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!

Mushroom Hunting Anyone?!....

“What good is it, brothers and sisters, if a person claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed.’ But does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2: 14-17 Although it is fall in the US, it is hot and rainy on many days here in South Sudan. Some are finding oyster mushrooms in the village markets – very large ones, and it reminds me of the spring of 2011, when I last “looked for mushrooms!” It was early April. There was a warm wind and spring rains had moistened the earth again that morning. It reminded me of the special times I enjoyed hunting morel mushrooms with my dad many years before. In Kentucky I learned they were known as “dry land fish” or “hickory chickens!” I set out for a good afternoon walk. On my way I met someone returning from mushroom hunting – I began to wonder if the forested area along the path might hold a “mess” of mushrooms for supper for me as well? But soon I realized a brisk fitness walk would not result in any mushrooms. To be successful at this task, I had to slow down and clear away the brush around the base of the trees to see anything of value! Of course, it was a bit risky as thorny vines and muddy ground caught my clothes and open arms. The scripture from James came to mind as I picked up my pace again, with no mushrooms in hand. Trying to hunt mushrooms on a walk was like our efforts as Christians to love someone “on the run.” “What good is it?” To love one of God’s children like Jesus did involves slowing down – taking time – sometimes clearing away the debris and barriers to reach the heart of the person buried inside. Sometimes we must get our feet a little dirty or take a risk in the midst of the thorns. God calls us to love one another – whatever season it is! I know it is difficult anywhere we find ourselves. In our fast-paced world, investing time and energy is a very real challenge. Here in South Sudan, I realize that cross-cultural relationships force me to grow even more sensitive to the real heart of the person. It is hard to know what lies deep within a person who has suffered years of war; seasons of grief when loves ones have died or abandoned them; disappointments have filled their days; or hunger for food and even a spark of hope pervade every hour of the day. We are thankful to have many opportunities to see the physical needs here. Yes, it is easy to see when someone needs clothes or food. Yet, Jesus calls us to a different type of action as well – to slow down, to seek the heart of a person, and to share the love of Jesus. Jesus offers each one of us food that will never spoil and HOPE that will never disappoint us! Bless you as you reach out today!

Our children are the future!

Every week we hear these words from women and men here in South Sudan! We can certainly identify with this sentiment - so often we look to the next generation to find ways and inspiration to help make this world a better place in which to live - whether we live in the USA or in Africa, or any place we are planted! Since our last post, we have shared the joy of doing health screenings on nearly 130 children in a local children's home! I realize what joy I feel when I see a healthy child's face, and what a privilege it has been to work in healthcare with children around the world over these past 30 years! An 18 month old boy was taken to this same home just 6 weeks ago - very malnourished and sick, since his mother had died when he was only 2 months old. He was unable to sit on his own. But, with the love and care of many adults and other children in the children's home, he is now a smiling child with the strength to sit and will soon walk! James 1:27 says: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." We are seeing the fruits of pure hearts who care for others in this way - but what a challenge to us all! A few weeks ago I wrote about "Trainings" and their importance in this country. We have just completed 5 trainings with Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) where we taught them a new skill - to use simple bulb syringes to suction the mouths and nostrils of newborns with problems breathing after delivery. This week we heard the testimony of one of these TBAs - she helped a mother on Tuesday, where the baby came out very flat and not breathing. After suctioning and stimulating the baby, the infant started breathing and crying! Praise God for opportunities to empower these very special TBAs who assist women in their communities to bring each

precious child into this world in a safe way. HOPE FOR THE FUTURE!

DEATH to LIFE

September 2012...... DEATH TO LIFE Statistics in South Sudan indicate that 1 in 7 women die due to complications of labor and delivery AND 1 in 4 children die from common, often preventable,diseases before the age of 5. STARTLING STATISTICS! Many of us cannot comprehend what that means for a family and for a community as their lives are impacted by death nearly every week. We are beginning to understand a little better what these statistics means by experiencing with our South Sudanese colleagues and friends the fine balance and fragility of life in this setting. In the last 3 months one of our MCHW/TBAs (maternal child health worker/traditional birth attendant)lost an 18 month old daughter, probably to malaria, and just 2 weeks ago, one of our co-workers lost his 3 month old son, probably to pneumonia. No matter where or how hard we worked as doctors, we would not have been able to prevent these deaths and this grief. Many of our colleagues have experienced deaths by suicide among their extended family members in the last year. Grief, trauma, tears.... The words from Psalm 116 spoke to me this week: "I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: 'O Lord, save me!' The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." (vs. 1-7) We are seeing the Lord's grace and compassion at work here, through the people who care and love on those who have experienced such grief and pain. We, the church of Jesus Christ, are to be present in this world, where death is common and life is not easy. It is not comfortable for us - but it is possible, with God's strength and spirit. I recently read the following words from Betsie ten Boom (sister to Corrie ten Boom, author and survivor of Nazi Germany) that touched me - I hope it touches you too: "The most important part of our task will be to tell everyone who will listen that Jesus is the only answer to the problems that are disturbing the hearts of men (and women)and nations. We shall have the right to speak because we can tell from our experience that his light is more powerful than the deepest darkness...How wonderful that the reality of his presence is greater than the reality of the hell about us."

Training...

TRAINING..... This word implies many different things to many different people. But in South Sudan, the word "training" means a lot to the average person in the village. Because of the lack of formal education for the far majority of people, one of outcomes since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 and independence in 2011 is the demand for and organization of many schools in the country - from nursery schools to primary schools to secondary schools to vocational schools and colleges and universities! Most parents still struggle to raise school fees for their children, but people of ALL AGES are eager to attend school and any training available. In our first 3 months here in Yei, we have attended and assisted with trainings in "Farming God's Way," as well as meetings with TBAs (traditional birth attendants) and pastors. What a blessing for us to experience the enthusiasm for learning and the joy of sharing that knowledge with others! We should never take the blessing of public education in our country for granted. The picture shows Lynn involved in a training in Kisangani UMC - first with TBAs and also with the congregation. Preparing for these trainings involves hours of planning and creative thinking and simple resources but also patience and listening as conversations are translated into several different languages at times. But the joy of an idea understand and the relief and satisfaction experienced at the end of the session is considerable. Yes, we are glad to be involved in this ministry of health education in South Sudan. God is opening our hearts and minds to the great need and helping us start each day with energy and enthusiasm to use the gifts and knowledge we have been blessed with in our lifetimes!

Moving Forward!

25 June 2012 We have now been in Yei for nearly 4 months and we beginning to see signs of progress! First off - we are in the process of visiting with the Safe Birth Committees of all the 18 United Methodist Churches in the District of South Sudan. Our efforts with Juba Arabic make those visits more personal and more fun for us...and for the church members and TBAs (traditional birth attendants) we are helping to train. Names and faces are becoming more familiar and relationships are beginning to deepen. We thank God for this progress! Secondly, our little house on the UMCOR compound is nearly finished - YEH! It will be good to settle into a place and hide the suitcases at last! We are grateful for Stephen, the contractor, who motivates his team of builders and is on schedule with the work. Praise God! Thirdly, the 2012 Toyota Hilux 4 WD Double-Cab pick-up arrived 3 days ago and just awaits the final paperwork to allow us to use it in the health ministry here! We also learned this past week that we are a finalist for a funding grant called Saving Lives at Birth! Should we get the 2 year seed grant, this vehicle will make a major difference in allowing us to reach more villages in a month. Thank you Kentucky Annual Conference of the UMC! Every journey has its ups and downs! We are feeling amazed at how God has moved us along so quickly in the work of community health education and prevention! Thanks to all who support us here - we truly could not do it without YOU! :-)