"Ok everyone, let's get serious this time"...
Oh if I had a quarter for every time I heard that during the Monday afternoon volleyball game (Sudanese style!) I could fund my next trip! Sadly, no quarters... I'm really happy to report that the Sudanese have volleyball skills that are on par with my own! I won't admit to you what that means... I will say that you can tell they're accustomed to playing soccer because when in doubt they kicked the volleyball (and quite accurately) over the net! Overall it was great to get some exercise, interesting to play in skirt, smelly since the garbage pit was behind us, and full of delightful laughter. The weekly game is part of EPC's ministries-- we play for about an hour and a half and then gather the players for a Bible lesson. Mattias did a great job of telling the story of Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52).
I've spent the week working on teaching a team of six from the staff here at EPC. The class delights me; they're the silent types but I know that they're beginning to relax as they've actually started smiling during class. Ann Grace hopes they can help train others for CWEP (Christian Women's Empowerment Program). We've been working through the wordless book a tool for sharing the gospel. It uses colors to take people through the message of Christ (yellow: God's holiness and how we're created, etc.; black: sin and how it separates us from God; Red: God sending his son Christ Jesus to die (and live again) for our sins; white: how were free from our sins but have to choose God; Green: growing in our relationship with God; and Blue: How Christ is always there for us.). I'm taking each of the colors and doing a more in dept look at each topic. I'm doing a little happy dance for the Bible software I bought before I left the states. It's proved invaluable to helping me research. I mean, you can't pop over to your local church library or the Bible bookstore or really even rely on the Internet to find what you need! It's a different world! We've been playing games to help them grasp the teachings. Oh yes, those are a huge hit! It's about the only time my class doesn't just sit and stare at me. I love teaching interactively and asking questions to get to group involved. I'm good with waiting through silences... just not 10 minute silences that would probably last longer if i let them! too funny... But when we do an exercise that makes them move around they at least nod and smile when I explain what we've learned from the game! So today we'll do a trust walk and another fun game. We'll see how much they've soaked in when we begin practicing presenting the wordless book tomorrow! They're at least taking notes and I've made them bookmarks as cheat sheets. They'll present, on their own, on Friday. I think Ann Grace will be there and possibly Bishop; but I don't want to scare them so I'm just not going to tell them yet... :)
I know I mentioned last time that I'm beginning to pray about finding resources for CWEP (and the children's ministries). They are craving materials. I'm glad I brought some books; including Bible studies, over for me to use because I'm just going to leave most of them here to begin the library. I'm sure you know (or can guess) that it takes a decent amount of time to develop curriculum and there isn't always the man power. CWEP, through Ann Grace, has an amazing heart for paring trainings (computer skills, sewing, bead making, etc...) with teaching about Christ. At this moment Ann Grace is practically on her own and there are times she's stretched so thin that the training goes on without the Bible teaching; and it's frustrating for her. The two things that feel like roadblocks are lack of materials and lack of people helping. There are many ways to get around all of this and they are temporary blocks. God has provided SO much for the ministry here and is continuously faithful... I wish you could feel the rising excitement that I'm taking out on my computer keyboard; because this, among many nations, is craving God's word; doesn't have the knowledge of Christ; etc... and there are SOOOOOOOOOOO many possibilities out there! I really feel like doing a little happy dance right here in the office but there are guests standing outside with Bishop so perhaps I'll resist for the moment. *grin* I remember teaching at the Pastor's wives conference last February. The transformation from women who were afraid to pray in their heads to women unafraid to preach about Christ was breathtaking! The testimonies I've heard about how these women are still pushing forward and doing different things alongside their husbands is so encouraging! Ann Grace has planned a follow up conference for November (Seriously, I'm mourning not being here for it! I love these women!); so that we're really investing in peoples lives. I could go on and on, but I won't for now. Ann Graces heart and vision for the ministry and all that God has and will do is absolutely HUGE; she chokes up as she talks about it. Oh, I love her more every day! Yes, I'll be on a mission for resources when I go home; it's my appointed task. :) Be prepared, I'll be craving ideas! *grin*
Isaac's back in school but is frustrated because of a lack of "proper teaching" (as he says)... apparently the government hasn't paid the teachers in over 6 months; not to mention some work at 3 schools. But he's happy to see his friends and have a little more independence. He's started dreaming about going to boarding school, with his older brother David, in Arua, Uganda next year because then he could focus on school and never have to leave. He talks about study time and smiles! We've been reading the Book of Genesis from the beginning this week and we just got to the part where God tells Abraham and Sarah to name their son Isaac...oh is he excited to hear about that next! You should have seen him perk up at the mention of his name! As for his arm, etc...things are healing really well. The most open wounds are beginning to dry and heal and he's barely got any bandages left on his arms. He's going to be staying on the EPC compound until he's completely healed and has gone through enough therapy (which he loves! We played with balloons yesterday, batting them at each other... Ann is a blessing, she has great games to strengthen his arm. *grin*) no matter how long that takes. EPC loves and believes in Isaac and it's clear to me that he'll be in wonderful hands when I head off on Saturday. We taught the German guys to play skip-bo and Isaac's back on his winning streak! We've been having a blast...His favorite movies to watch and re watch are A Bugs Life, Finding Nemo, and any Andy Griffith show episodes I can get my hands on.
This morning we said goodbye to a couple of unique missionary guests. (Randomly, on their way to Kijabe to stay at RVA...small world) They're two guys who run an organization that helps train the military, police, judicial system, etc... and they've trained the Yei police before... One's a tech guy and the other a former marine. Great guys with an amazing heart for a very cool ministry! I'm going to be interested to see what this does for Southern Sudan! It's a great reminder that God's at work directly in churches and way beyond!
Overall a fabulous week...I even had a chance to go to the kawaaja (foreigner) Bible study over at Samaritan's Purse on Sunday and try out one of the new restaurants with my EPC German friends... hmmm... i think I need to learn Arabic AND German! ha! The time is flying by, I'm simply not ready to head out in a few days...There's a lot planned in the next couple of days, I think, but I'll save that for later
.
Thanks for everything! Your encouragement, prayers, following along on this adventure, and on and on have really meant the world to me (and Megan and Isaac too)... We can't do what we do with out you, seriously... you all have been a huge blessing that I simply do not take for granted!
"This IS the day that the Lord has made; [I] will rejoice and be glad in it!" -Psalm 118:24
Much love for you all!
Robin
Oh if I had a quarter for every time I heard that during the Monday afternoon volleyball game (Sudanese style!) I could fund my next trip! Sadly, no quarters... I'm really happy to report that the Sudanese have volleyball skills that are on par with my own! I won't admit to you what that means... I will say that you can tell they're accustomed to playing soccer because when in doubt they kicked the volleyball (and quite accurately) over the net! Overall it was great to get some exercise, interesting to play in skirt, smelly since the garbage pit was behind us, and full of delightful laughter. The weekly game is part of EPC's ministries-- we play for about an hour and a half and then gather the players for a Bible lesson. Mattias did a great job of telling the story of Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52).
I've spent the week working on teaching a team of six from the staff here at EPC. The class delights me; they're the silent types but I know that they're beginning to relax as they've actually started smiling during class. Ann Grace hopes they can help train others for CWEP (Christian Women's Empowerment Program). We've been working through the wordless book a tool for sharing the gospel. It uses colors to take people through the message of Christ (yellow: God's holiness and how we're created, etc.; black: sin and how it separates us from God; Red: God sending his son Christ Jesus to die (and live again) for our sins; white: how were free from our sins but have to choose God; Green: growing in our relationship with God; and Blue: How Christ is always there for us.). I'm taking each of the colors and doing a more in dept look at each topic. I'm doing a little happy dance for the Bible software I bought before I left the states. It's proved invaluable to helping me research. I mean, you can't pop over to your local church library or the Bible bookstore or really even rely on the Internet to find what you need! It's a different world! We've been playing games to help them grasp the teachings. Oh yes, those are a huge hit! It's about the only time my class doesn't just sit and stare at me. I love teaching interactively and asking questions to get to group involved. I'm good with waiting through silences... just not 10 minute silences that would probably last longer if i let them! too funny... But when we do an exercise that makes them move around they at least nod and smile when I explain what we've learned from the game! So today we'll do a trust walk and another fun game. We'll see how much they've soaked in when we begin practicing presenting the wordless book tomorrow! They're at least taking notes and I've made them bookmarks as cheat sheets. They'll present, on their own, on Friday. I think Ann Grace will be there and possibly Bishop; but I don't want to scare them so I'm just not going to tell them yet... :)
I know I mentioned last time that I'm beginning to pray about finding resources for CWEP (and the children's ministries). They are craving materials. I'm glad I brought some books; including Bible studies, over for me to use because I'm just going to leave most of them here to begin the library. I'm sure you know (or can guess) that it takes a decent amount of time to develop curriculum and there isn't always the man power. CWEP, through Ann Grace, has an amazing heart for paring trainings (computer skills, sewing, bead making, etc...) with teaching about Christ. At this moment Ann Grace is practically on her own and there are times she's stretched so thin that the training goes on without the Bible teaching; and it's frustrating for her. The two things that feel like roadblocks are lack of materials and lack of people helping. There are many ways to get around all of this and they are temporary blocks. God has provided SO much for the ministry here and is continuously faithful... I wish you could feel the rising excitement that I'm taking out on my computer keyboard; because this, among many nations, is craving God's word; doesn't have the knowledge of Christ; etc... and there are SOOOOOOOOOOO many possibilities out there! I really feel like doing a little happy dance right here in the office but there are guests standing outside with Bishop so perhaps I'll resist for the moment. *grin* I remember teaching at the Pastor's wives conference last February. The transformation from women who were afraid to pray in their heads to women unafraid to preach about Christ was breathtaking! The testimonies I've heard about how these women are still pushing forward and doing different things alongside their husbands is so encouraging! Ann Grace has planned a follow up conference for November (Seriously, I'm mourning not being here for it! I love these women!); so that we're really investing in peoples lives. I could go on and on, but I won't for now. Ann Graces heart and vision for the ministry and all that God has and will do is absolutely HUGE; she chokes up as she talks about it. Oh, I love her more every day! Yes, I'll be on a mission for resources when I go home; it's my appointed task. :) Be prepared, I'll be craving ideas! *grin*
Isaac's back in school but is frustrated because of a lack of "proper teaching" (as he says)... apparently the government hasn't paid the teachers in over 6 months; not to mention some work at 3 schools. But he's happy to see his friends and have a little more independence. He's started dreaming about going to boarding school, with his older brother David, in Arua, Uganda next year because then he could focus on school and never have to leave. He talks about study time and smiles! We've been reading the Book of Genesis from the beginning this week and we just got to the part where God tells Abraham and Sarah to name their son Isaac...oh is he excited to hear about that next! You should have seen him perk up at the mention of his name! As for his arm, etc...things are healing really well. The most open wounds are beginning to dry and heal and he's barely got any bandages left on his arms. He's going to be staying on the EPC compound until he's completely healed and has gone through enough therapy (which he loves! We played with balloons yesterday, batting them at each other... Ann is a blessing, she has great games to strengthen his arm. *grin*) no matter how long that takes. EPC loves and believes in Isaac and it's clear to me that he'll be in wonderful hands when I head off on Saturday. We taught the German guys to play skip-bo and Isaac's back on his winning streak! We've been having a blast...His favorite movies to watch and re watch are A Bugs Life, Finding Nemo, and any Andy Griffith show episodes I can get my hands on.This morning we said goodbye to a couple of unique missionary guests. (Randomly, on their way to Kijabe to stay at RVA...small world) They're two guys who run an organization that helps train the military, police, judicial system, etc... and they've trained the Yei police before... One's a tech guy and the other a former marine. Great guys with an amazing heart for a very cool ministry! I'm going to be interested to see what this does for Southern Sudan! It's a great reminder that God's at work directly in churches and way beyond!
Overall a fabulous week...I even had a chance to go to the kawaaja (foreigner) Bible study over at Samaritan's Purse on Sunday and try out one of the new restaurants with my EPC German friends... hmmm... i think I need to learn Arabic AND German! ha! The time is flying by, I'm simply not ready to head out in a few days...There's a lot planned in the next couple of days, I think, but I'll save that for later
.Thanks for everything! Your encouragement, prayers, following along on this adventure, and on and on have really meant the world to me (and Megan and Isaac too)... We can't do what we do with out you, seriously... you all have been a huge blessing that I simply do not take for granted!
"This IS the day that the Lord has made; [I] will rejoice and be glad in it!" -Psalm 118:24
Much love for you all!
Robin
2 comments:
Praise God for the blessing you can be both in Sudan, and also blessing us in the United States. This is the odd thing about how the Lord uses people in a specific location, and somehow the effect of the Lord's action changes the entire world, not just that specific location. Thank you for blessing us, and allowing God to work through you.
Hi Robin-
I've been following along on your mission and praying from the beginning and through the patient waiting before Isaac's surgery and beyond. It's amazing, but a constant, what God provided in answers to prayers. It was humbling to see and realize how God blessed you/Megan's mission trip especially for all elements of Isaac's medical care and the fruits of your and Megan's outreach to the African women & children. What glory and honor it's brought to the Lord and the ripple effect to all who have seen and/or heard.
Have a safe trip back to the US. I pray for the many thoughts in your head and heart as you make the transition home, that God continue to provide for all your needs and in amazing and unexpected ways. You're such a talented child of God, an inspiring role model and radiant in God's care and love. May God's purpose for your life continue to grow strong!
See you when you get back,
Blessings and prayers,
Kate Gong, Berkeley
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