ADVENT IN SOUTH SUDAN.....

ADVENT….time to prepare for Jesus’ coming! At Christmas time, even here in South Sudan, there is much thought and preparation as Christmas approaches. Yes, we might say that our friends have picked up on the tradition of commercialism from the Western world when it comes to buying new clothes or preparing for a big family feast together. BUT I think the word TOGETHER is the one that is more obvious here. A good sermon this past Sunday challenged us to consider the difference between “Christmas” and “Xmas!” In this new country, with so many challenges for everyone, I sensed Jesus speaking to each one of us. Are we prepared for Jesus’ coming again? Or are we just anticipating what we will get for ourselves? Many of the South Sudanese employed seek for time off over Christmas and New Years’. Many offices close down for one or two weeks. Many travel to their villages to spend time with extended family. That is not too different from the Christmases I remember as a child, traveling to both sets of grandparents to enjoy time with cousins, aunts and uncles. Our colleagues here fully expect us to travel to the US “to be with family.” “Being together” is essential to Christmas – “God with us…..Emmanuel!” Advent – what is special about it this year? My mind goes to Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem. For 9 long months, the first-time mother and father wondered what it would be like to be parents; what kind of child would this be? Our son Mark and his wife Kenzi are much like them this year as they anticipate their first child in June 2014 – what kind of child theirs will be? (It hardly seems possible, but 27 years ago, we too anticipated Kurt’s birth during Advent.) We may all try to imagine what the world will be like for our child as he/she grows and matures into the adult she/he is created to be. I often think this is what was meant when it was said in Luke 2:19, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Mary was just like us – having time to anticipate the birth of Jesus, her child - one she never would have planned or even dreamed of. At this time of Advent – the four weeks prior to Christmas, we as followers of Jesus, are encouraged to reflect on the world with this child, what it would be like to live like him and how we are to be like him as we grow and mature in our understanding of Jesus and the impact of his church upon the world today. I am challenged to ponder these things in my heart and find a fresh understanding of what impact my life is having on the world in 2013. Whether we accomplish all the tasks on our Advent Calendar, we might ask – “have we touched a life with the love of Jesus today?” As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, this small babe born in a manger more than 2,000 years ago - much like many a babe born here in South Sudan – may we sing like the angels, “Come, Lord Jesus, Come!”

Agele's Story....told by Dr. Lynn

Although I believe that every sunrise, every sunset, all of the moments that we have in life are miracles in and of themselves, it is still amazing to be in the middle of something that even the most cynical might consider to be miraculous. I was privileged to have that experience this past week, and I would like to give glory to God by sharing it with you. In the South Sudanese village of Kirikwa, there resides an 8-year old boy by the name of Agele who (at least, whenever I have seen him) has always hung his head and/or covered his left eye with his hand or with the bill of his cap. This is because sometime around his third year of life, he started to have excessive swelling and itching of that eye. This led to much scratching and, it is believed, to a very severe infection of the eye and its surrounding tissues. Eventually redness and pain followed, as the eye deteriorated and became grotesque in its appearance. Although Agele’s pain eventually went away, he was left with an eye that few could bear to look at, and an attitude of fear of rejection. Although he had made trips to the hospitals of the Yei area, of Juba, and even the Democratic Republic of Congo, nobody seemed to know the cause of his severe problem or what to do to help him. I saw Agele for the first time about 16 months ago, not long after we had arrived in South Sudan. I was so shocked at the severe disfigurement of his eye, that I felt that he must certainly have a life-threatening infection — as it was so close to his brain. His family told me that this was a problem that he had had for several years, and that hospitals and treatments had been completely unhelpful for him. They did not want to waste any more of their precious, little resources on useless trips and evaluations again. I did eventually get them to take him to the eye surgeon/ophthalmologist who comes about twice a year to Yei from Juba to do cataract surgeries. Apparently he was told something to the effect that, “he will grow out of it.” Well, thus far, it appeared that he would not. But, on the other hand, Agele seemed to be quite well, otherwise — attending the local church school, and playing like the other kids. Despite the grotesque appearance of the eye, it did not seem to be bothering him with any pain or physical discomfort. And, it did not seem to be getting any worse as the months and years had gone by. But the head-hanging continued. We did take some pictures of Agele (with his family’s permission) and sent them to doctors we knew and specialists that they knew. Nobody was able to tell what the underlying problem was by just looking at him. It looked so bad, that we thought that he surely needed to have the eye removed (enucleation). But who of the non-specialists around here, would take such a drastic step without a diagnosis of what was really going on? Perhaps there was an unusual infection that needed to be treated first. Perhaps there was an underlying cancer that would need specialized treatment, as well. So, it became clear that we just had to get him to specialists who had the experience and the equipment to figure out what was going on, and what to do for him. Thankfully, one of our visiting doctors from Tennessee gathered donations towards the care of patients with severe problems like Agele’s, and sent the money to us, so that we could help him. Several more weeks passed before I had time to accompany him, his father, and his uncle (one of our UMC pastors) to Kampala, Uganda for specialist evaluation at a hospital that had been recommended to me for specialized eye problems. The crowded night bus to Kampala was quite an experience for all of us, especially Agele. But with little sleep, we all took a taxi to the hospital on that Thursday morning. We were seen fairly promptly by the ophthalmologist, who was also surely amazed at the severe problem of this little boy. She quickly determined that he had no vision in the affected eye, but that the other eye had exceptionally good vision. She ran some blood tests, and recommended a CT scan of the head to make sure that there was no underlying problem causing this. Getting the CT scan required going to another hospital. We went to schedule that early afternoon, and found that they could actually scan him right there and then. After the scan was complete, we were told to return the next morning to pick up the results. We did so, and the scan showed no major underlying problem. We took the results back to the ophthalmologist, who reviewed the results that Friday midday. She felt certain that Agele had had a severe infection in the past, but felt that the infection had “burned out” and was no longer an active infection that would require any treatment. She now fully believed that Agele’s problem was now a “cosmetic” one — although it was most severe. She recommended that we try to get in to see a plastic surgeon, before returning to South Sudan, so that the next trip could have Agele scheduled for his first plastic surgery when he returned. In light of the distance that we had to travel, and the expense of staying around Kampala, I asked her when he might get to see the surgeon. She said, “Today”. Well, I was not expecting that answer on a Friday at noon. And we had to take a long taxi-ride to yet another hospital between Kampala and Entebbe. I was even more amazed that we could get in to be seen by the specialists by the end of the afternoon. They were a British plastic surgery group that did not charge for their surgical services. They thought that they could really help Agele’s appearance with a series of surgeries. They advised that the best cosmetic result would come with enucleation and the placement of a prosthesis (artificial eye). (The cost of Agele and his father staying there for three weeks was to be about one hundred dollars.) My jaw dropped when the surgeon said that they could put Agele on the surgical schedule for early the following week. I was even more astounded when I did some hurried calculations with our remaining donated money and found that there was enough to proceed with this surgery that we had not anticipated would happen on this particular trip. All of this evaluation took place in less than 48 hours. This is something that one would not even be able to do in the US. Yet, here we were in a strange city, in another country, and God had accomplished this in front of us. We gave thanks for the faithfulness of our God once again, as I prepared to return to South Sudan —leaving Agele and his relatives to await the surgery and the few weeks of recovery to follow. I am glad to report that I have since heard that Agele came through this first surgery quite well. Our God is all-powerful, and so faithful. I give praise unto Him for who He is and for the amazing things that He has done-- not only in the amazing case I just mentioned, but also in the everyday miracles that we all experience. All praise be unto His glorious Name! Lynn

Adventureland?

Here in South Sudan, every day can be an adventure! We decided to worship at Libogo UMC today, 28 miles out of Yei, down Lasu Road. The road is being worked on and the first 10 miles are now graded and pressed, although still dirt - so it feels almost like a super-highway! We arrived 2 hours later after many large pools of water, many huge potholes, and too many curves to count around the worst spots. We say, "Arabia gialabu ketiir aleela!" (The car is dancing alot today!) Feeling the heat and fatigue from bouncing around, we joined a small congregation at the church. The mood was somber - as the elders shared the pain of the community in the past week. A member's daughter-in-law had died in the past week, one week after giving birth to a stillbirth baby. The sadness was evident on Regina's face. Since worship had not started yet, Lynn went off to check out the pit dug for the new church latrine and I began playing with the children. Soon the drums were brought in by 2 young men, and the music started! More people gathered - and soon the church was full, and we felt the Spirit fill the church made of sticks, mud, and thatch for the roof. The God of comfort filled us all as we worshiped Him. I was humbled to think of the privilege to be a part of this experience. As I miss family - especially spending time with our granddaughter, Zari, I cuddled with 2 young girls who were intrigued by the chance to sit by this "kawaja abuba!" (white old lady!) We have lived in Yei for 16 months now, and each visit to a church offers the rich experience of familiar faces, names remembered, and stumbling efforts to share with my little Juba Arabic! But - despite the language and cultural barriers, I felt a part of the family of God in Libogo today. We were welcomed and were able to share love and care with brothers and sisters in the faith. After hot, sweet tea we began the long trip home - with 2 additional stops - to check on latrines in process; and to change a dressing for a pastor with an ankle wound that has been a problem for 21 years since a snake bite as a boy. Praise God, it is healing well with the Unna Boots brought in by Dr. Mike in May. After the dressing, a check of the depth of the latrine - nearly 3 meters - and a final check of the maize growing near the church, we headed off with children smiling and waving goodbye, and the rain starting. Thanks to excellent drivers, Alex and Justus, we arrived home to a house-full of friends who had gathered for Sunday afternoon fellowship - yes, we were more than an hour late! But the time of discussion on Nehemiah Chapter 1 and closing prayer topped off a day of blessing! So often I miss out on the adventure - by closing my eyes, my ears, my heart to the richness of life in this place. Sometimes it hurts to feel the pain and grief of difficult circumstances in this place. I want to be able to "solve" all the problems. Yet, when I open my heart to those around me, I am blessed. I am thankful!

School Health Screenings in South Sudan - a New Concept!

School Health Screening in South Sudan In the US most schools require a pre-Kindergarten physical and pre-6th grade physical, with the hopes of catching up all children on their immunizations and catching any significant health problems that haven’t been addressed. Most children have a Sport Physical done before being allowed to participate in school sports – always looking for that unusual heart defect or curvature of the spine (scoliosis) that might show itself in the adolescent. Of course, children are taken to the doctor’s office when sick – but these preventive physicals are designed to pick up the unexpected….and offer doctors an opportunity to counsel and educate the child and their parents on common medical issues for the child’s age group. This week we have been joined by a lively, caring, and fun group of medical people from the US – 1 family doctor, 3 nurses, and a young man interested in public health and nutrition. We have been blessed! We are doing what we are calling School Health Screenings – because we are seeing children who are registered in our United Methodist Nursery and lower Primary Schools here in this area of South Sudan. This is a new concept we are told – but it offers us an invaluable opportunity to examine hundreds of children and collect information on common health problems before meeting with their parents and teachers to consider steps to improve the general health of the communities, especially for the children. Here in South Sudan, one in five children do not live past their 5th birthday! Each morning we leave in a loaded Land Cruiser with Justus at the wheel and head out across the bumpy roads to arrive at the church – welcomed by singing children of the school. After initial introductions and prayers, we transform the church into a clinic – first registering each child with the teachers’ help, then measuring height, weight, and MUAC (mid-upper arm circumference to assess nutritional status). Each child waits patiently for one of us to examine their eyes, ears, throat, teeth, neck, heart, lungs, and skin, as well as feel their bellies to see if malaria has caused their spleen to enlarge. What a joy to see the trust in their eyes – along with a little bit of fear in being examined by the Kawaja (white person). Having “survived the exam,” they walk off to the last station with their exam form in hand and get a dose of Vitamin A and Albendazole (a medicine that treats the most common worms found in the children here). Vitamin A is known to boost the immune system to help healing with infections, and treating the worms every 6 months has been shown to improve growth and reduce anemia in these young children. Monday we saw 191 children at Ligitolo; Wednesday, 144, at Kenyi ; and Friday, 240, at Giru. Monday, the last day for the visiting team, we expected to see only 82 children. But other parents heard we were at the church, so we ended the exams when our forms finished – at 175! Then we compiled the information and met with the Parents and Teachers to discuss the common problems seen. Just as we parents in the US want our children to be strong and healthy and able to learn and grow well, so the parents of South Sudan desire the same. They just haven’t had the opportunity to learn some of the basic health information that we take for granted. At the close of the day, a short skit highlighted the importance of basic hygiene – using a personal face cloth and towel, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, and a comb to stay clean and promote healthy living. The Health Kits from UMCOR were passed out to each child by the teachers, and our day would come to a close – with the joy of seeing each child skip off to their home with something learned and something to help them on “the road to health!” Every day, we, the team, arrived back home - tired, hot, and yet satisfied, that each child was “loved on” for just a few moments – and they heard “Yesu hibu ita” (Jesus loves you!) And the information gathered will be used to help that child’s community understand how to help the children on the “road to health!” The song, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world,” rings in my ears as I survey the school health screenings. No – we haven’t treated every single problems with free medicines as the adults often request – there is a government health facility nearby to which they can go for help. But we have shared the love of Jesus with these precious children, and we have important information to help us educate the community for a better tomorrow! Thank you for our first visiting medical teams! God bless you for the gift of your time, energy, and love!

Malaria - what does it feel like?

May 2013 Last week I started revising a grant for Imagine No Malaria (INM), a wonderful project under UMCOR - Health which joins hands with many churches and organizations in a major effort to eradicate malaria in the coming years. We in South Sudan know how this disease affects many in our small circle of friends, and many who lose loved ones to the disease every month. The truth is, even in 2013, ONE PERSON IN AFRICA DIES EVERY 60 SECONDS OF MALARIA! Most of us from the US don't understand much about malaria - because it was eradicated in the US in the 1950s. But Africa is so vast. What will it take? Then malaria struck me 2 days later despite bug spray and mosquito net, and my understanding of the disease became much more personal - not just as doctor and caregiver! It began with remarkable headache, body aches, fevers to 102.8*F and shaking chills. Wow! It had been more than 18 years since I had suffered malaria - and maybe due to my age, the symptoms and signs were much more intense. Or perhaps I have fewer distractions (like 3 young children!) that kept me from noticing what my body was going through. I knew that I was more than uncomfortable - and kept thinking what it must be like for young children to suffer these effects and have no understanding of what was happening to them. Or what it must be like to be a single mom with children who need attention and having NO energy to care for them OR NO MEDICINES CLOSE BY OR MONEY TO BUY THEM. Thankfully there is medicine to take to treat malaria, and I was able to get started within a day of onset of symptoms - but I must say, looking at the side effects of the medicine made me wonder what I was experiencing from the medicine and what was from the malaria parasites swimming around in my bloodstream. All my energy was zapped - the chills, nightmares, and sweats were pretty remarkable. I don't remember being this sick since I had the measles when I was 9 years old and Grandma came to help Mom care for the house full of spotted children! Thankfully my wonderful husband, Lynn, picked up the slack around the house and with the work that continued on this week. How grateful I was for his patience and understanding! I really am a terrible patient - as many doctors and nurses are! After finishing 3 days of strong medicine, I still felt pretty rough yesterday. Would I ever get my energy and appetite back? But thank God, as the day continued I felt slow improvement. Now today - I have fixed breakfast, washed a few dishes, listened to some inspirational talks on You Tube, spent time with my Healing Lord, and decided that I should write this blog NOW....and not wait! Yes, I am bushed at 12 noon.....and I trust I will continue to get better. But my passion to complete this INM grant proposal in the next week is stronger. I would challenge you to pray for understanding and solutions to this menacing disease of MALARIA in Africa and many parts of Asia. And learn what you can do to support the fight against malaria!You can go the the website UMCOR Health and click on Imagine No Malaria for starters. For many of our Prayer Warriors, I am grateful you were praying without even knowing the need. Thank you!

What is your story?

February 2013 What is your story? Here in South Sudan, we are blessed to meet people of all walks of life - from the farmers in the village, to a church leader from the Nuba Mountains, to the doctor at the government hospital, the traditional birth attendant, the relief worker with Doctors without Borders, the student in primary school well into his teens, the laborer digging up tree stumps, or the grandmother who is guardian of 3 orphans. Each one has their own story....if we take the time to listen! This past week I got into a conversation with a pastor who is just 39 years old. He shared his story with me - from being a refugee with his parents in Uganda, working at heavy labor in tobacco and tea fields as a youth (before and after school), struggling to come back to Sudan after finding out he had brothers here, chopping and transporting poles of teak wood by himself to make money to start over after his simple home was destroyed by the LRA. His story is one of struggle, hardship, family bonds, faith, and commitment to making a better life for his own family. Could this story really live within this humble man who now serves as a pastor and works through the week as a farm extension worker? It is good to remember that we each have our own story. Do we share it with others? Do we ask others about their stories? One of my favorite old hymns is "I Love to Tell the Story ….. of Jesus and His Love." I think I grew to love it when I was first at a missionary conference and observed “saints” singing at the top of their lungs, a song which resonates in their hearts! I am challenged during this Lenten Season – do I share my story of God’s faithfulness in my life? And do I listen, truly listen as other’s share their stories – their struggles, their doubts, their joys, their sorrows, their hopes? The story of Jesus is one of love for all. May we who follow Jesus share his love with each one we meet! Blessings!

Transportation - do we think about the challenges?

TRANSPORTATAION.... When I was growing up transportation was primarily by car or bus. I found it fascinating once I learned that many cities have public buses and trains, although the presence of cars has multiplied throughout my lifetime. Everyone thinks they need a car for everything....we've lost the art of walking, except for healthy exercise. In South Sudan, as in most of Africa, the primary means of transport is walking! Buses, vans, and motorcycles called Bodas are available but, sadly, more expensive! Private cars are few but growing in number. Two flights a week come into Yei from Uganda through Eagle Air, but the expense limits its use. Roads are not paved - only 40 miles are reportedly paved in all of this new country. Rains can turn the dirt roads into small lakes and mud - slowly ALL forms of movement. No matter what form of transportation is available, difficult roads make it hard for those who want to sell in the market, or for those who need food or supplies for daily living. This week we were blessed with another first! Rather than traveling slowly 100 miles over the poor road to Juba for more than 5 hours, we were allowed to ride on a UNMISS helicopter! The flight was only 45 minutes and offered a superb view of the land between Yei and Juba. The Russian helicopter piloted by an Ukrainian crew added to the international experience for us. The United Nations is very active in South Sudan - the staff in Yei are Canadian, Nepali, Indian, and South Sudanese! Our world is growing smaller - travel becomes easier for many, TV and internet connect us so quickly to cultures and peoples who seem very different on the outside, yet are created by our God and hope for a better life for themselves and their families, just like us! I recognize once again the privilege it is for us to serve in this place - to walk side by side with our brothers and sisters here in South Sudan and share the love of Jesus every day. God has blessed us richly!