You're Going Where???

My time here at home, has been a welcome combination of joyous reunions, contrasted perfectly with moments of sweet, uninterrupted solitude. Those seemingly commonplace luxuries: hot showers and clean feet, $3.00 disposable cups of foaming hot coffee and the fine art of accurate weather forecasting are no longer overlooked, but oh so greatly appreciated! I have hid and seeked nieces, cuddled and kissed two brand new nephews and caught up with old friends and loved ones.

After our team's evacuation, once it had become unquestionably clear that we could no longer safely call Napep home, the question for me was never, would I return to Africa, but more, where would I return to. I was approached and encouraged to consider returning to Sudan, but quite honestly doubted that I would. I visited other seemingly perfect mission opportunities, but felt absolutely no peace in committing to any of them.

Once home in the States, I considered (albeit for only about 10 harebrained minutes) restoring an old farmhouse and toyed with the idea of finally completing the Pacific Crest Trail or biking across America. However, the generational skip in construction skills and Father Winter’s speedy approach on the Northwest quickly brought me back to reality.

Then one night, as I anticipated sleep, lying on an inflatable mattress that was situated in the corner of my friends’ small apartment’s kitchen, I finally abandoned my ideas for the future, my plans for perfection. As I’ve done before, I did again. I agreed, to go joyfully, to be used, to the best of my abilities, wherever our Lord and Savior saw fit to send me.

It was shortly after this night of renewed abandon, that I began to finally find comfort in the thought of returning to Sudan. About two weeks later, I found our Father’s peace, His solace which had up until that point evaded me in Mordecai's words. The same words that had once encouraged Esther, now encouraged me: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

For, it is the same King of Kings, the same Lord who Mordecai long ago trusted to deliver the Jews, who is, even now, working amongst the Didinga people.

And so... it has been with time, considerable prayer and consideration that I have finally decided to return to the Didinga Hills of Sudan!

I will be living in Nagishot, at a distance of ten miles, it is Napep's closest neighboring village. I will be teaching nursery school, training teachers and continuing to focus my attentions on building relationships and sharing the love of Christ with the Didinga people.

Two of my former TIMO teammates/roommates Elly Admiraal and Tianne Cole will be joining me in Nagishot. If possible, the three of us hope to commute twice a month to Napep to foster old relationships and walk beside new believers.

Tianne, Elly and I - In Didinga

Thanks again for your many heartfelt prayers and the generous financial support that allows me to live amongst the Didinga people. It is such a privilege to have the opportunity to go forth and share the Good News. Thank you for your part in that journey!