In July 2013, we said "Fare Thee Well" both to people, a place, and a way of life.
South Sudan had been our Home Away From Home since March 2012, just over a year. But it was a sweet and meaningful season. We discovered great Treasures in the hearts and souls of the people. The South Sudanese are a sensitive people, quick to give grace, to go out of their way to provide whatever service they see is needed, and take all of the trials that befall with patience, not complaining or arguing as to whether they deserve such or not.
Wau was our home, and it's people became our neighbors for the year we were blessed to call it such.
What follows is a reverse log of our South Sudanese sojourn.
And now, at time of writing, Joern and I are arriving at a new place, a different way of life, living off the land. We are a Berry Grower and a Shepherd. The Lord knows what He's doing, and we are grateful to be walking hand in Hand with Him as He leads us into another Great Adventure at Bramberi Farm and Gardens, in North Georgia.
South Sudan had been our Home Away From Home since March 2012, just over a year. But it was a sweet and meaningful season. We discovered great Treasures in the hearts and souls of the people. The South Sudanese are a sensitive people, quick to give grace, to go out of their way to provide whatever service they see is needed, and take all of the trials that befall with patience, not complaining or arguing as to whether they deserve such or not.
Wau was our home, and it's people became our neighbors for the year we were blessed to call it such.
What follows is a reverse log of our South Sudanese sojourn.
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| Yohanna on behalf of World Concern Staff Presents us with a Farewell Cake. A fluffy, buttery, delicious one at that! |
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| Gourds for all Occasions, and each with a story! Peter Garang and Andrea Akoon make us smile and feel loved. Tears fall, friends have been made and will be missed. |
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| Beaded Belts signify being Bound, as a groom to a bride, as brother to brother. Yohanna presents each of us with a beaded belt, reminding us of our being bound together in Christ and as a Family. |
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| Staff Planning Meeting at Wau Amarula Lodge, February 2013. Back Left : Lihanda, Joern, Calleb, Andrea; Next row: Damaris, JohnChol, Khamady, Yohanna Phillips, Redison, Lusuli, Peter Garang, John Mbogo; Front: Benson Machar, Moses Korsuk, Kyalo, Boniface, Max, and Mary Akout |
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| Staff Planning Meeting at Wau, Amarula Lodge, July 2012. Different faces: Charles Ogeno, Ann, and Makuac (?) |
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| Morning Ruckshaw Ride from Home to Office. It's a good way to ensure Praying Always in the Spirit! |
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| Khawajas (White Foreigners) are SO interesting!!! Neighborhood Children loved to watch us from under the gate. We'd hear the whispered tones and gentle giggles, then peek at the gate, and there they'd be. Precious Moments. |
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| Whinnying by night, and dust-baths by day. These donkeys were Beasts of Burden. Rolls in the dust and feasts on greens were well-deserved breaks. This scene is just outside our gate, along a path we would daily walk. |
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| Our Local Church, standing amongst the Mangotrees, Wau, South Sudan |
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| A Place to call Home in Wau. The Property consists of this nice, Kenyan-style house, two out-buildings, and an outdoor privy. Quite ample space for us, and a colleague, Charles Ogeno. |
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| Our Cottage in Juba, at World Relief Compound, March to July 2012. |
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| What happens on Cross-Country Voyages in South Sudan. Patience. Flexibility. And cash to hire a new Land Cruiser. |
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| Juba: Joern with Heidi at Confident Children out of Conflict |
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| Beautiful little girls of South Sudan, I know your Name! |
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| Ann with Beret at Confident Children out of Conflict.
Confident Children out of Conflict exists because of the life-giving efforts of Cathy Groenedijk. She, and the folks working with her, labor to get young girls off the streets into protected housing, and provide schooling for street & slum children.
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And now, at time of writing, Joern and I are arriving at a new place, a different way of life, living off the land. We are a Berry Grower and a Shepherd. The Lord knows what He's doing, and we are grateful to be walking hand in Hand with Him as He leads us into another Great Adventure at Bramberi Farm and Gardens, in North Georgia.
