This past Sunday afternoon there was a fête (party) in the "park" in front of our house. The fête was for our friend and neighbor's daughter, who is an MK and is about to go off to college in the USA. "Diarra" (her Senegalese name) is well loved by the people here and it was special to be at her farewell party.

Beautiful people! Senegalese always look great at a Fête (party)!

A traditional "griot," or musician, entertained the guests with his singing--he even tried to impress us with his English skills at one point by singing "Happy Birthday..."

Dancing

A-G, our little extrovert, was right at home at the Fête

Not sure who all she drank after...

"I'm ready to go!"

Pretty girl!

Happy Easter!

Where is that egg?

Here it is!

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We went to a friend's house here in Dakar for lunch on Easter Sunday and had an Easter egg hunt on their rooftop. A-G had so much fun looking for the eggs...and then hiding them again. We couldn't convince her that the point is to find them and keep them...

With my Nana in Dakar

With Nana and Papa

Papa and A-G

Pretty in Pink

I LOVE Ice Cream!

"Take a photo!" or "I am one!"

Jade is back after a really great trip to Sudan!

The people of Sudan always amaze us with their ability to laugh and rejoice in the midst of tremendous hardship and suffering. All our problems seem so small in comparison to what the people of Southern Sudan have gone through...these amazing people continually challenge us to rethink our "priorities," and help us gain a new perspective on life.

We wanted to share some impressions and pictures of Jade's time in Sudan below...

Jade in Nyamlel, Sudan

View from the air. "Deep in the bush" is a good description for much of Southern Sudan. It is one of the most neglected areas on earth. There is no electricity, running water, or paved roads in almost all of the South- an area the approximate size of the Eastern part of the US . There are few schools, barely any healthcare facilities, and few people with formal education. They have been plagued by war and persecution for over 20 years, yet they continue on with a courage and dignity that is humbling.


The team


Hungarian medical team who arrived in response to the Meningitis outbreak in the area, which killed over 300 people in just 4 weeks.



One of the students at the school


Girl's dorm under construction

Students sitting and quietly listening

Students getting loose

Jade leading the morning exercises

Can Jade bend that low anymore?

I think he hurt something!

Students marching to the next program

Juggling

Baptism in the river.

Baptism view from water

Church celebration with children

My tent

Flying out--just about the only way to get in and out of this area of Sudan is on a chartered flight from Kenya.

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Stepping off the airplane in Nyamlel, Sudan, I was met with a blast of hot, dusty air. Immediately, I knew I was back in Sudan. The temperature was actually milder than what I thought it would be. The dust was thick; clouding the air. Many memories flooded my mind, although three years had come and gone since I had left Southern Sudan.

After the plane had landed on the dusty and isolated Nyamlel airstrip and we had disembarked the plane, we were taken to the New Lives Ministry (a ministry supported by Make Way Partners) compound to set up our tents in which we would live for the next week or so. After setting up our tents, we drove to Marial Bai, a nearby village, that continued to be plagued with a meningitis outbreak that had begun a few weeks prior to our arrival. As we entered the small clinic housed in an old dilapidated school building, we heard crying and wailing, evidence that someone had just died. Meningitis had struck again!

During the previous three weeks over 300 people had died in the area. The expressions we saw on the faces of the Sudanese people was a striking reminder of the great chasm between those of us who “have” and those who “do not have.” The lack of basic medical care, vaccines, good nutritional food and geographical isolation left them vulnerable to hunger and disease. I wondered, How many more of these people would have to die before the “international community” noticed? How many more had to die before vaccines would be sent into this region of Southern Sudan along with medical personnel to administer the vaccines? These were the questions that swept like a flood through my mind. Yes, all these questions and more questions as well as the environment reminded me that I was indeed back in Southern Sudan.

I was a member of a team of ten who went to Nyamlel to encourage the 400 orphans at the New Lives Ministry School. Vaccines arrived after the team’s arrival and all the children, women and staff at the New Lives compound and in the surrounding area were vaccinated.

Our ministry to the orphans was a Vacation Bible School type program. The children were very eager to learn the stories from the Bible. They were filled with laughter and excitement as we taught them. We were blessed to work with the children and the teachers at the school.

It was a special experience for me to be back in Southern Sudan because the Sudanese people are special to Shelah and me. Looking into the eyes of many of these people, one does not see a sense of fear, helplessness, or apathy. Instead, they have a look of fierce determination and courage. This is what I remember about Southern Sudan-- not so much the place, but the remarkable people. With a smile on their faces and a ready, strong handshake they are always ready to press on and endure the uncertainty of the present and the future.

My trip back into Southern Sudan was well worth my time and cost because once again, I was able to work hand in hand with Sudanese adults and children.

We spent two weeks in January in Kenya getting some of the guys transitioned into their new schools. It was a hectic time buying all the necessary supplies, meeting with principals and getting them all moved in, but well worth the effort!

Four are now in boarding schools and the other five are in the same day school as before-- 2 in the Secondary School (High School) and 3 in Primary School. They continue to study hard and improve in their grades.

Soudi at his new school, St. Patricks. Soudi is a good runner and a very good student. St. Patricks is known for its strong athletic program and produces some of Kenya's top runners.

Guys studying


Lino in the dorm at his new school. Lino is as tall as Shelah now!


Tabaan

Former Olympic gold medalist, Kip Keino, who has been allowing the 9 guys to live at his place the past 3 years, celebrates his 70th birthday with us and other friends.

We took a GREAT family vacation visiting good friends in the Indian Ocean Islands at the end of our time in Kenya

With our friends who live and work in the Indian Ocean Islands

Anna-Grace conemplating life on a beautiful island. Can we move here?

I really like it here!!

We really like it here too...however, all vacations must eventually come to an end!

So....we are now back in Senegal...not quite like the Indian Ocean Islands!!!

While in the Indian Ocean Islands we witnessed a Hindu Festival that was taking place. During the festival men and women pierce their bodies with sharp hooks and other objects in dedication to their gods.

Carrying their family idol, barefoot on hot pavement, for several miles

The drummers and many of those in the procession were in a trance

Some of them carried the idols on their heads while others attached chains to their bodies with hooks and pulled the idols on wheels. Watching this festival was shocking and sad. It brought home to us the meaning of God's grace---the fact that Jesus has paid for the sins of humanity, that He was "pierced for our transgressions," and we can't do anything to "earn" God's favor. His grace is sufficient.

Anna-Grace at Senegal's version of Six Flags!

Here she is with her buddy Dillon (our neighbor's son)

Having a great time!!!