Many gifts...

It's been a very interesting 3 weeks - there have been some hard times, but - as always - God has brought me through beautifully and in His unique way. As I thought over everything that has transpired, I've realized a sense of great gratitude in my heart (even with the bounty of spider and mosquito bites plus the infestation of biting red ants in my back pack:). I am attempting to cover a lot of ground in this entry so I apologize if it seems a bit scattered…

The gratitude I'm speaking of largely comes from what I've been learning about what it means to be living in community. It seems that in the U.S., we really have to try to find community - or a way to form it - and "community" has sort of become a buzzword. Here in Africa, it happens naturally. And, it's beautiful and refreshing...not without its deep challenges and frustrations, of course. I'm not trying to say that it is perfect here by any means.

As I mentioned last time, Jaclyn and I were on our own here in Adjumani for one month while Jeff and Michelle were back in Portland. But, in reality, we were hardly on our own...Each day, Sunday (gatekeeper), Esther (cook), and Palima (housekeeper) and I were together. We began to sit out on our back porch and pray each morning. We shared the things that were concerning to us or were causing our hearts pain. It was amazing to be with them - those whose lives are so vastly different than mine - yet really share our hearts together. When each person shared, there was a care for that person that was real...not many words would be spoken – and, they didn't need to be. There was a natural sense of care and concern...And, I learned that underneath all of the things that make us up as different human beings - psychology, biology, history, race, etc. - we all share much when it comes to things of the heart, and especially when we share the same faith in Jesus Christ. Many times, our prayer time ended with the five of us singing a praise song with the beat of clapping, and one day we even began dancing – many neighbors took notice of that, and for days afterward many of our little neighbors would clap and sing as we had been doing just a few days before.

If you read Jaclyn's blog, "Hope for Healing", you will see the last entry is on dying. It was inspired by the death of many in Adjumani, and at home in these last several weeks, but mostly by the death of Pale's (our night guard) younger brother. He died of malaria, typhoid, and yellow fever. It was an honor to be such a part of Pale's life at that time, and to be able to help contribute to the funeral by supplying a good amount of cassava flour and beans for the many relatives and friends who would come to mourn. (Family members of the deceased are responsible for providing food and shelter for many people who will come to visit during the funeral and for the following weeks.)

Jaclyn and I were at the funeral with many, many others (of course, we were the only mundus there:) - We are getting used to this now. In fact, it's strange to go to a place where there are a lot of white people...more on that later). Again, the deep level of community was apparent and so beautiful. There were probably at least about 100 or more people there in a circle underneath several mango trees that surrounded all of us. The coffin was brought into the middle covered by a white sheet, flowers, and sticks of incense. The Catholic priest from the local mission was there to give the service. Somehow, I ended up with a photo of the young man when he was alive. I kept looking at it thinking, "Why, out of all the people here, do I have this photo?" Jaclyn and I had been invited just as everyone is, when we first arrived, to go into the tukal (hut) where the coffin was lying with the women of his family. There I was, sitting right next to it as we were all praying for him and his family-among the women in his family who were weeping and wailing...Again, I couldn't believe the way we were just welcomed in to participate...As with many things here that are new, I may feel some hesitation but I just go and experience it, and through each I experience I grow a little more (or, at least I’m stretched a bit more;). What a gift. Again, I'm grateful.

Here is where I learned the phrase, "Death does not discriminate". It's true – we are all going to die no matter what our race, socioeconomic status, or religion. But, in the U.S. we isolate ourselves so much from it, and many times avoid talking about it at all costs. Here, the dead are brought to the family's home and put in a coffin right away rather than taken to a morgue or funeral home. They stay at the home until the funeral and then are buried right in the family's compound - many times right in front of their home. At first, the thoughts that ran through my mind were of the, "why would they put themselves through this"? sort. Then, quickly, I began to realize that I have not really accepted death as a part of life. Why would I want to do that? Our U.S. culture does not want to accept it as that at all. I'm realizing now, that to truly realize the gift that life is we must embrace death. As I thought more and more about it, I also saw that it helps us to have the proper perspective on life here on earth. It actually sets the things of life in their place...Suddenly, the things that seemed so important, and would take much of our focus and energy, no longer hold the place in our lives that they once did…again, a gift as I strive to have perspective that is more of God than of the world.

During the time of Jeff and Michelle’s absence, several of the pastors we work with also came to check in on us...They would come by on their bicycles, and stay and talk for a while. They met us with big smiles and warm greetings, and always prayed with us and for us before they left. We felt so loved and cared for…another part of our Adjumani community.

We also spent time with the women's Bible studies of two different churches: Liberty and Ciforo. There was one week where there were a few very heart wrenching things going on in my own life. During that week, I was so surprised to realize that I just wanted to go and be with the women of those two groups. There is so much comfort that comes by just sitting with them. There is a strength these women have from the lives that they live. They endure through so much – sickness, lack of food, money, sometimes failing crops that are their survival...And, they have a hope in Christ that is real and so strong. My spirit is lifted just by being with them and worshipping God. Once again, I realized the power of community through the Holy Spirit. There is a deep connection between all of us because of Him. I’ve never experienced the magnitude of community as I have here. It’s truly a bit of heaven.

Another thing I must mention about these women: Studying Scripture with them has been one of the most precious gifts of being here. There is a profound simplicity in reading and learning about Christ with them. It’s true that their lives more closely parallel the lives of the people in Biblical times than our lives in the U.S. do. And, when we discuss together – they have a perspective on Scripture that I don’t have, and understand some things better because their context is not so far removed from the context that the Word was written in. Scripture has become much more real to me here. Another precious gift…

Jaclyn and I realized that we had never spent as much time with anyone as we had spent with each other during the last four weeks. We both felt like this might be what it will be like to be married and spending lots more time with one person – And, getting to them REALLY well – in all kinds of ways. We shared so much in terms of laughter, conversation, descriptions of all kinds of health concerns and body functions, quirky thoughts, deep hopes and fears, decisions concerning ministry with the women’s groups and the kids at Amazing Grace orphanage, and – most important – a deep love for chocolate. We don’t have much chocolate here in Adjumani – so, she got very creative with making brownies from scratch with cocoa powder, and all kinds of cookies…yah, I’m not really losing weight right now as one might think.

We were both so grateful that God orchestrated us being here together. It really couldn’t have been more perfect. Another gift!

It’s gradually getting warmer and there is definitely a decrease in rainfall. We are working up to December when it will be very, very hot. So, I’m savoring any cool morning/evening breeze that comes our way these days. The stars here are absolutely amazing…and, with the sound of crickets and the frogs that sound like bamboo chimes I’m in heaven. We also have a hen that has nine chicks running around the yard right behind her. They are delightful!

As always, there is so much more I could write about…but, this entry is long enough and we are getting up early tomorrow to help Esther harvest the g-nuts (“ground nuts” – our peanut) from her field! 

Oh, by the way, my pet bat’s name is “Ding”. My friend Kimberly Solis suggested that name for my lovely little friend…(do you hear a hint of sarcasm in that?)

Here are some random photos that I thought you might enjoy and also help you to get a better picture of life here: (to be continued!)