downside up.

A day turned upside down.

School—Went at 8 am to tell part two of the Moses story where God gives the law to His people.  Emmanuel wasn’t there, so with help from Lopone, Loturi, and Libole (three students who are good friends of the Lewis boys), Carrie reviewed the story of the Exodus from Eygpt.  We sang some songs in English and Toposa (this also included teaching the “hand jive”!).  Then, we invited all of them to watch “Prince of Egypt” that night at the school using our projector. 

Language—Emmanuel went to town or something, still not sure, but he wasn’t there for language either.  So, we did some reviewing and discussed our day, which seemed to suddenly have much more inside it than we had originally planned.  (Although by the end of the day, we ended up doing several things completely different from our plans at lunchtime.  It’s how we roll out here!  We have to!!)

Kapoeta—Off to town after lunch for the basic veggies and a new car battery for the truck (more on that later).  Ended up having a carload of people join us on the trip.  I sat with my feet up on a rack of glass soda bottles, my knees touching my chest, and I was squeezed between Lokuda and the back of the passenger seat.  Two of the girls who rode with us asked me for money/okra/maize flour/shoes/clothes about 50 times.  No, not kidding.  But they came to town with money and went and bought food for their families!  Anyway, town was hectic as always; patience for everyone was running thin.  Then, when we finally get everyone back in (except those trying to sneak back ‘siko’ (alcohol) to Paringa; we have a strict “no alcohol policy while in the vehicle”) and began our trek back to Paringa, it began pouring rain.  POURING.  So we slipped and slid and bumped all the way back home. 

Compound—Pouring rain, so I sat in my room and reviewed the second REAP story, a tale of a little boy on a journey who learns about listening to different voices, those of your enemies, thieves, and friends.  Ready to share!

Nataragat—Off to tell REAP Story #2 at the borehole in Nataragat.  Stopped to pick up Emmanuel, still wasn’t at home.  A bunch of the school kids jumped in the back of the truck.  Carrie and I got to the borehole and were immediately surrounded by tons of kids.  Adults came over slowly and joined the crowd as well.  Decided to pray and thank God for the rain.  And then, we decided to go ahead and let me try to tell the story with the help of Lopone, Loturi, and Libole.  It was going good!  Several men were listening very intently.  Then, one of them in front pointed to this woman on the side.  Through hand gestures and some Toposa, I learned that this woman speaks English!!!  She stepped right up and helped me to tell the rest of the story.  The man who was in front answered the questions I asked often, and after part 2 of the story, told the woman to tell me to ask them more questions.  It went so well.  Not in the way I had planned.  I was talking very loudly.  And there were disruptions.  But the woman was helpful, and people were listening and answering the questions correctly!  Then, Carrie suggested I go ahead and try the activity, which involves three volunteers.  One to be the Traveler and be blindfolded, one to be the Enemy, and one to be the Friend.  The Traveler (the man from the front) had to get to the borehole from the tree where we were standing by listening the voice of his Friend and not that of his Enemy.  It was hilarious!!!  He was walking around in puddles and never ended up at the borehole, because he was listening only to his Enemy (silly Loturi!).  It got the point across, and they go it!

Well, afterward, I asked for the Traveler’s name, Marino, and the Friend, Marco.  Both were there the day before to hear story #1 and were such good listeners for story #2.  And then, I turn to find out my new translator’s name, Lucy, and she explains to me that Marino is her husband!!!  Big victory!!!  Praying they are all there on Monday to hear the next story of Creation.

School—Back to the school for a 7:00pm showing of “Prince of Egypt.”  Used my laptop to show the kids the Moses story in cartoon form in a dark classroom.  While I manned the video and watched the computer, Carrie, Benton, and Davis made popcorn outside on a fire.  Each kid (and adult as some random teachers and other adults slipped in) got at least three handfuls of popcorn.  They loved the movie, and kept shouting out in Toposa who the people were.  The school kids understand a little English, but, because we had told the story of Moses, were able to get most of the movie.  Afterward, as promised to the parents, we drove back to Nataragat, slipping and sliding in the dark and almost getting lost, to drop off the students who live in that area.

The day was completely different than I had pictured it.  Learning day by day that I can’t plan, I can’t picture what’s ahead.  But I can go forth ready to share, willing to be flexible.  It was so cool to see God still work, even if I thought it wasn’t going to happen! 

From my perspective, it was a day turned over on its head.

And instead of being a day turned upside down…it was actually turned downside up!

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!

home of the brave.

Independence Day pictures!  Such an amazing day to be with our people, the Toposa, as they experienced a day of freedom after so much war.  It was really neat seeing people from all of the areas where we are doing ministry come together in celebration.  God was given much glory!!!

 Toposa women celebrating!

 Toposa man celebrating!

 Toposa chief wearing his celebration attire

 Toposa woman in her celebration attire (kind of funny to see who is on her shirt!)

 Whitney and I amidst a ginormous crowd of Toposa, Acholi, Kenyans, other South Sudanese, and government officials

 The flag of the country of Sudan

The new flag that raised in place of the one in the previous picture.  This is the flag of the Republic of South Sudan.

Please pray for continued peace as South Sudan learns how to stand on it's own feet.  Pray for the oil region of Abyei in the border area.  Pray for cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan.  Pray that no more innocent lives will be lost, but that peace remains between the two nations.  And pray, most importantly, that God is glorified and that people from both countries cry out to the Lord.  Thank you!

nairobi eyes + sunburn.

Nairobi eyes are bugs that, when squished on your skin, secrete acid.  The acid spreads on your skin by touch. A very bad sunburn from walking around last Friday praying with different villages for the coming Independence Day and then from being outside at the Independence Day festivities added to the effect of the Nairobi eyes.  But with prayer, toothpaste, and a little bit baking soda, it is all getting better!

 The original one on my arm the first day.  It got worse after this...

 The two on my elbow.  The one on the right burned onto the one on the left.  These also got worse before getting better.  A third blister appeared on the outskirts of one of those as it was actually getting better.  I'm a pro now in dealing with them though.  :)  On goes the toothpaste!

 The lovely sunburn/nairobi eye around my lips.  Got a little worse too.  Put carmex on it at first, thinking it was just sunburn.  Then, it blistered more, meaning some nairobi eye in there too.  Changed to baking soda/toothpaste mixture for two days on there.

 Could it be spreading to my neck?  Yep.  On goes the toothpaste here too.

 I could still smile (even though it hurt!).

I made this sad face as we headed to Kapoeta (only for the picture!).  Just realized the sunburn was also nairobi eye.  Hence the baking soda!

 The healing process.  Peeling city.  The bandaid is on the third new one.

Healing on the arm.  Not too shabby.

Praise the Lord that He is my security.  I went to town and out to several villages the two days I had white stuff on my face, neck, and arm.  It really doesn't matter what I look like.  It doesn't matter what other people think.  What a relief!  If I had any hesitations about going out in front of people looking funny or not "just right", God removed all of those.  He loves me at all times, even with blistering lips and acid-oozing spots all inside my elbow.  And that is all that matters.  

And, as a good friend told me recently, God is not so limited as to require my perfection in drawing others to Himself.  I have often thought, along with so many, that it's all about the presentation and the looks when sharing the gospel and God's love.  WRONG!  It's all about trusting Him, leaning on Him, taking those steps to reach out to others.  He's the One with the perfect words and the unfailing love.  He's the One at work.  

And so, I was able to walk out there resting in Him.  Explaining along the way to everyone that a "zzzzzz" (with hand motion of pinched fingers flying around), "sttssssss" (hand touching lips, then elbow twice), "apilpil lowi" (something akin to "very much paining"), "nyekitoi" or "dawa" (rubbing motion to show "medicine" application), and then "covered" (as I gently rub my hand over my bandaids or just above the toothpaste).  They understood!

Nairobi eyes + sunburn = fearless real me.  And God getting the glory.

Praise the Lord for funky skin stuff!

you just won't believe it.

Here are pictures from my two weeks ago!

Woman in the chief's village

Me, Walker, Davis, and Whitney

Us teaching the characteristics of God...arms up on sides means "God is righteous."

Me, Carrie, and Whitney walking with the kids

At the bor hole...the girls are wearing traditional Toposa skirts

This is Lotiketoi, the "blessed tree," under which all big meetings are held.   

This is the tree Carrie is named after!

Things that didn’t get captured on camera…the removal of maggots from Delilah’s skin (that’s the Lewis’ dog); the transport of a sheep (a gift from one of the Toposa leaders!) that pooped, peed, sneezed, and snotted out a worm in the car; three kids all sitting in my lap during church; the moment when I spit like a Toposa because a bug flew into my mouth and almost down my throat; and running in the rain getting soaking wet with Whitney and tons of kids!  More pictures to come in another blog soon!!!

for His Great Name.

God continues to teach me more about Him with every sunrise.  Several mornings ago God led me to write this in my journal:

“For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that His life may be revealed in our mortal body.”   2 Corinthians 4:11

“It is written: ‘I believed, therefore I have spoken.’ With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak.”  2 Corinthians 4:13

To be a jar of clay for His glory is to be being daily given over to death. And from our belief should stem obedience demonstrated through words to others of this: that the surpassing power is from God and not from us.  That only God has the power to redeem us from the grave, which is the wage of all our sin.  And we must speak to declare that we are who we are only because of who He is.  God is love.  And we know this because He sent His son, Jesus, to lay down His life for us, that we might live.  “Live,” I ask, “what about being given over to death?”  We are called as the Potter’s pots to imitate and exalt our Maker.  Remembering His sacrifice, His love, His endurance in opposition, and His willingness to die in our place, we go forth and press on considering life worth nothing to us that we may finish the task we have been given as God’s children: to be witnesses of His love in our homes to our families, and to all of our neighbors everywhere we go.  Our calling is to love our God with everything and to give everything to love others that they may come to know His love.  Anything else does not fall in line with Jesus’ command to His disciples to deny themselves, take up their crosses, and to follow Him.  And, ultimately, our goal should match His as our lives become more and more like His—it is all for the sake of His Great Name.  His glory is His goal.  And His glory must be our goal at all costs, small or large, from changed plans to even death.  For in all things we are more than conquerors.  And the One we follow, the Great Shepherd, has overcome death and the world and the enemy.  And one day a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language will stand before the throne of God and in front of the Lamb and will cry out in a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”  And with the angels they will all worship God saying, “Amen!  Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever.  Amen!”

Verses that God used to lead me to these truths:

2 Corinthians 4

1 John 4, 5

Psalm 86

Romans 6:23

Romans 4:20-21

Hebrews 12:1-3

Philippians 3:12-14

Acts 20:24

Philippians 2:5-11

Acts 1:8

Luke 10:27

Ezekiel 36:22-23

Proverbs 16:9

Romans 8

John 16:33

1 Peter 2:25

1 Peter 5:4

Revelation 7:9-12

land of the free.

Today is July 4th.  It is Independence Day in America.  Millions of people will be flying the red, white, and blue and celebrating with family and friends the day the United States of America became an independent nation.

On Saturday of this week, the country of Sudan is splitting into two independent nations.  July 9th will become the Independence Day of the Republic of South Sudan.  This is a history making event and one that can turn this country toward Christ.  The Baptist Mission of Southern sudan invites you to join us for 8 days of prayer, starting on July 3rd going through July 10th.  Below is a daily prayer guide for you to follow each day as you are led to pray for this great event!  Thank you in advance for your prayers!

Week of Prayer for the new Republic of South Sudan

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:12

Day One: July 3rd Wisdom for Leaders
Salva Kiir Mayardit is the current president of Southern Sudan. He is poised to lead the new country of the Republic of South Sudan. Omar al-Bashir is the current president of the Republic of Sudan. Pray for wisdom and discernment as these leaders prepare their people for this long awaited separation. Pray for guidance as both of these men make daily decisions that affect the lives of millions of people.
Ephesians 1: 17-18

Day Two: July 4th Peace and Stability
A referendum on independence for Southern Sudan was held in January 2011, with 98% of the electorate opting for secession. Southern Sudan is expected to become an independent country on 9 July, 2011. The country is expected to be called Republic of South Sudan. Forty years of Civil War has killed roughly 2 million people, while disease, famine, and displacement have affected 4 million others. The conflict officially ended with the signing of a peace agreement in January 2005. Pray for peace as the separation occurs and the South becomes an independent nation. Pray for the stability of both countries as they learn to take care of themselves.
Colossians 3:15

Day Three: July 5th
Light in the Darkness
Southern Sudan is known as a Christian nation. What that means to many Sudanese is that they are non-Muslims. When asked if they are followers of Christ, they do not understand. Animism and African traditional religion are the heart of most Sudanese. Pray for the existing churches that they will be a light in the darkness. Pray for the hearts of the Sudanese to be changed.
1 John 1:6-7

Day Four: July 6th Patience with Change
Many Southern Sudanese have an optimistic view of what independence means. They have high hopes for the new country, but many are clinging to the image of a stable and well-established nation to emerge immediately upon Independence Day. It is good that many have such a vision for South Sudan, but it is important that they hold to realistic expectations for the time it will take for these dreams to come to fruition. Pray for patience as it takes time for South Sudan to become a new nation. Pray for trust in God as their Sovereign Lord, and trust in His plans for this new country. Pray for perseverance to work to improve and build up South Sudan, even when it seems impossible.
Philippians 3:12-14

Day Five: July 7th Unity
The tribes of Southern Sudan have fought and killed one another for many years over cattle. The tribes of this nation must stop the violence in order to embrace peace among one another. Pray for unity among the tribes of Southern Sudan. Pray for unity among the churches in all of Sudan.
Psalm 133:1 1 Corinthians 1:10

Day Six: July 8th Pray as We Pray
On the day before independence, the Toposa Team is going to be visiting various villages and districts in the Kapoeta area to lead prayer groups. We will be encouraging people to pray, and we will be leading times of prayer throughout the day. We also hope to stop and pray for all the government officials in Naskal, as this is the town where the office of the commissioner of Kapoeta North County is located. Pray for open doors in villages, districts, and government offices for prayer and the gospel Pray that prayer leads people to trust in God more and more Pray that the Toposa Team would be good examples of servants of Christ as they pray and lead others in prayer
Philippians 4:6-7

Day Seven: July 9th *INDEPENDENCE DAY*
Celebrations Independence Day for Southern Sudan will mean celebration in many parts of the new country, and the Southern Sudanese have many reasons to rejoice today. However, please be in prayer that as the Southern Sudanese celebrate their new independence, they would rejoice safely and respectfully. As the people learn to rejoice in newfound freedom, please pray also that they would learn to rejoice in the Lord as their ultimate source of freedom. Pray for peaceful celebrations in the large cities of Southern Sudan. Pray that celebrations would be respectful and appropriate and that excessive drinking is not a problem. Pray that rejoicing in freedom as a country would lead many individuals to a place of rejoicing in freedom in the Lord.
1 Chronicles 16:35

Day Eight: July 10th Open Doors
While the Lord is not hindered by boundaries of any kind, please pray that He would provide opportunities through what is happening in Sudan this week for the gospel to be made known in both Sudan and in Southern Sudan. Pray that many would come to recognize the Lord’s sovereignty and provision, to rely on Him alone as the only sure foundation, and to give Him the glory that He deserves. Pray that the Lord would use this time in the history of Sudan to remove barriers to the gospel’s spread in both Sudan and in Southern Sudan. Pray that those in both nations would hear and be receptive to His Word. Pray that many from all Sudanese tribes and tongues would come to understand His glory.
Colossians 4:2-3 Romans 8:20-21