Roller Coaster

Well of course there are no real (or even fake) roller coasters here….. unless you consider the drives on the awful roads here as such ;)  However, I will contend that there are many days when I feel as though that is exactly what I am on. There are times when there is hope: you see progress, you understand things a bit more, and things that you didn’t dare hope for begin to unfold.  

Oh, but then there are the hours when it seems as though there is no way in the world anything can change. The problems are too deep, too numerous, and too painful. God, how does one even begin to tackle this ever illusive concept of “transforming lives?”

These past 4 weeks, for various reasons, have been tough if I am honest. The situation in the country right now is challenging. We can’t keep going down this same road. Things were never brilliant relationally between the North and South, but these past weeks have proved that things are quickly declining. We have refugees coming here in increasing number who are fleeing the various conflict areas.

But it’s different now.

I know their brothers and sisters. They have been to my tukul, I have shared meals on their compound, and I visit their shops. I talk with them often.  I see the hurt in their eyes and the strain that they are experiencing. I hear the questions of “What have we done so that God is punishing us?” My heart breaks with theirs….and truthfully, anger wells up within me as well. One of them commented to me “Thank you for listening to us. So many people just turn away because the situation is too difficult….”

I tell them it’s the strong coffee ;)

In the midst of the twists and turns on this roller coaster ride, I must learn to see as God sees and ask for the grace to move as He moves. I must always run to Him. I must learn that even though it is difficult, it is good to grieve with people.

But we do not grieve as those without hope. We do not grieve as those who do not know their Creator.  

Fear not friends, I am learning :)  God is merciful. I am keenly aware of what a privilege it is to be working here, and with joy I look forward to the ways in which he will move in and through me. In my most recent newsletter, I shared many of the victories that we have seen. Amazing things.This post is just an attempt to share some of the challenges that come along with the victories ;)

Lord, let your justice prevail! Move your mighty hand and protect your children. You are not a God who will be mocked. You are the King of Kings, the Alpha and Omega, the One True God.

Reveal Yourself. 

My love affair with the Capital

It really amazes me how I end up in the Capital just about every month. There must be something about the 115 degree weather (with no a/c), getting harassed by men, the filth, the bug bites, and the expense (a large house here rents for $36,000 USD a month- no joke folks) that I just can’t resist.

Mr. Crocodile

Or there is some sort of force out there that keeps pulling me back. I must admit though: every trip is an adventure. And I always remind myself that is what I love…. right? 

“That which doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.”

In theory at least. This week I am sick – there is mucus all over the place, I am sweating 24/7, I am not able to sleep because of the heat, I hear mechanical beeping noises outside my window at 4 am, and I had a severe allergic reaction to a mango. Hmmmm.

I am waiting for the stronger part of the equation to pull through right about now ;)

I digress….. back to my love for the capitol. I feel compelled to share a few positive things *gasp* about this city. I have some pretty great friends here now. One of which offers up her large house for me to stay in, her drivers to take me all over the city, and her expertize of the administrative maze that exists in this new country. She is a fabulous. She showed me the good places to eat (something other than tomatoes and onions??!!), stopped me from throwing things out the window in frustration, and took me to the Nile.

My stare off with the crocodile

Yes, that’s right folks. I think my love affair may be with the Nile actually. I told her at the beginning of the week that I wanted to swim in the Nile.

Her: “Leah, that’s disgusting. There are parasites, crocodiles, and who knows what else in there”

           Me: “Yes, yes I know. But it’s The Nile.....”

         But first there was work to do:

 *I applied for a new passport (long story): just FYI the US Embassy here is an embarrassment. Not because of the building, but because of how it treats its’ citizens. It gets 0 stars from Leah.

*I got an official driver’s license here: woohoo, watch out NA! It’s a good thing the roads are so bad I probably won’t go above 10 mph. *Note* the steering wheel is on the opposite side of the car…. well, not car-  it is a huge Land Cruiser actually… eeks!

*I also applied for a work permit (boy was that a wild goose chase!), did a ton of administrative research, got an internet modem to work, and signed up for an NGO forum.

And then I swam in the Nile ;) Yes, we saw a crocodile. It was a baby one. But we all know that where there is a baby, there is the momma hiding near….

Yes, yes. The Capital is disgusting and frustrating. But, thankfully this trip I discovered some fun things! 

I couldn't resist...
*Disclaimer- no I did not jump in right where the crocodile was!*