The Hindsight of a Year, and the Death that is Life

It's funny the things that get you ... and the things that don't, when you walk this part of this kind of journey. One morning before Christmas I was in the post office. One letter to mail. There was the usual post office humdrum and conversation (comforting really ...), the rotating rack of greeting cards, the smell of newsprint, the reassuring presence of people just like me, waiting in line. Normal life.

A poster of coming holiday stamps was up and my eyes sifted through them thinking which ones I might like to use this year. Such a regular, routine activity. Yet after 2 + years of constant change and nothing dependable from season to season or year to year, for that matter, it's a deliciously conventional feeling ... like, 'wow, my life may approach some semblance of normalcy, and I can think about doing normal things at normal times again!'

I'm Grateful: South Sudan (Part 2)

I'm grateful this year, to be back in South Sudan. Surrounded by the earthy Moru existence that I love so well. By drums, and gourd shakers, and dancing, singing friends in church. To know the words of the Moru hymns and pipe in heartily with my own voice - loud enough to make me happily hoarse afterwards - like everyone else.

Absentee Bloglord. Part 1: Changing Seasons

Visiting Lui's yet dry resevoir before the rains

So there are absentee landlords ... and there are absentee bloglords. Yep, that's me. I haven't been in the blog world for a while. But I hope to be back for a bit. With some stories from my travels in the real world. Do forgive my long absence. Sometimes there's a lot happening. And not much time to write about it. But here are a few glimpses from the last few months, and a handful of thoughts to go with them.

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

Little People. Big Victories

Doors are opening. Everywhere. And blessings are growing and blooming. There's no better way to see them than in my relationship with kids . . . the three on our compound, and all the neighbors surrounding us. Two Sundays ago, Mami said she wanted to come to church with me. But she hadn't planned. I was going on bike, and she would have to walk (since she has no bike). So the next Sunday, she Äpi, and Queen (our neighbor) got themselves bathed and dressed in their Sunday clothes a whole hour early so they could set out on foot and meet me there. And so they did. I beat them despite the 40 minute head start (I have a strong feeling there were more than a few side-tracks along the way ;).