Unexpected Journey
In mid-November I got an unexpected e-mail from Joy inviting me to accompany her on a trip to South Sudan in December. In just four weeks I was able to get all the necessary arrangements made and was off for my unexpected journey to South Sudan.
"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." John Dewey
I knew a lot going into this journey. However, experiencing things gave a whole new meaning.
I knew it was the dry season and there were no paved roads.
I experienced dust billowing, almost blinding us, as a truck passed our vehicle on the road. I also had the dust, dirt, and grim on the inside of my shirt to prove how dry and dusty it was.
I knew it was hot and clean water would be scarce.
I experienced walking back to the compound at 3 pm, draining the last of my water bottle and thinking, "How much water do we have left? Where will we be able to get more? Will we have enough? I'm really thirsty!"
I knew the Dinka people were friendly.
I experienced seeing a lady just hand her baby to Joy to hold.
I knew that the church is not a building, but the people.
I experienced church with the Aduel Episcopal Church of Sudan congregation. All 400 of us worshipping together under a tree.
I knew that the night sky and the stars were brighter when there was no electrical lights around.
I experienced the brilliant night sky that was just amazing. I had no idea the milky way was so was bright, clear and beautiful. It was better than any planitarium I've ever been to!
I knew that the instability in South Sudan had taken a toll on the educational system.
I experienced seeing a school with walls riddled with bullet holes, with classrooms that were empty - no books, no chairs, no tables, no desks, no pencils, no posters . . . nothing but a chalk board (children walk to school with their chairs and use their laps for a desk - also students are grouped by grade level not by age so you can have a 20 year old in 3rd grade).
I knew that things don't always go as planned . . . .
I experienced the stress and uncertainty of "will we make it out?" We had a driver set to pick us up from Aduel at 1:30pm and take us back to Rumbek so we could fly back to Nairobi the next day (on the last flight out before Christmas), 1:30 no driver, 2:30 no driver but word that he'd be there at 3pm to get us. 3:45 and still no driver. It's now time for plan B! We had to find boda boda's (small motor bikes) to take us and our luggage to the main road (about a 45 minute walk) to wait for public transportation to get us back to Rumbek (about 1 1/2 hours away). All the while the clock was ticking... we knew it would be dark by 7 and travel would be too dangerous after that.
5pm and we're finally loaded in public transportation to begin the journey back to Rumbek - only 7 stops later and we safely arrived at 7:15pm.
I knew that South Sudan has incredible needs.
As we departed Adol, the compound manager said to me, "We don't need people to just send money, for true development in South Sudan we need them to come and see with their eyes."
I experienced, with my eyes, the vast needs (clean water, health care, education, food, and infrastructure). I also experienced how Mango Ministries is working with the people and churches of South Sudan to help bring development and transformation through Jesus.
by Linda Phillips
It was great getting to take my sister into South Sudan with me as we visited Adhanom before Christmas. It's fun to see something that has become everyday to me through someone else's eyes and I trust you have enjoyed seeing South Sudan through her eyes.
As we begin a new year will you prayerfully ask God if He is calling you to 'come see with your own eyes' the needs in South Sudan? On this trip we were made aware of so many opportunities for serving Jesus in South Sudan. Some of the needs are: tutoring elementary level students, teaching basic computer skills, teaching English as a second language, sports ministry, working with women and youth, discipling pastors, and the ongoing needs for short term and long term medical personnel. Email me if you'd like to discuss the needs and possibilities for serving with WGM's Mango Ministries in South Sudan.
Thank you for your partnership during 2011! God is answering prayer as we demonstrate compassion and facilitate the building up of God's Kingdom in this new nation.
Peace ~
joy
PS - if you're looking for an end of year gift that will help bring transformation to the South Sudanese check out the bottom of my December 2nd blog for several giving opportunities!
In mid-November I got an unexpected e-mail from Joy inviting me to accompany her on a trip to South Sudan in December. In just four weeks I was able to get all the necessary arrangements made and was off for my unexpected journey to South Sudan.
"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." John Dewey
I knew a lot going into this journey. However, experiencing things gave a whole new meaning.
I knew it was the dry season and there were no paved roads.
I experienced dust billowing, almost blinding us, as a truck passed our vehicle on the road. I also had the dust, dirt, and grim on the inside of my shirt to prove how dry and dusty it was.
I knew it was hot and clean water would be scarce.
I experienced walking back to the compound at 3 pm, draining the last of my water bottle and thinking, "How much water do we have left? Where will we be able to get more? Will we have enough? I'm really thirsty!"
I knew the Dinka people were friendly.
I knew that the church is not a building, but the people.
I experienced church with the Aduel Episcopal Church of Sudan congregation. All 400 of us worshipping together under a tree.
I knew that the night sky and the stars were brighter when there was no electrical lights around.
I experienced the brilliant night sky that was just amazing. I had no idea the milky way was so was bright, clear and beautiful. It was better than any planitarium I've ever been to!
I knew that the instability in South Sudan had taken a toll on the educational system.
I experienced seeing a school with walls riddled with bullet holes, with classrooms that were empty - no books, no chairs, no tables, no desks, no pencils, no posters . . . nothing but a chalk board (children walk to school with their chairs and use their laps for a desk - also students are grouped by grade level not by age so you can have a 20 year old in 3rd grade).
I knew that things don't always go as planned . . . .
I experienced the stress and uncertainty of "will we make it out?" We had a driver set to pick us up from Aduel at 1:30pm and take us back to Rumbek so we could fly back to Nairobi the next day (on the last flight out before Christmas), 1:30 no driver, 2:30 no driver but word that he'd be there at 3pm to get us. 3:45 and still no driver. It's now time for plan B! We had to find boda boda's (small motor bikes) to take us and our luggage to the main road (about a 45 minute walk) to wait for public transportation to get us back to Rumbek (about 1 1/2 hours away). All the while the clock was ticking... we knew it would be dark by 7 and travel would be too dangerous after that.
I knew that South Sudan has incredible needs.
As we departed Adol, the compound manager said to me, "We don't need people to just send money, for true development in South Sudan we need them to come and see with their eyes."
I experienced, with my eyes, the vast needs (clean water, health care, education, food, and infrastructure). I also experienced how Mango Ministries is working with the people and churches of South Sudan to help bring development and transformation through Jesus.
by Linda Phillips
It was great getting to take my sister into South Sudan with me as we visited Adhanom before Christmas. It's fun to see something that has become everyday to me through someone else's eyes and I trust you have enjoyed seeing South Sudan through her eyes.
As we begin a new year will you prayerfully ask God if He is calling you to 'come see with your own eyes' the needs in South Sudan? On this trip we were made aware of so many opportunities for serving Jesus in South Sudan. Some of the needs are: tutoring elementary level students, teaching basic computer skills, teaching English as a second language, sports ministry, working with women and youth, discipling pastors, and the ongoing needs for short term and long term medical personnel. Email me if you'd like to discuss the needs and possibilities for serving with WGM's Mango Ministries in South Sudan.
Thank you for your partnership during 2011! God is answering prayer as we demonstrate compassion and facilitate the building up of God's Kingdom in this new nation.
Peace ~
joy
PS - if you're looking for an end of year gift that will help bring transformation to the South Sudanese check out the bottom of my December 2nd blog for several giving opportunities!
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