Weekly Routine

With only 3 weeks remaining in my time here in South Sudan I would like to share with you my schedule or routine. I have a new appreciation for missionaries on the field and how hard they work.

Although, I would say nothing is routine for me here in South Sudan, it is beginning to be more predictable! I am always discovering and learning new things about the culture, about the students at school about my team mates and myself. There is a wonderful team here that is very supportive. Their experience, advice and encouragement has been invaluable to me as a short termer.

You can count on the sun coming up at 7:30 a.m. and and setting at 7:30 p.m.,  The weather is rarely anything but sunny with cloud-free skies and temperatures that are 100+ degrees Fahrenheit (37+ ℃).
 
I also have a schedule that I follow.

Sunday

10 - 11:30 a.m. — Church meets here in Parot Village at Parot Community Church. The drums start beating at 8 a.m. to call people to church. After collecting my water bottle and chair, I walk about five minutes to the church. The service is all in Dinka, yet I can follow the order of the service. I don't get much out of what is said; however, I think it is an encouragement to the students and their parents for me to attend. For this reason, I go because it is not always about what I will get out of worship, but rather what I put into it.
4:15 - 7 p.m. — The team meets for our own worship service and a meal together.


Monday - Friday

 7:30 a.m. — I leave the compound for school. It is a 15 minute walk to school.
 7:50 a.m. — We pray with the junior teachers
 8 a.m. — Assembly with all the students. Classes begin for students in grades 1- 3.
 11:30 .am. — Break for lunch.
 1 p.m. — Students in Grades 1 - 3 go home. Most South Sudan schools only meet in the morning.
 1 - 4:30 p.m. — Classes for students in Grade 4 - 6
5:00 pm I usually arrive back at my house the first order of business .... wash my dirty feet!

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
I set out my  3 Jerry cans and Abuk brings water for me while I am at school.

Tami, Lydia, Jan (L to R)
In the afternoon we correct assignments, tutor,
explain directions, give tests, encourage students
and anything else that needs done

Thursday
5:15 p.m. — Team meets for prayer

Friday
11:00 a.m. — The morning classes end a little earlier on Friday. We clean the classrooms, which essentially means the girls sweep the rooms. Then we have 50 minutes of recreation time. Boys and girls separately play soccer (they properly call it football). Others jump rope, play "tho stones"( it is a game similar to jacks if you played that as a kid), or just watch the others play.
1 - 4:30 p.m. — Classes for Grades 4- 6 meet

7 p.m. — The team meets together for dinner.

Saturday
7:30 a.m. — Ladies on the team go prayer walking around the village. Abuk comes to do the laundry and have tea. From Friday's water delivery I save her two full Jerry cans for washing of the laundry and rinsing.

This is my day to catch up on blog posts, email, reading, journaling, going to the market, cleaning all the dust that accumulates daily, and make phone calls — if the internet cooperates. Frequently, many students stop by wanting to talk, get a drink of water, play a game or pray with me.

The weeks are busy, the days are long and hot. I often am in bed by 9pm  but I am enjoying this opportunity.

"This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! "- Psalm 118:24