Under the African Rain

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart!

2009-07-05T03:50:00.003+03:00

Today, July 5th, Nate and I are celebrating our 1st anniversary! I can't believe we've been married for a year already! We've had a wonderful year, a year of learning and growth, laughter and tears, joys and challenges. I calculated that we've called 9 different houses or apartments home during our first year or marriage, in Kenya, Canada, and the United States. Sometimes it's been for 3 months, sometimes for 3 weeks. It hasn't always been easy and neither of us prefers such a transient lifestyle but I think we've learned to be "home" for each other in a unique way, a way that we'll need during our years in Africa. All year I've carried around in my suitcase a framed wedding picture of us, which I take out and put by our bedside when we get settled at each location. That has also created a little bit of home for me, wanting to remember our main reason for being in North America this year, and that is to build a strong marriage before we return to Sudan to begin a new ministry.

The beginning of July also marks a different anniversary for me--2 years ago I arrived in Nairobi for the first time on July 1st as a new missionary to Sudan. As a single missionary, I believed God had me in that position in life for His own purposes, to glorify Himself through my life. I felt fulfilled in Him and enjoyed my early days of learning in Sudan. However, it didn't take me long to begin sensing that the Lord wanted to do a new thing in my life, and that that might involve marriage. The more I interacted with Sudanese mothers and children, the more He gave me a deep desire to minister to them as a wife and mother myself. I waited...

I didn't need to wait long! I met my wonderful husband Nate on an airstrip in Sudan at the end of that October. If you'd like to read the whole story, see my posts from Oct. 23rd, 2008 and following, written a year after the exciting events!

So here we are, married a year and expecting our first baby in about 8 weeks! I believe the Lord has given us to each other and wants to glorify Himself through our marriage and our family. When you pray for us, please pray for His blessing and protection over our marriage and our little baby as we get ready to return to Sudan.

U.S. Immigration Interview in Montreal

2009-06-18T21:56:00.002+03:00

Thanks to all who prayed for us while we were in Montreal. Amy's interview was successful and she is now a permanent resident of the USA. After a 9-month process, we are finally done! Please email us or leave a comment if you would like more information.

Our plans still involve time in the US extending until shortly after New Year, upon which time we will return to Sudan to work with the Koma/Ganza tribes. Our support level has reached 72%, with about 4-5% of additional support committed. Thank the Lord with us for His provision and keep praying for the additional 23-24%. Have a wonderful day!!

Learn about the Ganza people

2009-06-12T01:14:00.002+03:00

I just wanted to direct you again to one of our website links down the page and to the right--a blog called Loriann in Sudan. Loriann is one of our SIM Sudan teammates, beginning a new work among the Ganza people, one of the 2 people groups that we're praying about for our future ministry. She's recently written some very interesting posts and I thought you might enjoy reading them. I particularly enjoyed the 2 most recent posts called "Reveal Your Love Oh Lord" and "Ready in 5 Hours". The Lord is really working among the Ganza!

Please pray for us next week. We'll be driving to Montreal this Sunday for my US immigration interview on Tuesday morning. Please pray that all will go smoothly there and that they will send me my visa soon afterward. We're anxious to get to the States to share in several churches that have invited us to come and of course to prepare for the birth of our baby in September!

BBC Interview with Sudanese President

2009-05-30T20:19:00.004+03:00

On 14 May 2009, BBC aired an interview with the current president of Sudan. We thought many of you might find it interesting. We watched it from Calgary, AB Canada during one of our visits there as we continue to raise support. We're now in Southern Ontario and will move to the USA upon the completion of the immigration process.

We covet your prayers about the additional 30% of support that we need to raise. Thanks... here's the link... (copy and paste it into a new window).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/8050309.stm

5 Loaves and 2 Fish

2009-04-23T20:11:00.004+03:00

On a recent trip to Alberta, we were blessed with several opportunities to share about our ministry in Sudan. In one such instance, we told the congregation about all the material things they'd have to eliminate from their lives to better relate to the Sudanese (particularly the tribes with whom we'll be working).

Schools, hospitals, books, roads, cars, churches, and snow (which most of them were quite happy about!) were some on our list.

We returned back home with the friends we stayed with and had a wonderful discussion over lunch. We talked about the need in Sudan and they read to their children from a Kids Devotional Bible. It was the story of the miraculous events in John 6:1-15. This really impressed their 5-year old son. The wheels started spinning in his mind. He was thinking of a good answer to his dad's question, "what could you give to Jesus?" His recent birthday and Easter gifts had left him with $15... which for a boy his age must seem like a million bucks!

After a few minutes, he said it would be good to give $5 to help the people in Sudan. I glanced at my wife... her eyes were welling up with tears. We were touched. The Lord was taking care of Sudan through this young boy. And so here it is, pictured above. The five dollar bill that I carry with me serves as a reminder that Jesus can use any size offering to produce miraculous results. One day, you'll see this five dollars in the hands of some Sudanese person. I promised I would hand deliver it!!

Franklin Graham Interview

2009-03-28T01:51:00.002+03:00

We just want to share a very interesting video that includes Franklin Graham (Samaritan's Purse) on the Al-Jazeera television network.

The discussion involves the ICC's decision to issue an arrest warrant for President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan. Is it beneficial to advance the peace process in Darfur and South Sudan? Or is it detrimental to alienate such a major player in the implementation of the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement)?

You'll find it very interesting! Copy and paste this link:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1534611823?bclid=900701426&bctid=15256243001

Enjoy... and check out the sermon from the blog entry below (Support Raising). God bless!

Support Raising

2009-03-24T22:50:00.008+03:00

www.fbcpa.net/sermons-online/recorded-sermons/

Sorry that it has been a month since we last updated everyone. We've been very busy raising support so that we can get back to Sudan. During the last 2 weeks, I've been able to preach at 2 different churches here.

If you're interested, the sermon from this last week can be found at the site below the photo... and you'll notice SIM Sudan as one of the options further down the page. We are praying about churches and individuals who could come alongside us financially and in prayer. God bless!

Sudanese friends are never far away!

2009-02-28T01:24:00.012+03:00

Nate and I have had the opportunity to get to know a family here in Prince Albert from the same tribe in Sudan where I was serving. In fact, Martha, the wife and mother of 4 is from D. area, the very village where I was! It's a small world! My parents got to know them while we were in Sudan and then introduced us when we arrived. We've had some good visits with them, practicing our Arabic (Nate) and M. (me) language skills a bit and talking about familiar people and places in Sudan that we all know.

The other day I went to visit Martha and 2 other Sudanese ladies that I've met before were there visiting her too. They began making kisera, the Sudanese flatbread (thin like a crepe) that is eaten on special occasions, usually with a meat stew. They don't have sorghum flour available here, so instead they used a mixture of wheat and corn flours. Here are 2 pictures for you to compare, one of a Sudanese lady making kisera in Sudan and one of these ladies making kisera in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan! People definitely bring their culture with them when they come to North America and find ways to adapt it as well. Can you spot some of the differences and similarities between these 2 photos?

By the way, in both situations I was asked to try my hand at making kisera. In Sudan, I mildly burned my fingers, to the great delight of my friend's children! In Prince Albert, I managed to make a few lumpy pieces of something that probably can't be called kisera, but at least I didn't burn myself and a great time was had by all! Afterwards, I got to sample some of the kisera and stew made from okra and beef and it was delicious. If I wasn't sitting in a Prince Albert apartment looking out the window at the snow, I would have thought I was back in Sudan!

The Man, The Myth, The Legend

2009-02-25T21:38:00.006+03:00

1. Meeting Wayne Gretzky... though he wasn't very talkative! (click to enlarge)

2. Outside the arena where the Edmonton Oilers play (NHL Hockey).

3. PLEASE read the post below for our REAL purpose in Edmonton!!

Our REAL Purpose in Edmonton!

2009-02-25T21:10:00.010+03:00

What are Sudan missionaries doing in Canada? I'm glad you asked because we need your prayers. Today it's -9F outside and we're happy to be inside. But over the weekend we were out and about, taking a trip to Edmonton, Alberta for Missions Fest 2009. The roads were like the one pictured here... snow-covered and slick.

We heard that a missionary to Columbia would be the keynote speaker... a man named Bruce Olson. If you're unaware of his story, allow me to strongly recommend his book "Bruchko" from Amazon.com or your local Christian bookstore. It will change your life... really... it's that good. After one session, we were able to meet him briefly though we missed a perfect photo opportunity.

During our trip, we were able to connect with some dear friends in the area and plant a seed to connect with a church. And there's your answer... what are Sudan missionaries doing in Canada? Connecting with churches. Most of you know that we are raising support ($1927/month) before we can return to Sudan. Many of you don't know that we are praying about 4 churches with whom we have been in contact recently. Please pray that these 4 (2 in NE United States, 1 in Alberta, 1 in Saskatchewan) will feel the Lord's call to support us. We have been encouraged by the possibility of being supported by a Southern Baptist Church in the area and are praying about a second in SE United States.

Please pray for us. And if you're reading this thinking, "I'd like to help support this family" or "I could help them connect with my church"... please be in touch. The Lord will bless the gift and the giver. Thank you! And another "thank you" to all who have made this decision already.

Prayer Request

2009-02-23T22:57:00.004+03:00

Hi Everyone,
We got an email from our director recently asking for prayer concerning Sudan's National Election in July.

"Please be aware that the July national election mandated by the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement - see link below)...

http://www.issafrica.org/AF/profiles/Sudan/darfur/compax/index.htm

will certainly have an effect on our ministries. I believe that people must vote in their home areas. This fact I have gathered from GTC principal Phillip E. who is allowing his students to return home in July for the purpose of voting.

I advise all project managers and administrators to plan for students and/or workers to go to polling places as the time for the election approaches. Specifically Community Health Worker training, Basic Education Learning Centers, and Secondary School should plan the school year to allow for this disruption."

Pray that the election process would be peaceful and that ministries currently running would be allowed to continue. God bless!

Our Recent Prayer Letter

2009-02-19T03:11:00.004+03:00

Dear Friends,
Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” In this letter we’d like to tell you a bit about the journey we’ve been on and how the Lord has been directing our steps for the future.

Past Journey
This is our first official prayer letter as a married couple! Before we got married, Nate spent a year and a half in Yabus, South Sudan serving in SIM’s adult primary education program as an English and math teacher. Amy spent almost a year in Doro, South Sudan helping to start SIM’s primary health care center as a children’s nurse. We met on the Yabus airstrip in October 2007 and were married on the coast of Kenya on July 5th, 2008.

Present Journey
After we got married, our mission leadership felt it would be best for us to spend a year at home building a strong marriage and sharing with people the vision the Lord is giving us for the future. This is exactly what we’re working on, as well as applying for Amy’s permanent residency in the US. Until now, we’ve spent most of our time in Canada due to immigration restrictions but we hope to move down into the US in March if possible.

We also have some very exciting news to share with you! We’re expecting a baby in early September! We’re thankful for this gift the Lord has entrusted us with and look forward to becoming a family of 3.

Future Journey
Because of the baby’s arrival in September, we are due to return to Sudan in January, 2010. We feel like the Lord is leading us to participate in a new ministry to either the Koma or Ganza, 2 tribes south of Yabus who are largely unreached by the Gospel.

We can’t do it alone! We trust the Lord to raise up many more prayer warriors to stand with us. Also, before we return to the field, we need to raise an additional $1927 US per month for our support account and $280 US per month for our ministry account. This increase is due to a shortfall in our support as singles and to increased costs for a small family. If you have any questions about this, we have a detailed outline of our support needs that we can share with you. We trust that God will be faithful to provide for us, as He has in the past. We will attach a gift form to any email, which will explain how to support our ministry, should the Lord lead you that way. Or give online at:

http://www.sim.org/index.php/content/donate

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support in our journey thus far! We intend to send out a prayer letter 4 times a year through CRISTA Missionary Letter Service (so open mail from them!!), and keep you updated for prayer requests by emailing our prayer team. Please send us your postal/email address if you’d like to receive things. God bless!

Canadian Conversion on "Super Sunday"

2009-02-02T20:50:00.008+03:00

Many of you know that yesterday was a national "holiday" in the USA. In fact, there were a couple of reasons to call it "Super Sunday". For starters, the preaching went really well and the Lord blessed us all with His Word. Part of my calling as a missionary is to teach the Bible, and so any time I have that chance, it is a wonderful experience (whether in Africa or North America). I've had the chance to preach a few times using Arabic in Sudan and have really enjoyed it.

Of course, the Super Bowl was a great game as well. I knew at the end of the first half that the Cardinals would be haunted by that interception return touchdown. I just didn't know they had that much fight in them to come back the way they did.

Preaching wasn't the only ministry happening though! Ok, I tread close to the shoreline of heresy here. But I believe I witnessed a true conversion throughout the last few weeks. As the NFL playoffs went on, my Canadian wife slowly turned from "reading a book during the game" to "sweaty palms enthusiastic fan". She went from "those big guys just fall on each other" to "throw the ball deep to Fitzgerald!"

It was her first Super Bowl... her first Super Bowl party... her first "gut ache" from pulling for the underdog that almost won such a well-fought battle. Or was that the "nachos-brownies-cheese puffs-Dr. Pepper" combo?

At the end of the night, she was converted... fully... passionately... and irrevocably to NFL fanship. It was a Canadian Conversion of monumental proportions. Next we'll work on NASCAR!!

New Additions

2009-01-29T04:15:00.002+03:00

We just wanted to say that our prayer letter is coming out soon. Within the next few weeks, look for it in your inbox/mailbox... unless you haven't given us any contact information. Thanks!

We're still freezing in Saskatchewan... looking forward to becoming a family of 3. Please pray for me (Nate) as I'll be preaching on Sunday. The sermon is titled "Caught Between 2 Kingdoms" from Colossians 3:1-4. We'll be in touch again soon!

The Amusing Mail Mis-Hap!

2009-01-22T01:32:00.007+03:00

We were asked by an immigration agent to give our address in Sudan in order to prove that we work there. How do you give an address for the house pictured above? I almost burst out laughing... wanting to say, "Tukul #4; Rural Riverside Rte. 1; Village "Y"; Blue Nile State, South Sudan 2Ha L0L". Surely any postal service in the world would find me, right?

Well, thankfully... most of you have a mailing address that works. So if you'd like to get our prayer letter, please send it to us as a comment (again, it will NOT be published). I'll double check our files and add you if you're not there. OK? Thanks... hope to have those to each of you within the next month. God bless!

GREAT NEWS!!

2009-01-17T02:38:00.003+03:00

We've just returned to Saskatchewan from a month-long trip to visit family and supporters in Alberta and the USA. We have some tremendous news... 2 items in fact, but it's a bit sensitive. Please leave a comment with your email address and we'll get back to you. We won't publish the comment (so don't worry about your email being shown on the web).

We're so excited to share what God's been doing... please be in touch!!!

Our trip to the US was really good and we got to visit the mission headquarters. We found out that we need to raise an additional $1,900/month before returning to the field. Please join us in prayer for that. And if you're reading this and can help us network with churches/individuals, please let us know.

Ok, leave your comment so we can get back to you. We've had 7 so far, unpublished to protect emailers. Thanks and God bless!

Pray for the Ganza

2008-12-19T07:08:00.002+03:00

We'd like to introduce Lori Hofmeister, one of our new teammates in Sudan. She's starting to work with the Ganza tribe, one of the people groups we're praying about serving in Sudan. She's working hard at learning the Ganza language and culture right now and building relationships in one particular community. Please pray for her. She's living in Y. (where Nate was) with the team and traveling alone to a Ganza community south of the river each day. If you'd like to learn more about the Ganza people and hear firsthand stories, click on this link to Lori's blog:
Loriann in Sudan

Tomorrow Nate and I will be driving to Calgary with my parents to spend Christmas with my brother's family. Then we'll be flying to North Carolina for a few days with Nate's whole family as well as a visit to our SIM USA office. We're looking forward to spending time with our families. Please pray for safe travels.

Merry Christmas to all!

The Journey Continues...

2008-12-05T23:34:00.008+03:00

Our journey has continued to Saskatchewan, Canada and we'll be here for the next 3 months. The thought has crossed my mind, "two missionaries from Sudan are going to FREEZE in this part of the country!" Send blankets (just kidding)! Please pray that we'll make connections in this area and be able to help people understand what's happening in Sudan. We'll update again soon to continue our "Life in Sudan" series. For now, we just wanted to let you know what we've been up to recently.

Prayer Support

2008-11-21T23:17:00.004+03:00

On Sunday morning, Amy and I will be presenting at this church in Southern Ontario. We'll be speaking about our experiences in Sudan and giving an update about our future plans with the K&G tribes. Please pray that the Lord would encourage and motivate His people here to pray for Sudan. Thanks!!

The Bread of Life

2008-11-20T22:23:00.003+03:00

Or in this case, the porridge of life! Sorghum is the staple grain of the South Sudanese. They pound it in a mortar and pestle or grind it between rocks, stir it with water into a thick porridge over a fire, and scoop it into separate bowls for the men, the women, and the small children when it's cooked. It is then served with a stew made from wild greens during rainy season (like the one pictured here) or with one made from dried okra (during dry season). This is the usual daily fare of the M. people where I lived--literally, the grain of life.

But what happens when there is no grain, due to the flooding that has recently destroyed all the sorghum and maize crops in M. county? We've been hearing from teammates in Sudan that some people are getting UN relief food that is being trucked in on big lorries. Others aren't and are needing to sell their goats and chickens (cashing in their bank accounts) to buy grain to survive. Others will need to walk 8 hours to other areas that weren't affected by the floods to find sorghum when it's ripe.

Please pray that the people will be able to get the food they need to live during this dry season and that development (in agriculture practices, in education, in health care, in clean water) will continue for the future.

Please pray that they will also find the true Bread of Life, the lasting bread, and be absolutely satisfied.

"Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.'" John 6:35

Life in Sudan (continued)...

2008-11-12T23:05:00.009+03:00

We'd like to describe a little of what church is like in Sudan. Here is a photo that shows the gathered congregation on a typical Sunday morning. To perceptive eyes, it shows joy and sincerity as well - a refreshing and profound experience. This is the beauty of worship in Sudan. One of our favorite features of the service is the greeting line at the end. Each member greets everyone else in a reception line: shaking hands, exchanging the "pat on the shoulder" greeting, and singing. Please pray that church leaders would be given opportunities for Bible education. Many have had none at all.

We hope you enjoy the Sudan Slideshow and the new map (at right). Thanks for keeping track of us!

One Year Ago Today...The End of the Beginning!

2008-11-07T23:02:00.003+03:00

Yesterday was going to be my last post about our love story, until I got the comments from my Aunts and Christiane and thought, "OK, I'll do one more!" I hope you've all enjoyed the story as much as Nate and I have enjoyed reminiscing about all the fun little details!

The next morning, Wednesday morning, Nate and Kassu were due to leave for Y. on the quad bike. I woke up early, having slept very little anyway because of my excitement! I remember thinking, "Was that real last night or was it a dream?" I went to the dining hall in a bit of a stupor and got a few things ready for breakfast. I looked out the window and saw Nate outside brushing his teeth (we do that sort of thing in the bush!). He looked up and saw me looking at him and waved and I waved back, feeling a bit awkward, still not quite believing this was real. None of our teammates knew what had transpired the evening before so we didn't quite know what to do with ourselves in front of them! We sat across from each other at breakfast making eye contact occasionally, awkwardly!

Right after breakfast, they needed to leave so we all went outside to bid them farewell. We couldn't really say a proper goodbye but Nate slipped me a piece of paper with his email address and cell phone number in Nairobi (he was leaving the next week for Nairobi) and gave me a big smile as they drove away. I was so happy! That morning could have been so devastating if he had left with no understanding between us.

I floated back to the dining hall for our ladies' prayer time and promptly shared the happy news with Grace, Vicki, and Abebech who were absolutely thrilled. The men found out throughout the day and were also very happy for us.

Later that afternoon I got the following text message from Nate: "Got to Y. @ 12 pm. No problems on road. Beaming whole way!"

We soon began to find out just how many people had been involved in "setting us up"!
Jo-Ann, our director at the time, had said to her husband Howie after they met me in July, "She's for Nate!" Peter and Johanna, 2 of our Kenyan staff in Nairobi, saw Nate in August and told him, "Brother, there's someone for you in D.!" When I started getting to know Bethany and Beverly, who were Nate's teammates in Y., in October in Nairobi, they started dropping little hints about who this Nate Kidder was as well as overtly bugging him about me! Abebech (my Ethiopian teammate) and Meseret (Kassu's wife and Nate's Ethiopian teammate) both had dreams some time before we met that Nate had taken a trip to D. and returned very happy! In Abebech's case, it was before I had ever arrived in Sudan. And of course many teammates in Sudan and family and friends back home were concerned about us and earnestly praying for the right spouse for both of us. We felt such love and support from all of our team and from people back home when we started to share the news.

Thanks for reading our story and to the many of you who were a part of it!

One Year Ago Today...Exciting Peace

2008-11-06T21:29:00.005+03:00

Tuesday morning I went to the dining hall and met Nate and Vicki who were already there. We soon discovered that Grace had been sick all night and was in no condition to go to the clinic. Normally that meant neither of us would go, since we ladies weren't allowed to venture into town on our own at that time. Vicki suggested that I could still go since Nate could escort me...but then she wondered if that would be culturally inappropriate--single man, single lady riding into town together. I blushed as I glanced at Nate, who also looked a bit embarrassed. Finally we decided that I should go ask Abebe what he thought, as an African man. I did and he smiled and said, "No problem! You can go."

And so, we went! Just the 2 of us got to cycle into town together. I thought to myself, "Now is his chance to say something to me if he wants to!" We chatted leisurely as we rode into town and went to the clinic. We went in and greeted the staff and I introduced Nate to them. They started calling him "Doctor" because he was white and coming to the clinic, which he enjoyed! I found him a chair to sit on so he could observe what I was doing with the patients.

It was a fun morning. I remember just loving my interaction with the mothers and children that day and really feeling the presence of God with me. I knew I needed Him...it was my first time to see patients at the clinic without Grace or Vicki there to consult with and I also didn't have any translator for the first hour so I had to make do with my limited M. language. Nate helped me out with his Arabic a couple of times. I felt so happy and comfortable to have Nate there watching me--everything felt so right. It was one of those moments where I knew without a doubt that I was where and with who God wanted me to be. Nate will tell you that this morning in the clinic was when God also spoke clearly to his heart, saying "This is the one for you."

When it was time for us to leave, we said goodbye to everyone at the clinic and I told Nate that we usually go over to the soda shop in the market after we finish and have a cold soda. I asked him if he'd like to, and of course he agreed! So I guess you could say this was our first date. Nate will tell you that he made that 300 ml Pepsi last an extraordinarily long time and I did too! He was saying to himself, "Now's my chance! I need to talk to her. Come on, say something man!" (my paraphrase!) but he didn't! We chatted for probably an hour and then went to buy bread. We continued to talk as we sloooowly cycled home. I was thinking, "Come on, Nate, say something to me! This is our last chance!" I even took us the long way around, via the road rather than the path, so we could continue to talk as we rode side by side.

We arrived back at the compound for lunch and then I believe we sat and talked in the dining hall for the rest of the afternoon. Again, we were left alone for the most part and had great conversation, but neither of us said anything about our feelings for each other. Both of us were wondering if the other was just being "nice".

By supper time, I was pretty upset. I thought, "We had all this time alone all day and we haven't said ANYTHING." Nate's time there had changed my life. I wanted to be with him and I didn't know how I would handle it if he left the next morning and I was left hanging. I prayed, "Lord, please help me to wait and to trust You."

After supper, everyone stayed around the table and talked for a while. I made Sudanese hibiscus tea and we had sesame halva from the market. After a while, people started getting up and going to their tukuls to retire for the evening. I stood up and started slooowly clearing up the table, very thoroughly. Nate stood up and started helping me. Pretty soon, we were the only ones left. We finished clearing up and then stood there, talking. Neither of us moved toward the door. After a little while, when I thought it wouldn't be too obvious, I sat back down on a chair, signaling that I was very interested in continuing to talk. Nate remained standing for a few more minutes and then sat down across from me. I needed to use the latrine BADLY but I didn't want to end the conversation by doing so.

Finally, a transition took place when I leaned back in my chair and noticed a sizable scorpion crawling under the table, heading between our feet. I jumped back and pointed it out to Nate and he got up to find a stick to kill it with, while I took the opportunity to run out to the latrine. Phew!

I returned to the dining hall to find a dead scorpion on the ground and Nate sitting down in his chair again. I sat down and we just looked at each other and smiled. Somehow I knew the big moment had arrived. His opening line was, "So Kassu thinks I should stay here for a few more days..." and I knew exactly what he was getting at. He looked terrified and almost backed out of what he was going to say next so I encouraged him by unleashing my own feelings and telling what the past 5 days had meant to me. Then he did the same and pretty soon it was all out in the open. One thing he said still stands out to me. He said he'd been feeling this "exciting peace" throughout the last 5 days when he was with me. I understood what he meant and thought that was a perfect way to describe our interaction.

We were serious and didn't waste any time--obviously, since you're reading this a year later and we celebrated our 4 month anniversary yesterday!

I went back to my tukul after we said goodnight and excitedly emailed my parents with the news. Nate went back to his tent and slept peacefully for the first time in 5 nights!

One Year Ago Today...Day 4 of Nate's Visit

2008-11-06T00:20:00.005+03:00

Monday November 5th would have been the last day, except that Nate convinced Kassu that day that they should stay an extra day, until Wednesday! I was thrilled! A big end-of-rainy-season storm blew in on Monday night further confirming their decision to wait an extra day for the "road" to dry out a bit.

That morning after breakfast, Nate, Kassu, Grace, and I stayed at the table and talked for about 2 hours, discussing some interesting theological issues. It was a lot of fun and showed me that Nate and I could relate well on an intellectual level and have stimulating discussion. I was loving how his mind works, what a thinker he is.

That afternoon, Grace and I wanted to go visit a severely malnourished little boy in D. who we were trying to help. Nate asked to go with us so off we went. Grace kept commenting on how Nate was so interested in seeing the medical work! ; ) It was a sad visit because little John was not doing well. I was happy that Nate got to see this side of the work. His Arabic skills again came in handy when my M. reached its limits and I was having difficulty communicating with the mother.

On our way back to the compound we passed SIM's Basic Education Learning Center (like the one Nate taught at in Y.) and some of the guys were sitting around outside their huts. They had all met Nate when he shared in their devotional time that morning and we stopped to talk to them. Grace carried on home and the 2 of us sat down with the guys to chat for a while. We had a fun conversation in Arabic and M. After a little while I excused myself and headed for the compound because I thought maybe Nate wanted to visit with the guys "man-to-man" and I didn't want it to be too obvious that I wanted to stay with him!

I went to my tukul once again feeling a bit dejected, wanting to spend more time with him because I knew he was leaving so soon. My desire to be with him propelled me outside once more, even though I thought he'd still be over at the BELC. I walked toward the dining hall and as I did so, met him coming in the front gate and walking toward me! We went into the dining hall, sat down, and continued talking for the rest of the afternoon. Our teammates came in and out the odd time to get something but really gave us space--I think they knew what was up!

That afternoon we talked on a much more personal and vulnerable level, telling each other about some of life's challenges and struggles that we had been through. I found that I trusted him and wanted to open up to him and he seemed to feel the same way. We had an amazing conversation and I think it could then be considered official--I was in love!

That evening in my tukul, I was more distraught than ever. I didn't know if he felt anything at all for me and how was I going to handle him leaving on Wednesday morning? I went to sleep with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation for the next day--the last day. Tuesday morning Grace and I were scheduled to ride into the market town and volunteer at the clinic there. You guessed it--Nate was planning to go with us. He wanted to see our work at the clinic! ; ) I was excited about the prospect of spending more time with him in town. However, that night Grace became very ill with a tummy bug...

One Year Ago Today...Day 3 of Nate's Visit

2008-11-05T03:47:00.005+03:00

Sunday morning rolled around and I had planned to stay in D. to go to church. If you can believe this, I had actually suggested to Nate that he go to a new church plant with Abebe (Ethiopian teammate). Since I genuinely believed he was in D. to visit our team and check out our ministries, I thought he'd enjoy the scenic walk by the river and the new church meeting under a big tree. But the next morning I heard from Grace that no, Nate was going to go to D. church with us. ; )

He waited for us by the dining hall and smiled at me as we walked up. I smiled too, feeling shy all of a sudden. Grace had forgotten something and said she'd catch up so the 2 of us headed over to the church. I couldn't sit with him because the men sit on one side of the church and the women and children on the other. I love M. church especially because of their amazing singing. There are congregational songs led by someone up front, spontaneous songs that erupt as people are touched by the message and lead out, and anyone who has a song to share (either individually or in a group) can get up and sing at various points. Also, visitors are encouraged to get up and share a word with the congregation so in this instance, Nate was asked to. He got up and brought the traditional greetings from his area and the churches there, which is an important custom. He used some Arabic and some English which was translated. Then he shared an encouraging word from John 14:27 about peace from Christ vs. fear--very appropriate for this group of people. I was impressed with how he communicates cross-culturally and interacts with different kinds of people.

It was a fun church service because Nate and I both experienced our first baby name vote! Yes, that's right. A baby was being dedicated that day and the congregation voted on 2 names--Joseph and Gabriel. We all had to put our heads down and raise our hands for the name we liked! Joseph won out and after church we were invited to the feast. I've included a picture of me with the ladies and Nate with the men at the party.

After the feast we went home and I went to my tukul to change, a bit dejected because I wanted to spend more time with Nate and didn't know how to make that happen. Well, it just "so happened" that I needed to go and get a cooking utensil from Abebech's kitchen hut that I would need that evening. Nate was staying in their safari tent and as I walked over I bumped into him by the hand-washing station. I didn't know he would be there, honestly! We stood there talking for a few minutes until Abebech, who was making delicious Ethiopian food for us that evening, invited us to come and sit down in her kitchen and have tea while she cooked. We did and ended up having a great couple hours, talking and laughing about interesting cultural customs and funny things that had happened to us in Sudan. Abebech had been praying for a husband for me for a while and I think she was delighted to keep us talking in her kitchen! Eventually, I had to reluctantly excuse myself and drag myself away from Nate to go and cook a peanut stew for our dinner.

Later that evening, I emailed my parents and told them I was getting to know this amazing guy and really liked him. I was a bit distraught because my feelings were growing and I didn't know if they were reciprocated. Only 1 day left with him--they were planning to leave on Tuesday...