Keeping Perspective ...

As the saying goes, "the grass always looks greener on the other side." This saying is meant to help you keep perspective. Our perspective has been challenged after returning safely from a great survey trip to Yei, Southern Sudan. There is no grass in Yei, just dirt and dust and we found ourselves saying, "Arua is not looking so bad now." The people of Yei and Southern Sudan have lived in a war-torn country up until about a year ago when a peace treaty was signed between (tank pictured left) the North and South. And that peace may sustain, but then there is an election in 2011, which will very possibly bring more turmoil. As you look at the faces of the people of Yei, you can physically see the pain, anguish, sorrow & hatred on their faces. This is a place that is ripe for the harvest.

This is why we are so excited that Jesus is opening the door for WGM to enter Southern Sudan to train pastors and get involved with Community Health. We were blessed to meet up with fellow WGM missionary & Samaritan's Purse worker Joy Phillips (and NJ native), Terry & Karen Duncan (WGM Africa Regional Director), Jonathan Mayo (WGM Uganda Field Director) & our good Asbury College friend Brent Duncan (who currently is working for Samaritans Purse). (All pictured left) Jesus really worked out our schedule so that we could all meet together and talk about the future of continuing work in Southern Sudan. Joy Phillips has worked up in Sudan for a few years now and we are privileged to hopefully be able to work together and learn from her experience there.

We were also able to meet with John Onek, (pictured left with the team) who has been going through the pastor training with us and then going back to Sudan and training four other pastors. After meeting together with him, we all felt like we should continue to move ahead and open a pastor training site in Southern Sudan some time in April! We are so excited to see how the hand of God is making a way for us where there seems to be no way. Even if the road to Yei is rough, we know God is with us.