Merry Christmas!!!

Abona and Eunice left this Christmas tree outside of my tukal yesterday.

A very sweet reminder of home.

Decorating the porch and eating star shaped cookies

under a Sudanese full moon.

Merry Christmas,

Although the hope for a white Christmas is slim, we are doing our best to feel festive here in Sudan.

The other night, with Bing Crosby reminding us of Christmas’ past, we decorated our small plastic tree, ate star shaped cookie and strung solar powered twinkling white lights around the porch. All the while reminding ourselves that though it may feel like August, Christmas is here.

Though most Didinga are animists, they too celebrate December 25^th. Most suspect that in the early 1900’s the Italian missionaries first introduced the Didinga to the joys of Christmas. As is true in America, very often the truth of Emmanuel, the truth of the season, can be lost here in the midst of the hustle.

Yet, these days when Didinga are busy re-mudding their houses and walking miles upon miles to Chukudum to purchase new clothes – these days when most Americans are baking special holiday treats, sipping eggnog and decorating trees – these December days the whole world seems somehow ready for the coming of the King.

This will be my third Christmas here in Didinga. My, “It’s beginning to look like Christmas…” entails afternoons spent smearing black mud and cow dung on the interior walls of friends’ mudhuts. I am starting to associate the calluses on my hands, the result of hours spent decobbing corn, with the feasting that will surely come on the 25^th.

Being away from home right now is not easy. I miss my family.

Yet, the truth remains. God sent His son. Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary. He lived and died for my sins and yours and those of the Didinga. And we rejoice! We are filled with joy , a joy that is deeper than family, turkeys, presents under trees and freshly mudded houses. For here in Sudan, far from family, but surrounded by new friends, craving turkey, pie and eggnog, but feeling satisfied with tough cow meat and wild greens, without a single present bought, wrapped or expected I feel the joy of the Christmas season. The joy of Emmanuel…

May you know this same joy as well!

Love/Hate Relationship

I have a real love/hate relationship with technology.

The internet came to Nagishot last month. I was thrilled at the possibility of communicating with the outside world more frequently, yet more than a week passed before I finally logged onto the internet here in Sudan.

And though I still prefer a stamped, handwritten letter to an email, I am not above admitting that the internet is pretty amazing! In the last month, I have “chatted” with family and friends, Facebook let me know that Isla, my dear friend’s second daughter, had entered the world and also announced the passing of my dear, Aunt Florence. Skype has allowed me to wish my Mom a very happy birthday and email has logistically made my grocery shopping, which I should mention is done in a different country, much, much easier.

I, like most of the Western world, do partially love technology.

Yet, that is not the end of the story. Oh no!

In the beginning of December my computer crashed. Yep, the old thing just decided not to turn on one day. When it finally agreed to boot up (or whatever they are calling it these days) I discovered that all of my information was gone. Three years of pictures, all of my music, four not yet uploaded blogs, loads of information…. all seemingly gone.

While I was in the States, I purchased a fancy external hard-drive. I planned to re-save all of my important information just in case something were to happen. To-Do-Lists kept reminding me to use this new shiny device - the external hard-drive - but I am sick to say that I never did.

To say that I'm a bit upset about losing all of my information, is a vast understatement! I am calmer now, but at the time, I was literally sick to my stomach.

I am currently borrowing a computer. I will not be using my computer until I can have it looked at in Nairobi. Praying that the information may be retrieved.

Oh, technology…

New Hut-mates

I don’t know about you, but I am not a real big fan of change. Well, I guess I should rephrase that, I am not a big fan of change that is completely out of my control. It makes me nervous, it gives me stomach aches, it stretches my faith. And stretching can be difficult.

In 2008 I moved to Sudan. Since then, I have lived in a mudhut or a tent with Elly and Tianne, two pretty wonderful women. I have laughed and danced, learned about the Didinga and myself and grown closer to God because of these two ladies. This year, I returned to Sudan without them.

The faces around my Didinga dinner table, the conversations and jokes shared, the lessons to be learned seem to be ever changing. Yet, God remains the same.

His goodness in this time of transition, from old to new, comforts me and lifts my eyes to His truth. The truth of His knowing what we don’t, His sovereignty, our Lord’s infinite love.

So, where are Tianne and Elly now that they are not here in Sudan?

In August, Tianne moved to the Philippines. She is currently enrolled at New Life Midwifery School, where her days are occupied with studies and her nights happily interrupted with deliveries. After graduating in 2013, she hopes to return to Central Africa as a missionary midwife.

Following God’s lead, Elly moved back to her home state, Florida. She is currently serving at Media, Africa Inland Mission’s retirement community. Her gentle spirit and love for the older generations have been a great gift to the retired missionaries residing there.

These days my Didinga house is full! My new hut-mates are great!

Making s'mores - Trey, me, Abbi and Katie

Twenty-four year old Trey, like most of his Lone Star neighbors, is proud to be from the great state of Texas. He arrived in Nagishot in late October as part of our Didinga teaching team. He hopes to split his time here between the classroom and assisting Jonathan with logistical and constructional needs. In August Trey will return to his third year of law school in the States.

Katie, a twenty year old from Maryland, also arrived here in late October. Her peppy and outgoing personality have been a great asset at the local clinic, where she is assisting. Her love for creating and baking has been a real asset to our dinner table! In early March, Katie will be returning to the States where she hopes to pursue her studies in either nursing or counseling.

Abbi, also twenty-four, grew up in Montana and Wyoming. Her playful spirit and heart for youth ministry will be a great benefit as a member of our teaching team here in Sudan. Abbi has just started her two year term. She is serious about learning the Didinga language. This eagerness to study has been a great encouragement to me in my language studies.

The new set-up: Katie and Abbi are sharing Tianne's old tukal,
Trey is in the middle, now residing in Elly's old house and I am still on the end.