Back In Oregon

Thought I should post an update on what is going on with walking4kids....
I recently got back to Oregon after spending the summer in Alaska.  It was great being up there but it very nice to be home for awhile. Will be working on the books and the aquaponics project for the next few months.   I hope you all are doing well.
First picture is of Mt. Denali and the lake is in BC.
Blessings to everyone,
Dave

Jane Gummoh Owanga

While I was in South Sudan I got the opportunity to interview several of the people who make that orphanage run so well.  One of those people is my good friend Jane.  I hope this will upload Ok.  I just wanted everyone to see why I admire these people so much.  Please let me know if this viewable.
Thanks, Dave

Beauty and Some Beasts

This past Sunday was good and bad.  It was bad because I was so busy I couldn't go to church.  It was good because I got to meet some more cool travelers.  The first picture is of my friend Sam and his human, Natalie.  Sam and his family have been staying here for a week or so and I have got to know them a little.  Nice folks and Natalie and her husband Tim might be interested in serving in Southern Sudan.  That would be so cool.  I posted the picture of the bikers because they are mean, rough, and ugly and a direct contrast to Sam and Natalie.  Two of these guys are from the lower 48 and the other from Denmark.  They just met a few day ago and now they are traveling together.  The guy on the right rode his 650 BMW all the way to Prudhoe Bay.  Hope you all had a nice Forth. 
Blessings from Alaska,
Dave

Cruising Through Canada

Driving from Oregon to Alaska was a blast.  British Columbia and The Yukon were especially gorgeous.  The route I took ran beside or through the great Rocky Mountains and I was awe struck with the beauty of this amazing country.  Saw a lot of critters.  Most ignored me as just another rubber necker staring at them.  Drove 2,500 miles in 3 1/2 days.  It would have been much better to take my time and enjoy such an wonderful part of our world.
Blessings and safe travels this summer,
Dave

Some of you may have wondered what happened to me.  I apologize for not keeping up on  my posts.  I am in Alaska right now working as a camp host in a state campground.  I thought it would be a job that would give me a lot of time to write and keep up on things like this blog, but that's not the case.  I get up early and go to bed late.  I'm not complaining because I get to meet some amazing people from all over the world. 

I got to spend some time with my family in Oregon before I came up here and I miss them very much already.  I also miss my new friends in South Sudan.  I am working on a aquaponics program for South Sudan and if everything goes well, I hope to go back over there this fall or early next year.  For those of you who read this, thank you for sticking with me.

First pictures is of me with some of my buds on the day I left Africa.  Second is at a stream coming off Mt. Hood in Oregon near to where my family lives. 

I hope to be posting a lot more.
Blessing to all of you,
Dave

A Few Folks From The Neighborhood

I am in Uganda right now and I have enough Internet speed to up load more than one photo, so I though I would post a few/  #1 is of a guy out in the boonies who wanted his picture taken, but I couldn't get the frown off of his face, and when his frown got more serious, I quit trying. #2 all of the cooking is done with wood and this young man is having fun on a pile before it gets cut up.  #3 is a sweetie that always had a great smile for me and I didn't write her name down.  Will just call her Sweetie, I guess.  #4 is of a young girl from a very poor neighborhood, I mean really poor.  But you wouldn't know it from her smile.

Charles and Jimmy Michael

Very seldom did I walk around the compound that Charles and Jimmy Micheal didn't run up to me and want to play.  These little guys always brought a smile to my face.  They will soon be three years old.  I am writing this blog at the airport in Entebbe, Uganda.  I have finish the first leg of a four leg journey back to Oregon.  I have a 11 hour layover here... Ugh....  and I miss my two little buds already..   next stop Brussells, Belguim sometime tomorrow morning...

Amazing Mother and Her Family

Do missionaries have fan clubs.  If they don't, some should.  If Elizabeth Perry had a fan club, I would join.  This women from Michigan/Colorado in the USA flat dab amazes me.  I have watched her and her eight children (yes, I said eight and there's more) and her equally amazing husband for the last two months.  The way she raises her kids, and the way she treats everyone around her impresses me very much.  I have asked her kids what kind of mom and teacher she is and they all said without hesitation that she is the best.  I will be profiling her doctor husband Jeff later.  

Other kids:  They have a 23 old adopted son who is finishing up his college education in the states and then they have a special story about their adopted twins.  A little over a year ago a man brought in his new born twin boys.  The mother had died and the boys were doing very poorly and without help they would die also.  Both Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff already knew from God that there was going to be twins boys in their lives and here they were.  Elizabeth who was at the time nursing her youngest added the twins to join their new sister.  For the next 2 1/2 months the boys became very healthy and the Perry's had started and got approval for adoption from the country. Then out of no where the father shows up and wants his boys back.  Can you imagine?  After a process, Elizabeth said they made the hardest and best decision in their lives and let the boys go with their father back to the bush. 

Two more things:  Elizabeth told me that the best thing about living here is knowing that she is living God's will in her life.  Lot of us would like to know that for sure.  She also told me that of all the many things she has to be thankful for,  her salvation is the most important.  She is one smart lady and I am real glad to know her.

Controlled Mayhem and Going Away Presents

Most cities in Africa are nothing short of an amazing thrill ride.  For all of you roller coaster junkies, African city driving is right up your alley.  There are virtually no lights or signs.  You just jump in and finesse or muscle your way through a maze of potholes, goats, and a gazillion other drivers as crazy as you are for being out there in the first place.  This picture is of a street that is lined with businesses.  The problem is they do not have any parking, so everyone double parks while they try to get there shopping done all the time watching out for the police to show up and write expensive parking tickets.  We were here to buy supplies (beans and rice) for Terekeka and it was amazing.  It is like a living, breathing organism with a flow and a mind of it own.

I mentioned the other day that I had come down with malaria, well a few hours after they told me I had malaria they told me I had typhoid also.  They caught them both early so there shouldn't be any problems down the road.  I am leaving for America Saturday and Africa decided to give me a date with malaria and her sinister sister, typhoid before I left. That's OK, it still has been more then worth it to come to wonderfully amazing place.

Joseph Kony is not going to kill me and my little boy!!

I have a hard time imagining at the age of four fleeing my country on foot with my mother to keep from being killed by Muslim extremist.  Then finding myself in another country where a man and his small army want to kill my mother and probably me because I am not old enough to be a soldier in his army. I can't imagine that going for two and three days without food is normal.  I get nervous if I miss lunch.

Then going back to my country at seven only for my mother to become so sick she can't take care of me at all.  Then a having a grandpa taking me to place run by this white women and her husband and leaving me there.  Why would my grandpa do that?

Emmanuel Guya Alison is 19 years old and was born in Payawa-Yei, South Sudan.  He is from the Kakwa tribe and he wants to be an electrical engineer someday.  When Guya came to Harvesters there where only 11 other orphans here.  He is very intelligent, kind, and soft spoken.  But what really impressed me about Guya was how appreciative he is to Harvesters and to God for bring him here.  The way he said something really sticks with me.  He said it in a very emotional way, "I have never gone to bed since I have been at Harvesters on an empty stomach."   Amazing young man and I know he will go far.

Women and Children and Even a Transient

His House of Hope is a hospital in Yei, South Sudan.  What makes it so special is that it is located at an orphanage called Harvesters.  Another thing so special about it that is first rate for African standards.  They have two doctors and two nurses that serve here as missionaries and a support staff of regional people who have some training and are getting more.  I will be writing a lot about this place of hope and the people who make it work in my third book.  The first time I held a little baby in my arms that would have died if this hospital wasn't here, I was a fan.  It was a very emotional experience holding those babies and I will never forget it.  But I have something else to be thankful to this hospital for.  A couple days ago I started feeling real crummy and last night I was up all night with a fever and chills.  It seems that Africa has given me a nice case of Malaria as a going away present. But because of Lillie, Linda, Innocence, Jay, Kathrine and Dr. Poole I will be good go when I get on that plane next Saturday.  If this would have happen to me in the bush of Terekeka, I would have a pretty serious problem.  The picture is of the first thing people see when they walk up to the hospital.

Dancing Under The Mango Tree

In Trekeka they have 47 orphans that live on site  and 104 kids that go to school.  They are working on class rooms, but right now all classes are outdoors under mango trees.  It works real good in the morning, but by early afternoon it is very hot if you are out of the shade at all.  This picture is of one of my favorite teachers.  Her name is Harriet and she teaches music to all grade levels.  She starts out each morning  with the youngest class and this is them performing a beautiful little song and dance.  It was amazingly cute and I have most of it on video and will put it on youtube when I get back to the US.

Cheka Harriet is 20 years old and was born in Koboko, Uganda.  She is from the Kakwa tribe and is shy and humble.  But when she gets to singing, that changes.  She has an amazing voice and she led a group of older kids that did a Sunday morning church special that was very good.  Her dream is to go to America someday.

My Friendly Mundari Butcher

Do you see that crazed look in this man's face.  It is real...  He just finished maliciously beating a big chunk of meat with a tomahawk type ax.  He just broke the bone in this meat to little pieces and then he leaves them there for his hardy customers to deal with.  I asked him about his roof maintenance schedule and he glared at me and raised the tomahawk over his head and laughed very loudly as I ran off down the dusty road.

238 years ago today the Revolutionary War in America started.  One year ago I was speaking at a Lion's Club meeting in Jetmore, Kansas.  Come to think of it, I think there were a few fellas at that meeting that look just like my butcher friend.  Not really, they didn't have the forehead scaring like the Mundari do.

You Would Be Ticked Too

The big fellas name is Joshua and his riding companions name is Joseph.  They are in the back of a Landrover headed for a clinic in Terekeka and they let me ride along.  You see Joshua and Joseph are not real good friends because Joseph considers himself a ladies man and is always giving Joshua a bad time about his eating habits.  Just before I took this picture I heard Joseph say to Joshua that he better slow up on the chowing down or he would never get a date to the prom and Joshua said something like, you better slow up with all your lip action or I am going to thump your skinny little head.  Anyway it went on like that until we got to the clinic and they both got shots and then they didn't have anything to say to anybody for the rest of the day.  Just another day in the bush with two wild and crazy African guys.....

In Memory Of A Dear Friend

When I left on my journey 18 months ago I had no idea how lonely it would be at times.  I am so fortunate to have some good friends that would send me words of encouragement along the way and Susanne Maine was the best at doing that.  It was as if she knew I was down and needed a word here and there.  She was also the biggest encourager of my sense of humor, in fact I think she was the only one who actually enjoyed my wit.  I was fortunate to be able to go see Susanne and the rest of my chruch family in September of last year.  I was staying at the McGregor's which is about 40 miles from Susanne's home in Bandon.  One Tuesday she drove all the way out to get me and took me to hang out with her Tuesday Girls.  A bunch of very nice young ladies that Susanne spent time with every Tuesday.  Part of their Tuesday included serving coumunity meals to the needy.  That is where this picture was taken. That was just Susanne, always reaching out to help someone else. I am really going to miss my good friend.  I am so glad that she knows Jesus.
Blessings to her friends and family,
Dave Strege in South Sudan

Is There Really A Loch Ness Monster?

 

I asked several people what river the orphanage was next to.  Some said it was the Blue Nile, some the White Nile.  I found an old map that said it was The Bahr al-jabbal River.  They all said there crocodiles in this river.  Some said the crocs. were parcel to white meat and some said that most thought that white meat was to fatty and thus unhealthy.   The poles you see in the picture are actually there to keep the crocs. from hanging out in this area.  It was well over 100 degrees this particular day and this water was exceptionally inviting, so I decided to trust the fence and a maybe a little bit on the fatty meat thing.  Maybe they both are true as I am still sloshing around the neighborhood.

 

That Ain't No Bull

This a small herd of Mundari tribe cattle that we drove through in the bush about 25 miles from Terekeka.  These massive horns belong to a mama.  The bulls horns are even bigger.  The cattle are amazing, but what is really interesting is the Mundari Tribe.  I hope to share more with you about them.  One of the problems though, is that I didn't get near as many pictures as I had hope because it is a problem with a lot of these remote tribes when it comes to taking their pictures.  So unless I have the opportunity to ask for permission, I have to pass on some really cool photo opportunities.
Well the reason there is a picture with this blog is because I am back at the Yei orphanage.  It took 10 hours to get here from 150 miles away, but we made it.  I never though traveling such as short distance could be so interesting and so physically demanding at the same time.  Wow... what a trip.  As interesting as it was I hope I don't have to go through that again for awhile.
I hope and pray that you are all doing well.
Blessing from Yei, South Sudan

Weak Net No Pic

I wanted to drop a note to let you know that I am still alive.  I am in the compound of an orphanage a few miles outside a small town by the name of Terekeka, South Sudan.  The satellite Internet feed is so weak that I finally gave up on trying to upload a photo.  Which is to bad because I am getting some very interesting photos.  This compound is right on the edge of the Blue Nile and in the heart of the Mundari Tribe.  Everything here is fascinating to me and even though it very hot I am enjoying my short week here a great deal.  Been doing a seminar for the teachers and will speak at church this Sunday and back to Yei Monday.  I wish I had a way to convey to you this fascinating culture.  Maybe someday.
Blessings and Joy from Sub-Sahara, South Sudan

UN Russian Helicopter

On Monday I moved from Harvesters orphanage in Yei to their new orphanage in Terekeka, which is about 150 miles north. The road is really bad from Yei to Juba and I was able to catch a free ride on a old Russian UN helicopter. What a kick.  Got to ride this cool old helicopter instead of spending six hours getting beat to death on very rough road.  Lance and Kim who run the Terekeka compound picked me and a brother and sister from Arkansas who wanted to visited Terekeka also, in Juba.  We got to Terekeka in the afternoon and it seemed like we went a long way back in time.  Wow, this is one fascinating place.  We are considered in the middle of the bush on the mighty Nile river.  A crocodile is seen now and then, lots of snakes to include green mambas and cobras and it is a lot hotter than Yei.  Internet is by generator and satellite and strength of connection is always questionable, but I hope to share a  lot about this amazing place.
Blessings from the bush in South Sudan

Go To Guy

Pastor Dennis and Mama Lillie Klepp are the founders of Harvesters and they run the show.  But for day to day operations and when the Klepps are gone they have to have a very talented person to keep things running smoothly.  During the week it is normal to have over 800 people at Harvesters, so keeping things running smoothly is a daunting task.  Their go to guy is a very nice man they call Mr. Morris.
Maurice Akuno is 48 and he was born in Kisumu, Kenya and is of the Luo tribe. He is married and has four children.  His family lives in Mombasa, Kenya and that is very hard on him as he is in South Sudan most of the time.  After he graduated high school his brother offered to pay his way through a university in India.  However, after one year his brother lost his job and Maurice was on his own in a foreign land.  Instead of coming home he stuck it out and finished his college degree on his own, many times living on the streets.  Eight years ago Maurice came to Harvesters as a teacher.  Now he is the compound director and this man has a huge job that he takes very seriously and does very well.  I hope he thinks of me as a friend as much as I do him.
Blessings from South Sudan

Rush Hour

Almost every evening after dinner I go for a walk around the perimeter of the compound.  This small effort at some exercise after eating more beans and rice has become quite enjoyable.  50% of the time I am able to watch  the last part of a soccer game and these kids are fun to watch.  From there I make it to the back corner of the property which has a lot of plant growth, so I have to watch for snakes.  Then I go through the area that the housemothers are doing the laundry by hand for their kids. About half way through this little walk I come to the road that adjoins the compound.  A vehicle will come through this area at the rate of about one an hour.  There is however, a lot of foot and bicycle traffic and  you can see some real interesting characters on this road.  But just whipping your camera out and start taking pictures is a no no.  In fact it can become a problem so we just don't do it.  The above picture was taken on the sly, but it give you an idea of some of the comings and goings of this area.
Blessings from Harvesters, South Sudan

A True Rose

My last blog I talked about the food that the kids get here.  The lady who is charge of making sure those 600 kids get something to eat is an amazing lady.  She has been with Harvesters almost since the very beginning and she is a kick.  She has seen it all.  She has seen the kids scared to death because Joseph Kony and the LRA were near by.  She has seen babies die and she has seen a tremendous amount of kids get a chance in life.  I like her and we had fun while she let me hang out in her very hot kitchen for a day.

Rose Itiya is 39 years old and born right here in Yei, South Sudan.  Itiya is from the Kakuwa tribe and is a widow with four children all who she has put through school.  I salute this very nice woman and her wonderful staff.  They are amazing.  They work 13 hour days and they always have a smile. I am also proud that  Sarah, a friend of mine from Oregon sponsors Itiya.  Thank you Sarah for helping make a much better life for these kids.

African Orphanage Food

Today I spent several hours with six ladies as they went about their business of preparing lunch for 600 kids.  What a daunting task.  It was warm today, real close to 100 in the shade.  The kitchen where these ladies prepare all this food is wide open because the cookers are all heated with wood.  It was exceptionally hot in there.  The picture is of my lunch.  The white food is called porsho.  It is made with maze flour and water and a little salt.  A lot like corn meal.  The sauce is very salty and is made with oil, water, and onions.  The fish is smoked and dried and there is nothing missing.  They don't bother cleaning them.  And yes, for those of you who are wondering, I did eat the whole thing. The kids that live here get this for lunch and the kids that just come here for school get porsho and beans.  For many of the kids who don't live here, this is there only meal of the day.  They actually have trouble with some kids faithing on Monday mornings because they have not eaten since their lunch Friday........ bon appetit from South Sudan

LOOKOUT WORLD!! Here I Come!!

Yesterday was a pretty special day for me.  Kerry, a visiting nurse from Tasmania/Houston/Kampala took me to the hospital here at Harvesters.  She wanted me to meet three special ladies along with their three special babies.  One lady by the name of Rose was having serious problems giving birth and four members of her family carried her several miles  by hand on her little mattress.  Two moms had twins but both lost one because they were so small. This little girl does not have a name yet because they will have a special ceremony at which time they will name her.  I have to tell you it was pretty hard on this old bird holding that little girls tiny little hand, knowing that if this hospital had not been here she would have died.  Pretty special moment for me.....

157 Kids Call Me Mama

What would you do if you were born and raised in Western Kenya.  Married and working toward your degree in counseling psychology, but needed a job.  Well Josephine found a job alright, not in Kenya but in South Sudan at Harvesters as the Orphanage Supervisor.  Which means she is the head mama for 157 kids and let me tell you, she does it well.  She knows every kid by name, where they came from and how long they have been here.  I have got to know Josephine pretty well and she is a kick.  But to tell you the truth I like her daughter better.  Adrielle graced the cover of this very blog a few day ago under the title of "Looking Good".
Josephine Wanjiku Kigundu.  Born in West Kenya 33 years ago, married, and comes from the Kikuyu tribe.  She has been with Harvesters for almost five years.  She love Jesus and these kids and the kids love her back.  Very fine lady....

Gentle Spirit and a Warm Smile

It is pretty exciting to be in a church that is standing room only and a few years ago it didn't even exsist.  It was a wonderful both in and out of the church today.  I took a break and thanked God for what He has done for us and what is yet to come.  When it gets down to the basics, true Christians, those who are following Christ are simply the luckiest people in the world.

After the service is over every Sunday we stack all the chairs so that they can sweep the floors.  This very nice lady who lives about a mile away was helping us while she was holding her baby.  I was taken by her gentle spirit and smile.  I asked her if I could take her picture and she noded yes.

I hope and pray that all of you had a wonderful Easter weekend....
Blessings for South Sudan
Dave

OK.. What is a Tukul

A little over 100 yards from where I lay my head every night is this structure.  I might be proned to call it a hut.  The word for it in this part of the world is a Tukul.  The people who live in it call it there home.  Anyway you want to call it, it is very interesting to this Westerner.
Today, Mama Lillie and Sue & Ben from Arizona arrived.  Mama Lillie along with her husband Dennis founded Harvesters Reaching The Nations 12 years ago and Sue is one of the board members. The people that were already here are fascinating and now I have three more adventurers whose stories I can explore. 
Oh yeah.... they killed a black mamba in one of the kids latrines last night.  That would cause you to think twice about going to the bathroom late at night without a flashlight wouldn't it?    LOOK OUT THERE GIRLS.... WATCH YOUR BACKSIDE!!!!  Why does that seem so funny to me?

Casualties of War

I am guessing that this tank had it tracks blown off about ten years ago.  The guy on the right is missing his left hand and part of his right.  the guy in the middle is mentally ill and I am not  sure about the other fellow.  He looks like he has lost a track or two himself. 

This tank is on the road from Yei to Juba, the capital of the new country of South Sudan.  I don't know if it was left there as a reminder of the civil war that devastated this country for so many years or not.  At Harvesters we are reminded everyday of that devastation because a huge number of the orphans here are a direct result of that war.  We are also reminded what can happen if group of people have the courage to step out in God's Name and do something to make a difference.  I am seeing first hand the difference that is being made.  I am so grateful to God for letting me rub shoulders with these extraordinary people.....  Please pray for them as they have a long way to go.

Kiwi Delight

Kathrine Young is 26 years old and from Christ Church, New Zealand.  She was raised in a strong Christian family and doing something to serve God was not something to possibly consider for a life style....it was a given.  Kathrine started praying for Sudan when she was eight years old and also knew at a very young age that she wanted to be a nurse, so coming to South Sudan last year to serve at House of Hope Hospital here at Harvesters was a natural.  She told me she is a quite, shy, reserved type of person not proned to stepping outside of the box to far.  She is being humble.  This is a very brave young woman who is part of a team doing extra ordinary things for some very needy people in a very tough environment.  Kathrine is a kick to be around, although I have to admit I have as much trouble with her accent as I do the Africans.  That's alright, she puts up with me asking her to repent herself all the time.

One of the problems here is that kids are brought to the hospital to late for help and they die.  I ask Kathrine how she deals with the constant presence of death.  At the end of day she said she cries out to and sometimes wrestles with God,  reads poetry and listens to Christian music.  She also said that you have to have a good theology of pain, suffering, and death.

Kathrine is truly a Kiwi Delight.....

Kitty From North Carolina

A long time ago someone asked me who my heroes were.  What came to mind then as it does now are two groups of people.  Social workers who have a huge case load and missionaries.  I must say not all missionaries fit into my hero level, but the six who live and work at Harvesters do. 
Kathryn Moyer, AKA Kitty.  Born 50 years ago in Hillsdale, Michigan and has worked at Duke University for the last 20 years.  Kitty has always been single and ever since she was six years old knew she wanted to help people and hopefully someday be a missionary.  She has a masters in nursing health ministries as well as a masters in church ministries.  She is also trained as a pediatrics nurse which fits so well here.  Kitty came to Harvesters to serve at His House of Hope Hospital in November of 2012.  In 2005 she took a years sabbatical and help start a clinic in Kenya.  Kitty is a perfect example of someone willing to dedicate their life to helping someone in need.  She has such an interesting story, I wish I could put it all in this blog.  Thank you God for sending Kitty to Harvesters.

Football Fans

A couple times a week the orphanages older boys get together as a team and another team from the surrounding area comes to Harvesters and they have a soccer match.  In the picture you can see a shipping container that is now used for storage.  I have a block of wood I set on and lean up against the container and watch some very good soccer.  I would like to think it is because of my wit and charm that all of these kids come to watch the game with me, but actually it is because I have a camera.  That's OK, we have fun anyway.  It is great to see these kids laugh.....
I hope you have a great day,
Blessing from South Sudan

Another Looking Good

At church this morning this little guy kept looking at the old white guy.  Partly because of curiosity and partly because he didn't know me and there is a certain level of fear for little kids around strangers.  Dr. Graham Poole from the hospital here, gave the sermon and it was outstanding.  He talked about being courageous during tough times and did a very good job of it.  Most of the people in that service defiantly have had first hand experience with tough times.  Sorry the picture wasn't a little clearer, but he is still a good looking young man.

Looking Good

There are anywhere from 157 and 165 kids that live here full time.  Because of that I get to see these kids everyday.  I don't know them all yet, but I do have some that I have grown quite fond of and this little girl is one of them.  Her name is Adrielle and she is the daughter of Josephine, who is the orphanage supervisor.  Josephine has also become a good friend and we are scheduled to do an video interview tomorrow.  Adrielle thinks that pulling on my beard is great fun. 

I have been trying to blog for three days.  Service is real spotty here.  Blessings to everone....

Bota Bota

I got a pleasant surprise at breakfast this morning.  The Poole family or as I affectionally call them, "The Aussies"  invited me to go into the town of Yei with them for part of the day. Yei is on the crossroads with Uganda and The Republic of Congo so it has turned into a very busy town since the war stopped.  What an interesting culture they have here.   It was fasinating driving and stopping through out the city which has grown to be well 1000,000 people and there are no paved roads.  The picture is of a man retieing some lumber that he was transporting by draging behind his Bota Bota.  (Motorcycle Taxi)
Thanks for reading my blog,
Blessings,
Dave

The Hand You Don't See

Every Saturday the Poole family gather 12 kids that are having trouble reading and they read with them for an hour. For two Saturdays in a row I have helped them and both times I was assigned a little guy by the name of Obediah.  Obediah is nine years old and he was brought to Harvesters when he was a new born by his father.  He was very sick and could not keep any formula his stomach.  The father told them there was nothing he could do and left him with Mama Lillie and her staff.  He was so sick they took him to a hospital in Yei to see if they could help.  They told them there was nothing they could do and would not even admit him.  They took him back to the orphanage and did the only thing they could do.  They gathered the other children around Obediah and they simply prayed to God to save his life.  The next day he was able to hold his formula and nine years later God is letting me help him with his reading.  God's hand has saved my bacon more than once and I considered it a great honor that He let me help Obediah a little bit.

It's All Florences Fault!!

I just knew that when I came to Sothern Sudan I would get away from junk food, midnight snacks, and raiding the refer when ever I wanted to kind of stuff.  And I did.  I am eating good meals and almost zero snacking.  So why I am still a chunko?  One word... Florence...  she cooks to good.

Florence Nabaziwa is a 26 year Ugandan.  She was born in Kampala, Uganda and still calls that home.  Florence is the head cook for most of the staff and all the missionaries who come tramping through here.  She has a certificate of education and a certificate in catering.  She told me that she loves serving God here, but really misses her four year old son Jerico and her family who are back in Kampala. Like in most parts of the world, many people have to go to where they can get work.

I get to see Florence everyday because I can't seem to stay away from the mess hall.  She always has a warm smile and a hello for me and she is a kick to be around.  Thanks Florence for keeping me  round and robust.

Gather Around The Flag Pole

Every morning before school, over 500 students and staff gather around the flag pole and say their national anthem and pray. Some of you might remember when we use to do stuff like that.  I zoomed in on the four year olds and one little guy seems to be giving another little guy some much needed advice. Yesterday we had a nice rain that really cooled things off which was real nice while it lasted.  Back to hot and hotter today and is supose to really warm up the next few days.  You can bet old chunko here doesn't move to fast when it heats up.  Come to think of it, I don't move to fast anytime, anymore.  Keep moving forward though, right?  Been doing some interesting interviews lately.   I hope to share them with you as time goes by.  Thanks for reading this,  Blessings from Harvesters in South Sudan.

R U Crazy!!! Alaska to South Sudan

If you could go anyplace in world, why would you pick Southern Sudan? 
Stacey and Denver Urlaub have  an easy answer for that question.  They have been supporting three kids at Harvesters for three years and those kids kept inviting them to come all the way From Alaska to the other side of the world.  So they ask God and they felt very comfortable that He wanted them to go, so they did.  They spent a month here and God use them a very good way.  They spoke and taught and built things.  But I think they would say that building relationships with the kids was the most important thing that happened.  I only got to be around Stacey and Denver for a few days, but it was long enough to know they are very kind and generous people and the kids here really enjoyed them being here. 
If you ever thought of really stepping out on a limb a little bit and maybe coming to a place like Harvesters, Denver and Stacy allowed me to post their email in case you might have some questions about their vacation that turned into a mission trip they will never forget.
denver_urlaub@yahoo.com    drop them a line or two....

Jane Gummoh Owanga

I so wanted to be able to upload video from here, but as of now it doesn't look like that is going to happen until I get back to the US.  I wanted you to hear the wonderful accents and see the beautiful character in the faces of all these interesting people that make up Harvesters.  We obviously have a lot of Sudanesse people, but also Kenyans, Ugandans, Yanks, and a few Aussies and Kiwis thrown in to spice things up a bit.  So for now I will just try to give a brief discription of some of the characters that make this boat float....

Jane Gummoh Owanga was born in Kakamega Western Kenya 34 years ago.  She is of the Luhya tribe and is also single.  Jane has a college level certificate and is the office manager for Harvesters. She loves kids and  the Lord but she came from Kenya for the work.  Finding someone with Jane's skills was not easy to do, but God sent them Jane.  To give you an idea of the compassion in this womens heart; she is supporting 15 kids as they get their education.  These are not her bilogical kids, but she is like a mother and a father to many of them.  She has a warm and gentle spirit and I am proud to call her my friend.

If you would like to send Jane a word of encouragement you can contact her @
maryjgum@yahoo.com   or facebook @ Jane Gummon Owanga