The Stories that Pictures Can Tell

Pictures from my time in S. Sudan;  Thanking God for this time!!!!

Gina, Rasala, Beka and children

Simoni and his family

Joy and Hannah

Leah and I outside the fence in Malakal

Leah in the plane and on her way to S. Sudan, Doro, Malakal and Juba

Sunset on the White Nile River Malakal

Leah resting after a long day in Juba

 Cooking in Juba brings joyful memories of cooking in Thiangrial and Doro

God's beauty, sunset in Juba

God's children

On our way from Juba to Nairobi at 30,000 ft in the air. 

 

Our God is an Awesome God!!!

Uzima Children's Home

Uzima Children's Home.  The Children's Home flooded in October of this year, and God has provided a house for them to live in.  Fred and his wife Regina and their three girls gave up their house so that the children would have someplace to live.  We thank God for that.  There are 31 children (the least of these) who live in the house with an average of 5 bunk beds per room.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians  3:20-21

I thank God for all of you and all of your prayers this year, and the way the Holy Spirit impressed me on the hearts of so many to pray for things I didn’t even know I was dealing with and for all your help financially.  I have so much to be thankful for, and if I tried to put it all in the update it would go on for days.  Below are some of the things I am thankful for:

God’s faithfulness:  God has opened the door 3 times for trips into S. Sudan, and given clarity in my return to S. Sudan.  He gave clarity through the length of time it took for my body to recoup after the second trip.  I have just returned from S. Sudan with the blessing of being able to take Leah (our logistics coordinator with me,) she has been with us since 2008 and never has gone into S. Sudan.  It was a great trip, as the Lord showed her so many things, and I was able to reconnect with the ladies in Doro whom I miss and love so very much.  (See pictures below).  In the 10 days we were in S. Sudan we were able to visit 3 locations, Doro, Malakal, and Juba, this involved 5 flights and quite a bit of road travel.  Praise the Lord He sustained this body.
 

Ministry:  Things have changed at the Uzima drug and alcohol rehab center, so I am spending very little time out there.  The last lady to be in the program Susan, graduated on Sunday, December 16^th   and received the Lord!!!!!.  I am seeking the Lord on how to come along side these women (who live in so many different places) and disciple so that they can grow in Christ.  God has given me many opportunities to speak and teach in churches. I thank Him.

Uzima Children’s Home has found a new place for the children (as most of you know the place they were in flooded in October).  It has been a long and hard road, to find someone who was willing to let 31 street children live in their house.  My time at the Children's Home on Christmas Eve was a blessing.  To be with all of the children I love, to see how God has provided for them, and to be able to share gifts that were provided from a dear friend in Oregon.

Bible Study:  With my Kenya staff in the logistics room we are reading the African version of Pilgrims Progress called: “The Journey”, what a blessing and a privilege it is to study God’s Word with them.

Kenya Family:  All of my Kenya families were able to come together in November.  For most of them this was the first time to meet.  God has blessed me with many spiritual sons, daughters, and grandchildren.  What a blessing as we prayed together, worshiped our Lord together in 4 different mother tongues, and shared a meal together, traditional Kenya food, as well as western food.

Sharing the Gospel:  Oh how I love this.  He has given me the privilege to see some come to the Lord.  What excitement when He opens up an opportunity to share the Gospel of His grace, to someone driving a taxi, to someone who professes to be a believer, but has never received Christ, to those who have been taught it is by works, or those who have heard from false teachers.  Thank you Father.

God’s calling into more of a leadership position in Nairobi: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the LORD, your God the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1b-3

God’s promises; His Word, His strength, His faithfulness, His grace, His mercy.   There has been a lot of trying to figure out what, where, and how; trying to learn another culture and how it looks in an office.  Figuring out relationships, saying things that were not taken the way they were meant.  Logistics, oh for the chance for all of you and all of the SIM-Sudan team to spend a week with us.  There is no way to describe what a day or a week in the logistics room is like.  So many challenges, knowing God wants us to plan, but also understanding that we need to hold everything with open hands.  Asking Father everyday and sometimes moment by moment to fill me with His grace as I read emails, or hear words that hurt.  God is faithful and He has shown me many times as long as I keep my eyes on Him this is doable.   I was reading my devotional and I share with you what God showed me. “When you are plagued by a persistent problem – view it as a rich opportunity.  The learning possibilities are limited only by your willingness to be teachable.  In faith thank Me for your problem, ask Me to open your eyes and your heart to all that I am accomplishing through this difficulty.  Once you have become grateful for a problem, it loses its power to drag you down.” Jesus Calling

His Word is what gives me (us) the strength to go on.  His Word reminds us of His promises.  Father help me to keep my eyes on you, and would you open my eyes and my heart to all that you are accomplishing through this difficulty.  I want to glorify you through this storm.

Praises:  For the safety in all of my travels.  For the time in S. Sudan renewing and continuing to build relationships, For God’s provisions to take Leah into S. Sudan, For all the trials and frustrations.  For the opportunities to share the Gospel, For who HE is!!!!!!

Prayers:  For Uzima Children’s Home.  For God’s continued leading in the ministries He wants me to be involved in.  For Njoki (from the rehab center), who is HIV positive and needing a place to live, For Kenya, as tensions and fear rises as they move closer to the national election in March 2013.  That I would see every opportunity God has for me and ever divine meeting.  For S. Sudan as they continue to build this country, for honest people, God fearing people, for unity, healing, forgiveness and for peace to hold (there are many pockets of unrest).  For more opportunities to return to S. Sudan and share the Gospel, and to train up Timothy’s.

Please Pray

"Please be in prayer for the situation of SIM's compound in Khartoum as together with the church leaders we face up to a takeover attempt. Although it is not possible for SIM to be registered in Sudan as a Christian organization we have enjoyed many years of freedom. Please pray that the seven churches which meet on the compound will stand united. Praise the Lord for Christian leaders from three denominations who are now standing together."

The day in the life of SIM Sudan logistics

I think of the things we go through when we make plane reservations whether they be in the US or International and I thank God for how easy it is.  I wanted to share with everyone just one day in the life of our logistics department and team and how fast things can change. 

Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”


The Faders made all their plans; Visa’s (check), Passports (check); cargo sent to Juba (check); Commercial airline tickets to Juba (check); bags packed (check); food purchased (check); communication with Leah on the MAF charter flight (check). Excited and ready to start their journey back into South Sudan and Melut.

Leah: Confirmed charter (check); transported cargo to Juba (check); communicated with Moses in Juba concerning additional items to be purchased (check); communicated with Nate, and Tom to be at the airstrip to fly to Doro (check); all is in place and ready to go.

How fast can our plans change: This morning Faders at Jomo at 5:30am awaiting their flight to Juba, and connecting flight to Paloich and their transition back to South Sudan and Melut. Jomo airport closed at 4:30 am due to a disabled airplane on the runway!!! No flights going out.

Waiting to see if Jomo will reopen, and the flight to Juba will go forward, MAF contacted of the situation. Everyone is in a wait mode. Finally the time is getting late to late for the Faders to connect with the MAF charter flight. Leah on the phone with MAF, canceling the flight to Paloich, and trying to see if they have another flight tomorrow, no MAF doesn’t have anything available until Saturday, OH that won’t work, there are people in Melut that need to get to Doro to connect with a flight on June 8th. On the phone with Tim at AIM, do they have anything, yes they have a flight we can use tomorrow (Thursday) PTL. Okay communicating with MAF please off load cargo and take to the AIM hanger, in the mean time the Faders are still at the airport waiting to see if they can get to Juba today.

SIM team mates waiting at the Paloich airstrip for plane, communication is almost impossible due to the networks. People thinking they are leaving today for Doro, that Faders are arriving, and a lorry waiting to be loaded with all the Faders personal effects. Finally able to communicate with Melut team, no need to stay at air strip, no flight coming in today. God willing the Faders will arrive tomorrow on an AIM Charter, arrival time between 9am and 10am. Cargo and passengers for Doro will go on this flight.

Faders still at Jomo, but have been told they will fly to Juba today, now finding somewhere for them to spend the night. It is now 3:42pm Leah is on the phone trying to find a place for them to stay. MAF, full, SP full, SIL, full Lord help us to find a place for this weary family to lay their heads tonight.

We make our plans, but we need to hold them very loosely, because things can change, and most of the time it is out of our control. If we believe that God is Sovereign than we also believe that none of this day took Him by surprise. He knew exactly what this day would hold, the road blocks that would be put up, and exactly how it would all be worked out. For His glory.

We need to all keep in mind how fast things can change, and that we would all be ready to turn things loose and just roll the way we need.

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Let’s all hold our plans with open hands.

PRAYERS ARE NEEDED!!!

I just received this from one of my team mates in South Sudan

Please pray for the people of Blue Nile State. I just came back from the clinic this evening, where I met a family with a weak, malnourished child. After they left, Benjamin (our health worker) told me what he had learned of their story:

The man had just returned from an excursion into Blue Nile, looking for lost family members (whom he could not find). He said that in one town, he found many chi...ldren just under trees, without people to care for them . . . some of them as young as a year old, some already dead, some crying for food and for their parents. In the midst of recent bombings, people had to run, and apparently some ran without their kids (for what reasons, we don't know; maybe they were in their fields and their kids were at home under the care of older children at the time of the bombings...we don't know). The man tried to connect some of the abandoned children with people who are still in the area, so that they can travel together when they flee the area.

The woman just came from a town on the border between Blue Nile and Upper Nile, and she said that there are 25,000 people on the way from that town coming towards Doro . . . people who have fled with nothing and have no shelter or food (and the rains have certainly come). Bombings continue in that area as well, pushing thousands more people into Mabaan County, and everyone here is already over-extended trying to help the thousands who have already come.

The situation is devastating and hopeless, from a human perspective. We turn our eyes to the One Who knows all and loves every one of the people from Blue Nile, as well as every person from Upper Nile . . . He knows each of their unique stories and sees every tear that falls. How long, O Lord, will this continue? When will hope be reborn? We need You!

Pray for peace for South Sudan and Sudan

The Peace of Sudan
What is the definition of peace?  Where you can live together without fighting, without having to run, without having to fear everyday for your life.  Well Sudan has never known that kind of peace.  The peace that has been in Sudan has been a very fragile human  peace. 

Since the celebration of their independence South Sudan has tried to move forward in rebuilding their country, however there has been many road blocks and hurdles they are having to go through and jump over. 

Can peace ever be between South Sudan and Sudan?  We continue to pray that peace will come between these two countries, will you join us in prayer that there would be spiritual peace between these two countries.  That God will be exalted in every nation, and that the peace that only comes from the Lord Jesus will rein.

There are over 100,000 refuges that have had to flee their homes.  There is not enough water or food, and they are living in make shift housing.  Blankets being held together by tree branches, some are able to live in tents provided by NGO's.  It is rainy season in South Sudan, and most of these people are living in areas of flooding, areas covered in black cotton clay soil, areas that will soon be breading grounds for many different kind of dieases.  Please pray for South Sudan and Sudan.

Kawangware

On June 1, 2012 I was given the opportunity to go to Kawangware to see what God is doing.  This is one of the biggest slums in Nairobi.

I meant a young man named Fred whom God has given the heart for the street children who are on the street due to parents who are addicted to alcohol and or drugs.  He took me down into Kawangware to meet some of the children.  When you first walk into Kawangware all you see is such need, such poverty, it is heart breaking, but then as you continue to walk with Fred and hear his story of how God brought him to Kawangware and into the lives of so many, you also see what God is doing.  I am going to let the pictures speak for themselves.

They live in poverty that most of us can't even imagine.  But when you talk with them and see their faces, their beautiful smiles, you say "why?"  I believe it is because they are hearing about Jesus, they are seeing Jesus' love through Fred, Washington, and many more.  God is providing shelter, food, and schooling.  But please pray for them, as the landlord has given them notice to vacate the housing they are living in.  They need another place to live, please pray that they will not be turned back out on the streets.

After spending time in Kawangware then drove about 45 minutes to where God has provided housing for a counseling and Rehabilitation center for people who have been addicted to drugs and or alcohol.  For those who have made a choice to want to break the addiction.  With the doors just opening on May 4th, the building and ministry were dedicated to the Lord on Saturday, June 2 2012.  What a blessing to be able to spend time here, to worship and praise the Lord together, and to hear some of their testimonies.  During my time with the ladies God gave Jesse and I the opportunity to share the Gospel with one who was not a beliver.  After sometime, she received the Lord.  What a humbling and amazing expierence to be a part of someone taking the step out of darkness and into the light, and life eternal.  Once again I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

 Please pray, the addiction world is an uphill battle, at this facility they hear God's Word, they are counseled in lifeskills, how to change their lives, they are discipled and mentored in God's Word, they are prayed for daily.  For most of us who have had to fight this battle, we have had the choice to not return to the place we lived during that time.  These women and men don't have that option, once they complete the program, they will return to the area they came from.  Pray that they will be strong, pray that they will stand on the Word of God, pray that they will be able to reach out and help others, pray for their children, and pray for their health, many of them are fighting other dieases.   Please also pray for God's provisions for funding.

So what now

     May has seen surgery on my knee, with rehab in full swing.  I thank God for His provisions for this to be done in Nairobi Kenya.  I continue to assist in the logistics room.  God continues to bring opportunities my way, and I watch in total amazement as He continues to build relationships.  He has entrusted to me several spiritual daughters and sons, and has even given me the priviledge to be sho sho (grandma) too 3 beautiful little girls and two handsome little boys. By God's grace I will be able to give them a strong foundation in the Lord. 

      My desire is to be able to return to South Sudan sometime in early July .Until then I want to see every opportunity God brings my way, and I know there have been many I haven't seen.  There is nothing more exciting then to be used as His vessel for His glory.
     But one thing I have learned (actually continue to learn) is no matter where I am  I can still testify to the gospel of God's grace. 
     "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24

Wedding

Also in the month of April, I was able to attend a wedding of one of our team.  It was the first Kenya wedding I have been to, oh what a blessing.

We continue

February, March,April 2012;

Once I returned from Sudan, meetings were held, purchasing started as there were things that needed to be put into place for me to return to Thiangrial and live with the people I love.  However it was not going to be in the timing I thought it would.  AFter about a week, I started having problems with my right knee, after a while I had our team doctor look at it, but we didn't think it was anything serious.  Well after about two weeks it was getting worse.  Once again I was put into a situation where I was ready to go back to Sudan but my body wasn't. 
    "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
     As I reflect back on this time (it is now June) I realize that had I been in South Sudan when this knee pain started, it very well could of gotten worse and worse until I couldn't walk, and that would of meant and emergency evac.  "He knows the plans He has for me, plans to prosper and not to harm, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.

     During these months,I have had the opportunity to join the logistics staff again, and help them through the many trials they face in getting this team in and out of Sudan.  I thank God for this time of renewed relationships.  Meet once again the logistics team for SIM Sudan 

 I have had the opportunity to be with all my team mates.  April SIM Sudan had their Spiritual life conference, which is a time of refreshment, being together as a team, spiritual renewal and worshiping our Lord and Savior.  What a blessing.  It can get pretty cold in Nairobi and I think when the photo below was taken it was 58.  That is cold for people who normally live in South Sudan.

                                             Susan, Karissa, Debbie, and Christiane  
I thank the Lord for all that He has allowed me to be a part of.  Even though I am not back in South Sudan, I know without a shadow of a doubt I am right in the middle of His will.

The story continues

February 2012:  Once I got settled into Nairobi again, I started making plans to return to Sudan, specifically Thiangrial.  I lived at Thiangrial in 2008-2009.  The base was closed down in 2009, so this trip was a survey trip to assess the condition of the base, and to spend time with the Thiangrial community.  Oh what a blessing to be back in Sudan, and to be back in Thiangrial, to greet people I had not seen in three years.  Thank you Jesus.

Once into Malakal we traveled by road to Mulet, then onto Thiangrial, it was a very long ride, on rough roads, but oh the joy in my heart as we reached the village.

                                          Above were some of the roads we traveled on

       The village, it was good in one way to see that nothing had changed, but sad in another.

   So my tent that was left at the base in 2009 is still standing and still in pretty good shape.  Praise the Lord.
    There was going to have to be quite a bit of work done, before the compound was livable again.  But oh how my heart filled with joy, as I saw Peter the guard again, and so many others in the village.

Back in Kenya and Sudan

It has been a long time since I last updated here, but if you will forgive me and follow along with me, I will hopefully with God's grace bring you up to date.

February 7th, 2012 -- I arrived back in Nairobi Kenya, as I was looking out the window and seeing all the countryside, I thought "well Lord were home".  I have had people ask me where home is? And my answer to that is, wherever God has me lay my head.

It was great to be back to reconnect with team mates whom I hadn't seen nor heard from in over 9 months, to catch up with everyone, to be blessed as I heard from many how God had been working in their lives, and to meet new team members who had just recently joined the team.

The beauty of God's creatures, and the beauty of Nairobi.

Thank you Father for your travel mercies, for the people you put in my path in the airports and on the planes, and for the ability to stretch out on the long flight.

There will be more coming, however it will have to be when the power comes back on.  :-)

Returning to Sudan

Well the days in the states are coming to a close. I moved out of my house last Saturday, and moved in with my sister and brother-in-law for the time I have left here. What a blessing to be able to stay with them and have this time together. Stuff has been stored, Action Packers have been packed, unpacked, packed, unpacked, trying to get them down to 50lbs each. Have you ever thought about how... heavy dried fruit is????? So with one foot in the states the other foot in Africa and the rest of my body, going every which way, the time for farewells has started. I am thanking God for this time, for all that He has shown me, and for family (all family) What love has been shown. I will miss everyone here.

During my quiet time a few months ago when things were really hard God lead me to Jeremiah 12:5 "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan."

As decisions were made and meetings held God continued to bring me back to this passage, and I realized this isn't just for Sudan, it is for all of us where ever we are.

I choose to run with the horses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I leave for Sudan on Feb 6th. All praise and glory to God!!!!!