In our present world…..we
never know what the day will hold! Weather may delay - people may interrupt - tragedy
or sickness may change plans. This uncertainty can make us crazy and stressed....OR
I have learned, we can celebrate the joy, peace, and hope found in God’s plans
for the day! “Lord, what would YOU have
me do today?”
I started writing a blog in early January (no, it didn’t get
published!), as we returned from a short break in Entebbe, Uganda. I was
remembering a day 26 years before (January
1990), when we returned to Maua, Kenya with our 2 sons, Kurt and Mark. Kurt,
then 3 years, was eager to return to his home and friends! Mark had been born
on home leave in North Carolina just 5 months before. He was entering a new world – one filled with
adventure and love – which would impact him for a life-time!
Flash forward 26
years - to January 2016! We were so
excited to travel from South Sudan to meet Mark and family in Entebbe for a few
days before they stepped into their new life
in Kenya. Mark (now a civil
engineer, with his wife Kenzi and 18 month old daughter Emma) was packed and
ready to begin cross-cultural ministry in a different region of Kenya, working
in partnership with Pastor Simon and GGFAN (God’s Grace for All Nations). Only God could have planned this journey. How
thankful we were to see His plan unfold for Mark and his young family! “For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to
bless you – to give you a future and a hope.”
(Jeremiah 29:11)
I have thought a lot over the last month about my “journey with
God.” I used to think of a long-distance road trip or an international flight,
when I talked of a journey. But it seems
every day is a journey of faith in our life here in Yei, South
Sudan. We in the Western world often think we can plan our days and keep our schedules
– tick off “jobs done” - and feel productive at the end of it all. But despite our plans, the days here are
uncertain. I am learning – well, that is OK! An unexpected turn of events – whether a
visitor or a flat tire or an unexpected meeting – can bring a change in the
plans of the day. “Lord, give me patience and remain in our midst!”
Today was another one
of those days! First, a visitor showed up late last night to the compound.
He had not received the message that a meeting was cancelled for today – he proudly
reported having a new cell phone number! Thankfully late-night left-overs
filled his stomach, extra sheets from the cupboard provided comfortable sleep,
and morning coffee and breakfast prepared him to return home in good spirits.
He will return to Yei in a few weeks – and hopefully communication will
be better.
Then a grandfather called about formula for a 3-1/2 month
old baby girl whose mother had died shortly after delivery. We had made plans
to meet this morning – to my surprise, the plans worked out on schedule!
At the same time, a young mother, Anna, with twins, Rose and
Joel, and 7 year old Mary came to discuss plans for travel to Juba. One of the twins, Joel, developed
hydrocephalus (“water on the brain”) soon after birth and was scheduled to see
doctors at Usratuna Hospital in Juba for evaluation and referral to Mbale,
Uganda for specialty care. Anna had no telephone and had never been to Juba before. She was from a distant village. What
we might have considered a simple trip was a major event for this young woman – one we were blessed to see take
place. But could all the necessary connection be made?? After 2 hours of deliberation with Anna, her brother
and our Health Team assistant, Charity, it was agreed that her brother would
accompany them to Juba today, and then he would return tomorrow to Yei, so he
would not miss any school. So much to
think about - money for travel (South Sudan pounds, US dollars, Ugandan Shillings),
food, Ugandan Visas; a way to find Anna’s family in Juba without a telephone in
hand; location of the hospital for Joel to be seen on Monday. No delay or he would miss his chance for
surgery this month. Fervent prayers were
spoken and OFF THEY WENT on this journey of a life-time.
Family on their way….. Lynn left quickly for another
meeting, returning nearly 2 hours later, with just enough time to rush to the
Immigration Office for renewal of our Visas. This was the main item to be ticked off on our schedule this morning! Praise God - we can stay another 3 months! :)
I could never
have planned this day. But in His plan, God prepared us for this day. Joy in a Visa renewed. Peace that Jesus will
travel on with Anna, Rose, Joel, and Mary. Hope that Joel will be healed of his
medical problem through specialty surgery in Uganda. Now this is a day worth
celebrating! “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be
glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24)
