small town America and realize how important they are to the world wide church and how in even a small way they make a big impact on the world, the more hope I have for our world. It was heart warming at the one church to hear a new high school graduate thank her church for all they had done for her through her high school years. There just is something really special about the church family and I think sometimes we forget the impact we can have on our young people at church.
The news we are getting from South Sudan is both encouraging and discouraging but I guess that is not anything new. The economic situation has gotten worse which means more people going hungry. There is still a sense of hope that the government will be able to do what it should to help bring this country up out of the mess that it is in.
It is funny how when I am here in the State it is so easy to forget how long it takes to get things done in South Sudan, that is until I get a letter from our co worker and I am quickly reminded of how slow things happen. In South Sudan you measure your successes in inches or moments. I like the slow pace of life but get frustrated when I feel the need to produce results that we can then show people.
Monday, May 23, 2016
better roads
Ok, I said I would let you know what our bump in the road did for us and I will try to do that over the next couple of posts.
For now I would say that we have learned to be thankful for our health and disappearing bruises. Lynn's neck seems to be back to normal and while the rib still doesn't like it when he sneezes or coughs, it is getting better. Me? I am fine.
We had one day in Louisville where people were wonderfully kind and understanding about our being kind of slow in movement and a little distracted. It was good to see a few people again but we were sorry to miss so many that were out doing other things.
On to Missouri to visit with my brother and family and to speak at the very friendly First Presb. in Warrensburg! Thank you for laughing at our lame jokes and for the interest in what we are doing. It was also fun to meet a couple who had lived in Kenya - what a great connection!
Then on to Florida where we have been able to catch a breather with another brother and then also go to Inverness and visit with the folks there at First Presbyterian. A big thank you to our host and hostess and, yes to the dogs and calf who did not wake us up! If you want a quiet get away in the boonies of Fla., call me and I will tell you about a wonderful place to visit! :) I think we met a dozen transplants from Ohio at this church and it was fun to make that kind of connection!
We will be heading back to Ohio later this week and are looking forward to meeting more folks and seeing more of Ohio as we travel all around the State.
Our time in the States is definitely not a vacation but it is a chance to meet so many people who support us in many different ways. It can be tiring but everyone is so nice and we get fed so well everywhere that we cannot complain. Besides, we can talk for hours about South Sudan - just ask our children!
We keep hearing discouraging things from South Sudan in the news but when I hear from our partners there they have hope. There is so much hope for the future and for peace. I ask for prayers as the people of South Sudan find their way forward. There is much work to be done and things are still unsettled and yet I find myself thinking that maybe this time there will really be peace.
Even here in Florida Lynn and I have found that we are not warm all the way through:) When given the choice of eating outside we take it just so that we can warm up! My poor brother has had to suffer through meals outside when he probably would rather have been in the cool air conditioning!
One other thing about time in the States - it makes you realize how connected you feel to the country you are serving in and I think sometimes we need to be reminded of that.
Look out Ohio, here we come!
For now I would say that we have learned to be thankful for our health and disappearing bruises. Lynn's neck seems to be back to normal and while the rib still doesn't like it when he sneezes or coughs, it is getting better. Me? I am fine.
We had one day in Louisville where people were wonderfully kind and understanding about our being kind of slow in movement and a little distracted. It was good to see a few people again but we were sorry to miss so many that were out doing other things.
On to Missouri to visit with my brother and family and to speak at the very friendly First Presb. in Warrensburg! Thank you for laughing at our lame jokes and for the interest in what we are doing. It was also fun to meet a couple who had lived in Kenya - what a great connection!
Then on to Florida where we have been able to catch a breather with another brother and then also go to Inverness and visit with the folks there at First Presbyterian. A big thank you to our host and hostess and, yes to the dogs and calf who did not wake us up! If you want a quiet get away in the boonies of Fla., call me and I will tell you about a wonderful place to visit! :) I think we met a dozen transplants from Ohio at this church and it was fun to make that kind of connection!
We will be heading back to Ohio later this week and are looking forward to meeting more folks and seeing more of Ohio as we travel all around the State.
Our time in the States is definitely not a vacation but it is a chance to meet so many people who support us in many different ways. It can be tiring but everyone is so nice and we get fed so well everywhere that we cannot complain. Besides, we can talk for hours about South Sudan - just ask our children!
We keep hearing discouraging things from South Sudan in the news but when I hear from our partners there they have hope. There is so much hope for the future and for peace. I ask for prayers as the people of South Sudan find their way forward. There is much work to be done and things are still unsettled and yet I find myself thinking that maybe this time there will really be peace.
Even here in Florida Lynn and I have found that we are not warm all the way through:) When given the choice of eating outside we take it just so that we can warm up! My poor brother has had to suffer through meals outside when he probably would rather have been in the cool air conditioning!
One other thing about time in the States - it makes you realize how connected you feel to the country you are serving in and I think sometimes we need to be reminded of that.
Look out Ohio, here we come!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)