We made it to Sudan!

Friday morning we headed to Wilson Airport to catch the charter plane to Sudan. We got passed through the dreaded weigh in and customs quickly and then left pretty much on time (around 12:00).

The flight was nice. We didn't have as much turbulence as we did last time. We made two stops for fuel (since we had a lot of cargo) and landed in Tonj around 5:00pm. For most of the time on the plane to Nairobi and on the way to Sudan, I didn't have many emotions. I expected to have more highs or lows, but was very even keeled. That all changed when the plane door opened. I was in the front so the people who were waiting first saw me and Suzy. Right away I heard people yelling "Yar!" It was Mary and Mabior. They were jumping up and down, shouting my name. They were so excited to see me and all the others that were returning. I felt overjoyed to be there. It was so cool to be getting off the plane and not being freaked out.

We then headed to the compound and got a tour. Things have changed since we were here in February. First of all it green! It's the end of the rainy season so there is a lot of grass and plants. Second, there have been updates to the pastors school, Sabet and Suzy's house and the compound. Third, there have been a lot of staff changes. In a way it's nice that it's so different because it seems like a new trip. I don't want to be constantly comparing this trip to last. For dinner we had a party. We celebrated four birthday's: Mark, Jed, Agum and Huggins. There was goat, but I managed not to eat any!

I didn't get too much sleep last night. The dogs, donkeys and chickens kept me up. Then I woke up to Amy yelling about something moving in our room. It turned out to be frogs! Yuck. I stayed in my bed until Tim cleared out all the frogs. The last one hoped out and stopped to pee in our doorway before he left. Nice.

This morning after breakfast we had orientation. John-Paul took us around the clinic and gave us a crash course on wound care. Fortunately I have latex free gloves so I can help in the clinic. John-Paul is the best teacher. He is so nice and patient. I am looking forward to working with him more.

After lunch we had a little down time. Then we went on a tour of Tonj. We saw where Sabet and Suzy first stayed in 1999 and the tree that was bombed. We also saw the plot of land where Sabet and Suzy will build a house outside the compound. It was really pretty. During dinner we had a lightening, thunder and rain storm. It was so cool. Its probably the last one until next May.

It's all starting to sink in that this is my life for a while. Part of me says "what have you done?" It will take a while to get used to the heat, being dirty and the bugs. Most of me says, this feels right. Once the RdR team leaves, I'll be able to get into my routine and begin my life here.This is the earth bag house they built for Sabet's mom.

This is the swamp land where Sabet and Suzy's house will be.

This is the river with the cattle camps in the background.