We are back to work 3 days after a wonderful time in the US
for meetings and time with family and friends – our oldest son, Kurt, married a
lovely woman named Annie! We are pleased to welcome her into the Fogleman
family!
Already I have experienced many of the challenges that make
this ministry difficult! As I listen to 5 boys behind our house play and enjoy
each other this evening, I wait on bread to rise so it can be baked during the
time that we have electricity for the oven.
Timing is everything! J
Monday our UMC District Team met to discuss the activities
of the past week and to report plans for this week. Being gone for 5 weeks (with
definite jet lag) seems to dull the senses and require special focus to get
back into “work mode.” I’m sure many of you experience this after a special
holiday! 4 flights over thousands of
miles connects us quickly – but often leads to a different type of fatigue than
hard work!
The best part of the morning was the “welcome back” from
staff, serious prayer time, a coffee cake to celebrate a birthday, and the
women’s Bible study. I am reminded of
the importance of relationships blessed by Jesus. Despite the news of many
family members sick, 3 family members having died over the weekend, increasing
prices in the markets, and insecurity in the surrounding area, sharing in
prayer with colleagues – in 3 different languages – brings the reality of
FAMILY to the center and brings comfort from the Lord to us all.
The afternoon allowed us time with our health assistants and
colleague Carolyn. Much had happened during our absence. Paper work exchanged
hands as Carolyn left for Cape Town for a break on Tuesday morning. The visit to the airstrip allowed many hellos
and goodbyes – often the place to catch up on news from other mission partners
and friends.
I arrived back from the airstrip to meet a young man with a
problem to consider – usually I don’t imagine “solving problems,” I just
consider what might be the best option to help. His wife and he were diagnosed
with HIV (now on meds) and one child died in the past; another child was 5
months and not breastfeeding well. Could we help with formula for the baby? I see
every child before starting assistance like this – to better understand the
deeper needs of the family. He was asked
to bring his wife and daughter the next morning.
After a quick nap I drove off to visit the local market and
the “supermarkets” for basic staples to fill the refrigerator. Seeing local vendors and practicing my Arabic
makes even this fun. The avocadoes, bananas, local coffee and flour for baking
bread were the highlights!
The evening was shared with a lovely doctor couple from
England who are helping with a church-run clinic and the county hospital for 9
months – their time down to only one month. Time shared was a blessing! Getting back home, we learned an UMCOR
colleague lost a baby before birth – tears and prayers ended our evening.
Comfort divine.
Wednesday started with waiting for our new friend Robert to
come with his wife and child to assess for formula. I ran to the shop to buy
formula – price up again! Conversation led to mixed messages and wife refused
to bring the child. Now the baby was reported to be a year old, instead of 5
month. He suggested I meet them at the clinic now. When taking
insecticide-treated mosquito nets for the HIV positive clients, no one knew
Robert’s wife and child. Much time spent but still confused. That seems to be common in this young country
where so many struggle daily to survive – and family trauma confuses
conversations and a way forward. Will we
find out exactly what is going on in this young family? God knows.
Tonight we filter water for drinking (many visitors have
stopped in to welcome us back – water goes fast in this hot climate!), enjoy
pancakes and eggs, and finally see all the bread out of the oven. The table is
littered with stacks of reports to compile and send to Global Health. Planning
is starting in our heads for the remainder of the month. And I am praying for
inspiration as I was asked to share the message at Erap UMC on Sunday. This is typical of life in Yei – nothing too
exciting but a blessing to live into the challenges and joys of life together
with God’s help! Thanks for reading……until next time.
