Pictures of Sudan Uploaded by My Mom

Visiting Missionary Team

Our little baby, Mercy

This is a meat market and this is why we don't eat much meat at the orphanage.

Typical village in the bush

Suturing a lip in our clinic

The booming town of Yei

From the mouths of Babes...

The kids here are like sponges; they soak up everything you give them—words, hugs, attention. They make me smile everyday. At night, if one has a tummy ache, they all have tummy aches. If one has a wound that needs a plaster (band-aid), they all search their arms and legs for somewhere to put a plaster.

We have a girl named Cecilia and I can’t help but sing “Cecilia, you’re breakin’ my heart, you’re shakin’ my confidence, baby” (Paul Simon?). Yesterday, she came in the clinic for a plaster. Behind her were 12 curious boys and girls. I started singing her song as I bandaged her finger. The boys and girls just giggled. About an hour later, I was walking out of the clinic and those same 12 boys and girls were sitting under a tree singing “Charity, you’re breakin’ my heart…. Sunday, you’re breakin’ my heart….Estella, you’re breakin’ my heart….Aaron, you’re breakin’ my heart….”.

It was REALLY cute—and a reminder to never say anything to a child that you wouldn’t want repeated….

Silly Kawaaja

Every night before bed, I do one last round in the dorms. Because malaria symptoms tend to have their onset at night, many children begin feeling sick around bedtime. During nightly rounds I walk through each of the four dorms and make sure no one is getting sick. I touch foreheads and ask everyone if they are ok. Generally, I have complaints of tummy aches, headaches or coughs. Because the housemothers don’t speak English, I’ve been asking them “Ana kwes?”. I thought that meant “are you good?”. I learned today that for the past 5 days I’ve been walking through the dorms saying “I am good?”.

No wonder the housemothers always say “ay” (yes) with a smirk…

I have arrived!

I arrived in Yei, Sudan a week and a half ago. The days here are long and busy, but life is much simpler- no fuss over what to wear, no sitting in traffic, no processed foods, no polluted air. And, though I’ve been busy, life has been rather peaceful. It’s rainy season here, so everything is lush and green and absolutely beautiful.

My days have been spent in a variety of ways. I traveled over with a team of 8, and so I’ve split my time between them and the clinic. Luckily there are two other nurses here presently (though, they will be leaving in September and October), so I’ve been able to explore a bit.

My team left today, so that was a sad goodbye. It is my day off, so after taking them to the airstrip, Christina (other missionary) and I went to town and had chips and soda for lunch. It was a good American meal, although the ketchup here is more like tomato jelly…

Anyway, I will leave you for now, but will update more pictures and maybe a video when I get the chance.

More Goodbyes

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family. ~Anthony Brandt

Saying Goodbye

I said goodbye to my dear friends on Saturday evening. It was a fun evening that reflected an important part of my past 3 years in Dallas. As I prepare to embark on this new journey, I can't help but feel a bit nostalgic. I've spent the past several weeks reminiscing with friends about our post-college, single existence. It has been accented with late nights, dinner parties, road trips, disco balls, loud music and few regrets. But the story behind the story is this time in my life has gained me some of the truest and deepest friendships I've experienced. I've learned to embrace life and enjoy the ride-- no matter where it goes. I've learned that God always makes a way. And, I've learned that 5-year plans were meant to be broken. Destroyed. Thrown out the window and never thought of again.

Goodbye 5 year plan.

And, goodbye dear friends. To say I'll miss you is putting it lightly...

35 Days...and counting

In April, when I made the decision to go to Sudan for a year, August 5th seemed oh-so far away. Now, 35 days to departure, August is no longer creeping up. People ask me if I'm excited. Yes, beyond words. People ask me if I'm nervous. Yes, beyond measure. People ask me if I'm certain. Yes, without a doubt.

However, if you ask me if I'm ready, the answer is NO. I keep wondering...how does one pack for a year in Sudan?? I think the answer leans toward moderation.

Darn.