The First Days of SA

    I have been having such a wonderful time in South Africa! Everything has been such a blast and so encouraging and full of joy. From getting to just hang out with the local kids to working the sound system during VBS and to the best, which was worshiping with the local churches, all of it has been an absolutely wonderful experience. I never thought that just after two days here I would feel like such a part of the family. I remember the first night I got here and my grandfather picked me up from the airport. The plane landed a little bit after 10 (SA time) and I had no problems walking out and finding my grandfather. I was so worried the following morning of how I was going to be accepted into the group. I felt like I was barging in on their mission trip experience and that I was forcing my way into their family. Yet after just one day, even less than a day, I already felt like I was part of the team. Everyone was so welcoming and encouraging that I felt like I had been a part of the trip from the beginning. I still have such a hard time believing that I've only been in SA for such a short amount of time! This trip has been full of so many blessings and realizations of how the Lord has changed me and my heart for Him.
    On the first plane I got to sit next to a girl from London who was traveling the world. She was on a gap year between secondary school and college and was going all over the place and meeting friends she had. Just 19 years old and she had already been in Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, just about all of Europe, and she was still on her way to Australia and then to the States. I was totally blown away after talking with her and hearing about her adventure. It was so funny though when I first met her though. I have a bit of a love for talking in accents and British (or more appropriately Aussie for those of you that want to get technical) is one of my favorites. I have a bad habit though of accidentally going into my British accent whenever I hear someone talking with one. So of course, when she says hey and asks me how I'm doing I just couldn't stop myself when I said I was fine with an accent. Gah that was funny! I felt bad though so as soon as she asked me where I was from a made sure to say the States in my normal southern American accent. After that she had no problem letting me practice my accent, though it didn't seem to help much because I still sound Aussie. Oh well. The second plane ride was also really good. I got to sit next to a girl from China who was studying in SA. She was so fun to talk with and share about our different cultures and how they felt about each other. She was really nice and so helpful when we finally landed in SA. She waited for me when we got in to make sure that I found my grandfather and had a ride. From that point on the trip, having already started off as such an incredible blessing, only got better.
    Like I said earlier, the next morning I was really nervous about meeting the team because I felt like I was in a way barging in on their mission family. However, those butterflies flew away before we even made it to lunch time. Looking back it was so funny how that first day went. We got on the vans to go to Deflt Baptist, the church that we were helping with the VBS, to have something that was like a logistics meeting for all of the volunteers from Delft and all of us to come together and have a short run through of how things were going to go. I soon as we got there though I found myself just gravitating towards the locals and within 15 min a was in the middle of a group of them cutting up and having a great time. I guess that was from my time in Kenya. I had been around black people for so long that I just felt more comfortable with them. I should point out that they have three different people groups here; there are blacks, colored, or white. Even though most of the people I've been with have been colored, I still felt more comfortable around them at first then I did around white people. It was a very strange feeling to have.
    The rest of the day went great as I got the chance to meet the team and really begin to feel like one of them. It really is incredible how God can bring together anyone and everyone that he needs and from anywhere in the world. I found out that just as the team was leaving, a guy had to drop out and so I ended up getting his room. It turned out that the guy that couldn't come was the one who really knew how to run the sound equipment for the worship rallies and now that he was gone they weren't sure what they were going to do. Then God sends me to South Africa with them and it just so turns out that I had learned how to run the sound equipment during the past semester at school. That was one of the biggest affirmations that God gave me saying that, yes, I was supposed to be here. I can't wait to see what else he has for me here. So far has been absolutely amazing and I know that the rest will be even better! Love all of you guys!

Journal Entries (2 of ?)

5-16 Lodwar

[11 PM] Did I mention flying up to Turkana? Because we most definitely didn’t do that! Instead we took a bus all the way from Kitale to Lodwar, a 9 hour drive! After we left the Klique Hotel, we went, got some groceries, and got a cab to John’s house/BOL offices. They had just recently bought a computer so it looks like I’ll be heading back to Eldoret at some point to help with that. Anyways, went to sleep that night and got up to being rushed into another mtatu, which we took to Kitale. That is one crazy town! We went to the bus stop, though it looked more like a mud pit, and got a bus to take us to Lodwar. We had some time until the b us left so we went and got some food (chapatti and chai of course). It was pretty good. Eventually went back to the station and then went to find me more malaria meds. It seemed like we walked through just about the entire town before we found a place that sold the medicine (no pharmacy here, it’s called a Chemist). Went back to the busses and that is where we ran into Duncan! It’s so good to have him with us! God has truly blessed me with his presence. He is so encouraging and full of wisdom. And such a man of God! I got to sit with him for the almost 9 hour bus ride to Lodwar. It was really neat to watch the conditions change as we left the highlands around Kitale. The roads degraded, vegetation disappeared, and it got a lot hotter! Took several pictures as we went. We finally made it to Lodwar as it got dark and got rooms for the night. We went out and got food at the Salama Hotel (some of you might remember the place we ate at as we came out of the bush). Had my first taste of Ugali-Fry. Corn flower mixed with water and cooked till there is almost no water and fried meat to eat with it. Reminded me of tacos at first; very good! Anyways, it is late so it’s time for bed. Tomorrow we go into Turkana.

5-17 Turkana

    [11 PM] I really can’t believe it! I never thought I would see this place again, Turkana! How wild is it to be back in the same village, the same boma that I was in just 4 months ago! I left thinking that I would never come back. Sure, I might come back to Africa, but to come back to the same people, to the same school that I had labored to help build. . . No way. If you had asked me 2 months ago if I thought I was going to be going back, I would have shrugged my shoulders, said it would be nice, but ultimately I would have said no. Isn’t God’s plan incredible?! I still don’t know what His plan for having me here is. But I do know that there is a reason I’m back. Whether it is to perform something here, to help someone, or to prepare me for something else altogether, I know one thing is certain; It will be awesome, a learning experience, and god will get all the glory! I suppose if I want to remember anything that has happened today I better go and put it to paper.
    Woke up fairly late for Africa standards, 7:30. I got to sleep with Duncan as my roommate which was very encouraging. We got breakfast at the Salama Hotel (Chai and samosas) which was great. I’m really enjoying all of this African food! God has blessed me with how fast I have gotten used to all of this. No stomach problems and I became used to the adjusted time very quickly! What a blessing!! Just more confirmation that I am supposed to be here. I don’t really know how to explain it but it just feels good to be back in Africa. Anyways, back to trying to remember today. We did a lot of sitting around and waiting. We went for most of the first half of the day to a furniture builder. BLM was getting benches and tables built for the church in Turkana. They missed up one of the tables so we had to wait for them to fix that. Saw some other Mzungus today. They were doctors from Spain working at the hospital in Lodwar. Once we got a Lori and the tables were finished, we loaded up and headed out for Namariat. I didn’t realize how blessed we were last time to not get stuck! This time though, 4 times! 4 times we got stuck in a laga (dry river bed). Had to get out and push but we made it. We had left Lodwar at 4:30 or so and got here to Namariat at almost 9! It was a very exciting journey though! I can’t wait to see what is in store for tomorrow. I’ve had some hot chai and have a full belly of rice, beef and cabbage. Also got to take a shower which was new (though nothing like in the States; think bucket). Today has been a good day. I can only pray that the Father continues to open my heart and mind to what He is doing and that the Spirit leads me into righteousness.

5-18 Turkana

    [4:15 PM] The life of a foreign missionary is by worldly standards, a lonely life. Five days no I have been in Africa with limited ability to communicate. Out of all the people here, Duncan can understand me the best. Even so, god is the only one I can talk with and not have to worry if He missed my meaning or just didn’t understand what I said at all. Now that I think about it though, maybe that is the problem . . . or more appropriately it is what He is trying to teach me; to rely solely on Him and to get everything, everything, from Him. Be it strength, wisdom, resolve, nourishment, and even social interaction, it must come from Him who provides everything. I will try to remember this through this journey and I know His Spirit will continue to remind me.
    Earlier, as I was walking up to the school house to write, I started remembering walking with the team to the school almost every day to work on it. Being back here now, without all of them is so hard. I began to cry as I longed to talk with someone form the team. Just to know someone in this desolate region. I despaired at how long it would be before I saw any of my friends again. I just wanted to be with someone who spoke my language, knew my idioms, and who really just knew me. As I cried I called out to the Father, “Why did you send me here alone?!” I didn’t have to wait for an answer. The Spirit spoke it in my heart, “I am always here [with you].” At the same time the wind suddenly picked up and as a strong gust hit me I couldn’t help but feel joyful.
As a side note the wind played a significant role in my walk the last time I was here. During one of the team times I pointed out how God had really been using the wind to confirm what He was teaching me. From that point on, whenever we were worshiping, or doing anything to give Him glory, it seemed that the wind would pick up as if to show His presence and that He was pleased. There are a few passages in the Bible that can use wind and the Spirit interchangeably which made the entire experience even better.
I still want to see friends, other Mzungus, and I know that it will be hard. I also know though that God is with me and He will provide for everything I need.
    It’s funny now that I can look back and see it. The last time I came, we all made sure to commit ourselves to giving time to the Lord in the morning. We also took time in the evening to gather and reflect on what He had done and then worship Him for it. I don’t know why but not having the rest of the group here made me think I wouldn’t be able to do those things. I was worried that I wouldn’t learn nearly as much even though I knew that I was going to be here 5 times longer. Oh how God provides! This morning as I was praying over my food, I asked for God to teach me something today. I asked Him to let His Spirit move in my heart. Oh how He keeps His promises!
For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  – Mathew 7:8
God truly desires us to know Him and to know His character. All we have to do is ask, and believe!
    If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault,     and it will be given. – James 1:5
Again He has confirmed Himself in my life; that He can be trusted to keep His word. Let  no one doubt that God reigns above!

Back in Kenya, Thoughts on South Africa

    [02-Jul-11] I can't seem to grasp that I'm already back in Kenya. I have a hard time believing that I was in South Africa for a week but at the same time I feel like I was there for so long. I made so many new friends and came to love the culture and the people. I don't know if I've ever fallen in love with a place like I did there. Maybe it was just because I had been in the bush for so long and so anything was better, but I absolutely loved my time there. The people were so welcoming and the kids were so much fun to play with. I also came to love the language. South Africa has over 11 recognized national languages, but where we were Afrikaans was predominately spoken. It is such a cool language. It has a lot of similarities to German and Dutch because it is a mixture of the native African and the Dutch that the whites speak. I used to think German was a guttural language, but Afrikaans blows it out of the water. I had so much fun learning bits of the language and then using it while we were working with the kids! It always caught them off guard and whatever it was that I told them in Afrikaans, they did right away. I could tell them over and over in English to be quite and they would stop for a few seconds but then they would always start again. However, as soon as I told them in Afrikaans, they gave me this wide-eyed look and stopped talking until we were done. It was wild how much more respect they gave you when you spoke their language. I feel like that is the same for anyone though. If you're coming into someone else's home and you’re speaking a language that is secondary to them, then they aren't going to give you as much respect. However, if you can come in and speak their primary language, not only do you impress them, but you also gain their respect. I don't know if I will get to go back, but if I do I will definitely make sure to try and learn some more Afrikaans before I go there. I picked up a good bit just during that one week so I figure if I could sit down and really study it out then I could get it pretty fast. And considering that I already have a good base from German, I should be able to pick up the structure fairly quickly (at least that is my hope).
    I realize that these feelings of wanting to go back could just be because I just came from there and now I'm going back into the bush. But as it stands right now, I feel as if I could live there, in South Africa. I know it's crazy to be thinking like that right now but that's how I feel at this present moment. Granted I've only been out of SA for 2 days now so it will take the test of time to see if these feelings are God given and its part of His plan or if it's just me. I have so many ideas though for going back there. I found myself thinking today that I could finish out my degree, and possibly find an engineering job in Cape Town. I don't want to live with the whites though. I want to live in the developments where the colored people are. I was wondering what I would do as far as serving God's kingdom there and I felt as if maybe these thoughts of going back to SA are not from Him. I had an idea though pop into my head and it made my heart jump at the possibilities. I know its way too early to say one way or the other but I can assure you that I will be praying about these things. The idea that I got was focused around discipleship. To me, that is the most important thing and so if I am going to consider the possibility of living in SA then I had to ask myself how discipleship would be involved. I started thinking about that and that is when the idea came to me. During the past week we had been ministering to the young children, kids that were no more than 14 or so. I had an absolutely wonderful time playing with them and playing with them but when I started thinking about it, it was the older kids that I really connected with. I was always hanging out with the kids that were 15 to 18 and I loved being with them. It occurred to me that is a huge ministry opportunity. I have no idea what the churches there are already doing in terms of the teenagers but the idea of going back and discipeling the teens makes me very excited. I found that a lot of them are just like teens here; they are going to church and learning but when it comes to application in their lives they are missing the point. There is that compromise between giving your life fully to God and still living in the world like most everyone their age does. What if I could go and get a house and open it up during the week to the teens to be able to come, hang out, be in a safe environment, learn about God, and spend time ministering and worshiping together. Not only would it be a safe place for them to come, but it could also be a place for them to bring their friends that aren't Christians where they could just play and have fun with the end purpose of getting them into a discipleship class of some sort. I feel like I might have jumped the gun here and gone completely off my rocker but these are just my thoughts right now. I know that there is probably a lot of time between now and when I get to go back so during that time these ideas will be put to the test. That's one thing I've learned about divine ideas, if they are really divine and anointed ideas, then they will continue to find their way into your head. I will continue to pray to see if these are my ideas or God's ideas. Whether I go back and stay there or not, I most definitely want to go back for another VBS!
    It has been such a hard transition coming back to Kenya. My mind has been so confused and I've felt so emotionally drained. That's led to me feeling physically exhausted from trying to process everything. Last night I became so home sick that I could hardly stand it. I don't know if it was a complete breakdown, but it was bad. It isn't so much that I miss the States, but that I miss the people there. After spending just a week with the team from Briarlake I felt like I was a part of their family and I didn't want that time to end at all. It was so much fun to be in South Africa with them and see their hearts for those kids as well as just share life together. Now that I've had to leave all of them though, I can't stop thinking about my family and all my friends that I haven't seen in so long. I just want to be back with them. I'm so thankful that today we were doing something almost all day. God knew that if I had all day to just sit around and think then it would have been a very long day! And I have almost no doubt that I would have had another break down. I know that another 42 days, in reality, isn't that long. However, I don't want to be here right now so it is making it seem like forever! I know though that God has a purpose for me. I know that I wouldn't be here if there was not something for me to here. What it is that God still has to teach me and use me for I have no idea, but I do know that I am going to make sure I am completely open to what God has for me to do. I know that He is and will always be with me during the rest of my time in Africa (and the rest of my life) and so I can take comfort and find peace in that knowledge. I trust Him and if it were not for God, then I would not be in Africa right now. Many times I've thought that if it were not for God sending me here, then there is no way I would have come. Just the fact that I've made it so far without sickness or major injury along with the many blessings and lessons that He has lavished on me is proof enough that my time here is anointed. I would be foolish to look past it and not receive completely what God has for me. And so with that, I say God, I know that this might be hard, but you are with me to the end and so I will not fear what is to come.

[4-Jul-11]I want to insert a bit here just as time has gone on. Some of the high that I came off of from SA has died down now. I just don’t want to make any of you think that I’ve gone crazy with these ideas of living in SA. I still think it would be an awesome idea but as these passions are calming down, it is going to be up to God to bring them back to me when the time is right. Like I mentioned before, these all sound like great ideas but what truly matters is prayer coupled with the test of time.

The New Church in Namariat

Hey everybody,

So I know that there are some of you that are probably a bit upset with me that I still haven't put up a picture of the new school in Turkana. So here are a few to let you know just how much God has blessed Bread of Life and it's mission.

It looks absoultely amazing! And Joel was telling me that it isn't even completely finished yet. They are looking to take the red on the floor up the walls about 2 or 3 feet and also to, and I think this is what he was saying, color the top third of the walls on the inside of the church white. It is so good to see how things are coming along with the school and also to see the children learning. Eliza is a great teacher and from what I was told, they now have another teacher there as well for the older kids. Before it was all of the kids in just one class so it was hard for all of them to really get something out of it. Linsey is there right now and I know that God is doing awesome things through her. I can't wait to here what all she has been doing and what God has been teaching her. I'll be posting again soon, I hope to let you guys know how things have been going in South Africa (which has been absolutely amazing) soon! I can't believe that I've already been here for 5 days. It has been filled with so much joy and so much fun that it flew by. I'll be honest, I'm really not ready to leave. I feel like it is going to be very hard for me to go back to Kenya and get back into the way things go there. I already know that I'm going to miss everyone that is here so much. That on top of already missing everyone from home is starting to wear on me. I know though that God still has things for me to do in Kenya so I'm going with an open mind and an open heart, but part of me is still going to be looking back to SA, wishing I was still with everyone there. I love all of you and please keep praying for me!

Journal Entries (1 of ?)

5/13 - London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

            I am officially out of the country! the flight from London was not bad at all. Of course, I did end up sleeping for most of it so that helped. I never got the name of the guy I sat next to, but we did have a good time talking about work and school. The flight was a little bumpy but that was the worst part of it.

            It's crazy just how many nationalities are here. From women who have only their eyes showing to your typical shorts and t-shirt. And there seem to be just as many languages to go along with all of them.

            Alright, so I'm getting a little nervous about my bags. I know that the guy who originally gave me my ticket said that they were going all the way to Nairobi, but I guess I just want that confirmed. I have no idea who I would ask though. Oh well. I suppose I'll just wait and see. maybe I'll work on some blogging... 5$ though for an hour of Internet... not sure I want to pay for it.

            From here I've got about 2 or so hours until I board for Amsterdam. Then from there I'm off to Kenya!

5/14 - Plane to Nairobi

            [4 AM KT] I think I've slept all I am going to be able to. As far as traveling has gone, this hasn't been a hard trip at all. Just finished the breakfast they served; bread with jelly, yogurt, hot tea, and a croissant. I'll be sleeping very well tonight! We've got a little longer till we land (around 5:45). So the plan for today is to just get settled in. I don't really see how I'll get settled in though considering tomorrow I'll be flying up to turkana to stay with Mica for a week. Then Joel comes back and grabs me and we go to Sudan for two or so weeks. Looks like it's going to take me more than two weeks before I can get hold of my parents. I know I'll be able to find some time sooner or later though. I'm really hoping I'll get a chance to see my grandparents. They are flying into South Africa sometime around mid June. I don't know if I would be able to get a flight to Cape Town. It would depend on the cost and the timing.

            So I ended up having a whole row to myself but the mother in front of me needed a place to lay her sleeping kid. The kid and I played a bit with the lights earlier but he has been asleep for most of the flight. It's encouraging to see a child that behaves himself. She did an excellent job raising him. I know one day I want to take my kids to Africa or somewhere similar. Christ is planning on taking Betsy when she turns 14 I think. That's such an excellent idea. i want my kid exposed to other peoples and cultures. To see the immense blessings and in turn responsibilities that come with living in the US.

            Speaking of kids, just so I can get this out on the table... marriage. I would be naive to not realize I could potentially meet my future wife on this trip. However I would also be foolish to go looking for her. I know god has great plans for her. I'll be honest, these thoughts about a wife make me a little nervous. However, before I begin to go along that route, I have so much more to learn about myself and about Christ. And I gotta say, I'm so stoked and looking forward to the adventure!

5/14 - Joel's House

            [9:30 AM] Seriously? Am i really sitting here in Joel's home in Africa?! i don't even know what to make of all of this! Joel was late (figures) picking me from the airport but he found me eventually (I was a bit early and he was a bit late). We took a taxi back to his home. That was definitely a different experience then the bus we were on last time. Once we got to Joel's house we got some breakfast (some sausage, yum!). I really want to keep writing but I'm so tired. Nap time.

            [18:40] Joel has such a beautiful family. I still can only barely believe that I'm in Africa right now. Alright, so I got in at 5:50 this morning and Joel picked me up and we took a taxi to his home. From there, Nieri (I think that is her name, she seems to be filling in as a maid). We've just been sitting around. They have very strange shows on TV. It seems that all their Soaps are Spanish and translated into English, very weird. Now Joel's wife is home (can't seem to remember her name) so it looks like we will be eating soon. That's good because tomorrow we leave for Turkana. I'm not really sure how much I should be packing. I'll figure that out later. Oh wow, I have no idea what they are cooking but it sure smells good. Time to eat!

5/15 - Klique Hotel

            I'm sitting in the Klique Hotel listening in as John and Joel talk and catch up on affairs. John is drinking some sort of tea and Joel is enjoying yet another cup of chai. When Joel asked if I wanted any I considered it for a moment... but only a  moment. It was hot and I was already feeling hot enough so I said no thank you. Of course he asks if I want anything hot and I can only laugh to myself. No Joel, I don't want anything hot, everything is already hot! Especially that ride from Nairobi!

            Now I've really begun to experience Africa. not only did I get to see a vast number and types of regions in Kenya, but I got to do it in style. Public transportation baby! yeah, I'm talking about 5 hours in a Mtatu with 11 other Africans including Joel, who likes to take up more space than should be allowed by personal space rules. I can't say I'm really looking forward to experiencing that again. Don't get me wrong, it was incredible; getting to see the countryside was wonderful, but talk about cramped and hot! I'm thinking that part of it might be because i am used to cooler weather. I was loving it whenever the windows were open during our ride. However, every time I started to get comfortable, it seemed like everyone else in the Mtatu got cold... and up went all the windows! Gees, and then it was like a sauna in there with all of the bodies. We make it though, and that's what counts. now it looks like we're heading out. Where to though, I have no idea.

It's Been a While (Part 2 of 2)

            I really didn't mean to leave all of you hanging with that last post. I had planned on more or less paraphrasing everything that had happened during my stay in Sudan but when I started writing I just couldn't seem to stop the flow of words and move onto the next thing. It was like I said at the end of the last post, I just had too much to say and it is going to take me a while to get it all out. Now though I've got a bit more time and I think that I can paraphrase everything like I wanted to the first time.

            So I told you how we had to walk across the Sudanese bush in the middle of the night after becoming stuck in a riverbed. And then how the American at the Carter Center came to our rescue in what was truly divine intervention. We finally got some breakfast after they dropped us and all of our stuff off at our camp. I've got to say, that was some of the best tasting pancakes (African style) and chai that I think I've ever had. It might have had something to do with the fact that we never had dinner the night before and we walked for what seemed like forever and then got barely any sleep... yeah that might have had something to do with it. But hey, God got us through all of the challenges of trying to get to our camp and as my time continued there he continued to walk with me through the challenges and lessons He was putting me through. I can say with absolute confidence that there is absolutely no situation, not a single one, which God does not have enough grace for. It is so amazing and I'm so thankful for it because I wouldn't have made it through that first week with out His grace.

            Unlike Turkana where BOL has already established itself and also some of the fruits of their labor can be seen, Sudan is new to BOL and almost completely untouched by the Gospel. So the first week we were there was really a time of breaking ground and getting the discipleship program there. Just from my short time there and knowing what BOL has gone through to be able to get to this point, I can say with certainty that these people are going to be a great challenge to reach. Already, Catholics had come in and left because of how unreceptive the people there are and BOL has been there for almost 2 years now just getting to where they are accepted by the locals. However that acceptance is one of the biggest blessings that God could have given them because unlike Americans (and most people for that matter), once they accept you, they completely accept you. For them either you need to be leaving, or your one of them and so now the people are extremely comfortable with BOL being there and on top of that they have been given some land for what is now the camp. I'll talk more later about the culture there and how BOL got started and a few of the stories that Joel has told me (some of them are wild!), but for now I want to make sure I can at least skim the surface and catch you up to where I currently am (which is back in Joel's house).

            As I was saying, the first week we were there was for starting the discipleship program. That task was mainly left to John and Joel, with William and Micah as the translators. I forgot to mention but one of the reasons that BOL felt like the Tuposa people in Sudan were the people they needed to go to was because the Tuposa and the Turkana people understand each other. It's along the same lines as Yankees and rednecks. A little different here and there, but for the most part the same English. And Micah and William are both from Turkana so that worked out very well. Because most of the days though consisted of the 12 or so locals that came listening to John and Joel, there wasn't much for me to do. That made things very hard for me because even when I was sitting with the group, it might as well have been that no one was talking because I couldn't understand a word that was said. Duncan tried to help for a while and update me on what was going on, but because he needed to write down everything that they were learning so he could build on it later, his time for translating for me was limited. I found myself becoming very bored and the days seemed to drag on forever. The enemy began to try and tell me that my time there was a waste. I had already experience similar feelings when I first went out into Turkana so I knew that they were completely bogus, but it's very hard to be somewhere and have the days passing by so slowly just because there isn't anything for you to do. Two of the hardest things for me to deal with have been those feelings of wasted time and the sense that my involvement and presence wasn't making a difference. That I had spent all this money, and given up all these creature comforts, given up all this time, and I wasn't making any difference whatsoever. But through that I began to learn some things about the culture I've come from and also about my self. One thing I never noticed is that Americans are a strange people. Strange in the fact that we always have to have something to do. Whether it's actually something productive or it's just watching TV we always have to have something to occupy our time. I've heard it before and now I've come face to face with the fact that just sitting and not being engaged by something external is a very difficult task for us Americans. And yet so many times while I've been in Africa, that's exactly what I've had to do. In Turkana you can only work for the first half of the day because after you take lunch, it's just too hot to do anything. And during that first week in Sudan, there just wasn't anything that I could be helping with that could engage me physically. God has used both of those times thought to really teach me about having patience as well as just being able to sit. Instead of wanting to engage me physically with something to do with my hands, the Lord was teaching me to engage my mind and as Colossians 3:2 says, to "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." And through that I've witnessed how He has been changing the pattern of my thoughts and continually leading me to think more about His ways and how wonderful, merciful, glorious, and lovely He is. Of course there is even more that He taught me during that time and I'll expound on more of it when I begin posting my journal entries, but for now I can only say that to God be the glory because He got me through that week, and every week before it, and every week since then.

            Joel, John and Micah left after the first week so for the next week that I was in Sudan it was just Duncan, William, and me. But it was such a great time and God planned it perfectly (of course!). We did everything from a bit of farming by tilling some of the land and planting some veggies, as well as some spiritual harvesting as we had the chance to go into the villages and tell them about the Gospel along with the nights of fellowship we had with the disciples. Not only did I have another week of getting to be around naked local men and topless local women but I also got to see it rain (and I mean it poured!), and before I left some of our crops were starting to sprout. I'll get to things in more detail when I add in to what I wrote in my journal but our tasks for the week were to increase the size of the farm, expand the boundary for the entire camp, plant the crops (carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, and even watermelon), and water the seed beds (water was much easier to come by in Sudan then it was in Turkana). I also got pretty good at making tea, Uji, and tried my hand at the cabbage. I'm def looking forward to when I come back and getting to cook all of these things for you guys (Ndazis, chapatti, African pancakes, Ugali, Mtumbo, African cabbage, samosas (still looking to learn that one), and some African hamburger!).

            Things have been going crazy fast now that I've come back out of the bush. I had a fairly eventful time coming back from Lodwar and making my way to the mission house in Eldoret but it wasn't anything to big for God to get me through. I stayed in Eldoret for a few days and while I was there I got an awesome blessing of being able to meet the other intern, Linsey, before she headed out to Turkana for here 3 months. It was incredibly encouraging to be able to talk with her and get an infusion of American culture, something of which I had been severely lacking up to that point, as well as just share what God had already done during her few days here and a few of the innumerable things He had done for me during my first month. I don't remember how old Linsey is but she works as a dance teacher down in Charleston (I think that's right but I'm sorry Linsey if you read this and find that it isn't :P). She came with a team from Seacoast church last year sometime around July or so and now that she is back, she is going to be spending her 3 month internship almost exclusively in Turkana helping at the School/Church. She is an incredible woman that I can already say God is going to rock while she is there. I can almost guarantee that the Linsey going into Turkana won't be the same Linsey that comes out. The one coming out is going to be shining with God's brilliance and His fingerprints are going to be blatantly obvious. I know it's going to be a challenge for here but all she needs to do is continue to hope in the Lord and He will, in fact already has, provided everything that she could possibly need. I'm absolutely ecstatic about getting to be with her and the rest of the team coming from the States in July to West Pokot. I've still got some awesome stuff going on before I get to that point though and I refuse to already be looking past it.

            Now that I'm back in Nairobi I find that I'm not going to hardly have time to breath before I'm out again. I can't remember if I've mentioned this already but tomorrow I'll be flying out of Kenya and going to South Africa for a week! I'm so, so, soooo, excited about it. The reason is that my grandfather is actually going to be there. His church back in the States has sent a team to SA to host something of a VBS (vacation bible school) for a group of kids there. I don't know a lot of the details but from what my grandfather told me it's something in the neighborhood of 500 kids. So not only do I get to see a bit more. I know I wouldn’t' have been able to go if God didn't have something for me there and the timing worked out so well that it didn't make sense for me not to go. I know that I'll be taking tons of pictures (not that I haven't already, I'm at almost 900) so I can't wait to tell all of you what God does there.

            I'm thinking that this was a pretty long post so I'm going to have to call it here. I should have some time while I'm on the plane to SA to start typing up some of my journal entries so I might be able to get some of those up for you guys soon. I can't thank all of you that have been praying for me enough. God has kept me safe in a place that should truly have caused me so many issues. And more importantly, He has blessed my time here in a way that words can't express! I continue to pray that God keeps each one of you strong and that He blesses each and everyday. My prayer is that everyday brings new revelations of God and the ultimate expression of His love for us, sending His Son Jesus as our sacrifice. I pray that He continues to fill you with more of His Holy Spirit and lead you away from the temptations of the world, and instead, deeper into His overflowing and unending love and mercy. May everyday be a day of new mercies and an experience of the overflowing grace that comes from God.

God bless you and may He bring you further into His loving embrace,

With Unending Love, Unfathomable Peace, and Unquenchable Joy in our Savior Jesus Christ,

CT

It's Been a While (Part 1 of ?)

Wow guys, I'm sorry it has taken me to long to give all of you an update. I know some of you are probably not to happy about that so I'll fill you in on as much as I can.

To start off, I made it back safe and sound from Sudan! God was and continues to be so good and so faithful and He has kept me safe even while I was in a region that is considered hostile. I don't even know where to begin with what all has happened since the last time that I wrote to all of you. I was on my way to Sudan the last time, and that in itself was an adventure. I find myself amazed at how much patience the Lord has given to me and also taught me to have for all of the circumstances I've been in. So many times, I think how I would have reacted to a situation maybe just a few months ago and it's nothing like I see the way I'm reacting. It's absolutely incredible! Praise God!

After I left you last time we left from Lodwar (John, Joel, Micah, Duncan, and I) and headed towards the Kenya-Sudan border. We spent the night on the Kenya side in the border town of Lokichogio. We had a few issues with booking a ride to get to Loki but besides that we didn't have any major issues that day. I think it was about a 6 to 7 hour ride to Loki, and in case you hadn't noticed already, when it comes to public transportation and getting around in Africa, every trip takes a LONG time. But like I said we made it their with no issues and didn't encounter anymore problems until the next morning after packing all of or thing into a station wagon. Before we could head out the driver needed to go get gas but apparently there has been a shortage of fuel in Loki so it wasn't until several hours later than we wanted that we finally left for Sudan. Once we got to the border we had no major issues. The only issue we had was that I was never told that I needed 2 passport sized photos to recieve a visa into the new GOSS (Government of Southern Sudan). So after paying to have those made I got my visa and we were on our way. From the border it was about 4 hours to the town of Kapoeta. We didn't stay there long because after we met up with William we loaded everything, people included, into a pickup truck and began our trip into the bush. The Sudanese environment was very different from Turkana. For one, everything was MUCH greener! It rains there a lot more, so much so that the people that we were working with are communal farmers and a lot of them have not only goats, but cows. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get some pictures up for you guys within the next two weeks (no promises though :/  ). Not only is it greener though, there is actually dirt, not sand like in Turkana. The dirt there has some funny characteristics to it though. You don't notice them though until it gets wet. As soon as water hits it it turns into a Georgia red clay equivalent of "if you get stuck in me, you're not getting out any time soon!"

During what was supposed to be a 2 hour ride to our camp in the village of Kalakamoga (sp?), we had an intimate encounter with the wet soil/clay. About 30 or so min before we got to the camp we ran into a small river. And when I mean small you should really be thinking about the creek bed behind your house when you were growing up (if you didn't have one and it makes you feel better, I didn't have one of those either...). We really shouldn't have had any problems getting through this creek but we were proved wrong as almost 5 hours later we finally managed to get the truck out of the mud... The problem was that it was still on the wrong side of the creek and the driver had killed the clutch. So we weighed our options and we figured we had limited options.

Oh and I feel like I should mention that while we were stuck some locals came and after asking for some money (acting out of good nature isn't something known to them), the men stripped naked and helped us to push the truck out. Yeah that's right, we had naked locals helping us to push our truck out of the mud in the middle of the night. And that night wasn't the only night to have a run in with the naked issue there. It's actually normal for most of the young kids to be seen going around with no clothes on at all and the men have no problem stripping down in front of the kids or women. And the women and kids don't think anything of it either. 

So as I was saying, we settled on what was to be done as it neared 11pm. They told me that there was a place called a Carter Center near where our camp was and that there was another American who was working there. We figured that they would be much more inclined to help us out if they knew another American was in need of some help. So with the plan for me to go and talk with this person, William, Duncan and I footed 2 hours through the Sudanese bush in the middle of the night to our camp. We got there at about 2 in the morning and I passed out on the mat there. I remember that when Duncan woke me up a little after 6AM, I realized that I was in the exact same position I had fallen asleep in. So we headed back out (did I mention that all this walking was done in Chacos?) and walked the 15 or so min to the Carter Center. After talking with the American, a Christen Murphy, we found it to be such a blessing and provision from God that they decided to help us.

I hate to have to cut the story short but it's getting late and Joel is ready to go so I'll have to continue later. Just know that I haven't even gotten to the first day I actually spent in Sudan so I've got a lot to tell about. Hopefully I'll have time to write all of it down. 

Thank you so much for all of you that are praying for me. I can't thank you enough because the Lord has kept me safe and blessed my time here in the most incredible way! I love all of you and I can't wait to see all of you again back in the States and tell you about how good God is! 

In Christ Jesus,

CT (A.K.A Wafula [my new african name])

The Lord is Good, The Lord is God!

Praise and Glory to the our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to the Creator God who was, and is, and is to come!


      Greetings again from Kenya! It's kinda funny actually that I'm back in the same Internet cafe that I wrote to you from last time. And it's just as hot, if not hotter, than it was last time. One of the many things I've been learning during my time here has been to never again complain about it being hot. I have no reason to because I doubt there will ever be a time that I will be hotter in the States than I have been here. But whether it's hot or not, I'm here and I have to deal with it. And as much as I'd love to tell you more about the heat and such things, I feel like there are more important things to talk about.
       First, the last time that I wrote to you I really didn't tell you much about what I was doing or who I was working with. The team in Namariat (the village I've been living at for the past 2+ weeks) has consisted of Cheboy, Duncan, Elizabeth (the teacher), John, and me. Every now and then Mica or one of the other Discipleship students will come up and help us out with whatever we are working on that day. And we've been working on a lot. I think I already mentioned it but we stained and varnished several tables and benches for the now completed school/ church. We also built a stand for the new blackboard that is going to be used in the school (it's pretty sweet). A lot of the work we have been doing has been focused on the church and school. We built an assembly area for the kids to line up in before school. In the usual Turkana fashion is was made of rocks arranged on the ground. Those Turkanans love their rocks. Actually it seems that most of the building that is done usually involves several orders of "put those rocks over there"! We also built, or I suppose cleared, a field for the kids to play football (soccer) on. Now you might wonder how we marked it off. Maybe paint, but that would have to replied everyday just because how loose the sand is. Or you might think a shallow ditch would work, but no. They made us line the field with rocks. Yeah that's right, we lined a kids playing field with rocks so that when they run out of bounds they can kick the rocks! Neither Duncan nor I were happy about that so we managed to convince Mica to let us partially bury the rocks. Then we get the benefits of long lasting rocks while not having to worry about some kid going for the ball and breaking his or her ankle!
       I have to digress for a moment but I really am proud to say that I got to play soccer with the kids. And not only did we play soccer, but we had several small games with my team against Eliza's team. And I just want it to be known that even though I broke off a good portion of my big toenail, we did indeed win the game. I'd say that was a necessary sacrifice for the win. And it didn't really break off at the time anyways. It wasn't until later that day (though I don't remember what I did) that caused it to come the rest of the way off. Now Mom, don't worry. I know it sounds like it was bad but once you see the picture you'll realize it really wasn't that big of a deal. It just kinda looks like a took an extra big chunk out with the nail clippers. So don't worry, I'm fine.
      I know that I really haven't included much about the day to day activities that have been doing on or much about what the Lord has been telling me, but it's very hard to figure out how much to say when you're being charged for how long you have on the computer. Don't worry though, I've been keeping a journal and I feel like I need to type up and post most of it. So when I finally return back to Nairobi for a bit and have sometime to sit down and type everything up, those of you that are crazing more details will get them. However, I should warn you that it's going to be a while before I can do that.
      Yesterday was my last day in Turkana. The plan for tomorrow is to begin our journey to Sudan. Now I would be foolish to say for certain that I won't be coming back (which is what I did last time...) but I would also be just as foolish to say that I'm returning for certain. So I'm just going to leave that one up to the Lord because however He decides to work it out is going to be best, hands down. So after spending about two and a half weeks in Turkana, we're getting ready to go to Sudan. I'm not gonna lie, I'm super excited about the whole idea of going to Sudan! Not just because I've never been before but I've been talking with Duncan about it and it sounds very different from here. For one, possibly the biggest two things I'm looking forward to are the decrease in temperature, and the lack of flies. I might not have mentioned it yet but there are a TON of flies in Turkana! And they are SO annoying! So to know that there are going to be less of them in Sudan is super exciting to me. And along with the somewhat cooler temperatures, there is also more vegetation and even frogs!! I really won't be able to give you anymore details until I get there but I did have to ask a question as I realized there was more vegetation and more water which meant more animals. Are there any big (and by big I meant dangerous) animals where we are going? I now realize I shouldn't have asked. Now I'm not telling you this to worry you because from what I've heard there hasn't been a siting in a long time. And not to mention the last time one was spotted the locals went on a hunt to kill it. Hmm, I just realized I never told you what was there... leopards. Yeah, that's right. So on one hand I'm really hoping not to have any encounters with them, but if I do, then I'm praying it is from far enough away that they can't get to me but close enough to get a decent picture. I have faith that the Lord is going to protect me. Otherwise I wouldn't be going.
     The trip from Lodwar, Kenya to where we are going in Sudan is going to take almost two full days (gah that's a long time!). Once we get there we'll be staying for about two weeks, helping the locals with any projects they have as well as fellowshiping with them and teaching them about God. The big thing about this trip is discipleship classes that we are going to have for the Sudanese that express an interest. There haven't been any classes there yet so this is going to be a big thing for them and should help them to all grow tremendously in their faith. I don't know if we well get the chance to go out and evangelize to any of the people, but even us being there is an act of evangelism. Just knowing that we have came all the way from our homes to be with them is a huge testimony to them of the power of Christ and the realness of the call on our lives and theirs as well.
    So will all of this for you to digest, I have to leave you. I would ask that you continue to pray for me and the rest of the team as well. Several specific things that I would be very thankful for your prayers in are for the Lord to teach me more of His heart, for the Holy Spirit to manifest himself in my prayer and worship time with the Lord, for the breakdown of my earthly pride and the fear of man in my heart, that God continues to break down walls and crumble strongholds in my heart, and that all of these things might be done so that God can raise a temple for Him to reside in within my heart so that I might come to praise, glorify, and worship Him more. Also please pray for the rest of the team (Duncan [who sends his greetings to the Clemson Kenya team], Cheboy [who also sends greetings], John, Joel, William, and Elizabeth) and definitely pray for the hearts of the Sudanese people.

It's with Love and Peace in our Savior Jesus Christ that I say God bless you,

CT