Break, Planes, and this African Life

Yesterday’s departure from Mundri for our break was like a scene out of Home Alone.  The one where everyone finds out they slept in because the alarm clock didn’t go off and they might miss their flight. They jump into a flurry of frenzied activity, throwing things into suitcases, running about the house getting this or that, and squeezing into the airport van hoping that they haven’t left anyone or anything behind.

Teaching Ag at BNTC

It's 6:39pm on the clock. I've been banished from my garden by a feisty afternoon rainstorm. I'm not complaining - grow cucumbers!  Grow radish!  Grow squash!  Grow tomatoes!  Grow! And actually, it's a good moment to sit down and share some exciting and much-overdue thoughts about BNTC.

Guor Marial

Last night we were invited over to the Bishop's house for dinner (we share a compound). A team from Bethany's church back in Philadelphia (Liberti) was here visiting and it was an opportunity for fellowship. The awesome perk was that the Bishop has satellite TV, and we got to watch the Olympic marathon!! (HOW did we not realize that he was getting Olympic coverage all this time?!*). I was scouring the screen for Guor Marial - a South Sudanese runner competing under the Olympic flag. An unfortunate sufferer of the recent civil war, Guor landed in the States through the UN refugee program. Not yet a citizen of the US, and South Sudan not being organized enough for an Olympic team of its own, he was invited to run under the Olympic flag. For those interested, his story is here:

For South Sudan runner, just reaching London was a marathon

Pray Please! Home-Stay #2

Dear Friends,

It's hotter than hot. And my brain feels like melted butter and scrambled eggs all at once. At noon I dropped my entire team off at the air-strip, sending everyone off with multiple bear hugs and kisses as they left for a bit of work and a bit of play in Uganda. And I drove home to an empty compound. Weird! I felt a true pang in my heart of hearts to send them all away like that. Standing alone on the road and waving as their dear little faces disappeared from sight. It was a sweet sadness - one that tells me these are my specials, my people, and I really, really love them.

That done, I am switching gears again majorly and will shortly bike off to Miri-Kalanga and Margaret's house. Two heads shorter than me and with enough hugs and smiles and genuine love to more than take the edge off the loss of my team, she is a member of the church I've been attending for the past two years, and part of the Mother's Union there. I'll stay with her at least for the next two weeks - but hope to hop between her house and another lady's for the next month and a half or so (if I can stand the heat).

I covet your prayers for me:

1. For grace in getting to know everyone, loving them well, finding our stride together, and fielding the awkwardness that's bound to hit at times!

2. For great gains in learning more language and culture (these folks don't speak a lick of English, so there's great potential for real improvement.)

3. For true help with the heat. I'm not just joking or complaining when I tell you it's hot. It is getting past 100 every day. Some nights are not cooling off any longer. And by noon everyone is wilted and cranky. On top of that, I'll be surrounded by people all the time, not in my own place, and I've had some struggles with heat rash (which by the way, is HORRIBLE). So, I need God's intervention - to keep my brain sharp, my heart soft and willing and patient, and my body able to deal with the heat (since I won't have the usual access to an ice cube, shower, mango slushy, or the privacy of my own room when I'm just DONE.)

4. Fun. Deepening relationships. Heart to heart communication. Creative ideas to engage people. Strength to move towards people. There is nothing more dear to me in life than going deep with people and truly feeling connected with bonds of love. What better thing could I share with people than myself and my God? It's what I've come here for. Please pray that I will be a huge blessing to this family and all their neighbors, and that they in turn will be the same for me - so all of us can grow and be encouraged and inspired by the goodness of our God.

THANK YOU!  So much love to all of you - even the ones who haven't had a personal email from me in months. Please know you are on my mind and in my heart, even though I'm not able to stay in touch better.

Larissa

Cruising the Highways and Byways - Part One: To Garia

You know you're back in rural Africa when. . .

Scott is pulling Michael's stitches out.  On the airstrip.  With a pair of pliers.

your roommate tells you she's duct taping the backpack that rats chewed through on her shelf.

you are once again accustomed to the permanent sheen of sunscreen, sweat, and dirt that is your outer coating.