Transitions

The life of a missionary is a life filled with amazing adventures and endless transitions. 

This past week marked the beginning of my year and a half away from Didinga (three months of Home Assignment and one year of Bible studies).  This will be the longest period of time that I will have been away from South Sudan since moving there in 2008.  

Saying goodbye to those we love and venturing off into the unknown is never easy.  However, it is the perfect opportunity to practice 1 Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

Thursday, July 11th I will land in Spokane, Washington and begin my three months of scheduled Home Assignment.  With family, friends and supporters scattered throughout the US and Canada, it should be a busy summer season! 

In January, I will begin a year of full-time Bible studies.  I am still in the process of choosing a school.  I am looking for a graduate level, in depth, one year Bible program; with an emphasis on cross-cultural missions and discipleship.  My ever growing list of possibilities includes:  Moody Chicago or Michigan, Columbia International University located in South Carolina and the Bible Institute of South Africa.

Please pray for clarity of direction as I endeavor to choose the suitable place.

I will be remaining with AIM throughout the coming year as I do plan to return to my work in Didinga.  Thank you for your continued partnership!

With love and appreciation,
KIM

Hiding and Seeking

Last week, in between the packing and preparing for my year away at Bible school, I played a little Hide and Seek with these two...

Sweet Poi

and a finally healthy again, Yaya.

 

Behind the water barrel - I found these two!!!

 

Behind the kitchen door - found again!!!

In the garden - they found me!!!

Hope your Monday is cheerful!!!

A Trip to Napep

Last Saturday, I hiked the ten miles over to Napep, around most of the village and then back home again. It was a really, really long day, but all together lovely. 

I hiked over with these two boys, Lobia and Logia.  

They are both originally from Napep, but have been living in Nagishot for at least two years now - attending school, living on the church compound and participating in the Nagishot church.  

They are both good boys, so full of potential. 

I met this shepherd boy back in 2008.  He is growing up.

This little fella didn't feel very well and certainly did not want anything to do with the funny looking white lady!

We hiked to the far western edge of Napep; to Lobia's mother's compound (his father was killed in the war years ago).  Lobia was thrilled that I was finally meeting his family and seeing his home.

Lobia's brother-in-law

His older sister, Naboi

It was beading season in Napep.  Girls everywhere were working on their new creations, including Lobia's older sister.

We spent a few hours hanging out in the Didinga's equivalent to the living room - the "naparit". 

Naparit

A naparit is a campfire pit.  Due to Didinga's cool temperatures, most people gather around a campfire most evenings.  Often these fire pits are covered to offer protection against the rains.  

In the picture above, if you look carefully, you can just pick out three small children and one black dog napping in the foreground.  All three of these children were simply laid down, covered with a cloth or mosquito net and told to sleep - and almost instantly, all three did.

We spent a few hours chatting, eating sunflower seeds and beading at Lobia's family's naparit.

At one point, Lobia asked me if the lit up number on my camera was the current time.  I told him that it wasn't, but rather how many picture were still remaining on my camera - 164.
 
Well, from that point on, Lobia took it upon himself to take all 164 pictures before we returned home to Nagishot that evening.

Here are a few of his photos.  It is fun seeing things from his perspective.  He is quite the photographer!

After Lobia's compound, we headed to Logia's.  Most of his family were away, weeding in a distant field, so we did not end up staying long.

It was a tiring day, I estimate that we hiked more than 25 sandle-clad miles, but it was also a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends in Napep, while also spending quality time with two boys, Lobia and Logia, who I have grown especially close to these past few months through our chronological Bible study, UNO youth nights and last month's Bible Camp.