Mary’s Blog Bor, Jonglei South Sudan December 27, 2012

Mary’s Blog Bor, Jonglei South Sudan December 27, 2012

So here I am in Bor Jonglei  South Sudan (RSS)and the wild west was never wilder.  There are cattle in the streets and dust everywhere from the roads which are not paved.  At the end of the street is the Nile River which is used for bathing by those who have no running water in their houses.  The priority here is to educate the  young so they can help build a stronger country. 

On Monday the city came alive as the churches march through the streets singing their praise to God.  While the city has very rough buildings the people of the churches are dressed in their best to march and announce the coming of Jesus.  Each church carried a banner and sang as they went along songs of praise in their native tongue.  Children as young as 5 or 6 were marching.  Okach Rachel’s son said that as a child he remembered getting in line and participating.  The marching continued until 1 or 2 in the morning.

On Tuesday I got up early to visit the celebrations at 3 different churches.  First we went to the Episcopal Cathedral where over 3,000 Dinka gathered to celebrate Christ’s birth.  After a while we went to other churches including the Anyuak Presbyterian congregation and the Nuer Presbyterian congregation.  Both these churches meet under canopies with the sides open.  It reminded me of some of the earliest meetings of  St. Andrews  which was the church of my childhood.  We meet under a grape arbor.  These people here in Bor are just beginning to build after a long war.  Their resources are much but it will take much work to realize the fruits of the Peace. 

Today I met the Minister for education for the Jonglei State.  We will meet at 3 today to talk about what the vision for education is.  The Governor has already made it clear that education is the responsibility of the people in the various towns and villages.  Rachel has plans to build a secondary boarding school for girls which will begin to train girls to take positions of responsibility

Please pray that the people of South Sudan will first seek the Face of Jesus and follow in his ways.  That  South Sudan will work under God’s authority. 

Pray that in the midst of such great need, I can listen to the voice of God and set my face toward the will of the One who sent me here.  That I will not seek my own glory but to work to glorify God.  

Mary’s Blog Dec. 11th

Mary’s Blog Dec 11, 2012

I had a lovely visit with my sister and this morning bright and early headed to the airport.  After picking  up my bags I headed to check in only to be told that I would have to pay for excess baggage despite being told it would not be necessary.  I was very grateful that the church had insisted I have money on hand.  Father God I give thanks for your provision and for the way you are guiding my footsteps.  I am sure that you can handle any circumstance and ask that you will guide my footsteps. 

I am currently reading a book on surrender.  In the past I would have stewed over the outcome of having to pay for my bags but I know that God is my provider and he will show me exactly what I need and when I need it.  His provision is always timed to when it is needed. 

In about 2 and ½ hours I will be landing in Entebbe and know he will make a way for me to transport my bags thru security and be on my way to Mukono.   I am excited about all he has prepared for this VBS.  I continue to ask for the ability to allow God to work in this circumstance.  I ask that this VBS be lead not by me but by God and that I can remember to trust him.  For this I give glory.   

Mary’s Blog Dec. 8th

Mary’s Blog  Dec 8th, 2012

I am finally on the move.  Today started with a miracle.  My Sudanese Family and 2 of my prayer warriors from church came at 6:30 AM to help me go to the airport.  I thought I had 10 suitcases and after loading them into the cars we headed to the airport.  The Picture you see here is of mee with the bags before we went inside.  You have heard of the loaves and fishes well  when the bags were checked there were 11 not 10 bags.  I tried to figure it out and for the life of me I couldn’t.  While the American airlines clerk checked to see if a bag had been double tagged we prayed for the trip and for each other.  After about 15 minutes the clerk called and said there were 11 bags and that she would just waive the fee.  She told me that I would have difficulty getting the bags checked from London to Entebbe.  When I went to tell my friends it hit me that I had 10 bags but a friend had given me clothes to take to Uganda and that was the 11th bag.  God’s provision is always timely.  He has  given me an extra measure of grace for this trip.  Things that in the past would have caused me to panic or get upset just seem to give me opportunities to see him at work in everything. 

As I went to go through security Emmanuel one of my Sudanese “sons’ asked if I had unlocked my I phone and I began to think how I could solve this problem.  After running around on my own steam I finally came to the conclusion that I did not need to worry.  I sat down at the recharging station and a young man came over who had both an I phone and a mac computer.  I asked him if my phone would act as an I pod and if I could use the e-mail feture in a wified area.  He then told me about a program that will allow my stateside family to call me and will let me text for free.  So all my running around was solved in a matter of minutes.  It doesn’t allow me to call in all circumstances but how rich I feel.  The best part is this happened right after I called AT&T and asked to cancel my 25 year old land line.

 

So what is the point of this story.  God’s provisions are so much better than ours.  Scripture Says “I know the plans I have for you … Lord Jesus help me to see your purpose in all the ordinary circumstances.  The needs we have are great and even more so as I head to Uganda and begin the VBS, but all our needs are supplied and He will direct our path to what he wants us to do. 

Heavelny Father you are our Jehovah Jirah and you know exactly what you wish us to do.  Give me the ability to become less so that all who I meet will knowthat you are the author  of my story.  May my witness be made complete in my weakness and your strength.  It is in Jesus name I pray.   

Mary’s Blog Dec. 5th

Mary’s Blog Day 5

Arrived safely in Uganda with all 10 bags intact.  Came to the Guest House at 2 am and got to bed by 3.  What a blessing to be here.  The room comes complete with a dsk which will make planning the VBS that much easier. 

12/12/12

First foray into the town of Mukono.  Went to visit a young man who has pain in his chest and side.  Medical facility basic the young man was being released because they could find nothing wrong.  We prayed for him and asked God to heal him.

The street is so busy.  There are only a few places to cross and then you must be careful of the motorcycle taxis that drive on both sides of the street.  Brian Dennison was my guide and showed me where to go to get set up for phone and where to shop for groceries.  We then took a motorcycle taxi up to UCU’s gate and went to the library to connect my computer to the wi-fi found on campus.   I headed home by way of the chapel which was very peaceful.  This is where we will hold the VBS next week.  It is a lovely location with a huge sloping lawn which may be used for various activities. 

Meet a nice young man who is the president of the student body at UCU.