Been a while gang, I'm sure the sleepless nights have been mutual. So, on to it...2 weeks remain in my East African sabbatical (ha, anything but!) and starting to feel a little melancholy. I found the motivation to journal the last 12 months through pictures - might make me feel a little better and save you from my crummy jokes. Enjoy!



I'll start with the image that's been struck in my head for the past year.






Lainya is a payam 50 km East of Yei. Road Trip!









My friends

Background is a Church we were dedicating.






more.....










We'll always be friends....
Julius, little Paul, Aloro, Issac, Micheal








Two months in the field and this goes from "frozen cholera" to a sweet, sweet icy treat. 3 Refrigerators in the whole town, yet this guys bikes around with frozen sugar water...hmmm. Oh well, I'll take two!






Typical 16x7m Church. Between the South (us) and the Nuba mtns, we've build over 200. Quite a feat our Lord has allowed us to participate it

















Quad ride...almost made it to Congo. I actually fell off that day and sustained a minor concussion. Later in the day I found myself aimlessly walking through town. That's what aspirin's for...






Yei Hospital.
Sadly enough, it's been said that Southern Sudan has the highest infant/birth mortality rate in the world. Over the course of this past year, I've had three close friends lose infants.

This would be a last resort for any ex-patriot seeking medical treatment.










Dinner Time. Not bad...not great, but not bad.












The Indiana Jones plane we fly all around South Sudan in.
I hate this plane. It hates me.



A week home was all I needed!
Thanks baby.

FYI - I failed to bring my camera on trips to Cape Town, S.A. and Zanzibar, Tanzania (i forget a lot) Recap: Cape Town is far and away my favorite city in the world..fun downtown, striking mountains that lead to pristine beaches. Zanzibar, great backpackers spot. I got sick....really really sick, end of story.




I too can carry water on my head!

God Loves Sudan

Bedededdeedde that's all folks!

Friends, I hope that gives you a small glimpse of what I've seen, felt, and experienced over the past year. There's too much for one post so I'll add another before I see everyone in 2 weeks.

May God always lead us by His Spirit.....

-joey

Hey Ya'll...how goes it! So not a whole lot to update over here in these parts. Well, actually there's a whole lot goin - google news it if your interested. Just got back from Uganda this past week, I had to take the trip to Kampala to purchase a whole bunch of steel - 256 tons to be exact. Kind of a cool experience to be a part of that, kinda a cool experience to visit Uganda...kinda a cool experience to eat cheese and drink milk again. I think in the 3 1/2 days I was there I had 7 bowls of cereal and 9 servings of ice cream. My only problem is - if you couldn't tell - I have a bit of a problem overindulging...that wouldn't be that bad of a problem but if your not use to a particular food, say dairy, your body has a way of telling you. Anyhow, enough of that...sorry. Cool things I did in Uganda

1. Ate at an authentic Indian restaurant...who knew Indian food was so tasty. I think shoe polish would have be nice at that point. Very good though.
2. Rafted the Nile River. Probably one of the coolest things I've done in Africa....very intense class 4 and 5 rapids. After the all day trip I felt like I'd been in a 12 round fight.
3. On the way to raft - Left Kampala at 7am and drove 90 minutes to Ginja - got to see the Ugandan country-side...Truly is the "Pearl of Africa"
4. Ate Dairy....did I already say that?

But come Tuesday morning I was back in Yei plugging along. Something to note - I've developed quite an affinity for Yei. I'm comfortable here...it's like I crave getting back to life as normal in Yei. Oh, by the way I was able to travel to South Sudan's capital city, Juba, a few weeks back. Wow, that city is nasty and expensive! I think the only thing left for me to truly become Sudanese is, 1) get Malaria and 2) eat goat intestines - both of which I plan on doing! and I thought drinking the water was a bad idea. Listen guys, you either commit fully or you don't! Bon appetite.

Thank you Lord for family, friends and thoes commited to Prayer. Love you guys so much!

joey

this week...

This week in Sudan.....
The LRA is moving again. The group out of Northern Uganda known for kidnaping and turning children into soilders, is extremely unpredictable and operates with seemenly no motive or rational - the one group who could immediately shut this program down. Already operations have been somewhat paralyzed by their mere presence in the country. Yei is relaitvely safe due to the size of the city and SPLA presence, not the same security, sad to say, for the other SP sub-bases spread across the south. Please join in prayer guys for the safety on the Sudanese people...it's hard to swallow that, one day when I'm evacuated and flown to safety, the (best) friends I've made will have no where to run. Believe me when I tell you, Christ really is these people's refuge - Meanwhile we're worrying what performance our 401K is acheiving. Not a shot at any of us, Please don't misunderstand, just a call to re-evaluate my own perspective. As I sat and thought of what war would mean...ohh, thats tough. How could "this"...any of this work together for the good off thoes who love God? I couldn't help but go back to the heart of the Christians in Sudan, so resiliant and strong. Guys, I have to humbiliy admit..I'm missing it! Why will a family slaughter their only goat, the only source of nutrion they'll see for quite sometime, to feed these visitors with $120 shoes on. Why, will Simon or Aloro laugh and joke and smile and sing all day long when the only life they've known is hiding from soilders and providing for their family where their is no provision. The anwser is something clearly evident in every believer you'll meet in South Sudan. It's why God allows tradegy and heartbreak in our (you and me) lives. Without Faith it's impossible to please Him! I truly believe the abundant life Christ promises is found in the faith-filled life of a believer....it's what seperates Juma John and Opio Sam from me. Please, don't misunderstand this as a call for sympaty or a condimnation of how we enjoy "life" in America...I'll be the first in line for a fat cheeseburger and movie with my baby when I get back...just a mere observation the Lord gave me when I started feeling sorry for the Sudanese and thinking "I can help them." The plain truth is guys, there's is the life I pray for...the life I need to pray for - minus of couse the goat. The need for Christ is greatly intensified and realized when your faced with extremes. Either I live a life fearing death, struggling for survival - or I put all my trust and hope in Christ...All my trust and hope. The happy-medium may of us live in is non-existant over here, and praise God for that! Thank you guys for being a part of this adventure with me...lets go out and be radicals for Christ!
wilson joey (my Sudanese alter-ego)

Greetings good people!

Another month, another blog entry...seems it's been tough recently gathering my thoughts, but I'll do the best I can to start updating this thing every week or two, SO stay tuned! I guess the last we spoke I was a week away from my first trip out of Sudan since I arrived in October. Well, Dec 20th I flew from Yei to Nairobi, stayed 1 night then flew to Cape Town, South Africa with a small layover in Jo-berg. I was in charge of accommodations so cheap, I mean "budget", was the name of the game - Hostels BABY! OK so I never actually stayed in one but how bad could they be. For the first three nights of the trip I booked a...rustic...yea that sounds good, a rustic hostel right in the heart of the city. there's a reason we paid $10 a night. I gotta be honest, the experience was worth the lack of sleep...you have to sleep in a unsecured, crowded loud dorm at least once in your life, heck I was just happy with a warm meal and a flushing toilet! Cape Town is a very interesting city, it almost seems the place is run by 30-something transplants from all over the world. Don't get me wrong, CA has an amazing unique culture that is unlike anywhere I've ever seen, but it certainly is a melting pot of young people..just the feeling I got. Our next hostel was much nicer and much closer to the beach, that's right THE BEACH! Wow, CT has the most amazing beaches..the famous foothills of Table Mtn slope down to beautiful white-sand leading to the aqua-see through Atlantic Ocean...houses and restaurants line the mountain as it falls right into the ocean. I gotta say guys, Ft. Lauderdale beach don't hold a candle..except for the bball court. So needless to say I spent the entire vacation lounging on the beach, exploring the city (I did climb Table Mountain), eating whatever I wanted, and..going to movies! Hey sitting in a nice COLD theatre eating popcorn and chocolate while drinking as much coke as you want is really nice when you've done the exact opposite for the past 3 months...always hot, no goodies, 1 coke per week :( The trip really was nice and relaxing guys, what a blessing to take 2 weeks off and just relax...thank you Lord. Got back to Nairobi Jan 2nd and immediately flew out the next day. Nairobi was eerily quiet with the police presence definitely felt..we really need to continue to prayer for Kenya. Well, I've been back in Sudan 3 weeks now with only 5 to go before the next R and R...i really lucked out with the schedule I'm on. I meeting Lee in NBO then off to a small island off the coast of Tanzania called Zanzibar - don't worry Lee we'll find you a long necked, native with massive earlobes and sweet spear hunting skills...Im sorry if that was culturally insensitive, but I live here and I'm allowed...so chill.
Vella was suppose to come but with the civil unrest in Nairobi it just didn't seem like the best idea...please be praying for my sanity, I sure was lookin forward to it! Ok, thats all I got this time. I write in a week or so and update you on our progress with the Church Reconstruction.
Prayer request - Kenya, Jade (a homeless girl I met in CT), Cape Town Baptist Church and my stability now that Vella's not coming...just kidding about the last one..maybe. Ok, love you guys. God's Grace be on us. joey

Random thoughts...

Friends, just some random observations for your enjoyment...

• Sudan is hot...go figure
• Contrary to my belief, Volleyball is the most popular sport in Yei. I play at a court very close to SP's compound and the competition is Amazing...6'5 small forwards galore
• The roads are "Not OK"
• As a whole, the people are incredibly friendly. Very different from Russia
• Women really DO carry everything on their heads, no neck rings though..sorry Lee
• it's snake season
• All our engineers are Kenyan, all carpenters Ugandan. Sudanese love driving and mechanics..and volleyball
• Tim Tebow won the Heisman
• the faith of the believers here is remarkable. we truly do worship the God of ALL
• mom hold on...there's a bad Ebola outbreak in northern Uganda
• River water tastes like liquorice and makes my stomach feel mushy
• 4-wheelers are fun
• Orphans are God's gift to whoever gets to experience them..not hard to fall in love
• Goat tastes bad
• the bananas here are so sweet. Great dietary substitute when goat is served
• Rice and beans every meal. by the way, no refrigeration so the meat has extra juices
• the only way to describe downtown Yei; An old western town you see in the movies after 20 years of neglect
• no such thing as a trash can in Yei
• USD, aside from Ugandan Shillings, is the only currency exchanged here. Take that Europe!
• I'm going to cape town in 7 days!!!! Cheese with every meal!
• I know I said this, but the people I've met have been the best part. It's funny how you can become such great friends with people in such small capsules of time, then in the blink of an eye...life moves on
• I miss all the people I Love, my grandpa especially...tell him I said that if you see him
• I miss my baby
• Ugandans have a funny way of speaking English...they'll phrase a statement in question form, then emphatically answer their own question/statement. If I ever start talking like that, do what?...Make me stop!
• I now know what a 70 hour work week feels like
• gunshots at night are not uncommon
• Grace changes your perspective
• the cultural divide is great...however, people are people
• I miss Calvary dearly
• My dad is smarter than I ever gave him credit...mom and dad seem to get wiser the older I get...is that a coincidence?

Well, just some thoughts I though you'd enjoy. Overall I doing great, the allergies have ceased and the food no longer does funny things with my insides. I'll be traveling to Cape Town, South Africa for Christmas so eat your hearts out..you got Thanksgiving but I got Christmas. hopefully I can get a burger there, oh and a milkshake...umm, chocolate too. I forgot what milk even taste like. ok this is the point I cut myself off..Love you all, God is Good!

signing off, Joey-bag

"It's beginning to look alot like....."

OK, I know, I know, it's been a little while. I've been so incredibly busy over the past month I haven't had time to....wait a minute, I totally forgot! Thanksgiving is next Thursday! Ummm, I can't wait for Thanksgiving DINNER!! The smoked turkey Dad has perfected over the years, sweet potato casserole with pineapple and roasted marshmallows on top, the cranberry mold (love it mom) that melts in your mouth, the Jiffy cornbread stuffing, fresh green beans sauteed in garlic and butter, and the PIES! Oh, my favorite part! Fresh baked Chery with the warm buttery crust, fresh Pumpkin with whip cream and Cinnamon, and......OK, it started as a joke but now I'm just torturing myself :( You guys just enjoy your Thanksgiving, and I'll just be here serving the Lord. Please don't work about me. I'll probably have a nice pot of boiled goat and some sort of root that has a nice earthly flavor. We might even have Tang for the big day, and if we're lucky, really lucky we might get powdered milk substitute to mix with our lukewarm bore-hole water while we eat under the African sky just thankful we even get to eat this day! I just hope and pray the Malaria bug stays away so we can spend this time without any dry-heaving, cold shivers, or the dreaded "runs" to keep us from the feast-to-be.
OK, I'm sorry...I was just giving you guys a hard time, we're gonna have a great Thanksgiving. The plane rotation lands in Yei next Thursday and from what I hear, we'll have a few turkeys and all the trimmings flown in. Believe it or not, Thanksgiving isn't the most widely celebrated African holiday....I know, that's what I said!!! Hopefully though, Nairobi should have most of the traditional favorites...keeping the cranberry in prayer. So, on to what's important. Our progress is moving at an un-heralded clip. We're shooting for a record 7 churches in December, which, with only 4 actual building crews is remarkable. Our building operation focuses on one region at a time, while the additional four sub-bases spread over South Sudan mobilize church congregations to gather raw materials, engineers stake out the parameters, and plans are finalized. The work God's doing in this region is truly amazing and I thank Him everyday that He's allowed me to partake! Guys I must admit however, conducting business in S. Sudan is like nothing I've ever experienced...not that my experience should serve as any gauge. Example, the other day one of our drivers "knocked" (the African phrase for hitting an object with a car) a goat that ran out into the murram road. Well, a baby goat now turns out to be full-bread and pregnant, and the owner wants compensation for the goat and each soon-to-be offspring. Needless to say we had....you guessed it, goat for dinner. I stinkin' hate goat. Just a crazy world we live in with a lot to experience. The great part...God is visible in all creation, you just gotta look...(Romans 1:20-22).
As the famous 21st century versifier Andre 3000 once quoted, "You gotta get up, get out and do somethin', don't let the day's of your life pass by..."
Signing off,
Joey-bag o donuts

Lainya

OK, back to some form of normalcy...sorry for the delay in posts, but the past 14 days have been...in a word, intense. I'm beginning to feel a bit more comfortable in my position with S.P. but, gaaalll lllley was I thrown right in the fire. Andrew (the previous fiance guy), left shortly after my arrival, and if things weren't already in disarray, they certainly were a few days after I took over. Second week away from Mommy, and suddenly one day I feel a bit warm. Mind you, this is a day after I signed off on ALL the finances. I was leaving the office to meet everyone for lunch when the nurse spotted me...an hour later I'm in bed with a 102.9 degree temperature. No malaria but it might as well of been. So, needless to say for the past 14 days I've been learning how to convert and run 3 currencies, speak Arabic, tribal, and sign language (mostly how I communicate...), and keep this machine of an operation...operational. WOW! What an amazing work God has allowed me to join in on! He never gives you too much, but what I've learned is He gives you just enough to NEED His help. Thank you for that Lord. Anyhow, my health has improved (still can't shake the allergies), and I'm growing more comfortable each day I'm in Africa...thanks for every one's prayers.
OK, what I did today, then some funny stories. We left the compound at 8am this morning and drove two and a half hours over the worst terrain possible, with the worst shocks you can image, to a Church opening in Lainya (just NW of Yei). For those who don't know, the mission of Samaritan's Purse in South Sudan is to rebuild every Christian church that was destroyed during the south's war with the northern government (the Peace agreement that ceased hostilities looks shakier as each week passes...please pray). The operation has now rebuilt over 50 churches, but the model is in place and we are really hitting stride! Anyhow, back to today's adventure.
We showed up to the church dedication at 10:15 and immediately the festivities began. I was the volunteer cameraman for the day (thanks for the skills mom...), so pretty much had free roam throughout the service and dedication. I never realized how valuable this would turn out to be(a little frightening too)! Well, the service started at 11 and ended....OH, I don't know, maybe around 4:30. This is over 5 hours of sitting in a hot South Sudan Church listening to every bishop, and community leader, and government official, and layperson, and special guest, and billy-bob speak about...well, something in Juba-Arabic. The really cool part....they REALLY love the Lord, and 2.) They break out in song and dance every-time the wind blows...or the Holy-Spirit. Really very, very cool to be a part of. I've now been able to worship with Russian and Sudanese believers in their environment. Anyhow, as much as I loved the worship marathon, I used my privilege to sneak in and out to go play with the kids running around outside. I think they got a bigger kick out of me than I got outta them. Took a while for them to warm up, but they absolutely adored the camera and once I started acting goofy, they let loose. Kids are really the same no matter where in the world they were created! To wrap this up, we had a nice dinner after the service in a straw tukkel (hut), which consist of....you guessed it, goat and liver. This was actually a beautiful meal, I just can't get use to goat! I just think the smell of cooked goat, plus how ugly goats are alive....deadly combo for me, complete dealbreaker :) I've got some great shots of the women preparing the meal outside (indoor kitchens are unheard of), gotta somehow download pictures on this site. Well, the day was amazing and what a cultural experience. I just keep remembering how God has ordained every step of this journey and what an adventure He is bringing me through with HIM!
OH, almost forgot. I accidentally (wink-wink) took a picture of a government officer (big no-no) while journaling the dedication. Half-hour later I see two army men in full garb calling me out of the church...with very serious looks on their faces. I stumbled and stammered but couldn't get through the people while the service was in full swing. I acted as if I was sorry and took my seat...eyes straight ahead! Well, the rest of the service the camera was off and I stuck as close as possible to the Bishop the last hour of the day. I gotta be honest on this one...i tinkled a little...not. OK, I always ruin it at the end. I love you all so much...keep prayin'! 1 Tim. 1:10
joey

Birthday in Yei.....not

Two years ago I spent my 24th birthday in Kiln, MS. and at least we had indoor plumbing...now, no one even shows up to the party...i threw myself. By the time I ate, the goat was tough and the lentils were cold....again. Thanks for being such loved ones and not even sending an order of wings from Bru's, or at least a pork plate from Tom Jenkins' (I mean spare the 6 bucks!! Seriously) You think I'm bitter...Water and goat for 30 consecutive meals, lunch and dinner, and we'll see who's regular!.....I'm sorry, that did go a little too far. Mom, I apologize...I know your sending some emergency TP and some matches in a care package any day now, I promise I'm not mad. OK before I ruin this blog, I love you all and really appreciate the b-day wishes!! I got to ride the quad (4-wheeler) into town after work today and pick-up a case of African soda (promise) and a jar of pringles...i was shocked too. I promise when I get some down time I'll update everyone on the church rebuild project and explain exactly what it is Samaritan's Purse does in South Sudan....very exciting. Franklin has an incredible vision that needs to be prayed for. In the meanwhile, PLEASE be praying for peace that look oh so fragile....
Signing off, a 15 lbs lighter....me

Freedom!!

Independence! Today is the Ugandan independence day. We're only a few miles from the border so it was a big day in Yei. There's also a large group of Ugandans that works for Samaritan's Purse on this project in South Sudan. (The area is so poor and war-torn for so long that any sort of skilled labor is nonexistent, thus Ugandan and Kenyan workers fill most all skill positions). Anyhow, Yei had an all day celebration commemorating the occasion, capped by a highly competitive, once a year soccer match between the New (S) Sudan and Ugandan teams. A Ugandan friend, Andrew, who turns out was the primary striker for the Ugandan team, invited me...I couldn't miss this! My first real adventure in town was unforgettable! I was dropped off by a 4-wheeler (quad) into Freedom Square (the center of town) where there is a regulation soccer field...ok maybe not regulation. The field was all murram (like a mix between gravel and clay), no grass at all, bumps and ruts comprised the terrain (mostly from washout and vehicles) with between 5-7,000 Sudanese surrounding the playing area. It was nuts!! The feeling was intense walking into downtown, looking for my Ugandan friends as the only westerner among thousands of natives...needless to say, I didn't find them, they found me..HA.
6'4 with a bright red jacket with the words "EVERYONE LOOK AT ME!!" written across my chest. Actually, in 15 minutes I felt perfectly fine. Anyhow, back to whats important...the game was incredible, the energy was electric. A few minutes in I was hooked....OK, I'll publicly admit it...I now like soccer. Now, I feel much better. Uganda dominated the first half but only led 1-0 at intermission. Second half was all New Sudan. They scored an incredible goal following an acrobatic bicycle kick pass that sent the place bananas. 3 minutes later Sudan scored another improbable goal...but...offsides! Now, the place really went wild; people flooded the field, a dog was running around nipping at people, guns were going off (OK, not really any guns) but you get the point....bonkers is the only word to do the atmosphere justice. Well, the game ended in a 1 all tie, which was probably the best result for civility. Andrew played very well although not too many scoring chances. Left just in time to get back before dark, probably a good call on such a night....Anyhow, miss u all. Keep Praying HARD! Love me.

Life in Yei

It's now my 4th day on the SP church reconstruction compound in Yei, South Sudan and life is good. I must admit however I was the first of the new arrivals to come down with a bug...literally! I've been in bed the better part of the last 36 hours as sick as I've been before. The sang over here is "The first man down, the first man up"...whatever I still feel terrible. Anyhow, I've learned my role over the next 12 months. I will be the field finacial officer for the entire program. Maybe a bit different from what I initally imagined, but a lot more responsibility than previously thought. There are 2 divisions in this project. The Yei base (the main hub with 4 sub-bases) and the Nuba Mts (can't even find on a map). I will be overseeing finances for the Yei project and their 4 sub-plots...should be a great learning experience. The project has grown so quick, they've outgrown all the previous system and the financal end has suffered. I have a friend from the Boone office overseeing all of the finances in South Sudan that was destined for Nairobi, but (by the grace of God) will be living here in Yei. Big Help! Anyhow, continue to pray for the people of Sudan and the continued peace in this region. I'll explain more when I'm feeling better...love you all Joey

I'm Here

Arrived just past 7pm local time (remember I'm 7hrs ahead) and met Richard and Karn Todd at the gate. Richard is the friend that recruited me to Sudan....I know...what a friend! HA. Anyhow, the flights were tough on me...I sat next to some interesting people, with some interesting stories. Marty from Ann Arbor was going to kick a squater off his land in Lafia. Thank you for that Marty, thats quite interesting...he found my story cool too. And the second flight I sat next to a couple born in India, living in Michigan, and vacationing in Africa. While bording the flight to Nyrobi there was a man in the back screaming to the top of his lungs while 3 large men tried to subdue him...The 3 large men stood over him the whole flight....OK, that was fun. I wasn't a little bit nervous, ha. God is so good though, what unique experiences so far and a few great chances to share my faith. Im in Nyrobi tonight and Tuesday then off to Yei, Sudan. I also should be flying to Kambala, Uganda in the next few weeks to meet the purchasing and ordering crew there.....Love you all!! miss you Lion

Less than a week!

4 days to go and....wow, it seems like last week I got the call. What a good God we serve!! He uses your passions and desires to draw you closer to Him. He's sending me half-way around the world, puts me in an incredible adventurous yet dangerous position, and gives me everything and everyone at home to MISS.......simply to draw me closer to Him, to reveal His true character. What an opportunity! Psalm 86: Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
Thanks for everyone's prayers and support...if I didn't say goodbye to anyone I truly am sorry.
I leave this Sunday morning and arrive in Nyrobi, Kenya October 1st. I should leave Kenya for Yei, Sudan a week or so after. BTW, check out where I'm going on Google Earth, it's really quite interesting...Love you all and already missing you :)

2 weeks until departure!

Alright...this is getting too close for comfort! Only 13 days till departure and the weight of it all is starting to sink in. I just got back from Samaritan Purse's headquarters in Boone, N.C. The training for the next year of my service was...extensive and intense to say the least. I came away with a new respect for what S.P. does around the world and (yet another) confirmation that this is exactally where the Lord has me. At dinner my first night away, I had a tugging to open the Word. John 20:19-21 is where he brought me!!! ALRIGHT LORD, fill me to the brim and send me out!!! I'm gonna miss every(some)body so much...conflicting emotions