SUDAN

This is Yei, Sudan. Surprisingly green, flat with rocky mountains peaking in the distance. People everywhere (recently returned to the area after the war), now living in small, grass-covered tookles like this building to the right. They lived together- families, friends, neighbors- on miniature compounds of 4-6 tookles. One tookle would be for cooking, one for the goats, and the others divided between certain family members. There were signs everywhere to stay on the roads because of the danger of land mines, and military camps and NGO vehicles were in abundance.

Seth and I arrived in Sudan on a Monday. We came in on a small, 20-passenger plane whose one engine cut in and out and flamed intermittedly, making us just a little nervous. The airport was a small building and the runway, dirt. We were picked up by a guy named Nehemiah, right from the plane... no security checks, customs, or forms.

On bumpy roads that rival those of Tanzania, Nehemiah drove us to the Good Shepherd team, already engaged in work. We first met up with Rakel and Janice at the women's conference... what a fun reunion! Multiple hugs. Statements like "I can't believe I am actually seeing you right now!" And arm pats to ensure we were actually seeing one another in person. I stayed with them, and Nehemiah took Seth to meet up with Jonathan and Brandon at the pastor's training seminary.

Our time in Yei was very good. We got up each morning for a breakfast of eggs and bread (with peanut butter brought from the US) and instant coffee and Nido and enjoyed rice and beans for the other two meals. After the guys were dropped at the training center, us girls went to the conference. The women that I got to meet that week were incredible. They were leaders in their churches, wives of pastors, and all had stories of hardship-- losing children, unfaithful or abusive husbands, conflict in their church, etc. I heard some of their stories, prayed with them, sat with them, held their hands and their children, and was blessed by their smiles (see picture of me with a beautiful Sudanese woman named Leah) and their hearts.

And Seth (and Brandon and Jonathan) had a similar experience with the men. More incredible people with incredible stories. Hearts to learn and be changed. Passion for God and learning His word. Deep desire to teach and impact their people for Christ. Below are a couple pictures of the gentlemen we met at the pastoral training center:















The early evenings were a highlight for me. I love the golden hour lighting and the time of settling-- dinner preparations and the gathering together and discussions of the day. Most days, Seth and I wandered among the tookles behind the compound where we stayed and had the privilege of greeting and talking to many people:



















And here's Seth. Doing the thing that he loves most, and does best. As a contribution to our trip, Seth made a video of the people of YEI and the work of ALARM (whom Good Shepherd partners with there) .