Lainya

OK, back to some form of normalcy...sorry for the delay in posts, but the past 14 days have been...in a word, intense. I'm beginning to feel a bit more comfortable in my position with S.P. but, gaaalll lllley was I thrown right in the fire. Andrew (the previous fiance guy), left shortly after my arrival, and if things weren't already in disarray, they certainly were a few days after I took over. Second week away from Mommy, and suddenly one day I feel a bit warm. Mind you, this is a day after I signed off on ALL the finances. I was leaving the office to meet everyone for lunch when the nurse spotted me...an hour later I'm in bed with a 102.9 degree temperature. No malaria but it might as well of been. So, needless to say for the past 14 days I've been learning how to convert and run 3 currencies, speak Arabic, tribal, and sign language (mostly how I communicate...), and keep this machine of an operation...operational. WOW! What an amazing work God has allowed me to join in on! He never gives you too much, but what I've learned is He gives you just enough to NEED His help. Thank you for that Lord. Anyhow, my health has improved (still can't shake the allergies), and I'm growing more comfortable each day I'm in Africa...thanks for every one's prayers.
OK, what I did today, then some funny stories. We left the compound at 8am this morning and drove two and a half hours over the worst terrain possible, with the worst shocks you can image, to a Church opening in Lainya (just NW of Yei). For those who don't know, the mission of Samaritan's Purse in South Sudan is to rebuild every Christian church that was destroyed during the south's war with the northern government (the Peace agreement that ceased hostilities looks shakier as each week passes...please pray). The operation has now rebuilt over 50 churches, but the model is in place and we are really hitting stride! Anyhow, back to today's adventure.
We showed up to the church dedication at 10:15 and immediately the festivities began. I was the volunteer cameraman for the day (thanks for the skills mom...), so pretty much had free roam throughout the service and dedication. I never realized how valuable this would turn out to be(a little frightening too)! Well, the service started at 11 and ended....OH, I don't know, maybe around 4:30. This is over 5 hours of sitting in a hot South Sudan Church listening to every bishop, and community leader, and government official, and layperson, and special guest, and billy-bob speak about...well, something in Juba-Arabic. The really cool part....they REALLY love the Lord, and 2.) They break out in song and dance every-time the wind blows...or the Holy-Spirit. Really very, very cool to be a part of. I've now been able to worship with Russian and Sudanese believers in their environment. Anyhow, as much as I loved the worship marathon, I used my privilege to sneak in and out to go play with the kids running around outside. I think they got a bigger kick out of me than I got outta them. Took a while for them to warm up, but they absolutely adored the camera and once I started acting goofy, they let loose. Kids are really the same no matter where in the world they were created! To wrap this up, we had a nice dinner after the service in a straw tukkel (hut), which consist of....you guessed it, goat and liver. This was actually a beautiful meal, I just can't get use to goat! I just think the smell of cooked goat, plus how ugly goats are alive....deadly combo for me, complete dealbreaker :) I've got some great shots of the women preparing the meal outside (indoor kitchens are unheard of), gotta somehow download pictures on this site. Well, the day was amazing and what a cultural experience. I just keep remembering how God has ordained every step of this journey and what an adventure He is bringing me through with HIM!
OH, almost forgot. I accidentally (wink-wink) took a picture of a government officer (big no-no) while journaling the dedication. Half-hour later I see two army men in full garb calling me out of the church...with very serious looks on their faces. I stumbled and stammered but couldn't get through the people while the service was in full swing. I acted as if I was sorry and took my seat...eyes straight ahead! Well, the rest of the service the camera was off and I stuck as close as possible to the Bishop the last hour of the day. I gotta be honest on this one...i tinkled a little...not. OK, I always ruin it at the end. I love you all so much...keep prayin'! 1 Tim. 1:10
joey

Birthday in Yei.....not

Two years ago I spent my 24th birthday in Kiln, MS. and at least we had indoor plumbing...now, no one even shows up to the party...i threw myself. By the time I ate, the goat was tough and the lentils were cold....again. Thanks for being such loved ones and not even sending an order of wings from Bru's, or at least a pork plate from Tom Jenkins' (I mean spare the 6 bucks!! Seriously) You think I'm bitter...Water and goat for 30 consecutive meals, lunch and dinner, and we'll see who's regular!.....I'm sorry, that did go a little too far. Mom, I apologize...I know your sending some emergency TP and some matches in a care package any day now, I promise I'm not mad. OK before I ruin this blog, I love you all and really appreciate the b-day wishes!! I got to ride the quad (4-wheeler) into town after work today and pick-up a case of African soda (promise) and a jar of pringles...i was shocked too. I promise when I get some down time I'll update everyone on the church rebuild project and explain exactly what it is Samaritan's Purse does in South Sudan....very exciting. Franklin has an incredible vision that needs to be prayed for. In the meanwhile, PLEASE be praying for peace that look oh so fragile....
Signing off, a 15 lbs lighter....me

Freedom!!

Independence! Today is the Ugandan independence day. We're only a few miles from the border so it was a big day in Yei. There's also a large group of Ugandans that works for Samaritan's Purse on this project in South Sudan. (The area is so poor and war-torn for so long that any sort of skilled labor is nonexistent, thus Ugandan and Kenyan workers fill most all skill positions). Anyhow, Yei had an all day celebration commemorating the occasion, capped by a highly competitive, once a year soccer match between the New (S) Sudan and Ugandan teams. A Ugandan friend, Andrew, who turns out was the primary striker for the Ugandan team, invited me...I couldn't miss this! My first real adventure in town was unforgettable! I was dropped off by a 4-wheeler (quad) into Freedom Square (the center of town) where there is a regulation soccer field...ok maybe not regulation. The field was all murram (like a mix between gravel and clay), no grass at all, bumps and ruts comprised the terrain (mostly from washout and vehicles) with between 5-7,000 Sudanese surrounding the playing area. It was nuts!! The feeling was intense walking into downtown, looking for my Ugandan friends as the only westerner among thousands of natives...needless to say, I didn't find them, they found me..HA.
6'4 with a bright red jacket with the words "EVERYONE LOOK AT ME!!" written across my chest. Actually, in 15 minutes I felt perfectly fine. Anyhow, back to whats important...the game was incredible, the energy was electric. A few minutes in I was hooked....OK, I'll publicly admit it...I now like soccer. Now, I feel much better. Uganda dominated the first half but only led 1-0 at intermission. Second half was all New Sudan. They scored an incredible goal following an acrobatic bicycle kick pass that sent the place bananas. 3 minutes later Sudan scored another improbable goal...but...offsides! Now, the place really went wild; people flooded the field, a dog was running around nipping at people, guns were going off (OK, not really any guns) but you get the point....bonkers is the only word to do the atmosphere justice. Well, the game ended in a 1 all tie, which was probably the best result for civility. Andrew played very well although not too many scoring chances. Left just in time to get back before dark, probably a good call on such a night....Anyhow, miss u all. Keep Praying HARD! Love me.

Life in Yei

It's now my 4th day on the SP church reconstruction compound in Yei, South Sudan and life is good. I must admit however I was the first of the new arrivals to come down with a bug...literally! I've been in bed the better part of the last 36 hours as sick as I've been before. The sang over here is "The first man down, the first man up"...whatever I still feel terrible. Anyhow, I've learned my role over the next 12 months. I will be the field finacial officer for the entire program. Maybe a bit different from what I initally imagined, but a lot more responsibility than previously thought. There are 2 divisions in this project. The Yei base (the main hub with 4 sub-bases) and the Nuba Mts (can't even find on a map). I will be overseeing finances for the Yei project and their 4 sub-plots...should be a great learning experience. The project has grown so quick, they've outgrown all the previous system and the financal end has suffered. I have a friend from the Boone office overseeing all of the finances in South Sudan that was destined for Nairobi, but (by the grace of God) will be living here in Yei. Big Help! Anyhow, continue to pray for the people of Sudan and the continued peace in this region. I'll explain more when I'm feeling better...love you all Joey

I'm Here

Arrived just past 7pm local time (remember I'm 7hrs ahead) and met Richard and Karn Todd at the gate. Richard is the friend that recruited me to Sudan....I know...what a friend! HA. Anyhow, the flights were tough on me...I sat next to some interesting people, with some interesting stories. Marty from Ann Arbor was going to kick a squater off his land in Lafia. Thank you for that Marty, thats quite interesting...he found my story cool too. And the second flight I sat next to a couple born in India, living in Michigan, and vacationing in Africa. While bording the flight to Nyrobi there was a man in the back screaming to the top of his lungs while 3 large men tried to subdue him...The 3 large men stood over him the whole flight....OK, that was fun. I wasn't a little bit nervous, ha. God is so good though, what unique experiences so far and a few great chances to share my faith. Im in Nyrobi tonight and Tuesday then off to Yei, Sudan. I also should be flying to Kambala, Uganda in the next few weeks to meet the purchasing and ordering crew there.....Love you all!! miss you Lion