Once again we have seen Jesus’ faithful hand lovingly reaching to take hold of our own insecure trembling fist and drawing us into Himself! He carried us these past days and continues to! 
We were sure that we were supposed to make this particular journey to Sudan as a family and kept fighting for that even when hurdles were thrown in the way before us.
The car had a new rattle - Nick was sick with malaria - Christina wasn’t sure if she could come for various reasons. We kept pressing on. It was Monday morning and we decided to go forward in a taxi from town. Nick was much stronger and Christina had made it safely to Arua, so we began the journey…the five of us, in taxi park, Arua.
My obvious pregnant state caused the men standing near where we were waiting to board our taxi to offer Elsie Jayne and I chairs. We readily welcomed them. Not long and a familiar beggar from town approached. I was excited that today I actually had some food with me, as we were expecting the journey to be anywhere from 5 hours to 5 days! J The man who had offered me the seat though asked the one begging to leave me alone. He turned away when two more men came and started beating him. This is not all together a rare occurrence in town, but leaves me feeling angry at this culture and people every time. Oh, that these precious souls might find Jesus and His love and peace!
Soon after the man had gotten lost in the crowd, we boarded our “Land Cruiser.” It was a sporty red truck and Nick and Billy were quite pleased they had found a way for us to travel in “comfort.” Only three other passengers plus the driver! We were all a bit surprised as the driver hopped in and men from all sides started pushing us to get us started! So much for reliable transportation to Yei, Sudan!
There are many such moments in the next four days, but let me suffice it to say we arrived safely and before dark and our journey home was only a bit MORE eventful than the journey going! (A car coming toward us withou
t room on the road to move around, had no breaks and ran into the car door on my side!) 
The reason we went though, was to be training our pastors from Sudan. We were disappointed that only two of the four men were able to get to Yei for the week. Still, we had a peace throughout the whole time that we were where Jesus asked us to be and He was with us! I taught six lessons in the two days we had together with the pastors on Marriage, and
Family and Women in Ministry among other things and Nick was strong enough to teach the New Testament lesson. Billy lovingly cared for Elsie Jayne, so that I could teach as well as adding in the teaching on Stewardship and handling all of the details of the week with the guesthouse and pastors’ transportatio
n and all of that.
Christina had a “real African experience” staying with our friend who runs an orphanage ministry just outside of Yei. She and Nick both enjoyed time with the youth and children there and got to see what Sudanese life is really like.
We are so grateful to Jesus for “safe” and happy week in Sudan together as a family! What a love gift!
We arrived home with only about 12 hours to spare before we had to have the furniture and other household goods out of John and Erica’s old home and into our new big container…that process finished just one hour before Joanna was to be leading a women’s retreat for the expatriate women’s bible study she attends in Arua. It was her first overnight away from Elsie Jayne, so a crazy time for all three of us!
Jesus really came to the retreat! The ladies really met with God and sensed His presence and pleasure with them! It was a really great way to start the new Beth Moore studying they will be sharing on the Fruit of the Spirit.
Thank you for carrying us these days! Jesus has been so faithful to care for us as you have prayed!
We were sure that we were supposed to make this particular journey to Sudan as a family and kept fighting for that even when hurdles were thrown in the way before us.
The car had a new rattle - Nick was sick with malaria - Christina wasn’t sure if she could come for various reasons. We kept pressing on. It was Monday morning and we decided to go forward in a taxi from town. Nick was much stronger and Christina had made it safely to Arua, so we began the journey…the five of us, in taxi park, Arua.
My obvious pregnant state caused the men standing near where we were waiting to board our taxi to offer Elsie Jayne and I chairs. We readily welcomed them. Not long and a familiar beggar from town approached. I was excited that today I actually had some food with me, as we were expecting the journey to be anywhere from 5 hours to 5 days! J The man who had offered me the seat though asked the one begging to leave me alone. He turned away when two more men came and started beating him. This is not all together a rare occurrence in town, but leaves me feeling angry at this culture and people every time. Oh, that these precious souls might find Jesus and His love and peace!
Soon after the man had gotten lost in the crowd, we boarded our “Land Cruiser.” It was a sporty red truck and Nick and Billy were quite pleased they had found a way for us to travel in “comfort.” Only three other passengers plus the driver! We were all a bit surprised as the driver hopped in and men from all sides started pushing us to get us started! So much for reliable transportation to Yei, Sudan!
There are many such moments in the next four days, but let me suffice it to say we arrived safely and before dark and our journey home was only a bit MORE eventful than the journey going! (A car coming toward us withou
t room on the road to move around, had no breaks and ran into the car door on my side!) 
The reason we went though, was to be training our pastors from Sudan. We were disappointed that only two of the four men were able to get to Yei for the week. Still, we had a peace throughout the whole time that we were where Jesus asked us to be and He was with us! I taught six lessons in the two days we had together with the pastors on Marriage, and
Family and Women in Ministry among other things and Nick was strong enough to teach the New Testament lesson. Billy lovingly cared for Elsie Jayne, so that I could teach as well as adding in the teaching on Stewardship and handling all of the details of the week with the guesthouse and pastors’ transportatio
n and all of that.Christina had a “real African experience” staying with our friend who runs an orphanage ministry just outside of Yei. She and Nick both enjoyed time with the youth and children there and got to see what Sudanese life is really like.
We are so grateful to Jesus for “safe” and happy week in Sudan together as a family! What a love gift!
We arrived home with only about 12 hours to spare before we had to have the furniture and other household goods out of John and Erica’s old home and into our new big container…that process finished just one hour before Joanna was to be leading a women’s retreat for the expatriate women’s bible study she attends in Arua. It was her first overnight away from Elsie Jayne, so a crazy time for all three of us!
Jesus really came to the retreat! The ladies really met with God and sensed His presence and pleasure with them! It was a really great way to start the new Beth Moore studying they will be sharing on the Fruit of the Spirit.
Thank you for carrying us these days! Jesus has been so faithful to care for us as you have prayed!
4 comments:
so glad Jesus was with you! elsie is TOO cute in the pictures. i don't know how you are doing all that you do so pregnant, jo! unbelievable!
It was so fun having Christina with us! And, I read on Vikki's blog about your weekend- fabulous! Thanks for all you both do. I know Jesus' heart overflows when He looks at your family and his face smiles at your faithfulness.
I read somewhere on your blog last night that your daughter had gotten malaria and ringworm. Is there a place in Arua to treat her? I ask because my family (with three small children) is praying about moving to Arua next January.
Kathryn,
The Missionary community just works together to sort out stuff like that...and we pray a lot to avoid things like that. :) Jesus is faithful! :) When she had malaria, some friends gave us meds they had while another diagnosed her. The same with the ringworm...a friend who works for Docs without boarders came and diagnosed and then met me at the local hospital and gave me the meds. If Jesus is calling you...COME!!!!!! Can't wait to meet you!
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