Let me catch you up

Let's take a look at 2012 so far...

The year started out with my first trip to Juba, the capital of South Sudan.  Quite an impressive place.

 The next cohort of teachers attended their first of 3 trainings of the year.  Bethany, Melissa, Larissa, and Thomas (our Canadian friend) taught. I got to help out with the logistics of this, the first training that involved a week of accomodation at the new teacher training school.

Bishop Ngalamu is getting rebuilt!  A church from Brisbane, Australia has been raising fund for the reconstruction, which Michael is overseeing from this end.  Currently, a team of 6 from that church have come to see the progress and join in the work themselves.

Michael is also overseeing the construction of a strip of stores on the main drag in Mundri.  The location is great and people are already asking to rent the space.  It will provide income for the diocese.

 

Our new pal, Larry, shown here with Bishop Bismark spent some time with us.  He is the CFO for the Episcopal Church of Sudan.  He patiently spent time with Jocelyn, the district accountant, and I  (Karen) because I've been asked to be involved in supervising the accounts.  He showed us how to keep our books (we are talking literal books, written in with pencil) in order.  I am enjoying that new work.

 Michael gave a team of Germans a tour of the river as they checked for hydopower potential.  The team seemed eager to do the project, despite the potentially low electic output.

We were able to meet up with Acacia for her midterm break.  She has had a great term!  Thanks for all of your prayers.  She is adjusting well, is happy, has some neat friends and just completed an undefeated JV soccer season!

A lot of constuction is going on at our compound-a new water projects garage/workshop, 2 new houses (one for Jenn Disse and one for John Sender), and a classroom block for the MKs.  With the temperature usually in triple digits, the vents that Michael and Caleb have added (above) to some of our homes have been a relief.

We welcomed our newest teammate, Heidi Lutjens.  She is a nurse with 3 years experience in Uganda experience under her belt.  Her plan is to spend the first year in culture and language study.  But, she dove into clinical care the day after her arrival as Gaby had a mysterious illness which lasted 2 weeks.   She was able to get familiar with all the pharmacies in town.  We are grateful for God's timing and her generous heart.  There are plenty of reasons to check out her blog: 1) She sees the country with fresh eyes 2)  She's put up a lot of pictures 3) She's insightful 4) She's a hoot.  http://hlutjens.blogspot.com/

New pastors were ordained and sent out for ministry.

WHM South Sudan is now an official NGO (Non-Governmental Oganization)!  One of the qualifications is to have a Sudanese Board of Directors.  Rev. Mary, shown above,  is on our small advising board of 5 people.  She has a lot to offer, with her experience as a teacher, pastor and mother.

Elephants have the right idea, mud has a cooling effect-we learned that celebrating Caleb's 22nd b-day.