We're Going Back In!

In the Hills

Elly, me and Tianne

Unless something changes, pushing back our departure date, Elly, Tianne and I will return to the Didinga Hills of Sudan on the 26th of January.

I thought that I would take the opportunity to share a bit about the wonderful women I serve beside. I have also attached our individual prayer requests. Thanks for reading. Thanks for praying.

Elly:

In 1973 Elly was born to Dutch immigrants. The middle child of three, she spent all of her childhood in Miami, Florida. It was while attending Calvin College, that Elly first traveled to Africa. After graduating with a degree in Socio-Anthropology she accepted an assignment in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Three months later, she experienced her first of many evacuations. She returned to Mali, West Africa, for a two year assignment in 1999 working for a community development organization. Returning to the States to care for an ailing father, she taught art in a Christian elementary school in Miami. However, her desire to serve God in Africa never faltered, therefore leading to her joining the Didinga TIMO team in 2008.

Interview with Elly:

What are you most looking forward to in returning to Didinga?: I am eager to talk to my friend, Natalana again and hug our little neighbor, Regina.

Any worries about the eventual move back into Sudan?: Investing in lives, only to say goodbye again.

How often do you intend to bathe in Sudan?: Fully bathe? I am shooting for once a week.

Favorite Didinga moment, so far?: Joining in on the Harvest dances.

How many books did you read while home for the last 4 months in the States?: None

Hobbies in the States: painting, playing volleyball and elaborate road trips

Hobbies in Didinga: sleeping, eating chewy candy and trying to find a moment of solitude

What will you be looking forward to most after three LONG months in the Sudanese bush?: Hot baths, reliable internet access, pizza and Diet Coke

Elly's Prayer Requests:

• Courage in making new relationships and fighting the spiritual battle that I know is to come.
• Making the most of our limited time in Sudan.
• Protection and sanity!

Tianne:

After the birth of three Cole boys, Tianne’s parents’ rejoiced in 1983 with the birth of their first, and only, daughter. As a girl in rural Northern Michigan (almost in the pinkie of the Michigan Mitten) she grew up barefoot and animal crazy. Purchasing her first horse at fourteen, which she would have easily traded for an African elephant, her eyes were opened early to the joys of the equestrian world. This love for animals was only coupled by her growing love for Africa and God. At sixteen, Tianne undertook her first mission trip to Baja, Mexico. Other trips soon followed including Haiti, Honduras and the much anticipated, Africa.

Interview with Tianne:

Which parts of returning to Didinga are you most looking forward to?: I am looking forward to reconnecting with old friends in Napep and the chance to snuggle with my dog, Rose again.

Any worries about the eventual move back into Sudan?: “Onward Christian soldier…” (hahaha) I am anxious about learning the language and worried about making new friends.

How often do you intend to bathe in Sudan?: I am hoping to wash my feet and face once a day and well, once a week for the rest.

Favorite Didinga moment, so far?: Standing at the gate, while the buck-tooth man negotiated my dowry with Kim.

How many books did you read while home in the States?: Read one, started many.

Hobbies in the States: riding my horses, hunting, hiking and planning my next adventure

Hobbies in Didinga: reading, writing letters, baking in a calderon, crocheting and checking the water filter's level

What will you e looking forward to most after three LONG months in the Sudanese bush?:

Hot showers, unlimited electricity, ice cream and other American foods and riding horses

Tianne's Prayer Requests:

• That God would give me grace in learning the Didinga language.
• Health (While in the Hills, Tianne has a susceptibility towards skin infections)
• Prayers for living fully each day, while seeking God for the future.

Kim:

I am guessing that most of you reading this already know a thing or two about me. However, Tianne has strongly (arm twistingly so) encouraged me to share a bit about myself for those of you who don't.

Born in 1980, joining three older sisters, I became the youngest and all around craziest, Davey daughter. Growing up in the woods outside of Spokane, Washington I quickly learned to love being active in God's great outdoors and the joy found in pushing myself to my limits while playing sports. Attending Western Washington University, I graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Child Development and more importantly, learned what it meant to be a Child of God. After a brief, but totally enjoyable teaching stint in western Ireland, I taught second grade for three years in South Western Washington. Having felt the pull towards missions for years, the summer of 2006 was spent working with Sudanese orphans in Northern Uganda and South Central Sudan. Sudan was and continues to be where God has faithfully lead me.

Interview with Kim:

Which parts of returning to Didinga are you most looking forward to?: I know that God is busy in the Didinga Hills of Sudan. With the comfort of His presence and invitation, I feel a true confidence in my decision to return to Sudan. I know that it will be hard, but I also know that I have the opportunity to joyfully step smack dab into the middle of God's will for my life! I am excited to see what God has in store for us and the Didinga people.

Any worries about the eventual move back into Sudan?: Sure. The naivety we went in with last year has been replaced with a real sense of the struggles we are sure to face.

How often do you intend to bathe in Sudan?: Oh man, I am going for once a week as well, but feet and face daily.

Favorite Didinga moment, so far?: Witnessing the miracle of baby Thabon's first breath and working in the fields next to my best Didinga buddy, Martha.

How many books did you read while home in the States?: more than 25

Hobbies in the States: loving on my nieces and nephews, running, climbing mountains, exploring used book stores, anything that is outside and active....

Hobbies in Didinga: reading, baking cookies late at night (we're talking 8pm), I want to learn how to knit, gardening in both my field and the Didinga's, making up imaginary life scenarios, like how to get three, single, Christ-following males into the Hills. :)

What will you be looking forward to most after three LONG months in the Sudanese bush?: long, hot baths that I did not haul or boil the water for, the absence of monotony, fruits and veggies and talking with those I love!

My Prayer Requests:

• Christ's heart for the Didinga people.
• Patience in the face of diversity.
• The ability to fall asleep easily and rest without nightmares.
• Team unity.