Sue in Africa

            ROLLOVER!

Dear Friend,

    Good to hear from you. We’ve had pretty limited access to email and, of course, in Kampala the power is out at least half of the time! Otherwise, I would have written sooner. This letter jumps over much but gets to the core of my time in Uganda.

     My visit with Michael and Mable was one of the highlights of my time in Africa; Uganda also represents the most difficult time of my entire trip so far. I have come to love the Lutalo’s deeply and find myself drawn to their country with it’s extreme issues of grief and loss, it’s natural beauty, potential, and the great need for God’s word to be known and experienced more deeply. I can see a great need for pastoral training. As they say, the faith and understanding of the region is a mile wide and a half inch thick. I am proufoundly impacted by being with the orphans and seeing the many projects to deal with AIDS and war aftermath. I took pics of the children that Island Church supports but have lost them somewhere in the files. Hopefully I can retrieve them before getting home.

     I even preached two Sundays, finding my words coming easily to express my thoughts and scripture feeling alive! My theme: Katonda ali nafe (God is with us)!

     I have to tell you that we were in a serious accident here. I know that prayers of others mattered. Michael, his assistant Phillip, and I decided to go to the north to visit several ministries - all of which represent hard won ground with extreme issues. On the way we decided to take an extra day to go to a national park with a beautiful game refuge. We were using a borrowed vehicle, a heavy duty 4 wheel drive van used much for this type of travel. However, it appears that a tire failed and caused us to go into a slide. Though Michael is an experienced driver, he was unable to regain control and the entire vehicle tipped over on my side. Windows were smashed and the body of the vehicle was damaged. We were in shock and dazed, calling on Jesus, and wondering how to get out. Michael took control quickly and found us a way out through the smoke. Safe on the ground and with the (oil)smoke dissipating, we each found ourselves unhurt. Praising God big time for miraculously saving our lives!!!

     As I brushed the glass particles out of my hair I was praying aloud that the Lord would send someone to help us… not baboons either… which are frequent. We can recite a multitude of miraculous interventions, but I’ll say two things. Of the three cells phones in our possession, one was smashed, one w/o power, and mine worked but had no receptivity due to the remoteness of the region. Somehow, God permitted just one call to get through - to a friend who would eventually come help with dealing with the car. For the immediate needs, God sent a park ranger a few minutes later who arranged for me to be taken to a game lodge and was able to help us turn the van back upright. We were seriously shaken but our bodies were whole (bruises only) and our spirits firmly kept in the Lord.

     At the game lodge, one of the owners who is a believer and works in trauma counseling received me with great grace and spent the afternoon with me. I was pretty shook but felt God’s presence and care. Eventually problems began to be solved. Michael and Phillip reminded me that the enemy would not be wanting us to do what we came here for, they all shored me up spiritually and physically. I went on safari the next day and we continued on to meet some warriors in ministry: those working with IDP’s (Internally Displaced People) after LRA rebels began to loosen their grip 2 years ago. This is the region of the LRA, invisible children in Gulu, unexploded landmines from gorilla warfare, huge AIDS aftermath, children-headed households, extreme poverty, minimal health care, etc. Mostly you see international aid groups; there is little infrastructure yet. Why am I drawn to this?

     There were other significant ministries that we visited and saw their work in the region. They’re significant to me because my philosophy of ministry fits with theirs - basically ministering to the whole person and high dependence on the word of God and empowerment of the Spirit. I know more and more what I feel is right for me in ministry, this trip has confirmed it over and over to me. Am seeking God for where he wants me in another year after finishing my studies.

     Some days I’m feeling pretty small and incapable, and wishing for a partner in life. Yet, it’s also clear that my Lord is my husband, he is always with me and that’s not a light thing. My limitations and vulnerabilities define who I am as much as my strengths and skills. We walk this journey together and I am held in the palm of his hand. Were I to follow Andy Marks and join Jesus while I’m here, I would go in God’s glory and care, and consider it gain. Apparently, God has a plan for me to continue and I walk with him as my provider, counselor, the one who enables me and is the lover of my soul.

     Today, I’m in South Africa, moving on to several projects with a friend in ministry. In two weeks, I’ll be with our friends at Love Botswana, the Walkers. Thanks for always praying, I look forward to seeing you in April.

Katonda ali nafe!
Love, Sue

The end of my time with the V’s was marked by a worship/Bible study time with them and four other similar families in the area. They sent me off with good contacts for the future and wonderful prayers and blessings. Traveled back to K.M. with Saidou by bush taxi. I was starting to feel comfortable with this mode of transport, even horse carts!

Can I

The V family in Kaffrine hosted me for a couple of short days and incorporated me into their village outreach. I am particularly thankful for their willingness to enter into intense conversations with me about storying, mistakes and successes, staying for the long haul, and creative ministry in a dry and harsh land. I found myself weeping as I understood more deeply what it means to put in long years with little evidence of fruit in the sense of converts. Is it possible, I questioned, that their lifetime may be spent in this way with the possibility that the harvest may come after they part? Yet they are willing to continue boldly and in much grace. At present, it’s my impression that they have plowed much ground and planted much seed in patience. Many know more that they let on in this Muslim land. I accompanied them in two sessions of Bible stories (spiritual lessons) and practical health lessons in a local village where it’s obvious that they are much loved. Local women listened closely and asked good questions. Leaving, I asked, “where are the men?” I was astonished to learn that nearly all men had left the village in recent times due to lost crops and potential of famine. They are looking for work in other places, and sometimes avoiding the outcome of their suffering families. Profoundly difficult to grasp.

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
Ps 63:1-8

I’ve been in Senegal now a few weeks - 17 days actually. Initially, arrived in the capitol of Dakar after two weeks in Togo and was met by my partner for this leg of the trip, Jan Randall. We were guests of Madeline Faye, president of Senegal ’s Women’s Aglow for our first 4 days. Madeline’s family and extended family living with them were gracious in incorporating these white strangers into their daily lives. To Westerners, Senegal is notable for sand beneath one’s feet and the sound of Muslim prayers over loud speakers. We had a room to ourselves that had a large table against the wall where we ate our carefully prepared meals. In the evenings, Madeline and her husband John joined us there. Their immediate family represent the few believers among their larger family in this country which is 98% Muslim, yet permits freedom of religion. At the end of each evening, we watched a DVD together on my laptop that was about Muslims throughout the world to whom God is revealing himself through dreams and visions. Good for conversation!
Our first hurdle was negotiating the toilet which was a nicely tiled hole in the ground with places to set your feet in order to be “correctly placed.” A pail of water sat nearby for cleansing – left hand only.
We became familiar with the crazy traffic in Dakar where much road construction is going on in preparation for an upcoming worldwide Muslim conference. Many changes since I was here last. I chose to purchase a Senegalese SIM card for my computer – a small chip that offered me in and out of country phoning at cheaper rates. A rather lengthy process in slow functioning offices, but worth it. Jan stopped at a tailor who was known to Madeline and who prepared several outfits for her in local styles. Gisele has her business in a room off her house that faces onto the street. This way, she can run her household and her business simultaneously. Madeline is also considering a business out of her home, perhaps internet access.
We arrived in the rural village of Keur Madiabel after several hours over bumpy roads in a station wagon style taxi with other travelers, little comfort and looking through the floor to the road below. The first person I saw and heard speaking my name was one whom I’ve come to speak of as Papa Ba, the head of household, and Saidou’s 70 year old father. We were warmly welcomed in unknown languages, mostly Wolof and Pular. I was reminded of how inadequate one can quickly feel when you don’t have the right language. I used my few words of Wolof greetings, but ran out quickly. A few here understand some French which I can use in limited conversations. Fortunately, our host Saidou speaks English and was able to help us settle in well. Again, we have a room to ourselves which we share with occasional visitors like cockroaches and mice who mostly leave us alone. He has generously built a bathroom onto this guest room for visitors that has a flush toilet. The shower head sprays all over the room but gets the job done with welcoming clean and cool water.
We’ve settled into a routine of going to bed and awakening to the sound of the call to prayer. Regular prayers are part of daily rhythms in the Muslim world, broadcast several times daily over loudspeakers, spoken in mosques, observed in courtyards and doorways with men and women kneeling and bowing on their mats. Last week, I spent some time in an internet café with some air conditioning (fans) and an open door to welcome customers… located conveniently in downtown Kaolack next to the Chamber of Commerce. Looking up from my sending and receiving, I noticed the two young employees taking a break and kneeling on their mats, quietly offering their prayers to Allah.
In this rural community of Keur Madiabel, another rhythm of life in the weekly routine is the Wednesday market when fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, clothes, and other items are brought in from larger city venders. Daily, women go to market and buy what they need for the mid-day meal, often chep ak gen (spicy rice with fish and sauce). We’ve arranged to buy our own bread each morning to eat with local yogurt and tea. In the evenings, we often snack on oranges and nuts, or an occasional omelets, etc.
I’ve pondered the concepts of daily rhythms much here. Jan and I have our own that seem to bump into that of the family periodically. Always, there is the decision: will I make my own routines or join with that of the family. We maintain customary greetings of the family members mornings and evenings and when we leave and return from the family compound. I’ve chosen to walk a short distance outside of town mornings and join Jan to read scriptures together as we have a small breakfast together. Some days, we go to market with the women. Most days, I’ve work individually with Saidou’s two brothers Ismaela and Ibrahima to provide AIDS training that they can share with others. Most days, Jan does Wolof studies with the same two brothers, often using materials from Jim Vaughn that tell stories from the Bible in Wolof. I’ve come to enjoy sitting with Saidou’s sister Awa, as we pound spices, cut vegetables, onions, and meat for the family’s meal. She speaks some French, so as time has passed we’ve come to understand each other better and created a place of clarification for Jan’s Wolof studies.
I look forward to going to Kaolack again. It means a long bumpy ride in a bush taxi bus, crammed in tight with others heading to town, dust in your face, unknowns, but it’s worth it. It brings a change of pace and offers new things to see. A larger city with more shops, lots of things happening, and the internet! At least I can check in here with the world and monitor what’s going on in Kenya where I’m due to travel next. Civil unrest seems to be getting worse and I’m not sure it’s a good idea. Am asking God for direction.

2.05.08   Left Keur Madiabel yesterday after a wonderful time with the Ba family. Hope to highlight more later. Traveled north to Kebemeer to spend a few days with the group: Mission : Moving Mountains. Hosted by their leaders, Jeff and Iris Ketcham. They have much experience to share and I already find it easy to be with them. Have decided for sure not to go to Kenya due to violence and disruption. Instead will spend more time in Uganda and South Africa . Working on travel details to realign these decisions. Hurray for a good international travel agent!  Thanking God for good health and gumption to go!