Leaving on a Jet Plane

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go!

My bags are over a couple pounds so,  I may have to layer on some more clothes or eat the M &Ms I packed on the plane.

Thank you for all the wonderful encouragement and prayers from friends and family as I venture out.

Confession

Let me confess. I nibble my nails. Sometimes I nibble when I am bored, but more often when I am anxious. 

Jesus spoke to us about worry in Matthew 6. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry… who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

As I have embarked on this adventure, God has been one step ahead of me each day reminding me not to worry or be anxious. 

Early in December I got a call from Melissa. Her family was heading to South Sudan for a five-week stay. She had extra room in her luggage to take some things for me. Due to weight limitations on the last leg of my flight, I am limited to 44 lbs of luggage. I’ve been measuring everything down to the size of my toothpaste tube. 

Now, a stranger, a mother of five with plenty of preparation to do herself, was willing to go to Walmart and buy peanut butter, almonds, dried fruit, shampoo and lotion - for me. These are things that will help me, yet would have otherwise been impossible to consider taking with me.

God does provide all our needs!

What worries can God take care of for you ?

Visa Arrives

Great news !

Tuesday,  our mail carrier Kathy delivered a tattered priority mail envelope to our front porch. The Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan has approved my visit and granted me a 3 month Visa.

Big thanks to all my prayer partners and God who answers prayer.

The packing is progressing well. The weather forecast for Midland and Detroit on Thursday looks good. But we all know that in Michigan that can easily change.

How This Happened

In April of 2017, Warren and I traveled to Uganda to explore the ministry of World Vision and its impact on the lives of the people devastated by war. It was a long trip but it was fabulous. 

The people were so welcoming and happy to share with us all the ways that God was working in their lives. The weather was warm and wonderful. The scenery was breathtaking. The poverty was heart breaking and the needs are tremendous.

I returned with a desire to return. 

In the months that followed, I prayed, searched the Internet, prayed, searched and waited. A few opportunities that I thought would use my teaching skills appeared and then evaporated.  

I continued to pray and search. 

One morning in March 2018, I was listening to my favorite podcast, “The World and Everything In It.” A story by Joel Belz at the end of the broadcast detailed a need for teachers to come short term to a Christian school in South Sudan. 

As I listened, I felt this opportunity was the answer to my prayers.  After all, the only qualifications were that the candidates have no medical conditions, no obesity and to be ready for 100 degrees in the afternoon shade. I could do that. 

Cush Christian School needed teachers to supervise, tutor, check work, test, mentor young Dinka teachers and develop discipleship relationships with the children. I could do that. They were even willing to take old people like me. 

What might God be prompting you to do?

Google Maps Location

This Google maps link will take you to an aerial view of the Radio Station (Weer Bei FM) and Cush Christian School in one compound and housing for the missionaries (including myself) in the other compound.

Prayer Needs

My departure is in 2 weeks. Please prayer for the following needs

· My Visa has been sent to the Republic of South Sudan’s Embassy in Washington DC. It needs to be approved for 3 months and returned to me by January 30.

· The trip to my final destination outside of Aweil requires 4 different planes, connections and luggage transfers.

· Living, eating, socializing and sleeping in South Sudan will be a big adjustment. There is an 8-hour time difference. Today at 5 p.m. the temperature will be 102 degrees with a low of 74 degrees at 7 a.m. Dry heat or not that is hot.

· Warren and I have been married 37 years. We have spent a lot of time together and only a few weeks apart. This will be an adjustment.

· Prayers for my health, safety and helpfulness to the teachers and students at Cush Christian School.

· Others have shared that it will be “the hardest thing you have ever loved,” I pray that will be true for me as well.

· Thank you for your prayers for Tami on Tuesday and if you would include Warren on Wednesday that would be a blessing to both of us.

Praises

· Praise for full financial support.

· Praise that God does answer prayer often before we even ask.

· Praise for immunizations and good health.

· Praise for being organized and the helpfulness of others.

Preparing the Way

My application to teach through Reformed Presbyterian Missions was accepted earlier this year and I now finishing preparations to depart for Aweil, South Sudan in early 2019 where I will be teaching for three months. 

My preparations have included:

Reading

• Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot- and Cold-Climate Cultures by Sarah Lanier
• Servanthood: The Calling of Every Christian by Darrow Miller 
• When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert
• African Friends and Money Matters by David Maranz
• Toxic Charity by Robert D. Lupton

Raising Support and Prayer

As of this writing my wonderful friends and family have contributed $5,000 dollars and many prayers for Tami on Tuesday. I am blessed beyond what I deserve! Thank you for remembering to pray for me on Tuesdays.

Shots and Drugs

I am up to date on all my immunizations. Antibiotics” just in case” are packed.

I will be taking Mefloquine once a week for malaria. This was recommended over the daily version of malaria medication.

Visa

I made my request for a three month travel visa the first week of January to the South Sudanese Embassy in Washington, DC. In addition I will have to request an extension in April of 2019 in country to cover the remaining days until I return in early May. 

Packing

I am limited to 2 bags. Due to limitations on the last leg of the trip, together these bags can weigh only 44 pounds. I am carefully planning each item. Over the last few months I have been tracking the amount of toothpaste, deodorant and other items that I use so as not too take more than I need. 

I am required to wear skirts below the knee. Thankfully my sewing skills have been helpful here. Most of my visit will occur during the dry season and the weather is warm (today the high is 97 degrees) so no heavy clothing is needed.