I have the most
amazing of times and the worst of times. Today started with me going up to a
church I’ve never been to as a favour to my friend Leah who is a bible
translator. The newly translated books had been delivered and she’s not here as
she had to go to Juba, the capital city, so she asked me to go and take
photo’s. But of course it’s not as simple as that. I got treated as an honoured
guest and it really was an honour for me. I came back to a lazy day around camp
as we like to call the “guest house”. I had lunch of acida(?) white doughy
stuff with some green stuff. I find it’s best not to ask. Some foods are just
for filling you up and not for enjoying, although I’m really grateful to have
food at all, polished off with Cadburys chocolate (thanks Mum). This afternoon
I went to a football match which Trisha had been invited to. We had our eye on
the skies most of the time because a storm was brewing. It keeps threatening to
turn really wild and then calms down. I saw giant fruit bats, eagles and a
vulture.
I know it’s a worry for my
family and friends me being here and hope you know you’re doing your bit by
suffering me being out here. I’m sorry if I’m causing you grief. I want you to
know that just me being here is an encouragement to many people who are amazed
to know people out there really do care about their plight. There has been and
still is an incredible shortage of education. Not being able to read and write
is the norm. It’s very difficult to get anything done. It seems ok to have up
to 100 children in a class which of course it isn’t. We have about 65 3-4 yr
olds in one class at nursery and 47 5-6 yr olds in the other in very small
rooms. Quite a few wander off back home by themselves and as we’ve no fence you
can’t stop them. We lost 7 children today but it can’t be helped. There’s not
much traffic or many strangers so not too much danger but I find it hard to
accept. You just have to manage. The last 50 years of war has caused untold
suffering. Independence Day may have brought some kind of freedom but as you
know the borders are still not clearly defined and there are still tribal
differences causing trouble. These ongoing traumas are continuing down the
generations. By training the teachers and playing with the children at the
nursery and teaching English, reading and writing and numeracy the spirits of
so many women and children are being lifted. It really is a joy. By sharing me
you can share in the joy. We’re trying to get the garden started at nursery.
Not just for teaching gardening but also because it may be the only food to eat
soon. The ongoing dispute with Nth Sudan means there is no economy???? There are a group of 92 refugees here from Sth Kordofan which is being bombed by the Nth as it wants their homeland for its oil. They have asked me to help educate them. i so want to do it and just pray that God will touch someones heart to send money so i can stay here.
If anyone wants to donate
to keep me here please contact ChristChurch Southport Merseyside UK who have a
way to get money to me. Pls know your money is going directly to where it’s
needed and none is wasted. Someone stole our pencils last night. Another reason
we need a fence.
God Bless you all and know
that I love you all
Lynn
