Is there a typical week in our life here??

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.

What will this day bring?

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)

Time to think.....

December 2014

The Christmas Season always makes me think about a lot of things. Some of my South Sudanese colleagues say, “It’s not good to think too much!” Well, I recognize that sometimes thinking “too much” can lead us to despair, can allow the negative thoughts to overwhelm us, and even cause us to lose hope. But I am believing that at the end of 2014 and a new year just ahead, thinking (perhaps better – reflecting) is wise and can help us to enter 2015 with a new sense of peace and joy!

In reading Isaiah 42 this morning, the prophet shared God’s word to us: “See, the former things have taken place, the new things I declare, before they spring into being I announce them to you.” (vs. 9) In the verses before this one, he told us of the SERVANT, “my chosen one in whom I delight” – Jesus – who would “bring justice to the nations” and who would NOT become discouraged in doing this work. 

When I reflect on the injustice in the world, the disrespect and intolerance, the pain and suffering of the most vulnerable, it is easy for me to question and become discouraged. Why must this be?  But Isaiah continues: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.” (vs. 6)

The words of Christmas, "Immanuael - God with us," calls me to move from discouragement to the LIGHT OF HOPE!  I recognize my need to “go for a walk with the Lord every day,” to continue in this ministry here in South Sudan.  The amazing things is, God desires to take hold of my hand – to comfort, to guide, to share in this life experience.  My task is only to be faithful…..and to join Jesus on the walk every day! If you struggle with the same issues – may we commit to start this spiritual exercise in 2015 – a daily walk with the Lord!  Happy New Year!

WHO IS THE GREATEST??

Who is the greatest?

Recently I read the passage from Mark 9: 33-37 where Jesus’ disciples were caught in the midst of their argument about which of them was the greatest. Jesus knew what they were discussing – but he let them argue, and then he sat them down, confronted them about it, and went on to use this as a “teaching moment.”

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”  Jesus proceeded to take a little child in his arms and went on to tell his Twelve disciples, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”  Do you think these men were as confused as the leaders of our world today?  Right now I see and hear about power struggles among leaders in so many countries – not the least of which our country of service, South Sudan. The leaders certainly don’t appear to be welcoming the “little children.” Instead, they are making these vulnerable children experience more hurt, more pain, serious risk of malnutrition, and continuing insecurity.  

As one of Jesus’ followers, it would seem the CHURCH as a whole should be speaking out for the “little children.” The bitter differences of leaders throughout the world are no different than in Jesus’ day and time. But rather than quote LAWS AND RULES for his disciples to follow, he spoke of the HEART! Times haven’t changed.  Jesus spoke of being a SERVANT LEADER……not many of those around these days!

I came across an article recently about Uruguay’s President, Jose Mujica, a man who donates most of his salary to the poor and lives in a simple farm house with his wife. Most would consider him crazy….and I wouldn’t pretend to know what motivates his servant heart. But many presidents in this world could learn a thing or two from him, I dare say!

Living here, with no TV in our home and little evening entertainment, some books circulate amongst the ex-patriates living in Yei. One such book is Kate, a book about Princess Catherine from England. I just finished reading it, and it made me think about the issue of “class structure” and how we have so little control over many aspects of our lives. We cannot change where we were born. We cannot change who our parents are. We cannot change the faith into which we are raised. Others have had that control. The children in South Sudan and many other desperate parts of this world cannot change that they were born into their circumstances. But we from the US often say that hard work and determination can change those circumstances, and we can “rise above” those circumstances. Isn’t that the American Dream we from the US have grown up with? Such was the story of Princess Catherine…born into a lower class family that worked hard and dreamed of better things. I would venture to say very few become a princess, even though many a young girl may dream of it!

Here, and in many other parts of the world, rising above life’s difficult circumstances certainly requires hard work and determination. But so many forces are beyond the control of the vulnerable children. Daily survival is often their focus. I was out in a village this past week and found myself counting plastic bags from mosquito nets that had been distributed by UMCOR volunteers to individual homes. I kept thinking, “I should be doing something more important.” But thankfully I was prompted to think of the lives that will be saved as the little children and families start using these mosquito nets properly and avoid that serious case of malaria! Then my counting took on more significance……and I think my pace even picked up!  So often we think our day has more value “if we do something really important today.” Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes one these little children…..”

Thankfully there are many Aid Organizations who are trying to help in South Sudan and other desperate countries. But will the aid come in time? Will the aid reach every child?   I know I do not have answers to what seems like such serious problems in our world today. But I do believe that my response can only be to pray for those leaders who are still arguing over “WHO IS THE GREATEST?” And work in my “little circle of life” to welcome the children around me, and seek to be a servant in all that I do….whether that means counting out plastic bags from distributed mosquito nets, or examining a child who is sick, or waiting for someone who is not “keeping time.”  I think that is what Jesus is saying to me today! Thanks for listening! J

"Where is the love?"

“Where is the love????” May 2014
Some of you may remember a song from the past called “Where is the Love?” by the group, Black-Eyed Peas. Recently I heard a story from our language helper about a faithful woman in an abusive relationship here in South Sudan. The song came to my mind as I reflected on Kejia’s story.

    Kiden had been married to Lomoro for many years and had seen her family struggle through years of war, but especially as her husband began to drink alcohol. First it happened infrequently; but then over time, he began to drink daily and far too much, such that he neglected his family and became so abusive – verbally and physically. Kiden mourned the loss of the man she had married, and the love that they had shared. She prayed fervently to God; she pleaded with Lomoro to stop drinking alcohol, often leading to more abuse; she begged her friends and church to pray.
    One day, after working hard all day – fetching water from the river, washing clothes, digging in the fields, and cooking what little food she had struggled to saved – Kiden had an idea, which she believed was from God.
    Kiden gathered 3 large bundles of dry grass and put the children to bed early. When Lomoro stumbled home after dark, after drinking with his friends, Kiden served him food and stayed quiet. Soon as he was becoming sleepy, from food and drink, Kiden lit the end of one of the bundles of grass and began to walk slowly around their compound, as if looking for something. At first, Lomoro didn’t seem to notice. But when the first bundle of grass was finished and Kiden lit the second, Lomoro watched her every move, and began to shout, “What are you doing, woman? What have you lost?” But Kiden remained quiet and kept walking around the compound, as if searching for something.
    As she lit the third bundle of grass, Lomoro had sobered up a bit and joined Kiden in her search, asking, “What is it you have lost?” Kiden turned and looked at her husband and said, “I am searching for the love that used to be in our home. It must be lost somewhere. I want to find it.”
    Lomoro was struck deeply by his wife’s words. He sat down and began to weep. He realized she was right and confessed his sin. Lomoro and Kiden sat down together and talked, really talked, for the first time in years. Kiden thanked God for helping her to find the love that had been lost! The healing began in their home, and my friend heard their testimony in church the following Sunday.
    I am reminded of the woman who had lost her coin and searched diligently to find it, and when she did, she called her friends and neighbors to come and celebrate with her! “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15: 8-10)
    I was touched by the wisdom of this woman, who listened to her heart and found a way to reach through the fog of alcohol and find “the lost love.” I know that many turn to alcohol to cover the pain of this life. And many have suffered deeply in this land – from war, disease, death, poverty, hopelessness. Many turn to alcohol. But this story reminded me once again that the hope and love found in Jesus is stronger than all the pain, and it can transform a person, a marriage, a family, a community, a country! Thank you for your prayers and support as we offer the light of Jesus in this dark world!

Something Good Takes Time!

Ita ainu? Jena ta ananas weledu fi inak! (Do you see? The baby of the pineapple is born over there!) When I first heard this phrase in Arabic, I just laughed! It seemed strange that someone would refer to the new pineapple as the "child of the pineapple.” Yet as we see from the pictures, that is indeed what is happening - a baby pineapple comes off the top of the old pineapple leaves after 2 years of patient waiting! Some plants take even longer - I was told many years ago that the avocado tree takes about 7 years to produce the first crop of fruit. Patience...waiting.....that has been a theme for this year...2014! Thankfully we were able to return to South Sudan in March, more than a month later than planned. Yet God is faithful, and we have returned to a safe place in this young country, troubled again by violence just before Christmas 2013. The negotiations continue. Nearly 1,000,000 citizens have been displaced over the past 3+ months, and thousands have been killed. News of insecurity in many places fill conversations and UN security meetings. Inadequate supplies and food for the displaced people trouble the minds of all aid organizations who attempt to help. Yet many complain. Many are critical of the way things are handled. Nothing is easy. And the rains are not helping. We get our news from several news sites online as well as the radio. Last week we were listening to BBC, and I realized once again the privilege that it is for us to be in this place at this time in the history of South Sudan. Yes, there are problems; the lack of infrastructure and governmental structure make every step slow and tedious. Understanding of disease and basic health is very low and repetition is essential. Yet there is progress....in time! I heard today again: Something GOOD takes TIME! So true. The United Methodist Church has had missionary staff (what we might call "cross-cultural workers") here on the ground in Yei since 2009 - just 5 years. At this time we on the District Team are working through the Strategic Planning process for the next 5 years! It reminds me of the birthing process - painful at times; exciting at others. But new life is the happy result! Now the challenge continues as we re-cast the vision for the future of the church in this place and work alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ to finalize the Strategic Plan - and suffer the growing pains in the process. Thankfully we are never too old to learn! It reminds me of the time we as parents invest in the lives of our children. Slow and daily steps lead to an adult life, living for Jesus and serving others. And it reminds me of the patience of our Heavenly Father as we continue to grow in faith and faithfulness - living into the mission of making disciples for the transformation of this little part of the world! I read these verses from II Corinthians 5: 17 - 20a and am challenged to realize this is the call for each of us: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he/she is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors......." The ministry of reconciliation - so needed in this time in the world. News of Ukraine and Russia; the 20 year anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda; the stabbings in a Pennsylvania school; the tribal conflicts in South Sudan; the pain in Central African Republic; the desperate situation in Syria. May we seek new life - new birth - with patience, love, and reconciliation, as Jesus' ambassadors, wherever we are! Nina bilimu tani! Rabuna kali barigu itakum! (We will meet again! God bless you all!)

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!”