There is no place like home

We arrived back to Torit on Monday at around noon to a very warm welcome.  Well . . . the road wasn't very "warm".  When our plane landed, Kevin called for a motorcycle driver to take him to Moti to our compound where he picked up the tractor to come back to get Abigail and I.   We were waiting at the Nobles' (other missionaries here) house and having some lunch.  They had flown in with us after a break in Nairobi.  Kevin came for us at around 3:00 pm and we loaded the tractor with our luggage, passed by the market to get some chicken for dinner, and began our long slow trek back to Moti.  It is only about 3 miles away, but on the tractor it usually takes about 45 minutes.  Not this day.  We were able to navigate through some of the mud filled road.  We picked up some women carrying their load on their heads and Kevin had filled two 800 liter drums with river water for the compound.  I felt like we were riding a slippery surf board. I was watching the road closely so I could discern which way to lean as we slid over the road.  And then, the trailer tilted.  We were stuck in a huge mud hole.  I thought the trailer would tip over.  I called for Kevin to stop the tractor and he helped Abigail and I jump out of the wagon.  We assessed the wheel in the mud and Kevin walked back to the river to get some guys to help bail the water to make the trailer lighter to be pulled out.  He came back and chuckled, "It will cost more for me to have this water bailed than it did to have it filled."  Through prayer and bailing the water, we were able to pull the trailer out and get home before dark to unpack our tent enough to sleep in it.

Even though the wagon rides are a little nerve racking, I am able to slow down and take in the culture around me.  My soul is alive with many thoughts and wonderings as we drive over the long bumpy road.  It was heart warming to pass by the villages and see the kids run out waving and smiling calling Abigail's name.  A thought stood out to me as I looked down watching the road pass under the trailer, there are many foot prints in the sand. Some are bare and others have various shoe prints.  Each of those prints are leading some where . . .to the market for food, to the woods for firewood, home to a family.  Each print tells a story of someone who is valuable and has a place in this world.  Those feet may never step out of Torit to have many of the experiences we in the western world may have, but they are a valuable and a cherished part in the Kingdom of God. 

We were warmly welcomed back to our compound by the workers and Moti (dog) and Mango (cat).  They were so excited to see us and especially Abigail.  Moti stayed glued to me as Abigail and I pet him and she kissed and hugged him.  It was very special to see her so delighted to see them.  She knew they were hers and that we were home.  Mango and Moti took their places back under our feet and begging for food.  Moti found his place in front of our tent to bed down for the night to guard us.  It is nice to have our little family back together again!

The cook's kids came over to greet Abigail and play with her.

A Farm in Ethiopia

Kevin and Romano visited a farm in Ethiopia called, Genesis Farms.  Genesis Farms is the result of a collaboration between American and Ethiopian investors, and a mission group called "Double Harvest".  They have 150 acres of vegetable farming, a dairy barn, and 30,000 laying chickens.  Around 600 people work there every day.  It is an amazing ministry to the community, incarnating the gospel through just business practices and regular teaching.  It is also a very profitable business, hence the mission's name, "Double Harvest".  They have graciously agreed to donate drip irrigation equipment to us for 5 acres for our future farm at Hope for Sudan.  Currently our market is supplied with vegetables being carried approximately 500 miles from Uganda and Kenya.  Producing local vegetables will provide fresher produce to our community, provide jobs, and improve the selection in the local market.  We hope that with our vegetable production, we will be able to provide adequate nutrition to the kids, as well as sell enough to purchase food items which we don't produce.  We are so excited about what Kevin learned to have a successful farm here!

These tanks flood the seed trays with water once a day as the plants leave the greenhouse and await planting.

We enjoyed our time in Nairobi and some special treats.  Kevin and I found a nice place for a dinner date with live Jazz.  Eugenio, our logistician in Nairobi, and his wife and daughters enjoyed an evening with Abigail.  

As I said in my last blog entry. . ."There is no place like home".  I have found that very true.  We do lack many "modern" comforts that we have in the statse and in Nairobi, but we love our home here and the openess it provides.  As we sat down for dinner the other night, I smiled as I could watch the sunset from our out door kitchen.   We will soon begin building our house that will provide running water and a kitchen sink!


I will share an update and pictures of our construction progress soon!  


Please continue to be in prayer for the selection of the kids that will fill our first dormitory, for the staff selection, and the upcoming referendum intended to be in January 2011.