Journey Companion

Best moment in Sudan…

2008-09-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

…we were in Raja fulfilling our last story teaching stop to a group of people who lived way out in the bush and had a haunting look of desperation and loneliness. After the “Creation” story, the “Fall of Man” story and the “Birth of Christ” story was shared with them, Shelvis asked them if they had any questions or observations. An ancient man raised his hand and proceeded to tell us that in Dinka culture, when someone gets lost in the bush and cannot find the way back to the campground, the villagers beat a loud drum until the person returns safely. The old man associated Christ’s salvation of lost people to their tradition! God’s truth had been in their culture for centuries, and at that moment he chose to reveal himself to them for the very first time. May they hear his drum and find their way to the Kingdom home.

On way to Nairobe May 8, 2008

2008-09-22T20:33:00.000-07:00

Our work here, for this trip at least, is done. We are on the homestretch now. God is good and has healed us all form our various sicknesses. Everyone on the team except Glenn and Karen have been sick at some point and are glad to be healthy for the travel home. We are such a long way form home though! Jason and I won’t be in our own bed for three more days! Oh well.
Ja*** and Sa***** were particularly sad to see us go. I love these people so much! Despite the daily hardships they face and the horrors of their past, they find joy in simple things. Their faith in God is simple too, but so deeply rooted and strong. The Dinkas have not had sophisticate Bible training, Bible studies, or discipleship programs. But whattaya know. God’s Word and Spirit has been more than enough to equip them with faith, righteousness, and truth. His Word is sufficient.

Niyimbuli May 7, 2008

2008-09-22T20:29:00.000-07:00

We are staying at a hut compound where two American missionary girls live. We met up with the second ATC team (form Wilmington) who will go back to the places we’ve been and continue the storytelling. Tonight we had the most delicious bowl of beans and rice I have ever had. No more goat meat. Haaa!!! One matter worth mentioning is that the “toilet” is fly/maggot free AND odorless. Who knew such a thing was possible?!

In the Air Same Day

2008-09-22T20:26:00.000-07:00

There is one way we can know for sure that we are the only “musungu” or white people who have ever been in this area: This is THE FIRST time AIM airways has ever touched down in Raja. We are the first to ever even report to them the condition of the landing strip. Ja*** says that our coming here will literally be a topic of teaching and history, that the parents will tell their children about it and our names will be mentioned. Woop woop! It’s a humbling and overwhelming thought. What captures my hear the most is t hat the places we have been, have been touched with the Word of God for the first time and god’s kingdom has surely been advanced.

2008-09-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

Raja May 7, 2008

In four more days, and if God is willing, I will be home. But in the meantime, I am trying to soak in as much of the Sudanese culture as possible. Today is our last day in Raja and we are waiting until 3:30 p.m. for an AIM plane to come pick us up. We decided as a group that if we attempted the 5 ½ hours, 25 passenger truck ride to Niyimbuli, we would be physically terminated. So, as good ‘ole foreigners, we opted for the plane ride. Seriously though, I think it is a wise choice because we are all sick/border line sick. Somehow, word got to the States that we all have malaria, which probably means our families are frantically praying for us. = ) This is a good thing. But so far, none of us have malaria.
We have named Raja “the city of mangoes” because there are mango trees everywhere.
This morning we were all sitting under a mango tree and Ja***, who is a pastor here and one of our translators, told us a bit about what happened to him and his family during the war…
…”I went to Kartum in ’83 to work and make money to send back to my family, but by the time I traveled to deliver the money, the war had begun and the border of Kartum was closed and I could not go back. My father and Sa*****’s father were killed at the same time with guns by the Arabs who were grazing their cattle in the area (the same ones we shared the Bible stories with the other day!). My mother was beaten very badly and women and children were taken as slaves and wives. When the Arabs saw that the women were not circumcised, they circumcised them (this means that they cut off their clitoris. Horror!). These are the same Arabs that had lived among us for years had sold to us and bought form us, whose children had played with our children and knew our names…”
I cannot fully fathom the grief and pain these people have felt, the horrors they have endured. What I rejoice in is that God has not forgotten them and has sent his Word to them through us. What a privilege, a humbling privilege it is to serve God in this place and way. Everywhere we have been the people have said that we are the only white people who have come to help them and give them hope. It is comforting to know that the hope we bring is the God of hope himself, and this hope will remain long after we have left.

* I have not bathed since we were in Marial Bai. Let’s just say I am sticky to the touch. Aaaack! I do have a little makeup on though.

Raja Later on

2008-09-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

Mary the cook keeps coming in to check on me, but each time, she wants a big squirt of hand sanitizer. I’m running out of this vital stuff!

Raja May 6, 2008

2008-09-22T19:55:00.000-07:00

I’m in a hot room in Raja resting and trying to recover from my fever flu. Everyone has gone storytelling to the Dinkas outside of Raja. The people here have NEVER heard the gospel and it is so exciting to be a part of sharing Christ with them. Satan tried to make me feel guilty about staying behind because I’m sick, but I know better. I can pray for them form this bed and God has used me for what he purposed for me to do from the beginning.

2008-08-28T11:12:00.001-07:00

Waaaaaaaaay later…

Today we took THE roughest trip I have ever made. This is how it went down: The Dinkas decided the trip to Raja would be too rough on the large van, so they brought a pickup truck instead. A one CAAAAAAAB pickup truck. Since Jason was still really sick and Karen has extreme car-sickness, they rode in the cab. The remaining 22 of us PLUS all of the luggage were left to wriggle our way into whatever space was available in the truck bed. Dave and Chad pulled me up to sit on the roof of the truck over the passenger’s side. I had only a bar beneath my legs to hold onto with my right hand, and nothing to hold onto with my left hand. Very bump in the road (ummm, in other words, every two seconds) was a treacherous opportunity for me to bounce clear off of the truck, so I held onto Dave’s arm with my right hand and the bar with my left hand. It was mercifully cloudy for the first 40 minutes of the ride, but the sun showed its face full force for the rest of the way. We had originally been told that the trip would last three hours. As we piled onto the truck they told us it would take four. We stopped to let one whole person off at one point and then stopped again after about two hours. I was so weak from the jostling, the scorching sun, dodging thorny branches (more than three of which whacked me in the head and back), general fatigue, and by now possessing the same sickness Jason had (the night before I had a few sessions of outhouse emergencies and vomiting in between checking in on Jason to make sure he was still alive and hydrated). The situation was not good. But the worst part about it was that there was NOTHING I could do about it…but grin and bear, that is. At one point when we stopped for a short break, I traded spaces with Santino, who was sitting on some luggage with his legs dangling over the edge. Though not a comfortable spot, at least I wasn’t required to hold on for dear life. The one responsibility with this spot was that I had to steer my legs clear of the thorn bushes we passed every ten seconds. I eventually just held my legs up against me for as long as I could, all the while Santino sang the SAME song over and over at the top of his lungs as I watched my “sun blocked” skin turn redder and redder. Definitely THE worst trip.
One aspect of the trip that I will more than mention is that I prayed the whole time asking the Lord to give me peace, strength, endurance and joy. The joy part took a little while but we finally made it to Raja in one, slightly cracked piece. Praise God! We made it and he watched over us.
Oh, and the trip lasted 5 ½ hours…smirk. = /

Raja, Sudan May 5, 2008

2008-08-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

Today is little Roma’s 1st birthday. I wish I were there to love on you sweetie! I am SO looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks. = )
It is also Chad’s birthday today, and as it is the famous cinco de Mayo, we out my big floppy straw hat on him and sang “Feliz Cumpleaños.”

Jorboic, Sudan May 4, 2008

2008-08-28T11:05:00.000-07:00

Poor Jason is sick. I kind of am too, but I’m not as bad off as he is.. He has a fever, nausea, and body ache, along with cold symptoms. I think I am fighting the same germs because my throat is very sore and my body is weak. After the church meeting today I took a long nap on one of the stretchy beds they have. It was the best thing I could have done. Sometimes the best medicine is rest.

The church meeting:

We crammed into a truck this morning and literally drove through the bush to get to the church. We stopped at the edge of a dry sandy riverbed and walked the rest of the way. We were again greeted by a group of singing women, only that this time everyone on the team had been ushered into a little shade hut, and as I was still standing outside, the women continued singing for me. Every even t is treated very formally and so I was expected to make a formal greeting after they finished singing, which I did. I even said a few words in Dinka, which they really liked and got them all riled up. The church service began very ceremoniously. I think the follow Anglican or Episcopalian traditions. The pastors and mothers union were decked out in full robed uniform. I am talking about layer after layer of stuff in an already stifling environment. I asked Santino if he was hot. He said, “Yes. But it must be so.” Ha! Whatever dude. The pastor and director of the community was smarter. When asked why HE was not decked out he simply said, “I left my robes at home. It is too hot.” Smart, smart man.

Of the 781 people that were in attendance, about 25 or 30 of them were leaders of some sort, were ALL formally introduced, and ALL had something to say. Should I leave to your imagination how long the meeting was? Yep. It was long. Oh, it was such a blessing though! These people are filled with such deep insights of the Lord and His Word. God has done a mighty work here simply through his Word and Spirit without much foreign influence.

Funny things about the trip…

2008-08-22T22:13:00.000-07:00

We have dubbed Steve Shell as “Shellvis” because he caused a girl to swoon.
Dave tends to release gas loudly in his sleep, so we have diagnosed him with “Somulent Flatulence” and have prescribed him some “Flatulex PM.”
Shellvis has been deemed as “leader of funny” by Santino, and Jason is “deputy of funny.”
Right before we gathered for one of the story teachings, we blew up a whoopi cushion and slid it into Dave’s seat right as he was sitting down. I have never seen that look on his face! Ha ha.
We told Santino that a Black Mamba or “Pien” had slithered into his tent and hid under his mat. It was dark outside and as he tremulously began lifting the mat I went over and shook the tent while screaming/roaring loudly. He about died of fear! = )
We taught the Dinkas to go around saying “whoop whoop!”
One night I thought a man was trying to tell me that he wanted to be “close to me” , when all he really wanted was “clothes from me” for his wife.

Dave being cool

Jason demonstrating how to use a squatty potty

The leader of funny

Jorboich, Sudan, May 3, 2008

2008-08-22T22:12:00.000-07:00

Santino Atak named me Aliae which means “peace.” Awww…

Jorboich, Sudan May 2, 2008

2008-08-22T21:45:00.002-07:00

What we did this week in Marial Bai was teach the pastors, evangelists, and mother’s union seven of ten stories from the Bible, all of which are connected in some way to the redemption of Christ. They learn the short stories and the one by one they record them and play them on hand-cranked cassette players. Although this has been a very blessed ministry, we have questioned our wisdom in the timing in which we gave them the tape players. I’ll have you know that they crank those tape players all day, and most definitely at any point during the night. And at the highest of volumes. Do you think we have been sleeping much? Enough said.

The idea of teaching these stories is for them to turn right around and teach them to others, particularly to the Arabs in the northern part of Sudan who persecuted these very people. And that is what we did today, but I will have to write about that later because in a few minutes I will be teaching the group the next story about the baptism of Jesus.

Later…

2008-08-22T21:45:00.001-07:00

I have a constant accumulation of boogers. I’m not really concerned about it because they are not black and public nose picking doesn’t seem to be an issue here. I like this place. Pick, roll, flick.

Marial Bai, Sudan April 30, 2008

2008-08-22T21:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was “gathering” day. In other words, all of the people from the surrounding communities came together to hang out to dance and sing, mingle around radios and fires, cook, eat, play, talk, etc. I spent the day between hanging out with the team, as we had a staring audience, and just going around mingling with the women and children. At one point I went over to a group of women and started playing with one of the babies. He was very cute and well cared for. One of the ladies came over and told me to take the baby home with me. I can’t imagine what dire circumstances would make it such a natural choice to give up a baby. Poor people. In the midst of their struggles though, they express joy and love to one another. They are very ready to proclaim praises to God. They honor and love him.

Ok, so, though the food is not as bad as I thought it would be, it is still questionable. Let’s just say the really good bread has a crunch to it, a sandy crunch, in fact, and the meats usually include the … innards. The one food highlight of our day is most definitely the super hot sweet tea they bring out three or four times a day. The fact that they have gone through 50 lbs. of sugar in two days should give you an idea of how sweet the tea is. = )

Our team met in the morning for a time to pray, read Scripture, sing, and prepare for what we would be doing for the next few days. As we were praying, the Lord placed a vision in my mind of us acting out a skit before the people who were excited and very alert to the message. I thought, okeeeeey Lord, How and WHEN am I supposed to do that? And did I mention what what is the skit to be about and WHY am I supposed to do it? Ahahahaha. Oh well. I know if God gave me the vision, then he would provide the whys, whens, hows, and whats.

The skit: Late in the afternoon the people were gathered together and we were supposed to pray for the sick and for the people who will be sent out to spread the Gospel to all of the Sudanese people. My heart was burdened to share from the book of Romans, and all of the sudden I knew what the skit was supposed to be. I whispered hurried instructions to Jason and Karen and we performed a blockbuster. = ) Hua hua. The people were so very excited and it was sweet to witness the manner in which God spoke to them and encouraged them to share his Gospel to the people of northern Sudan who have never heard the Word of God.

It's bicycle central here now. ATC used some donated money to buy all of the pastors. evangelists, and mother's union shiny new bicycles, bells and all. They like to decorate their bikes elaborately. It's pretty funny.

Dinka Words

2008-08-19T12:21:00.001-07:00

Apat apei = very good

Yin cha leich = thank you

Chi bak = good morning

Yin apual = how are you?

Yen apual = I am fine

Nyalec bitie = God bless you

A quich = I don’t know

Marial Bai, Sudan April 29th, 2008

2008-08-19T12:20:00.001-07:00

Who am I? Inadequate. Inadequate. Inadequate! That is what I’m thinking, That is what I’m feeling. Yesterday we landed and immediately as we gazed over the colorful group of people awaiting our arrival, we heard the most beautiful welcome. Hundreds of people had gathered to greet us and among them some brightly dressed women were singing to us in the purest of voices. They all had smoothly carved crosses in their hands which they were waving as they joyfully sang. We were quickly surrounded as the children, particularly, swarmed around us. We were introduced to the community and then asked to all speak some words of greeting and encouragement. We were quite the center of attention, to put it lightly. No, but seriously, I wanted to weep the whole time. I felt so humbled and unworthy of the honor they were giving us. We represent hope and relief to them, but what do I have to give them? Nothing really. It is only the presence of Christ in my life that offers them anything. What comfort and relief there is in that! God has called me to be here and he will do whatever he wills in and through me.

One hour later…

2008-08-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

The landscape from the plane window is becoming more and more remote. It’s still very green, but will it be that way for long? The river paths cutting through the land are dry. It reminds me of the state my heart is in sometimes: There is evidence that nourishing, vital water has flowed through it at some point, but the river is dry. Living water of Jesus Christ, flow through my life to refresh, replenish and restore.

Ohp! I see houses again. Civilization!

Later…

2008-08-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

I am in a tiny plane up in the clouds somewhere! This tiny plane thing is a first for me, but I am really liking it, minus the draft that has me shivering. The pilot is a believer and prayed for the trip before we took off. God is with us!

Nairobi, Kenya April 28, 2008

2008-08-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

We arrived late in Nairobi late last night. Go figure. But besides having to pay for some things in customs, it was a smooth entry. The crazy plane guys turned out to be nothing more than crazy, poor guy. We prayed for him, as he seems to be under demonic attack.
We met Santino, a man whom I had only seen on video before, and his family of stunning exotic beauty. Santino is one of the “lost boys” from the war, except that he, unlike most of the lost boys, walked all the way back to his people in order to share the gospel of Christ which he had heard and believed in Ethiopia. God had blessed his faithfulness, and he is now bishop over all of the believers in the area, which total over 13,000. What a privilege to work with such a humble man of God.
This morning I had the second best hot shower of my life. The very best will be when we come back from Sudan after two weeks of being caked with dirt and scum. Filth and discomfort, here we come…

Somewhere in the world…

2008-08-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

Well, now is later and we have a…situation, let’s say, on the plane. Next to the door of the plane. CROAK! Oh Lord, please protect us! There is man camped out next to one of the doors of this large plane and has been threatening to open the door. I did not know this when I walked up that way to use the bathroom. He saw me, put his hand on the door handle and said, “See! They’re trying to tough me and to get me!” I stopped dead in my tracks and said, “No I’m not. I’m leaving.” Which I promptly did, as the passengers around him were covertly pointing me back to my seat. Welllllah. The flight attendant assured us that it is impossible for the door to be opened at this point due to pressure and ice. According to movies, he should be able to just pop that door right off, but we all know how “accurate” movies can be. I feel sad for this man. He seems either demon possessed or mentally ill, which would probably be the result of demon possession anyway. I never thought I’d be writing about this in this book, but I guess that is the beauty of it…so unpredictable.

Amsterdam April 27,2008

2008-08-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

This certainly is not the first trip I’ve been on, but it’s the first one I’ve written about. We are headed to AFRICA!!! Sudan to be exact. Our team is small but I can already tell it’s going to be a lot of fun, jokes, and pranks. The team consists of Steve and Karen Shell, Chad, Glen, Dave, Jason and I. Or me. However it goes. Anyway, leading up to this trip our lives have been chaotic, what with teams coming to Central America and whatnot. Needless to say, I feel highly unprepared, but my meager life experience so far has led me to observe that many times, that is a good state to be in, this unpreparedness…oh and I’m not ashamed to make up my own words. I think that if I knew what was coming, I probably would be more hesitant to make the trip. God IS sovereign is he not? This is our third day of travel and we are only about 2/3ds of the way there. My contacts are glue to my eyes and I’m sure my breath could use a tic tac, but I’m happy and grateful for this trip. Yeah so we’ll see later if I feel the same way…