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.

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!

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.

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.

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.:)

Something to do.

Ok, I admit to being a little depressed and bored. We have not had the language help we needed for the last month so it has been boring on that front. I have tried to go to the church offices to start getting acquainted with the system they use BUT the men have been gone for the last 3 weeks so here I sit. We still try to find things to do several days a week and we have one language helper on Saturdays but for the most part it is sit around and try to find something to do.

We have had some things going on. Michael Weller, who lives in Ethiopia, has been here several times in the last month and that has been nice to have someone different to talk to plus he has given us some things to do. Michael is our Regional Liaison and is handing over some of his work to Lynn and he has been introducing us to people. Michael also happens to be married to my ( Sharon ) good friend from growing up in Ethiopia so we have lots to talk about:)  Michael and Rachel just went to the States and my oldest brother sent a birthday gift along with them when they came back - a pan to make hot dog buns in!! I did not even know there was such a thing! So, now we can have hotdogs for supper once in a while:)

Things continue to not look good for peace. There has been renewed fighting in the Malakal area and people are frustrated with the government. We do wonder if there will be another big blow up and pray that that does not happen. Don't worry about us - if it does happen we can get out quickly.

We now have all the missionaries here in country that are supposed to be here with the last one arriving April 2. This means that in our building we have 7 PCUSA people spread out on all 3 floors.
This is when having such a small place is really a pain cause I can't have everyone over for a meal or really even for cake or sodas. I bake and then make the rounds just giving the stuff away rather than having people in to help eat it. Well, the only one who comes in to see what I have to eat is one of the workers here, he is the maintenance guy and likes to practice his English with us.

We continue to believe that we are where God wants us to be. It is hard when we have so little to do right now. It is easy to get discouraged and wonder why we came here but God has His ways of reminding us that we just need to do as He asks and that when the time is right He will show us His plans for us. Waiting has never been my strong point:) ( I can hear our kids saying AMEN that).

I am sorry that it took me so long to post the Easter blog -I wanted Lynn to read it and we both kept forgetting. So, now you are getting two of them back to back.

We are enjoying the rainy season. Things are a little cooler these days (88) and it is actually nice and cool when I go for my walk in the morning. We get rain for a day or two and then none for several days. When it does rain it rains long and hard and the roads are a muddy mess but then the next day things are drying up quickly. People are planting where ever they can and it is nice to see things so green.

What do you want to hear about? Leave a comment or email me.

Easter

Our first Easter in Juba. I had great expectations for this Easter. I told Lynn I wanted to go to an English speaking service so I could actually understand what was being said. We normally go to an Arabic service to try and hear more Arabic and learn some new words. Of course, this Sunday, the buses took forever to fill up ( they are about a 14 seater van) and they will not go until they are full! So, we were late for church but when the service goes 2 hours that is not all bad :). We got in on some of the singing, all of the announcements, more singing and then it was 10:24 and the service is supposed to end at 10:45 (there is another service at 11) and we still needed to have the sermon and communion! The preacher preached fast and we quickly had communion and as the last person received the wine we were dismissed. It was not how I envisioned our Easter being but it was ok. It reminded me that Easter and any other service at any time of year, is what you make of it. I can decide to worship no matter what the situation and make it a meaningful time for me. I can always go home and listen to the music I want to hear, read the scripture I want to and meditate on the Glory of God. It is what we make it. So, while it was not what I had in mind for Easter Sunday, it was still a time with other believers and a time to reflect on what Easter means to me.

We are enjoying cooler temperatures these days - only 88 - 95 with rain about 4 times a week. It is overcast most every day which really helps when out walking around. I have been getting up early and going for a walk while it is still cool. I have been amazed at how many people are out running in the morning and they are not all expats! It is kind of fun to see the city coming awake at 6:30 in the morning. Mind you, I think the guards here at the apartment think I am crazy but, oh well.:)

We are still having trouble with getting a language helper. We do have one that we meet with once a week and she is really helping us, but the others have wanted WAY to much money so we are not sure what to do now. I will be starting work next week at the church offices just because I need to be doing something and since language is not happening I may as well get to work. I will be helping the Treasurer with learning how to do reporting of funds received and spent. We will both be learning a new program so this could get interesting! I will also be working with the General Secretary of the Church helping with anything he needs help with. These men both speak English so that will not be a problem but working in a small room with no air conditioning or even fans will be ....interesting.

Things here in Juba have been quiet but in other areas there has been fighting again. In the Malakal area ( where I lived until I was 4 ) there has been fighting again this week(and just about every week).
There is still uncertainty about what may happen between the two leaders here and so people are edge. All anyone wants is peace!

Lynn continues to be doing well. He is back to his normal, ornery self. It is interesting that while we were in Nairobi for Lynn's kidney stones, the General Secretary of the Church went to Khartoum with the same problem and then Lynn's mother had a kidney stone! Who knew that Lynn could be such a trend setter:)

Ok, enough rambling for this time! We miss all of you and love hearing from you.

Back to Juba

mosquito net over the hospital bed :)

I have waited to write anything until we got back to Juba so that I could do an update on everything at once.
Lynn did get an MRI and a CT scan done. The scan showed one large stone and several smaller stones right behind it so no wonder he was in a lot of pain. All the tests they did that first day came back kind of scary, they said his kidneys were working at less than 50% and other numbers were off also. Not what you want to hear when you are far from home. On day 13 of pain he finally passed the stone but by then he was so worn down it was hard for him to eat and drink like he needed to and he ended up in the hospital with dehydration and a fever but was discharged after only 2 nights in the hospital.
I feel like the last 2 weeks would need about 6 blogs just to get caught up!
Some things we learned:
1. Every time you go to the Dr or get any kind of test done at the hospital you need a letter from your insurance promising to pay the bill. It does not matter if you were there the day before for the same test, you better have a letter.
2. God provides support where ever you are.
3. I (Sharon) do not have any patience for dealing with people in the States who are supposed to know how to handle things, insurance wise, in another country and don't believe me when I say I cannot get a certain phone number for them.
4. It is easy to pick up with friends you have not seen for 20+ years
5. The food in the hospital was served stove hot.
6. God is good!

I love that whenever we go to Nairobi we see beautiful flowers!

7. Even good guesthouse food gets old after 2 weeks.
8. Even with all the uncertainty at first with Lynn's health, we felt the prayers of you all and we knew that God was in control - even when it was hard for us to pray.
9. In Kenya, Lynn is a girls name only, so at the hospital everyone was getting a good laugh out of his name. Yes, Lynn fed into the jokes all the time.

Lynn did get a real ego boost our first day in Kenya. When we went down to get an appt. for the MRI the lady there wanted to know where the person was who was getting the MRI. When I pointed at Lynn, who was standing right there and talking to her she said there was no way Lynn is 60 years old! She was looking behind us to find an old man :) She thought Lynn was 45!!

We did enjoy getting away from the heat of Juba and even though I would not call it a relaxing time away we were still ready to get back to Juba and try to get into a normal routine again. We are hoping to find another language teacher and continue with learning Arabic.
There is really no way I can express how much your emails meant to us during that time. I know some of you felt like you did not want to "bother" us but reading those is no bother and I answer as I can.

Please continue to pray for Lynn to gain strength. Pray also for South Sudan.

Headed back to Juba!