cushy cushions.

Cushy cushions are a luxury.

At the training in Zambia, our leader, Kevin, read us a blog from a former IMBer entitled “fitted sheets are a luxury.”  I heartily agreed to that statement, because at training in Virginia and then training in Zambia, I did not have fitted sheets.  I got used it and was expecting to have two plain, non-fitting sheets when I got to Sudan.  But I was wrong!  Somehow, I ended up with a fitted sheet and one non-fitted sheet!  Little victory!  But that really helped to learn to appreciate the small things in life, like fitted sheets.  Now, every time I wash my sheets I think about what that person wrote, and I give thanks for my fitted sheet.

Well, I did not realize until we arrived at our hotel in Lokichoggio, Kenya (as we got ready to send Whitney home) how much cushy cushions (or really cushy anything) are a luxury.  In America, we don’t think twice about cushions being cushy.  We spend minutes and hours and sometimes even weeks when purchasing furniture or carpet of any kind finding just the right level and amount of cushiness.  In Sudan, nothing is cushy.  I mean, my bed sinks a little when I get into it each night, but it’s not one that I would run and jump on like I might or might not have done in the states.  And yes, our couch and chairs in the kitchen area have cushions on them, but they are thin and the padding spreads out the moment you sit on them.  Furthermore, most of the time is not spent on cushions at all.  The Toposa do everything on the ground (cook, eat, sleep, work) and so a lot of what we do is on the ground too! 

Other things that I have noticed my perspective has changed toward are what things my money goes to as compared to in the states.  In Sudan, it is so rare to get fresh fruit in the market.  And canned pineapples and fruit cocktails and peaches are so very expensive in Loki.  But canned fruit is what I splurge on now. 

And roads?  Well, after having only dirt/mud roads for two months in Sudan, the minute we hit the main paved road in Loki, we literally took a moment of silence as the car slid ever so gently onto the asphalt.  Bumpless (this is, until we hit the pot holes!).  Smooth.  Quiet.

Also, this week I was given opportunities to take every victory no matter how small.  Like seeing my chicken, Lyssabird, (that a Toposa lady brought on my first day here and the Lewis' bought for me!) and her new baby chicks!  13 in all! 

Like seeing a Nairobi eye on the outside of my recently hung mosquito net.  Ha! Too big to squeeze in to get me now!  Like scaring my friends in the chief’s village just by letting my hair down.  Like hearing the crunch sound when I step on these yellow circular things that fall from the trees here and literally cover the ground.  Like getting to watch the sun rise and set every morning and evening.

If I waited to celebrate until there was a gigantic victory, or some momentous event, or some grand eye-opening on behalf of the Toposa people, then I might not get a chance to celebrate during my time here.  I don’t know what’s ahead, but I know Who stands there and Who stands beside me right now.  And I am beginning to learn the truth behind the command to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” (Phil. 4:4) “Be joyful always.” (1 Thes. 5:16) And so “I will extol the Lord at all times.” (Psalm 34:1)

Praise be to the King of Kings for every victory.

For every single cushy cushion.

More victorious moments in pictures...

 Hide and seek with Walker and little Lokware, at the clinic where his brother was being treated.

 That's right.  We had a spa afternoon in Sudan.  And Mary came to visit!  We offered a mask to her too, and she took us up on it!

 One of our leaders, Joseph, baptizing a new believer in the river.  There were ten others!!!

And me, soaking wet and super muddy from swimming in and floating down the flowing river with Carrie and the boys and Toposa kids!  One of my favorite afternoons from my time here so far!