what's it like?

Frequently I'm asked, "What's it like in South Sudan?"  For the most part South Sudan is an experience that must be participated in to fully understand.  But this summer while in the US on a short Homeland Ministry Assignment I've noticed that there are a few things that you might be able to relate to . . . .   It's HOT in South Sudan.   And it's been HOT here too! High's reaching 100 degrees or more. Low's in the high 70's or even 80's.
And during the dry season (November - April) everything turns brown.  While in Indiana attending a seminar at WGM's Headquarters last week it was sad to hear of farmers plowing their crops under due to lack of rain.  July 4th is always celebrated with vigor in the US:  cookouts, fireworks, and people displaying and wearing the flag.  Reports are that on July 9th there were big celebrations to celebrate the first Independence day in the Republic of South Sudan.

to see little more of what South Sudan is like watch this short video.

news from the field

Hillary Langat, a Clinical Officer from Tenwek Hospital in Kenya, sees patients at the In Deed and Truth Clinic in Tonj during a 3 week trip in June.  Volunteers from Tenwek have been a big blessing to this ministry. 

Pray as WGM's friend, Dr. Rossi (on right), is in Tonj now, covering for "In Deed and Truth's" full time Doctor who is on leave this summer. 

Deng Jongkuch, the Hospital Administrator at Memorial Christian Hospital in Werkok, visited Tonj last week to learn from another health care ministry.  (above Deng and I are visiting during one of my visits last March) Deng was particularly excited to sit in on a Community Health Evangelism (CHE) training that was taking place.  

Pray as we explore opportunities for the future.  Read more about Deng in The Call, WGM's free magazine. 

Eight pastors from Akot and Tonj traveled to Arua, in northern Uganda, this month to learn more about Biblical Storytelling with the Coppedge family.  We're grateful for the time they had as they lived, learned, and fellowshipped together.  Please pray for these pastors as they each share 25 Bible stories before September.

Shortly after arriving home in NJ I was able to have lunch with Tim Conaway from my hometown of Mullica Hill, NJ.  Tim is joining the Mango Ministry team in September as a Logistician.  Nothing in South Sudan is easy and everything takes meticulous planning.   Tim's going to be our detail guy!  We're also excited that Whitney Smith will be traveling to South Sudan at the same time and will be involved in walking alongside our partners who are doing CHE training.  Since Whitney is from Fort Payne, AL I'm going to have to wait till she's in Nairobi to have lunch with her! 

And just before I left East Africa for NJ I had the priviledge of getting together with WGM's leaders in Africa for a Regional Retreat.  We are standing at the base of a huge baobab tree. 

(Billy and Jenny Fuller, Pam and Mike Chupp, Alice and Jim Vanderhoof, Karen and Terry Duncan, Vera and Jon Steury, Joy Phillips, Jon Mayo, and Beth and John Muehleisen)

Thanks for your prayers that are helping bring the Kingdom of God to South Sudan!

Dancing in the street

Summer's here and the time is right for dancin' in the street.

You remember Martha and the Vandellas, don't you?  From Chicago, to Philadelphia to Akot, South Sudan.  OK, maybe Akot wasn't part of the original song but there was definitely celebration and singing there last month.  

About 25 patients had been discharged and left the Akot Medical Mission in a group.  As they walked the short distance to town they were jubilant as they entered the shopping district which is about a block long with small shops along each side of the road.  The patients began sharing about the miracle of new sight with the shopkeepers and dancing.  The shopkeepers were so thrilled they joined in the celebration with the patients and even gave out money to help the patients get public transport back to their homes.  

Watch a little bit of dancing from our clinic last September.  The phrase that is being repeated says, "Change has come and we're so happy."  I feel a dance coming on to celebrate the good things God is doing in South Sudan!

However, South Sudan is a hard place to be and to do ministry.  There's not just the language barrier but the way we think is different.  The South Sudanese are steeped in cultural animistic beliefs that can conflict with Biblcal principles.  It's not infrequent that we wonder if our messages are getting across.  

Adhanom, practicing his facilitation skills, at the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) training in April.  

CHE participants doing an exercise during training

CHE can be a great tool used for community empowerment and transformation.  It can . . .  if God is behind it.  Will you join us in praying that God will continue speaking truth into the lives of 20 men and women who have been identified as leaders in their communities. The first week of training went really well.  We need you to join us in praying that these men and women's lives will be changed and they will make a difference within their circle's of influence. 

In one lesson the plan of salvation is explained.  Our training team had come prepared with chalk only to find that there wasn't a blackboard in the open-sided grass thatched hut.  So the next best thing was to draw in the dirt with a stick and that is what Pastor John did as he shared the illustration of the Four Spiritual Laws.  This is a testimony from one of the participants. 

“I had gone to different trainings. But, this was very special. I benefitted spiritually and physically. There is a lesson that I can’t ever forget. Never! Even if I get very old, I can’t forget it. I used to believe that salvation is from my side. I was thinking that I can reach God. But when Pastor John explained to us, I realized that I was wrong. I realized that it was God who can reach to me and save me. I can’t forget this lesson all my life – Never!” 

This man's 'lightbulb' moment is cause for dancing in the street!  

I'm so thankful we serve a God who reaches out to us, in spite of where we find ourselves at times.

As life begins to take on the rhythm of summer I pray you and I will really see the goodness of God and offer a dance of thanksgiving.

I look forward to sharing with some of you this summer about what God is up to in South Sudan while I am home for a short Homeland Ministry Assignment.  Most of my time will be in South Jersey.  Let me know if you'd like me to send you a schedule.

Shalom,

joy

guest blogging, take the challenge

"I'm carried on the shoulders of those who can't see the landscape I can see."   Jim Erdman

I am so priviledged that I get to see what God is doing in South Sudan. Thank you for making transformation possible through your financial support and prayers for me and Mango Ministries.   Many of you prayed for our cataract clinic in Akot from April 27th through May 3rd.  And many of you gave financial gifts.  THANK YOU for helping 124 of our South Sudanese sisters and brothers see with their eyes and their hearts. 

Here are a few glimpses from the clinic. 

Dr. Ben Roberts reports  . . . .

"This man was led to the Akot Medical Mission by his brother.  He was blind in both eyes with multiple advanced ocular problems.  Initially I refused to operate on him because of the low probability of improving his sight through surgery.  Richard, the Kenyan who screens all the patients, came to me a second time asking me to reconsider doing surgery, which I did.  When we removed the eye patch the man began crying, giving thanks to God that he could see!  I continue to learn what it means to trust Jesus with the impossible."

One of my (Joy) goals was to try and talk to at least one of the patient's who had been operated on when we had our first Cataract Clinic in March 2010.  Although we missed connecting several times we finally met up with the woman in pink.   If you've been reading my blog since that first clinic you've already seen her.  She's pictured in my March 9, 2010 blog entry - as she is lead from the ward to where the bandages were removed the day after surgery.  

March 2010

Her story is amazing. . . when blind Adut was abandoned by everyone in her family except her 5 year old grandson, who led her everywhere, even to the bathroom.  She couldn't afford the few dollars registration fee so one of her neighbors who works at the Akot Medical Mission paid it for her.  She told us that after having surgery in both eyes she was able to take care of herself and her grandson.  She collects lulu nuts to make oil to sell (lulu nuts are what shea butter comes from!) and cuts grass to sell for people to put on the roof of their homes.  She even built herself a new hut to live in with her grandson.  When blind she had stopped going to church because it was too much trouble.  She now is able to join other believers in Church each week. In many ways, Christ has restored her dignity, one of the goals of Mango Ministries.

April 2012

My Marion College (Indiana Wesylan University) friend, Cindy Hawkins McEvoy, was able to join us.  

"As I reflect on my week long visit to South Sudan----many descriptions crowd my thoughts.

Cindy McEvoy in Akot - enjoying a mango!

They vary greatly from:  extreme poverty to unfamiliar smells to EVERYONE wanting to touch your hands in greeting (whether they’re caked in mud or not), to children everywhere you turn being held by --children.  But ALL of these descriptions lead to one thing----it’s HOT in South Sudan.  I tried to keep my mouth shut and not complain but…as an American who is used to air conditioning and “cold” drinks to refresh the body---all I could think of was how uncomfortable I was.  As the days went by---I remained uncomfortable by the heat index but I realized how skin deep and temporary my discomfort really was.  The people of South Sudan have bigger issues to deal with than body temperature!  Every day is another day of sheer survival.  Whether it is a lack of water or food or a fatal illness or even the threat of violent war----their constant, never ending “discomfort” is a life long curse.  One that they bear with huge smiles on their beautiful faces and fathomless hope in their eyes.  Eyes.  That was the focus (no pun intended!) of our week long trip to Akot, South Sudan.  The Kenyan eye surgical team from Tenwek Hospital in Kenya came to this extremely impoverished area in Sudan to perform cataract surgery to anyone who was in need.  

And boy----there are a lot of people “in need”!!!  The daily transformations that this team performed was jaw dropping.  Only God will know just how many people’s lives were changed for the better after our week in Akot.  Only I will know just how transformed MY life is after having the priviledge of taking part in such a miraculous endeavor.

Would I do it again?  You bet!  It was by far the MOST humbling---magnificent and EYE opening (again---no pun intended!) experience I’ve ever had.  I highly recommend it to EVERYONE!!!  Whether you need it or not."

Our next cataract clinic is scheduled for the first week of November 2012.  If you'd like to make a financial investment in the life of a South Sudanese that will pay out huge dividends to the family of a blind loved one as sight is restored don't miss your opportunity to get involved.  And please continue praying that those who regained sight will recognize and worship the One who gives sight and life - Jesus.

Mango Ministries - WGM South Sudan has urgent and immediate opportunities for medical professionals to serve for a few weeks to a year or more at several mission health centers in South Sudan.  It's do-able ~ ask Cindy!  Are you available?  Will you be my next guest blogger??? 

Contact me to find out more about these life changing opportunities.  Get your hands dirty, sweat a lot, and experience hope like you've never seen before!

Shalom,

joy

Improv - to create, to make from whatever materials are available

I was handed a foot long branch of this semi-arid thorn bush last week as I entered church in Werkok, South Sudan on Palm Sunday.  As the 6 month dry season is coming to a close green bushes are few and far between.  Palm trees - not so much.  This branch is clearly the next best thing to a palm frond in Werkok.  Good improv.  It seemed very fitting that my green branch reminded me not only of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the honor bestowed on King Jesus, but with inch long thorns my branch also reminded me of the sacrifice God made in sending His Son to die for my sins.  

In March the WGM South Sudan Executive Committee held a planning retreat.  It was great spending time together as a team.  There is no substitute to spending time together - we improv with phone calls and skype but face time is best.  We were able to clarify our vision and learned new ways to be more effective.  

Our vision . . . 

              . . . transformed Sudanese, transforming their communities and beyond.  

We will do that through Church Leader Empowerment.  through Community Empowerment.  and through Health Care Empowerment.  

And that is what my last trip was about.  Helping empower Memorial Christian Hospital (MCH) through surgical care. 

Our surgical team waiting to leave Nairobi for MCH in Werkok, South Sudan

Joy, Dr. Russ White, Andrew White, Dr. Arega Leta, and David Chelimo (L to R)

During our visit the team was able to do 15 major operations and 8 minor cases.  In resource limited settings (South Sudan qualifies!) it's always interesting to observe the art of improvisation.  No cautery - cut more carefully, no OR sheets - use a gown instead, no muscle relaxant - more ketamine!  The OR team, including MCH's Dr. Ajak on the right, did a great job of giving new life to the patients they ministered to. And for the record: the theater at MCH is a great asset.   Do you have any unique improv stories?  

I was able to talk with this 'young' man after his hernia surgery.  A former freedom fighter for South Sudan with the Sudan People's Liberation Army he had been troubled with his hernia for ten years!  He attempted to have it repaired five years ago at another hospital.  When the patient ahead of him who was also having a hernia operation was wheeled out of the theater on the way to the 'resting room' (aka morgue) he asked where the bathrooms were.  And just like during the war when he was avoiding rebel armies he escaped potential danger and fled the hospital.    He managed to get by for the next five years but his buldging hernia was slowing him down.  When he heard that there was a surgical team at Memorial Christian Hospital he felt this was a good chance to give surgery another try.  He is extremely happy and thankful for the good care he received.

When you're hot, you're hot!!  The team along with Dr. Ajak trying to catch a breeze in the shade.  With daytime temps reaching 120 degrees in the sun and 107 degrees on the veranda this team was HOT.  

A trip to the historic Nile River was very cool.  The water is flowing north from Lake Victoria to Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea.   Most Kenyan's would not consider themselves short but in South Sudan they are definitely height challenged.  Our team's anesthetist, David, looks up to Deng, the Sudanese site-administrator at Memorial Christian Hospital.

Since it's the end of the dry season and tall grasses have been harvested and bundled for roofing. Andrew and I watched as one expert roofer went about his work.  Although grass roofs need to be replaced every three years or so it's much cooler than a corrugaged tin roof.

Our first evening in South Sudan found us in Werkok town.  We joined the local men under a tree watching a competitive game of dominoes.  Our own Dr. White, never one to be intimidated, entered the game after watching a few rounds and wound up a domino champion that evening!

My prayer this Easter is that you won't let the sun go down on God's plans for you . . . whether He's calling you to live a life of extreme abandon for Him right where you are or if He's calling you to be a light for Him in South Sudan.  There is no substitute, no winging it, no later when you've got it all figured out, no improv, when He calls you to follow Him.

I'm thankful to those of you who have followed Jesus by physically joining me in Africa, who pray, and give financially.  Your partnership means that God is at work, preparing men and women for their world's to be turned up-side down as they increasingly learn what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

If you're a medical doctor, surgeon, anesthetist, midwife, or nurse and would like to volunteer at a mission hospital to help empower health care ministries in South Sudan let me know.  I'd love to discuss opportunities with you.  And at the end of the day watch these beautiful sunsets over the new nation of South Sudan.

Theater anyone?

One of the things I had to get used to when I first came to Kenya was the use of British English.  We American's speak the same language as the British but at times the vocabulary is quite different.  Some examples of words I've had to introduce dual meanings to are:  the boot (trunk of a car), football (soccer), lorry (truck), chemists (drug store), crisps (potato chips), chips (french fries), pudding (dessert), mobile (cell phone).

And last but not least is the theater.  Operating Room. A place where surgery is done.  In Kenya, Tenwek Hospital's theater department has mushroomed and is an incredibly busy place.  I can remember helping out in the OR at Tenwek in 1981 when I was a Nursing Student having a summer missions experience.

Tenwek Hospital has come a long way since then!  People come from all over the country to receive excellent physical and spiritual care.  They even come from other countries.  My friend, Dr. Carol Spears, one of the surgeons at Tenwek Hospital, recently told me about a young girl named Achu from Sudan who was sent for care for a one year old leg injury.  

Dr. Carol Spears, Achu's sister, Achu and Dr. Dan Galat

Tenwek Hospital, Kenya

Through a series of miracles Achu was able to travel to Kenya and receive surgical care and is on her way to recovery.  But this is not the case for thousands of others. . . .

Unfortunately there are very few, if any, well staffed and equipped theatre's (operating rooms) in South Sudan.   Memorial Christian Hospital does have a theater.  But without a full time surgeon it doesn't get used as often as there is need.  That is why two weeks from now a surgical team from Tenwek Hospital, led by Dr. Russ White, plans to travel to Werkok.

Tenwek Hospital's theater

There have been no fresh outbreaks of violence in the area and the local community have moved back to their homes.  Please pray for this outreach!  Pray for peace between the rival ethnic groups, for safe travel, good health,  stamina despite the heat, wisdom in addressing challenging cases,  and the opportunity to show and tell people about God's love for them.

Pray that the acts that unfold on the stage at Memorial Christian Hospital will be living proof that God is good, God is in control, and God wants to transform the community of Werkok through changed hearts and lives.

Thank you for setting the stage for the surgical clinic in Werkok with your prayers!

joy

WANTED!

If you've been blessed with skills in maintenance, building, mechanics, hostessing, or in a health related field and you feel God leading you out of your comfort zone to serve Him . . . this just might be the opportunity for you!

World Gospel Mission's Mango Ministries in conjunction with Partners in Compassionate Care is looking for a couple to serve at Memorial Christian Hospital for up to six months at a go.  This is NOT an adventure for the faint hearted.  If you are adaptable, innovative, love people, love God more, are excited about learning new cultures and feel God calling you to live on the edge while helping build the new nation of South Sudan ~ email me!

After reading my last blog where I mentioned needing help with logistics a friend felt convicted that God wants him to volunteer with Mango Ministries.  Making the leap to living and ministering in Africa isn't easy, but I have found that God always meets my needs.  Here's what my friend shared as he begins his journey to South Sudan.

"So after we talked on skype I am incredibly excited and feel God is leading. But I was worried because I had just signed for a lease on an apartment and didn't know how much it would cost to break it. That night when I got home from work my land lord called and said she had bad news for me. They are going to tear down that apartment in June so I don't have to move in if I don't want to because I would have to move out. That was an incredible sign I believe that God gave me. That was my only obligation and he broke it and saved my money to serve."

How cool is that?!  Please pray for my friend Tim as he applies to join our team and help with logistics.

Also pray for the right staff to assist at Memorial Christian Hospital in Werkok.  Does God WANT you to join our team too?  We have other opportunities for doctors and nurses too!  Contact me if you're interested.

I will be taking a surgical team from Tenwek Hospital to Werkok from March 26th to April 3rd.  I will appreciate your prayers for the security situation to remain calm and for lots of opportunities for our team to glorify God through successful surgeries as well as sharing with the community and resident staff.

Do you have a God-story after answering God's WANTED call in your life?
I'd love to hear it.

joy

Weight matters, waiting matters

A question I frequently ask people is how much they weigh, which in American culture is rather rude!  But when you're booking small mission charter airplanes weight matters.  Body weight, personal luggage weight, excess cargo weight.  Even that small backpack with your computer in it weight!  Getting around South Sudan takes a bit more work than traveling from say, Philadelphia to the Jersey shore.  One of my jobs is to help arrange travel for our staff and short term volunteers.

[If you're a detail person looking for some adventure in Africa, boy, do I have the job for you.  We need a logistician.  Contact me if you're interested!]

Speaking of weight.  I'm not only perfecting the activities of a logistician but I'm also coming face to face with the art of waiting.

I'm currently reading a book called, "Sacred Waiting" by David Timms. So far the author has talked about Noah, Abraham, and Moses and how they waited on the Lord, often for many years.  David Timms explains that sacred waiting is about remaining in His presence and our service to Him.

As I read I was thinking, yeah, yeah. . . .  until Friday.

This week I'd been planning to take a surgical team from Tenwek Hospital to one of our partner's hospitals in South Sudan.  Because of several very recent incidences of insecurity (ie - deaths from local tribal fighting) the local population around the hospital have temporarily moved to a larger city for safety and there are practically no patients coming to the hospital.

This and the insecurity have caused us to postpone our trip.  So we wait for the right time, God's time.  It's much easier to accept the fact that God sometimes asks us to wait on Him when things are moving along according to our plans.  I'm praying God will continue to use this time to prepare me, and all those who volunteer with Mango Ministries, to be prepared for the work He has for us, when it's time!  In the meantime I can continue serving those who God leads me to.

Please pray for Dr. Ajak and the staff at Memorial Christian Hospital in Werkok during these insecure and challenging days.

Dr. Ajak examing a patient at Memorial Christian Hospital, Werkok

Also keep the medical staff at the In Deed and Truth Clinic in Tonj in prayer as they have been stretched in caring for a busy out-patient clinic and treating many trauma emergencies due to tribal fighting and vehicle accidents.

These are some of the folks Mango Ministries partners with who also work in South Sudan at a get-together Lindy, my sister, and I hosted over the holiday season. 

Adhanom, Joy, Lucy, Elsie, Joanna, Billy, Sophie and Chloe (counterclockwise)

Last month Adhanom and I were able to travel to Arua, northern Uganda to greet our team-mates (Billy & Joanna Coppedge and family) who just returned from the US.  We were able to meet the newest members of Mango Ministries, Chloe and Sophie (in matching blue outfits!).  We had a great time and enjoyed time to plan and pray together.

Train, train, train
We believe in equipping others for transformational ministry.  That's why Billy Coppedge is on his way to Tenwek.  The Tenwek Eye Team believes it's not enough to give people physical sight.  They want to effectively introduce people to the One who gives sight.  Billy is going to give the staff a refresher course on telling Bible stories as an evangelistic tool.  Please pray that the staff will wise and effective storytellers.

Richard and Leah (Tenwek Eye Team) rejoice with a woman from Akot after her surgery in 2010

Adhanom continues to prepare himself for transformational ministry. He recently completed Community Health Evangelism session 3 and is preparing to help facilitate our first South Sudan CHE training in April.

Pray for Adhanom as he continues to get to know the community in East Rumbek County and models the Kingdom.  There are many challenges!

Adhanom preparing tea for the pastors and Bishop Isaac (on left) before church, with a little help from Joy!

I'm praying I will not see this period of waiting and the disappointment of postponing our surgical clinic as Henri Nouwen writes about the popular concept of waiting.  

"For many people, waiting is an awful desert between where they are and where they want to go."  

Embracing the present!

joy