10 Month Update

I have been back from my break in Kenya for over one month now. I thought the transition might be harder, but easing back into life here was simple.

Our truck finally arrived!!! It cleared the boarder with no problems and cost a lot less than we feared it would. We had a lot of fun unpacking it and breaking into the much needed supplies. Although we didn't realize it, we had gotten down to two rolls of toilet paper. God brought it just in time!

Over the summer we had many visitors. I enjoyed getting to know Daniel and Jessica who came for two months, Paul and Elaine who were here for three weeks and Eric and Chris who came for ten days to build a bore hole in Malony where we do weekly medical outreaches. All of them were a huge blessing to have have here.

We are very happy to have a new lab technician from Kenya, George, and a working lab. It came in handy when I was not feeling well recently. After being tested, amoebas and bacteria were found which were causing me to be sick. That helped Dennis prescribe the right medicine. I am feeling much better now. Previously, we would have to guess what was wrong and try different medications or wait to go to Nairobi where we would be tested. What a relief to be able to be tested here and treated quickly. Now we will be able to test our patients and accurately treat them.

This last month has brought a few new ministry opportunities for me. I was able to return to registration for a while. I like it a lot. Interacting with the patients is fun. I have learned enough Dinka to do registration without a translator. I don't mind getting laughed at every time I pronounce someone's name. I do feel bad for the other staff though who have to read my phonetically spelled out patient information!

A month and a half ago there was a scandal involving a local ECS pastor, Peter, and a former employee of ours, Rebecca. Both are in jail and we had the chance to visit them recently. Rebecca is young, pregnant, alone and sad. Seeing her gave me an idea for a prison ministry. Now, Margaret (our senior nurse/midwife) and I are going to the prison every Wednesday to lead a Bible Study and see to the health needs of Rebecca and some of the other prisoners. This past Wednesday I learned about the simplicity and effectiveness of a Bible story. Due to some circumstances at the prison that day, I had to abandon the study I planned and just told the story of Joseph. It really seemed to encourage the ladies who are in the midst of a very hard situation.

Today, Beverly and I held a women's workshop. It was open to any woman that wanted to come. We had thirteen women come and had a great time. Our goal was to encourage them and pray for them. They were very open about some of the burdens they carry and enjoyed hearing from the Scriptures. We'll be doing it again next Saturday and I am praying about continuing the meeting after Beverly leaves.

We are in the midst of malaria season and our clinic has been packed with sick people. Dennis, our senior clinical officer, is alone and often sees 130-150 patients per day. We thank God for the opportunity to help so many people.

Right now Sabet, Suzy and the kids are on vacation in Kenya. They will return in 10 days and bring along Mike and Amy Yordt. Mike and Amy were on both teams with me from Rancho del Rey and have been called to serve here full time. We are very excited to have them join the In Deed and Truth team.

Prayer Requests:

1.That Sabet and Suzy will be able to rest in Kenya despite all the work they have to
do there.

2.That I will have wisdom as I oversee the compound during their absence

3.We have another truck coming from Uganda bringing construction supplies for the new clinic. Pray for Gordon and Albino as they purchase materials and load the truck. Pray that it will cross the boarders as easily as the other truck did.

4.That we will find people to finish the new clinic building. Our current clinic is bursting at the seams and we could really use more space.

5.For me as I contemplate my future with In Deed and Truth Ministries. Is God calling me to stay here long term or return to the US to be involved stateside?

6.That God will bring teachers for our pastors school.

Thank you for your consistent prayers. God is moving in Tonj and you are a part of that. Thank you for supporting me so I can be a part of that too. If you want to financially support my work here, following is how to do so:

1.Go to www.indeedandtruth.org. Click on donate and you'll see a my name listed and can designate a donation to me.

2. Mail a check to: In Deed and Truth Ministries, PO Box 51253, Colorado Springs, CO 80949 Please don’t forget to write my name on the memo line. Donations are tax deductible.

As always, check out my blog for more stories and pictures of my life in Tonj: http://www.thisisstaciesblog.blogspot.com/. The In Deed and Truth Ministries website has been recently updated. It's really neat... you should take a look: http://www.indeedandtruth.org. There is even information about me under the “Meet the Missionaries” section … including the fact that I am single. Ha ha.

Until next time...

Many Blessings,

Stacie