Two Month Update

I have now been here for two months. Somehow it seems like a long time since I left and also it seems like the time has flown by. More and more this feels like home. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I am getting more used to being here. I am not as sensitive to the weather, the creatures, the food and the culture.

I really enjoy spending time with the people. I have a lot of fun doing triage. I get to practice my Dinka and they get to laugh at me. It has been a joy to work with the Sudanese and ex-pat staff members as well. Mabior, especially, has been a blessing. He is so helpful and teaches me a lot of Dinka. Today we had fun playing volleyball with a few other people.

God is continuing to stretch me in many ways. He keeps putting me out of my comfort zone, I think to keep me dependent on Him. I am still spending a lot of time cooking as well as assisting with bookkeeping, triage and whatever else Suzy and Sabet need. On Wednesday mornings it's my turn to do devotions with the staff. Today I talked about Psalm 119:35-40. Those verses have really been the cry of my heart lately.

The longer I am here, the more I am impressed and amazed that Sabet and Suzy have been here for ten years. In the past, I have prayed for missionaries sporadically. Never have I been burdened to pray for them consistently. How shameful in retrospect. Sabet and Suzy face many obstacles in reaching the people here. One is isolation. There is no where to go and no one to talk to when you need encouragement. There are no churches to depend on for assistance. They are all alone here. Second is the culture. I mean no disrespect in this statement: most people are lazy and want to be given everything. Sudan has received aid for so long (rightfully so --- it was very much needed), but it has created a people who don't want to work hard. This is especially evident when observing their work ethic. It is like pulling teeth go get most workers to do what you ask, show up on time, work efficiently, be pro-active and give 100%. Coming from the states, we expect people to work for their salary. In Africa, there is a lot of corruption. There are some employees who get paid by the government for a job that they never show up for. We provide tea, lunch and breaks for them, but sometimes they still want more. If they don't show up for work, they still want to be paid. This creates many problems for Sabet and Suzy, who are employers and have to be good stewards of the money that is donated. Daily they have to deal with conflict and frustration. Again, these are general statements and not meant to put down the people here. Their culture is very slow and it shows in their work. Another obstacle is money. The reality is, it takes money to provide a service any where in the world. They have been called to serve a community that is very far away from most resources. As a result, it costs a lot to truck and fly all their supplies in. Sabet and Suzy are completely dependent on God to bring people alongside their ministry to support their vision. It's neat to look around and know that everything I see is here because someone donated it. There are more obstacles they face (such as leaving behind a “comfortable” life, separation from friends and family, unstable government, etc) and they need prayer and support. Many would give up, yet they have persevered. It's a testimony to their faith in God and their desire to follow Him no matter what the cost.

Seeing their hardships makes me want to help them in anyway I can. Sometimes I feel trapped in the kitchen – thinking I am missing out on helping in other ways. However, I know God has a plan for me here and has a reason for me doing this. If that is helping Sabet and Suzy, then I should be happy to do it. God is so gracious and always provides encouragement to me. Sometimes through an email from someone or a card from my dear friend Katie. She sent me with a stack of cards with dates on them to be opened throughout the year. What she has written and the verses she listed always has been what I needed to hear at that time. God knew I would need to read those specific words on the day I read them. She even sent a card to congratulate me on my new niece. She knew it would be hard to be away from home when she was born. Other times it is through the people here. Recently one day I was having a moment of frustration and just prayed, Lord give me joy. I did not want to be cooking at that moment. A few minutes later, Mabior and Aguer came in to help me. I put on some music and we had a great time singing, laughing and cooking. It was such a blessing. God knows my struggles and He provides an out every time. He is so faithful. Overall, I am coming to terms with my role and am actually enjoying cooking sometimes!

While, I miss many things at home, I am happy here. I love what In Deed and Truth Ministries does and feel blessed to help. People's lives are saved everyday. They make a huge difference in this community.

Here are some updates:

Mayual, the boy who was badly burned, is doing well. He stayed with us for two weeks. His family was very kind and grateful. Yesterday, he returned to the clinic for a check up. I randomly went to the clinic and his mom flagged me down. I was so happy to see her and Mayual. He was walking without pain and most of his skin was healing nicely. He did have one patch that look infected, so he will come back on Friday. His mom shared that he was experiencing hallucinations (thinking dogs were attacking him or ghosts were there). Dennis thinks this is due to him coming off the extremely strong and addictive pain medication he received while here. Sabet and I prayed for him and asked that God relieve him of those hallucinations and asked for protection from anything evil that may be around. I hope to see him on Friday and will take a picture to show you his happy face.

Sheena developed malaria shortly after arriving home. Kristina (who was with the team in November) also came down with it too. Both were hospitalized and are home now, but still are not 100%.

On Friday January 15th, I will be going to Nairobi with the Kuj family and Mark. They will be going to get all their supplies for the year. All their food, compound supplies, building supplies and other items to last all of 2010 have to be purchased and loaded on a truck. Needless to say, there is a ton of stuff to do. Sabet will be going to Uganda and Juba (a city in Sudan) while we are there also. I'll be there to help with preparations. If time allows, we hope to have some R&R too. We (minus Mark) will return on February 18th.

Finances: I have been short with my fund raising every month. I had a little banked and hoped to have the $500 per month pledged, but my monthly giving has been less than $500 and I have had to use what I have banked. Thank you so much for the donations that have been sent in already. If anyone wants to donate, they can in the following ways:

A.One time donations
B.Monthly donations: You can either set up monthly deductions on a credit/debit card or mail in monthly support. Each time you send in a check, you’ll receive a thank you letter that includes another envelope.

Donations can be mailed to In Deed and Truth Ministries, PO Box 51253, Colorado Springs, CO 80949 (I am enclosing an envelope) or you can go online to www.indeedandtruth.org. If you send in a check, please don’t forget to write my name on the memo line and if you donate online designate your donation to me. Donations are tax deductible. You’ll be mailed a statement at the end of the year.

If you have sent a donation in and I have not acknowledged it through an email to thank you, please let me know. It may not have been designated to me. It all goes to the ministry, but I have a sub account under Sabet and Suzy so they will know what comes in for me. My expenses for January and February will be a little elevated since I have to pay for my flight, food and accommodations in Kenya. My $500 monthly contribution, won't be enough to cover it. If God is calling you to partner with me in this ministry, I would appreciate your help.

A few Prayer Requests:

1.There have been a lot of problems with the staff in the last couple days. Things have been pretty chaotic and stressful around here. Sabet and Suzy told me this always happens before they leave. Total spiritual warfare. Please pray that conflicts will be resolved before we leave and things will run smoothly while we are gone.

2.Pray that I would have consistent time with the Lord. I need it so much, but find myself really tired and not making it a priority. Lately my days go from 7:00am-9:00pm. I am so tired I fall asleep right away and don't wake up earlier than I have to. However, prayer and time in the Word is essential and I need to be disciplined to make that a priority.

3.Pray that I would have joy in all I do and it would evident to those around me. I want to seize opportunities to minister to others while I am working.

4.Pray that God would provide all the needs for me personally and for this ministry.

Thanks everyone for your support. I know I am not alone in this ministry. You all are my partners and I really appreciate your support and prayers.

Love,

Stacie