Lovelace In Africa

2009-02-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

HI. Its been a busy past several weeks. I've started social studies teaching and ministry at Heritage International School, and have hosted a team from my home church in late January. It’s been a breath of fresh air to be teaching at the small international school and living full time now in Kampala.

I have been staying at the Kampala Unit leaders' home since early January and have been blessed by their company and children. As a bonus, their house is within a short walking distance of the school and has good access to the main road that leads into the heart of Kampala. At Heritage I am teaching sixth and seventh grade, and have been involved in the chapels, independent teacher training. I have benefited from the interaction and relationships that have already been built with students that speak my own native tongue!

From the 22^nd to the 28^th of January my home church in Lincoln, Nebraska, Lincoln Berean, sent a team of 6 to Africa and met me in Kampala. Berean has always been so very encouraging and supportive of the work the Lord has allowed me to do in East Africa. Our head mission’s pastor Jeff and his wife and 4 other young adults.

They are the first group from my home that have come to visit since my parents came in the early fall of 2003!

Berean is desiring to plant short cycle mission teams throughout unreached and needy areas in the world. So the church decided to explore the possibilities available in Africa. Their visit to Kenya and Uganda was short but impacted each greatly. Though I am under Africa Inland Mission as a full term worker, I am excited and prayerfully mindful of the extreme potential that is possible in this new African venture under endeavor from my church body. I love the people of Berean and those that are working and praying about how God can use them in Africa!

Overall the team’s trip was a success. This was my first experience in planning a team’s travel and schedule so I was very pleased that the Lord answered prayer in allowing the group to enjoy their African experience. The six members did visit Heritage School ( after an accidental detour while getting lost and finding the Heritage Oil Co.! ) They lead the elementary chapel then we headed for some African food. They held up well I thought eating goat intestines, posha, matoke, and several other uniquely African dishes.

The rest of the two days in Uganda were a blur of visiting orphanages and concluded with Jeff sharing the message at a local Ugandan church service. We left Kampala and flew to Nairobi later Sunday evening and arrived late that night into the AIM Mayfield Guesthouse. The time in Kenya was also highlighted be several interesting experiences. Perhaps the most memorable was the trip to a Kenyan game park where we visited one of the more popular Kenyan safari drives. Though we didn’t see any big cats (which were on the wish list) we did see plenty of baboons, rhinos, and other big game that made for a real ‘African encounter.'

My friends the Mutangilis did join us for a late evening dinner the final night that out team was in Kenya. I was so pleased with how Stanley and Sylvia were able to meet friends from my home church of Lincoln, Berean. Something I thought may never happen. So I am very thankful to the Lord for the way everything worked out.

There are so many blessings that Africa can give us all.

I am traveling back to Nebraska, taking a short break from Heritage School (taking advantage of a long

Easter vacation to spend time in Nebraska and South Dakota, with my family and friends! I am thankful that Heritage works so often with fellow missionaries and that my co-workers can easily absorb my social study classes for the days in my absence. I thank you for your prayer and continued prayers over the future as you have been, thank you. Matthew

From Sudan to Uganda 12/08

2009-01-02T16:48:00.000-08:00

Hello. Merry Christmas everyone. It’s been a whirlwind the last two weeks since I moved down from South Sudan into Kampala, Uganda. A majority of my possessions are still in Torit, awaiting a return with my team leaders ( Phil and Linda ) later this week! So its back to living from a suitcase for the time being while staying at the AIM guesthouse called Matoke Inn.

I have mixed feelings about leaving Sudan. A part of my heart will always hurt from the departure and the closing of a door that the Lord allowed me to walk through. It has been a hard and necessary struggle to be a part of building the Sudan for His purposes. I do not, however, have any regrets or pains about relocating into Uganda. Kampala will be a far better fit for my abilities. But I wrestle spiritually with making this change. So Pray that I would trust the Lord more fully, believing in His love and true sovereignty and plans for my life.

The time in the Sudan was wrapped up very well and with many thanksgivings. Both Kyle ( short term teacher ) and I were able to say goodbye to the teachers and students; even the community may soon notice our absence as we both were often in the market and surrounding areas. I know I miss them now, so many hurting and hard working people that I interacted with daily. Torit is a transparent community that saw me living life alongside thousands of others. Please join me in praying for those lost in Torit. As time unfolds I wonder if peace will last, & what might happen to those that may again be forced to move and have their family lives shattered by war. Pray for them.

Since traveling south from Torit the transition has been smooth. The most difficult change has been leaving people/friends, that come and go out of our lives. Kyle Kemp, who taught school and was my house mate for six months returned to North Dakota in early December. His leaving and also Gene’s departure (another missionary) two months earlier certainly leaves a gap in the young men department. It also effects my housing situation, so I am in the hunt for some more permanent housing to open up. Another prayer request.

My work at Heritage International School will start in early January. I will be teaching social studies and working to help Heritage gather a set standard of curriculum for the high school level. Heritage has a strong elementary and middle school and is trying to grow their high school level to match their lower levels. Its exciting to think of working again with middle school students. I also want to continue to pursue part time ministry opportunities with the M. community in this area of Kampala. Pray that I value this new venture and serve these young men and women and staff at the school and also the community as much as possible. God’s kingdom planting has no barriers.

Christmas was spent with Missionaries Amber, Megan, and the AIM Central Region leaders family on the Ssese Islands. While people back home were in bitter cold, I was, yes, swinging from a large jungle vine amidst a forest of trees and swimming on the shores of Lake Victoria. The conditions were certainly rustic but the company and activities made the two days over Christmas on the island a wonderful time.

I do want to sincerely thank all of you for lovingly supporting me throughout this transition and unusual move. Never did I think that when I left one year and three months ago from Nebraska would I now be working with youth at an up and coming Kampala international school. So I am deeply appreciative of the continuing support and prayer and encouragement so many have lavished upon my life. It’s undeserved and grace filled love that keeps all of our lives faithfully challenged. Thank you immensely for everything, Matthew

Colossians 3:23 “ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as for working for the Lord and not for men.”

Leaving Torit

2008-12-02T15:48:00.000-08:00

Though not a Christ-Like attitude, a selfish part of me wants to declare this last year a worldy failure….how wrong huh. And I admit it! I’ve missed the work, the teaching and the mentoring that never developed here in Torit. There is a time perhaps in all of our lives where we have twenty questions for the Lord and nineteen are completely unanswered and the twentieth still makes one shrug in lack of understanding. That’s been 2008 in Torit. Yet, it’s not my job to work the harvest into God’s hands…I’ve been called to plant and He will be entrusted with the fruitfull labor I cannot direct.

So the future schedule is a “closing” of the time here in the Sudan.
It seems the timing couldn’t be better for me to move into another
teaching situation at a school which needs leadership.

Also, two AIM women staff will be working in Torit soon and staying in the compound where I have been living. No other housing situation outside the
compound developed. Our unit leaders (Phil and Linda) have continued to faithfully build housing on the actual AIM compound so future missionaries will have housing within the gated area in Torit. Kyle, my short term partner, will also be leaving for the States (North Dakota) on the 17th of December. Missionary life is transition and this will be a second close friend that is saying goodbye. Thank you for your own prayers and faithfulness along this journey…for now blessings from a very, very hot and dusty Torit, Matthew

2 Weeks in Nairobi, Kenya

2008-12-02T15:44:00.000-08:00

I've been busy this last month. The business of the Sudan means often hanging around the staff room, teaching occasionally, and walking in and out of shops and merchant markets. Since making the decision to transfer into Kampala I’ve been excited to have a refreshing view on my ministry potential. I'm looking forward to being in the classroom and involved again in the lives of students.

The last two weeks I spent in Nairobi, Kenya. I enjoyed the pleasantness of the weather and the warm welcome of friends and AIM Staff people.
I arrived in Nairobi on Sunday and by Monday AIM had begun the leadership training conference in a beautiful local guest hostel. The same Catholic Sisters’ House that I stayed at in April of this past year. This was a wonderful week which included a lot of interaction with many in AIM leadership people. I am more and more impressed with the strong emphasis that our mission group places on relationships.

AIM continues to build strong, Christ centered churches throughout Africa. This is our theme and mission’s main goal; to build God’s kingdom using our specific gifts in our places of service. The week had a guest speaker named Mike Maples, a business and leadership trainer from California. He emphasized the strength of Nehemiah’s ability under the Lord to guide Israel into building what was previously thought impossible.

The week also allowed me to meet with Kampala personnel and help map out a chart for my transition into Kampala. My prayer request is still for housing; Heritage International will be able to take me as a Social Studies teacher, but finding available housing in urban Africa is a difficult task. I Appreciate this being brought before the Lord on my behalf.

The 2nd week in Kenya included a “personal leave week". I had days to take and I spent the time in Nairobi with my friends the Mutangilis, other Kenyan friends, AIM friends, and of course a real quality gym!!

Losing Friends

2008-10-21T05:17:00.003-07:00

August 29, 2008
Our relationships in Africa are created to end at some point. Last night I said goodbye to two individuals who God used to expand my idea of friendship.
One, a Kenyan man named Julius Giamulu who I had known for nearly a year, and had unexpectedly met upon arrival in Torit. The second was a young lady named Florence who was suffering and fighting the AIDS virus at a Kampala clinic alone.
Julius was a great assistance to me in beginning several Bible fellowships that were begun among our Kenyan migrant laborers. Julius needed to leave Torit for better employment, to have another avenue to provide for his family in Western Kenya. Though my heart will miss him, his friendship was a trustworthy and strong presence in my life. He was an answer to prayer and perhaps, the one individual of whom had been my closest companion the past ten months in this city.
My time in Africa has been spanned over three years, and I’ve experienced several close relationships with African friends come to a physical ending. The struggle is how often in Africa, the setting, the timing, the location, of goodbyes, is never of our/my choosing. Never. Each relationship hits a point where the other must leave for the next road ahead prepared by our Lord. Julius will be in His hands until we meet again…and I’ve learned that this meeting may be not in this lifetime.
After driving two members of our Bible group home, Grace and Julius, and saying final farewells to Julius, I returned to our compound to learn of the passing of a small, and very sick young lady named Florence. She was a twelve year old girl who looked to be three, weighed perhaps thirty pounds, and lived on a bed in Uganda. When Gene Tan and I would visit her you could see already her facial features protruding from her face, which was extremely attractive despite her illness. During the few times I visited we would find a way to get her uncurled from bed and lead her outside to be up and moving. She had no family and was found abandoned and so the AIDS clinic Mild May became her only home. No visitors other than hospital staff. Her face would light up as she went outside got in a little toy car and took the wheel. She needed major assistance from the klutz (me) behind her but we sped away, and raced along into the parking lot. Florence passed away at a hospital in Kampala, Uganda after her body finally quit working. I’m very thankful for the small opportunity to have interacted and gotten to know her, and trust that she is with the Lord. I continue to say thank you for the consistent and faithful prayers and letters that so many of you have been giving.
John 14: 1-4 “ Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my father’s house there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the place to where I am going.”

Thanks, Matthew K. Lovelace

Prayer letter/email August 2008

2008-08-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

Matthew K. Lovelace
August 10th, 2008-08-08

Malachi 3: 16-17 “ Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and
the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence
concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name. They will be mine,
says the Lord Almighty, in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will
spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you
will see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between the those who serve God and those who do not.”

“ I the Lord do not change.” This morning my heart chooses to believe this. My mind and emotions would rebel otherwise. I trust that a sovereign almighty Lord is unchanging in his character and nature. That our Savior does distinguish the unrighteous and imposters from the righteous and committed. That despite the hurt and pain, even to His own children and followers, we are still His “ treasured possessions.” He will make this earth right someday.

This truth covers me with hope when the reality of experiences in Africa demonstrates otherwise. Life here in Africa, and specifically the Sudan, is harsh and raw. Over the last several weeks I’ve experienced first hand how devastating the effects of AIDS, disease, cruelty and people are. So often I receive prayer letters, glance at the opening scripture passage quickly then really focus on the meat of the missionaries stories and work. So I feel a little funny writing out scripture on my own here… but these verses from Malachi were exactly what I needed to read this morning.

Forgive me for having been away from internet contact lately, bad connections lately in Torit and then a good portion of my short trip to Arua, Uganda followed by Kampala were spent recovering from repeated bouts with malaria, parasites, and lots of other fun, friendly and endearing protozoa. When in doubt apparently go to a local, though notable, Kampala medical clinic and take lots and lots of blue pills! They did wonders for me. On a serious note though I cannot say strongly enough that there have been several illness bouts and some physical issues that have cleared up over time; Very thankful for His healing power.

News from the school: The Sudan examinations have begun, so Kyle and I are “busy” supervising hundreds of young men and women taking their end term tests. This may last several weeks…then a short break followed by a return to classes in late August. It’s been a difficult road for me at the school, I am floored by the opportunity to be in a secular school system in the Sudan ( all the Lord’s action ) and to have another AIM missionary join me, Kyle Kemp, and see him interact and grow at the school is truly the Lord’s handiwork. Quite often I feel the weight of being a pioneering missionary in allowing the Lord to use me as a ‘ foundation.’ Teaching at the Torit Secondary School though in regards to my actual teaching and input at the school has been minimal at best. A large portion of my time in Torit has been far more centered on building relationships this past year…wow, yeah, almost a year. Any measurable, tangible vocation has been set aside for this purpose I pray and trust. It’s been a remarkable nearly one year so far.

Some other developments:

The local Bible studies which were taking place with the nearby Kenyan laborers has come to a stop. The Lopii company that hired the men have closed their operations in Torit. That short time with these great guys have made me far more aware even now of the need to train and equip as ‘ we do not know the day nor hour.”

Forming a Scripture Union at the secondary school is taking time. A local Sudanese ministry official is helping push this process. Unfortunately, in the Sudan even a local Christian school program is subjected to the pull of local politics. At times I wonder if a functioning Scripture Union will develop here in Torit during my lifetime. I’ve also found that being here, and pushing for this program, may be the extent of my work in the S.U..
From this point on our local Africa Inland Church and Ministry officials need to collaborate to produce an organization such as Scripture Union. To that extent my hands are tied really…

During my last trip into Kampala I did some follow up research and work with local pastors and schools in regards to a possible Mslim ministry potential. I also had a few meetings with AIM’s Central Region administrators about looking into moving at some point to Kampala, Uganda to help spearhead a ministry through the secular educational system. My interest in this avenue ( and possible change in location ) is strong. Would this be a radical change? Yes, in that I will be moving from the Sudan. No, however, in that Kampala has become a second home and any move would involve teaching and working more closely with establishing and building relationships geared toward reaching Mslims. Also, AIM has streamlined its administrative borders, so Uganda is in the same AIM administrative district as is the South Sudan. We are all working together as an AIM team though we live in different locations. Above all, is the Lord deeply involved in this decision, or future move?

Will you lift this possible change and move in ministry up in prayer? I feel confident in allowing the Lord to move me in this way, but always desire you, my supporters to be a part of this change and also to approve.

Comments about Torit by Missionary friend Gene in August 2008

2008-08-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

We landed on a grassy airstrip in Nimule, right at the border Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan. I am still amazed on the simplicity of these airstrips and the ruggedness of the planes that land on these sites. Your welcoming party usually sits atop pickups or Toyota Landcruisers while rudimentary huts serve as their control towers. On this flight, the only passengers on this Mosquito (the plane) were me and Bishop Johnson. Quite a nice fellow. One thing about traveling is that you get to meet really interesting people. He is the bishop of the District of Torit (DOT), but had to stop by Nimule for a formal function. I admire Catholic priests, maybe because my great uncle was one and I admired what he had done. And maybe also I think it would be neat to wear a collar…I admire men in uniform, haha. Anyways, I digress again.

So we dropped off Bishop Johnson and we picked up Darlene (who is a nurse/mid-wife) who hails from Ohio to spend a couple of weeks with her daughter (who works in an orphanage). So off we went and in another 30 minutes (about NE of Nimule), we were again on the ground in Torit, Sudan. Once we had stopped rolling, I see Kyle Kemp (a short-termer from MN) holding out a white piece of paper with my name written on it approaching the plane. Haha, that cracked me up! He thought that I might get lost and confused in the ‘crowds.’ Haha, nonetheless, I felt very welcomed indeed! It was good to see Kyle. He spent a month with me in Kampala before coming up to Sudan with Matthew Lovelace. Kyle is such a good guy. Although he is a bit younger he is down-to-earth, not pretentious and funny. I am not very good with explaining, but you will have to take my word for it. So now, with me up here, all three of us are reunited, once again. It is good to be in the company of other men (no offense to the other girls) – if you can call us that. I still feel like I am a boy. Anyways, Matthew was down in Kampala with me the other week for a break so it is good that we get in touch several times throughout the year.

The air smelled of manure: not the best first impression, but, oh well, we will have to live with that. I later find out from Matthew and Kyle that the locals tended to use the other side of the airstrip as the town public restroom – wonderful! Thus the odor that I smelled was not from livestock but from humans: not the most pleasant thought. Actually, as I walked around town the smell of human feces was an all too common feature that really never left you. Plus, you really had to be careful on where you step…especially when you are trudging through taller grass. Fortunately, I have yet to step on any.

The AIM (Africa Inland Mission) field house is interestingly right beside the airstrip, which makes it a really cool place to be. Just imagine planes and helicopters landing in your backyard ever so often?! So, currently the AIM unit leaders are on home assignment and it is only Matthew and Kyle that are manning this ‘outpost.’

Invigilating?!

It is funny how people who speak English as their second language tend to use the more formal words. I know how that feels because I tended to that as well, even now. This is the last week of the second term and Matthew and Kyle are usually out in the school invigilating (you will have to look that one up if you want to know what that means) for most of the day.

What HIV/AIDS?!

I, on the other hand, walked over to the local hospital to just take a quick glance. I ended up hanging out with a bunch of instructors for the nursing school. The two in particular I was talking with were initially stationed in Juba (the capital of Southern Sudan), but was recently transferred over to Torit. Government employees, especially in health-related and educational fields usually do not have a say on where they are stationed. At times they can be posted in a region quite far from their family. This seems to be the norm here in Africa. Anyways, they asked me where I was from and I had to tell them that I was born in the Philippines but I am currently living in the United States. Often times, Africans do not believe that I am American – understandably so, because I am not white (that is ok though).

Anyways, we got to talking to what I was going here in Sudan and overall, Africa – and all the details that comes with that. Basically, the usual. They asked what was my impression on the HIV/AIDS situation – and I told them: honestly speaking, the spread and prevalence of HIV/AIDS here in Africa, if not, in the world are preventable and controllable. It is through the behavior and in some part culture that the HIV/AIDS pandemic has such a devastatingly deadly impact here in Africa. And…in unison, they nodded approvingly – I found that interesting, but not surprising. I know most Africans – well at least the people I have met – know what the problem is. Haha – but the conundrum is with the knowledge of the problem itself. Are people willing to change their behavior or more challengingly (is that a word) their culture/customs to combat this situation. I think with behavior – it will be easier to change with education and the knowledge that comes with it. However, with culture and customs that is so ingrained into the people itself it would be a more challenging endeavor. But I catch myself, as I think and write about this I realized that often times our behavior stems from our customs and culture, true? Duh! Still, there is hope – I see some changes and what can be done successfully in places like Kampala, Uganda. People are more aware and are slowly realizing the consequences of their behavior and the ‘imperfections (?)’ of their culture and customs. Here in Sudan, on the other hand, has a long way to go. Apparently, they do not have much of a problem with HIV/AIDS as compared with other countries. In fact, they say that they fear that the influx of people due to a lull in the fighting will bring potential infected people into the region. However, they really cannot prove that since they do not have any type of surveillance or education program regarding HIV/AIDS in the region yet. Oh well. The same goes when I went up to the Horn of Africa.

Anyways, I am realizing that there is no ‘perfect’ culture. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses – and more importantly there are definitely some absolute right and wrong in each. Would you ever think that female genital mutilation (or maybe you might want to term it as ‘circumcision’) as being ‘alright’ in certain cultural contexts? Hmm…I do not think so, but you are welcome to disagree.

With that said, I often ask myself where God is in all of this – and how, we as believers manifest His will in addressing these problems. In part, I sincerely know that when faced with these issues first hand, we are His hands and feet in doing something practical about it. We do something physical and worthwhile, right? We are ultimately humanitarians (and there is nothing wrong with that word) and a lot of us have heard this call at home and abroad. Jesus did the same a while back – so I figure we should do likewise. Yet for us who believe, there is more to life than what we see – and all of us, believer or not, crave something deeper like the woman near the well. Jesus also answered that. Body and soul – our God wants to heal and bring us back to Him. Unfortunately, I – we know that it is not all perfect in the real world and death and injustices still happen even when we try to stop it.

So we are back to the reality of the HIV/AIDS pandemic – besides other things – that is affecting Africa. There are a ton of things going wrong in this ‘dark continent’ – yet for some reason, there is still so much hope. I am reminded of the hardships Joseph went through when he was initially sold into slavery by his own brothers, wrongly accused by potiphar and forgotten by the baker – before at last he became the second most powerful man in Egypt. It is amazing how he clung to the reality of his God, remained faithful and waited patiently for God’s timing. In the end, when he confronted his brothers fearing retribution he said with sincerity, “ you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:20).” I find it funny at times, that even with all these bogus and fake pastors in Africa, the reality of God is still so fiercely pursued among Africans. Maybe the presence of so many problems here in Africa is there for some reason – whether it is by God’s will or man’s doing, or both – hopefully, will produce the good God intended. And at the same time, we will there cooperating with Him to facilitate it.

Back in Torit, Sudan--Apr.8-08

2008-05-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

Upon arriving back into Torit I immediately left for the local hospital, not for myself, but rather to “see” the work being conducted by a visiting eye clinic team that came up from Uganda and stayed at our AIM compound for the week. So the week has already been full.

The local secondary school is still not in session…for many reasons. One is that the school system is in chaos, but we’ve covered this in previous writings haven’t we? The other reason school was closed was due to a national census that the government had spent months training hundreds/thousands of employees for the sole purpose of registering the entire South Sudan.

And now, as of today, the national census has been cancelled indefinitely. Ouch. Rumblings are starting again. The South saying the North is behind the stoppage, the North blaming the South. The Northern government registering and claiming the entire nation as either M. or animist, no Christians apparently! The Southerners are expressing anger at the North. So where do we go from here? This may become international news soon. For all the wrong reasons unfortunately. Let us continue to pray for this obviously fragile peace.

Torit itself continues to build at a rapid rate, we have another cell phone tower!
And this weekend ALL, the AIM South Sudan workers will be congregating at our Torit compound for our yearly retreat. Beginning Tuesday, the 15th of April ( Taxes! ) fellow missionaries will be arriving by land and place to stay with us here in Torit. It will be a crazy and filled week indeed….what a life.

Please write when you are able. Some of you have been giving and praying and blessing me behind the scenes in unbelievable ways. What fantastic confidence you have in His work here…may I burn into the work here. No matter what is before me, thanks so much.
A few, short prayer items if you will….
For continuing outreach in the community of Torit…I am praying for relationships with Jesus to develop with many of the Arab men and teachers I work with daily in & outside of school.

A healing body and specifically lower back….yes. How much fun I know.
But to have a developing injury in a area when ALL my transport is based on carrying and lifting and walking…makes a tender injury slightly concerning. Love total healing and relief and I know He can do this…

The month of May will see many fellow friends and co-workers leaving the Sudan and specifically Torit. Phil and Linda Byler, will be leaving for a four month furlough back to Pennsylvania. Kelly Miller will be leaving Torit this month for a "permanent" return to Virginia and several other fellow South Sudan colleagues will be returning to Canada or the States. Always in transition…..

Love, Lovelace

April in Uganda 4-08

2008-05-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

On the 8th of April I returned from a lengthy stay in Uganda. Since landing back on the Africa soil in October I had yet to take any break from the ministries and work… Sometimes I become so absorbed in my present ministries that leaving is an after thought. I left Torit before the Easter weekend for a short “time out” and traveled by road through the South Sudan country spending one evening in Gulu, Uganda. This was my first encounter with the area of Northern Uganda which had until recently been engulfed in civil war. A war lead by the Lord’s Resistance Army and armed by child soldiers stolen from the Northern Acholi Ugandan tribes. Gulu, Uganda is now a prospering, developing East African town, comparable to any place in Kenya or Uganda. Sorry, but the Sudan isn’t quite there yet. When Torit has a gas station with apples and Diet Coke, then we’ve arrived! After an evening in Gulu, I hitched a ride on a large bus at around four thirty a.m. and arrived the same day into the heart of bustling Kampala town.

Thankfully, the time away from the Sudan in Uganda was refreshing and of course busy. I have earned the nickname “ Motor” from my beloved Aim colleagues at the Kampala, Uganda Central region offices. Never slowing down. So true. Absorbing and treasuring the time in Africa, whether Sudan, or Uganda, or Kenya makes my life blessed. How I desire to share this time with all of you. I have become close friends with another AIM’er named Gene Tan who works in AIDS research at a well-established Kampala, Uganda health clinic named MildMay. Together Gene and I shared a flat in Kampala alongside other AIM co-workers

The few weeks in Kampala were filled with various activities. Had the opportunity to volunteer at a local street children’s shelter named Dwelling Places. Gene and I were even able to take a few of these young men out to a movie…“ The Spiderwick Chronicles?” Does that ring any bells…anyway. The boys loved it. I also found new ways, even in a foreign city, to integrate into the very large, and visible, M. community. During one day a local M. Sheik took me to his Arab/M. training school located outside the Kampala area. I then spent an afternoon at the Mosque as a “guest” and visited his extended family and home. Hopefully, as time goes I will have further opportunities to reach into the M. community that is very open, and populous in the capitol of Uganda.

A Time of serving

2008-04-26T13:51:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday evening, before a lesson, one of the men who I have befriended explained that he would need to leave to tend to his neighbor. I nodded. Then I became curious as to what was really happening next door. I left his hut, walked next door, and saw one of the young men who had been attending the classes writhing in pain and agony on his sweat drenched old mat. He had contracted what seemed to be a severe case of malaria and was being tormented by pain and discomfort. As I watched, my Arab friend began feeding and tending to this man. Here was a humble example of a man, who prays day and night to a god who cannot hear, serving and loving one in desperate need as Jesus commanded me. I decided to help. Through the early evening we both took turns feeding and giving water to this young man. As my friend went for evening prayers I stayed with K. and his wife, praying over him and sprinkling his body with water.

These men desire to be purified from their sin but we know that only Christ can offer eternal cleansing. After writing to this point I returned to this man’s household yesterday to discover a mourning service in his memory. K. had passed away the evening after I was with him, leaving a young wife and one year old son. We have NO promise of tomorrow here.

Jer. 12:5 Feb. 2008

2008-04-26T13:43:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah 12:5 “If you have raced with men on foot and grown tired how can you compete with horses?
If you stumble in a safe country how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?”

Scripture doesn’t always encourage me the way my heart believes it must. Jeremiah was disturbed at the injustice he witnessed in the world around him. He brought his concerns before the Lord, and the Lord responded with the above words. Do these comfort a wounded and weary heart? Will they bring strength to me? Or you? Still, they must for God is good, all the time. Every life experience prepares a believer for what the Lord has for him… walking in faith is indeed life’s most challenging work.

Honestly, at times seeing the surrounding misery makes me long for the strength to work harder… and other times to crawl into a hole and watch Super Bowl re-runs and eat frozen yogurt. No frozen yogurt in the Sudan yet. Mmm, what I wouldn’t do for some frozen coffee flavored Yoplait.

Lately, the wind and dust have picked up considerably here in the Torit area. Wind is blowing through the streets like an old western movie, complete with swirling dirt and at times, the banging of a saloon door.
Seriously, my Harley Davidson boots and lengthening hair are adding to my developing cowboy persona with the local people.

Beside the sudden change in the weather, the past two months have seen other changes in my ministry work. I have become more and more ingrained into the social life here in Torit. With these friendships have come new opportunities for witnessing and ministry. Recently, several Arabic men approached me in the market and asked if I would be willing to teach them the English language. As I have been praying for open doors into this unreached and Arabic community I readily accepted. Will you remember this in your prayers: that the Lord would stir in the hearts and dreams of these Arabic men who may have never heard the Good News.

Almost daily I venture into the Arab section of the Torit city, meeting with the tradesmen, speaking Arabic and learning about their life and culture. The North African people are uniquely mystifying to me. Embracing and tender toward me, yet rigid and harsh in their own beliefs. Much of this of course directly ties to their suffocating religious convictions. Slowly, God is bringing in His light.

KENYAN B. Study 2/08 -- Excerpts from letter to LCS

2008-04-26T11:26:00.000-07:00

The Bible study with our Kenyan neighbors meets in our yard every Tuesday and Friday night. Thanks for your concern and questions about the Bible study. We just had another bible study last night under the stars. We have spent many weeks reading through the book of Daniel. Fires, lions, hands writing mysteriously on the wall, miracles, dreams, Angelic deliverance and stories of very dedicated and faithful soldiers for Christ! What incredible reading Daniel is! We have really grown from reading the true tales of men pushed to the limit by their faith and have seen firsthand our Father’s deliverance. Just last night we reviewed the first three chapters of Daniel and had a time of singing (songs in Kiswahili, not English) then concluded with prayer. These men and the Bible study has meant a great deal for my own spiritual growth.

This Bible study is made up of many Kenya (African ) men who have traveled into the Sudan as hired, foreign laborers and construction workers. Kenya is the country I spent two years living in and teaching before the Sudan. Kenya is located just south of the Sudan. Here in Torit there are many Kenyan men and women working or looking for work. These particular men live in an adjacent compound next to our compound. Will you pray for men such as….ready for some more names? Raphael, Julius, Daniel, and Joseph. Many more men attend the Bible study however, these men help guide and lead. Our study would not be possible without their steadfast work and dedication. Their faith is stronger than mine. Very difficult lives these faithful men have. So far from home and family, displaced in a foreign, neighboring country, living in tin shacks and sleeping on old, dirty mattresses but still praying and singing glory to the Lord out of thanksgiving, not obligation!

TEACHING IN TORIT 2/08 Excerpts from letter to LCS Students

2008-04-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

Where can I start? Many of you asked about the weather…it’s hot. The average temperature is between 90 degrees and often even 100. It is not humid here but it’s very dry, almost desert like scorching, windy heat. The past week I have been sleeping outside our compound in a tent as it is far more cool in the open air overnight. Here in the town of Torit, many…if not most, of the Sudanese people live in open air houses made out of mud and bricks so that the air and wind can cool them during the evening hours. This is the dry season so rain has been scarce. That is one of the differences in African climate; Rain is seasonal and of course, no snow. Which I do not miss, sorry guys! I heard how cold it has been in Lincoln. Maybe you can send some ice and snow in the next mail package.

I love teaching. Working within the South Sudan school system so far has been a very hit and miss process. I taught for three weeks, then the students had two weeks for the Sudan examinations. So my job was to proctor, or observe, the students to make sure they were diligently finishing their tests without cheating. The classrooms are dirty as wooden desks litter the rooms, and the windows are old and damaged. In every room are chalkboards; Ancient relics from years ago that create dust storms every time they are used. This Torit high school has yet to be rebuilt after the long civil war that destroyed the region.

The new school year began exactly one day after the end of the year! So on the 15th of February all teachers were reporting back to begin duties. Biology and English are now two subjects that I have been able to teach to the high school students here at the Torit Secondary School. The students do not have access to all the reading materials and textbooks that we do in America. No Encyclopedia Britannica’s, dictionaries or almanacs. The Sudanese teachers themselves use very old, and dusty hand-me-down instruction books and small hand size notebooks. Since the Sudan is rebuilding after many years of civil war the new government of the South Sudan is re-writing new curriculum textbooks for science, math, chemistry and history. Unfortunately, at the beginning of a new school year here the new textbooks are not yet even finished and have not been distributed to the Sudanese schools. So, you can see how chaotic and crazy is this school system. It is very unpredictable.

At the Torit Secondary School classes begin at eight in the morning and last until almost three o’ clock in the afternoon. Every day, at ten-thirty in the morning, the teachers eat a large meal together. This meal is called “ Fatur” which is Arabic for breakfast. Every day, twice a day, the cooks serve a very sugary drink called Shay. This is a sweetened tea. Most Sudanese eat only at ten-thirty in the morning and then again at four in the afternoon. These meals are almost always rice, beans, lentils or thick bread. These eating times are so different from our schedule in America!

My co-teachers are also very different! I am the only American on a staff of almost thirty teachers. Every other teacher is from Africa; Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan and North Sudan. Several of the North Sudan Arabic teachers are polite gentlemen who moved from the very large Sudan city called Khartoum. Khartoum is the capital of all of Sudan but is located hundreds of miles north from Torit. So these Arabic, men have traveled far, far from their homes.

January Conference in Kampala

2008-02-11T05:51:00.000-08:00

The conference in Uganda in January, was great fun. Expecially the time in the evenings with the other young missionaries (mostly young ladies.) We played Uno until 11pm a few nights and ate well. It is certainly an emotional time for me when I go from such a time of social engagement and then leave those people. Perhaps this is part of the sacrifice that Christ want me to make.

At the conference I laughed so hard that tears were streaming down my face. Can't remember precisely what the tears of joy were for; laughing at a stupid joke I made I'm sure. Most of my jokes are stupid. As God is the creator of our hearts, He surely desired us to express laughter and merriment as often as possible. We are created in His image, we laugh, sometimes so hard
we stream tears; therefore I believe Jesus also must have used humor to express love and truth.
Tell me your picture of Christ. Is it wrong to think of Jesus doubling over with a side ache as a result of laughing over many funny jokes with the disciples. I feel both images (Jesus on the Cross and Jesus laughing) are true of our Lord; great sacrifice and great humanity.
Does God laugh?

"Tears of joy will stream down their faces and I will lead them home with great care!"
Jeremiah 31:9

The time in Kampala, was a gift. The fellowship with other AIM believers
from eastern and central Africa was a great encouragement.
Our speaker spent three days teaching on the theme
of unity. He emphasized the crucial role all Christians are called to perform in loving other followers of Christ. And this unity starts with your own family, and then extends to your fellow missionary partners. The scripture came from the book of John (chapters 17-19).
A highlight for me was reading John 17:20-23, "My prayer for all of them is that they are one." Unity. Jesus fervently prayed for each one of us to demonstrate our love by living in harmony with our fellow missionaries on the field and in the workplace.

Thankfully, the Lord was crucified and resurrected in order that we can be cleansed from all
unrighteousness.

Upon my return to Torit I began my usual journey through the marketplace. Torit is a stream of shops strung together with a few open and large city streets. As I walked through one of the main strips, near where many young Sudanese boys hang out with their motor bikes,
I noticed a fairly large crowd. Now, I was curious. I meandered through to the side of the hardware shop and witnessed some very hard core pornography. Shocked at the movie being shown...in public!! I let the operator of the video (& the local Dinka store owner) have it. Not sure what the Swahili word for #$!@ but my pronounciation wasn't too far off.
What should I have done?
What would Christ have done? I believe he would have also angrily lectured the owner.
Perhaps He would have done more? Jesus was exposed to sin .. but never corupted. Never.

I love the smell of smoke even though I don't smoke. But smoke, and crowded pool halls draw me in. So yes, I played my first pool game since arriving back into Africa. It was located in one
of the make shift bars that are popping up through out Torit. As you might guess, the pool
table was ripped up and lopsided. And I was easily defeated by my experienced Sudanese opponent. Better luck to me next time huh?

I have a weight room. Hugh, life altering news I know. But it's finally assembled. Tree pulley
system, cement and re-bar barbells and water jugs, a bench and now even professionally made dumbbells. I can now fully commence with my favorite hobby. Far better than the rocks I used while in Uganda. The shredded fingers prove that.

CROSSING THE BORDER + KENYA INTO SUDAN

2008-01-02T06:47:00.000-08:00

From Marich Pass, Kenya into the Sudan

“ Lord, will you blind the eyes of the border guards?”

It was a photo copy; Nervously, but confidently in Christ, I pulled the photo copy of my Sudan Travel Permit from my travel wallet and laid it before the Sudan Costumes official who glared at me as he sat in his desk.

Romans 5:3 “ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials-for we know that they are good for us – they help us to learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us, for we know how dearly God loves us because He has given us His Spirit to fill our hearts with love.”

Rejoice God, when events seem to turn against me? And these negative events are meant to strengthen my faith? To develop my character? Does anyone else struggle with this seeming strange scriptural paradox? “ How dearly God loves us…”

Luke chapter one, recounts the amazing story of the angel Gabriel announcing the birth of Jesus. Mary is the unsuspecting recipient of this world changing and life transforming news. But the angel says …. ‘dearly He loves you..” The God who fashioned the moon and stars loves us, and that means me, dearly. Dearly.

So this tells me that God loves me dearly…then my trust, absolute trust ( my health, body, words, work, family concerns ) are all rendered unto and under a God who loves me dearly. No problem or trial is NOT sent by the Lord without an intended purpose meant for His Kingdom building and under His dear love.

As His child He knows me inside and out and loves me dearly.

It was during my stay at Marich pass that the Bylers and I began to discuss the trip into the Sudan; Never a fun or predictable experience and one journey I had yet to make. All details must be in order at the Sudan/Kenyan border; Inventories of transported goods, legitimate reasons for traveling, and proper documentation is essential! It was the essential proper documentation aspect that I dropped the ball.

In Torit, Sudan I purchased a Sudan Travel Permit. This permit is permission to freely travel, leave, and re-enter the country. Searching through my documents I discovered one missing item! My Sudan travel Permit. This was major course for worry…and stress…and became a spiritual thorn in my side! Lacking my travel permit meant a few things would happen at the border. None positive on my side. If kicking myself in the hiny for mistakes were a degree I may have received a Master’ in this art. I was frustrated; Whether through a lack of preparation, honest mistake, or lack of clear understanding the reason for the mistake no longer mattered. The correct document was not on me. The Torit Travel Permit was however, neatly stacked away in my file; In Torit!

Immediately, and slightly nervously, I humbled myself before God and acknowledged the mistake. The resolution was no longer in my hands.

“ Lord, will you please blind the eyes of the border guards?”

How will I recover from this error? I placed the Ipod earphones into my ears and watched the sun set over the Marich Pass mountains in the distance.

“ Forgive me God, I’ve made a mess this time.” Stories abounded of other Christians who were pressed into walls where their faith was challenged. And our God delivered in remarkable ways…it was this help I now beseeched.

The entire evening spent in Kenya was lost on me, the beauty of Marich Pass, the sunset and sunrise, the Pokot Kenyan people. As I do when frustrated or nervous, I became quiet and withdrawn. Wallowing in my self indulgent way. Spiritually, I grew weary and depressed. Feeling I had let down the group, not as much worry over myself, but concerned about how this error may hurt or delay the progress of our journey back into the Sudan safely and securely.

Sunny and hot we arrived early in the morning near the Kenya border with the Sudan. As we approached the checkpoint the Kenyan police notified us of a recent car robbery that had taken place on the Lokichogio pass into the Sudan

And there is NO other option of another route. We prayed, waited and embarked along the route with a small convoy. Our cars drove slowly, bumping over the rocks and rocking occasionally with the curves of the uneven surfaced road.

Our mini convoy consisted of only the small, white vehicle ahead which added two passengers at the border checkpoint. Two armed Kenyan Turkana men.

We arrived without incident to Narus, Sudan.

The Sudan border station was a small town. Several shacks and tin shops were set up alongside the dusty street. The signs were in English and pulled onto the side to park our land rover and preceded to the border station. Before I rolled out of the vehicle I took a collection of photos sent to me from my family; Pictures of me holding Savannah, Mahoney Park family photos and the like. I stuffed a few into my travel wallet and breathed in, still nervous about what may happen in the next few minutes. As we walked my eyes searched every Sudanese man I walked past, hoping to smile at the right man. We entered the gates and went quickly to the border guard checkpoint station. After a short wait a plain clothed Sudanese man walked into the cramped, tin room and asked for our destination and purpose. My turn was first and walked toward him as he was seated in his chair at the table. I first acknowledged that I had made a mistake. I placed the photo copy of my Sudan Travel Permit on his desk and said that the original document was in Torit, Sudan where I lived and worked. After I strung this brilliant collection of English words together and I inhaled and shut up! He turned the paper over frontward and backward and then scanned the Travel Permit photocopy section.

“Where is the period?” His question surprised me. I looked at the gray, wrinkled copy of my face, scanning the bottom of the document hoping my eyes would find where his were focused. He never looked up, just placed his pen at the bottom line of the paper and began tracing in air the final stanza of the travel permit photocopy. His hand stopped and made a connection with the page. He paused, sighed, then looked at the paper, almost self satisfied with his personal correction he then said flatly, “ It’s O.K..”

He didn’t ask why the paper was left in Torit. He didn’t even look at my passport which I placed directly next to my travel wallet. He wasn’t demanding, belligerent, vocal or in the slightest bit interested in me. He handed the wrinkled sheet to me, looked past me at the Bylers standing behind me and motioned them forward. I said thank you and turned away. Walking outside I silently thanked the Lord for His remarkable provision of my needs. He provided the right person to check the paper and changed the man’s attitude and eyes; There is no other explanation for what transpired.

Still, as a group we were not totally out of the clear. The Sudan border and custom officials had developed a recent reputation for surly and nasty questioning.

Several tall, large African men began asking me numerous questions at the same time. Who was I, where was I headed, what country did I come from. The usual.

I explained that I was a teacher and had come to the Sudan for mission work and ministry. As we talked I pulled from my travel wallet the collection of photos that depicted my family. The men looked at these and were interested in all the smiling, white, happy faces. This may have changed their moods, though I’ll never know for certain. The men made a personal connection to me as a person after seeing my family and friends from our times at Mahoney and the airport before my departure.

In total we spent another hour checking out of the border, God granted clearance without further incident. The men did a good job. A good job of their assigned job, to check and mark the provided inventory, assign the correct paper work and allow the visitors to precede to their intended destination. Not without a Bible though! As we left the men inquired about the load of Bibles we were bringing into the country. The Bibles were a great gift from the mission’s agency in Loki, Kenya and were intended for sale to our Kenyan neighbor workers for our Bible studies. But one of the Sudanese men asked for a copy. So I opened the box and took a Bible out. Then grabbed a photo of my siblings and niece: I was hesitant to part with the photo of my parents or small group but placed it into the Bible to be used as I reader’s marker. From there we left.

And from here in Torit, on New Years Day, 2008 I write. Lord You deliver and to you alone is due all praise and worship.

After Christmas in Kenya -- DEC. 26, 2007

2008-01-02T06:24:00.000-08:00

After a wonderful Christmas with my Kenyan family, Stanley and Sylvia Mutangili the journey out of Nairobi began…on the wild and often terrible Kenyan highway system. Christmas was celebrated sans Christmas trees or holiday lights, snow or my own family from Lincoln, Nebraska. Love you.

I have spent only two Christmas’ away from the comfort and care of my own family, and both were in the home of Stanley and Sylvia. Their comfort and friendship has radically changed my life. A unique relationship in the making which the Lord has been sewing together for the better part of four years now.

No place I would rather spend the day of our Savior’s birth.

Early on the morning of the 26^th the three of us awoke and packed the little white car. We left and drove two hours to the nearby, and large, city of Nakuru, Kenya. Upon arriving we met up with my South Sudan team leaders, Phil and Linda Byler, and their son and daughter-in-law. We hugged goodbyes and the five of us began the long journey north into the desolate area of North Kenya. As we drove it became apparent that we would not have the time ( daylight hours ) necessary to reach our original night time destination.

As we all felt fatigued and the land rover’s headlights were failing anyway, we decided to stop in a remote area of Northern Kenya called Marich’s Pass. We turned right, from one dusty road onto another dusty road, and headed into an unknown stop. The Bylers were familiar with the story behind Marich Pass.

I was not.

A British man started a training center and school for the local Kenyan tribal group called the Pokot. Over the seventeen years this facility grew into a large, but hidden, campus with many nice facilities for overnight stays and small guest houses and rooms and a kitchen. Nestled into the Kenyan woods was a story book looking village that overlooked a dried out river bed river. We stopped and met the woman who operates the facility. Hidot was an Eritrean woman who had married the man who founded Marich Pass. And she had recently become a widow. Her husband who’s vision grew this sweet paradise, had been killed earlier in the year after being struck by a Kenyan passenger vehicle called a Matatu. His loss meant that her family, from all over the world, had gathered at Marich Pass to comfort their mother and help her mourn during the Christmas season.

We met Hidot and talked. She was still very hurt from the loss of her husband and wept openly over his loss as we spoke. Hidot would be the age of my mother, and my heart hurt for her. Had this been my mother… can’t imagine.

Thankfully, her family and extended relatives had arrived from all over the globe to be apart of this Christmas time. It was this group of family and individuals which really made the experience at Marich Pass stand out.

Hidot’s family, and friends of the family, had ties to the following nations and American states: Eritrea, Uganda, Miami, Nebraska, London, England, Switzerland, Juba, Sudan and of course us; We had Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Nebraska covered. Never before have I had a dinner with such an eclectic group of individuals. There were the young Eritrean men who operated a night club in Kampala, Uganda, the British journalism student Lee from London and his girlfriend Ruth from Eritrea. There was Dempsey and his wife, now living in Miami but with a long history of extended relatives who lived and operated a bank franchise in Lincoln, Nebraska. Small world huh? Hidot’s son, Paul, was an Eritrean national but moved to Marich Pass, Kenya from Zurich, Switzerland to help start a non government foundation. There was Robin, an elderly British national who has lived in Africa since 1947! All of these people were having an evening dinner of spaghetti and salad and became friends for an evening….very interesting conversations.

2007-12-21T10:05:00.000-08:00

hey....back into Bonjoge. My old stomping grounds were once again trampled underneath my size 10 Harleys. For two days i was able to visit the area of western Kenya where i taught for two years. The drive into the country of kenya from up north was bumpy, very dusty and filled with bruises and even a flat tire. Typical Kenya. God certainly is to be thanked. How great it felt to visit everyone that I lived with for two years. The Chichir family, my headmaster Elias Cheriuyot and also many of my fellow teachers had the pleasure of being the recipients once again of my sarcastic humor. I was the recipient of their great fellowship an company again. Great ugali, a wonderful wedding ( Congrats Elly ) and what a terrible drive back to finish it.....accept ....naw. It all was a blessing. Even the bumpy Matatu ride back into nairobi. The Lord was generous to me. Matthew

LIFE in Torit..... November 2007

2007-12-11T08:50:00.000-08:00

“ A Vision with a Task makes a Missionary”

Lord, may this be the case. “ Torit, is becoming the small Babylon.” Said Julius, a local Kenyan worker who I saw reading on his own the book of Thessalonians.

How right he is. At night here in Torit you can hear the drunkenness and debauchery. It’s everywhere. Even last night we were all praying here in Torit. Phil and Linda, The Nobles, Meghan, Kelly and I, when we heard the outside bell ring. Phil returned about five minutes later and said, “ There is a young lady, saying she is looking for Matthew Lovelace.!” I am thinking, OK. Hmmmm.

I went outside in the darkness with Phil and sure enough, there was a young, pretty high school aged girl, looking quite intoxicated and lost. She kept repeating my name and emphasizing that she wanting me for……. Eventually, we convinced her that she needed to return home and not be hanging outside the gate. She did, then returned shortly later that evening. It is sobering the level of need for the young in Torit .

A day later Linda Byler and I were walking to the local Torit Hospital. There is an AIM doctor from Uganda coming this next week to perform eye cataract surgeries. As we were outside the hospital I saw a young teacher from the Torit Day School shouting my name from a far. He came close, grasped my hand and immediately I could see that Vincent was extremely intoxicated. I took his hand, kept looking into his eyes and asking him how he was…really was? It was only maybe four in the afternoon. Literally two hours after school had just ended. And this guy was already smashed sadly! I have noticed other teachers as well leaving school, then returning with bloodshot eyes after lunch. Sad. Anyway, the teacher and I talked a little then he left me, returning to his home. He boasted then about the four beers he had and said as he left, “ Matthew, we are preparing for battle, we are prepared to fight!” Perhaps he was a former soldier. I would say though that his attitude reflects a growing number of young men around me.

The Torit day school resembles a bombed out collection of large outhouses.

Well, not exactly, but close. The area itself has about eight main buildings. Each has a nasty, gray color to the outside and all are very outdated. This contrasts to the extreme with the Torit Primary elementary School that is brand new, named after the late Sudanese leader John Garang and is beautifully constructed. How this happened? I would reply in Arabic “ Ana ma aruf?’ I have no idea. Sudan!

One of my prayers recently has been immersing myself into the Sudanese culture. Language, relationship building, and teaching. Africans and African educational leadership highly values the sciences. When I met with the Deputy Educational Leader of the Government of the South Sudan, James Amoko, I joked that my father was a science and biology teacher! And then I said, “ Yeah, he didn’t pass any of those science genes onto me though!” Mr. Amoko looked sternly, though not angrily at me, and stated bluntly…“ that is too bad, he should have!” End of discussion. Thankfully, the Lord has given me the chance to be persuasive and persistent in seeking that which He puts on my heart. God opened the doors into the school system amidst the initial refusal of two men. The Government of South Sudan Educational Deputy Minister, and then the Principal of the Torit School itself. Without the Lord’s help, those would be two pretty big no-no’s into working. When Phil had originally met with these men at first many weeks earlier their initial reactions were…not good toward a missionary/foreign teacher “infiltrating” their school systems. Especially, a teacher with no science background!

I love having my back against the wall. In the sit down discussions/interrogations with both men I was honest, forthright and truly trusting that Christ could remove any boundaries that laid in the hearts of these two important men. But yeah, I was sweating a little bit. I asked God to allow me to be a trailblazer for His work here in Torit. As AIM, we need inroads into the local community here of Torit. Teaching is the first step into the city really. Now, I have a job and base of work, acceptance, and relation to the community. I fill a tangible need and a respected position at that. We can continue to lift up and pray now for the salvation of the men within the school system. Mr. Perligreno as the Torit Head teacher has since been very welcoming to me and our relationship has blossomed. God, God, God all the way!

I of course am not certified in any science field. Yet, I had been praying much recently over becoming a more vital part of teaching. This meant looking into a science field for me. Biology is about plants and animals right, how hard can that be! So I borrowed a copy of the Sudanese Secondary Education Curriculum book and copied out the entire syllabus outline for years one and two. I then prayed about asking into teaching the field of Biology. I finished writing, reviewed everything related the Biology field, then walked into Mr. Perligreno’s office and approached him with the syllabus booklet. I offered to teach Biology! And thankfully, he accepted. A new challenge for the coming year.

The Torit staff is split in two sections. The teaching staff is half Arabic, meaning teachers from the Northern Sudan ( Khartoum ) and the other half is Sub-Saharan African instructors. The Sudanese curriculum is in shambles. There are NO books to be used by the students. And there may be two hundred or more students. The past few days after returning from Ikotos my entire task was to understand the Sudanese system of education by asking questions of the Deputy Headmaster and the staff. To my surprise, this only complicated the situation. No teacher is even sure of when the exams will show up. The staff of about thirty have/share maybe one textbook for the entire school!

Further confusing the situation is that the law requires an Arabic curriculum and English curriculum. So literally half of my teaching co-workers are Northern Arabic speaking, sent by the Northern government to instruct the Southern Black students in Arabic. Another motivation for me to immerse myself in the local Arabic. So there is an Arabic stream of students and an English speaking and learning stream of students. Learning Arabic now is a great value. I do believe that part of truly loving people in another culture is learning the language.

I have made this my goal to be done so completely, even to the point of walking around the town with my notepad and memory cards for using not just Arabic, but funny, Swahili as well. The rest of the Torit Day School teaching staff comes from Uganda, Kenya, and nearby areas of the South Sudan. Outreach is right in front of me now!

One of the difficulties that we have encountered to a degree here in the Sudan is developing a strong, outreach mindset with the Africa Inland Church leadership.

So much of the local AIC leaders are interested only in local church planting and missionary staffing at their local institutions. Adding to the problem I believe is the AIC concentration on their own people groups and local areas. Phil has felt this “pressure.” When the AIC leaders discovered that a new, young missionary teacher was coming into the Sudan their was an overwhelming sense of agreement, made without my consultation that I would be “placed” in Ikotos. The local AIC leaders were very, very much desiring the new, young missionary man ( me) to be in Ikotos. My opinions and heart felt leadings were not in the discussions. Phil courageously stated to the AIC Church leader of the Eastern Equitorea State of the Sudan that he couldn’t just demand and mandate that an AIM missionary go to a local place. But that God would call that person to the location that He willed. Many of the AIC South Sudan leadership staff were themselves former soldiers. The military mind set goes deep, even amongst the believers in the country. So a personal prayer request of mine has been the AIC Torit Church to see the VALUE of outreach. Not just church planting and local tribal school ties…. This needs to develop for true reconciliation.

After arriving back into Torit I immediately returned to the Torit day School. Phil and I met with Mr. Perligreno, the Headmaster and we clarified the nature of my work. We set up a contract agreement that he thankfully accepted without questions. Seeing faith in action amazes me!

More about Ikotos.... the blind & the lame

2007-12-11T08:47:00.000-08:00

November, 2007

Ikotos was also amazing for the following

I met a young, single blind man named Willie. He stopped by in the morning and once sunny AM I took the liberty to describe for him what colors feel like.

Black people are the color of the heat of the sun, white people are the color of coolness. We laughed then played thumb wars together. God has blessed me by allowing me to see; How does Willie See? Laughter is definitely healing to the soul mom and dad and family. Willie laughed and laughed at all my antics and botched Arabic numbers, and just joking around in English.

Ambrose, a man who lives in Ikotos met me. Ambrose has legs which were born deformed. He cannot walk. Each day, he crawls on his two arms throughout the town and also to the huts and house where we stayed each morning. He knows English well and one morning we got into a discussion on singleness. Why am I single? Ambrose wondered why I had not yet married? I like to think the Lord will provide, but why no now, I honestly feel He has work that will reward the Kingdom still as a single man. He wants me to be.

Ambrose is single because he is lame. He cannot walk. Women do not want a man that cannot work and support them, he is not valued as masculine. But he is so masculine, a tough, Godly man that must crawl on hands and knees in the hot, Sudan sun every day. So we talked about purity, singleness, and our desires for a mate. But wow, are perspectives were as different as our skin colors and life experiences. Very sobering. “Lord, thank you for the use of my legs.”

Reverend Tobiolo shared with us the deadly encounters with he Lord’s resistance Army. A few years ago the LRA attacked his local Sudanese village. They destroyed the area and murdered many of the people of Ikotos. Tobiolo said that after witnessing the bloody murders his faith was almost gone. Only his wife brought him back, back into an attitude of forgiveness and reconciliation. How can I not quickly forgive a Sudanese police officer that humiliates me for fun. Tobiolo has to wrestle with the complete murder of a group of friends and family. The stories that many of these people LIVED is heartbreaking.

Snakes bite. Scorpions sting. Thankfully, I have never experienced this first hand. But two local Ikotos people did visit our home while we were there after experiencing these dangers. The local missionary family, Jordan and Andrea Scotland, have a battery that can be used as a sting/bite shocker. How exactly it works??? No idea. But it does work by administering a shock that radiated through the person’s infected leg or arm and helps remove the toxicity. Medically it is said to be not possible, but after witnessing the treatment first hand two times. Once I was the battery charger guy, I believe in it’s power.

Events of Nov 15, 2007 .. Journey to Ikotos

2007-12-11T08:42:00.000-08:00

Events of Nov. 15, 2007 Journey to Ikotos:

Romans 8:28 “ All things work out for good for those who are called.”

Where Lord do you want me? How many times had I asked that question? After this past week God has answered numerous prayers and spoken clearly as to His path for this stage of my life. After a year of praying and communicating over the assignment possibilities in both Ikotos ( rural Sudan ) and Torit I finally had the chance to see in person the Ikotos area and community.

As with any journey anywhere into Sudan the time was exciting, confusing and slightly unnerving. Ikotos is a small, market centered community that has a small but growing Africa Inland Church mission’s school for the local Sudanese community. As the school is associated with the African Inland Church, many of the local pastors were strongly pushing for another Kuwanja ( Arabic for white person ) to be the teacher, or head teacher at the school. As I have been looking at returning into Africa, and knowing my skills as a teacher, Ikotos was heavy on my heart and mind. Much of my prayer life the past year focused on whether the Lord was asking me to join a rural community again in Africa and help start and run this school.

On the 15^th of November we flew into Ikotos. We took a small, chartered missionary plane and left Torit. The flight itself was short in duration and allowed me to view the whole of the countryside. Much of this area of the very South Sudan had, at one time, been completely run by the Lord’s Resistance Army of Northern Uganda. So much of the Southern Sudan has been engulfed in two separate and terrible conflicts. The LRA and the Civil War. Many large hills and mountains dotted the area and the beauty of the colors will hopefully be clear in the photos. It was a short, but beautiful flight.

Ikotos is a small town set into the local mountains. We arrived and I stayed in the Tukul hut of Meghan Baird, an AIM short term teacher in Ikotos. Meghan, along with Kelly Miller and Linda Byler, were subjected to my male presence for the better half of four days. And all are still alive and well as I write this letter from Torit. As a guy I had been wrestling with the Lord as to my presence still as a missionary in the Sudan. Torit was home, but I also needed peace in my heart over visiting Ikotos and seeing the school. It was a very unexpected, and to an extent, humiliating confrontation with a power wanting Sudanese security official in Ikotos that reminded me of Christ like humility.

On Saturday, Linda, Kelly, Meghan and I walked to the local, small police district headquarters in Ikotos. We brought our identification papers, the ladies their passports and me the photocopies. The man sat us down, smiled often, then began writing out the passport information in a little, old fashioned notepad book.

No problem, he writes, we smile, we go…on into the day. However, after he wrote down the passport numbers he then looked at the one young man in the audience, me, and his turned red. “ You my friend, where is your passport!”

Passport! I’m thinking, “ My passport, we’ll you got the photocopy right there man, what do you mean?” It was not dawning on me, with all my personal and interpersonal skills ( spiritual gifts anyone ) that he was ticked! But I had done nothing ‘wrong’ so I was struggling with why this man’s blood pressure was becoming clearly evident through his scalp. Along with us the Ikotos head AIC Pastor, Tobiolo came to escort us. Thank the Lord for that development. Soon, the angry Ikotos security official was speaking in Arabic with the local, Ikotos pastor; Reverend Tobiolo is a very Godly man, well respected in Ikotos and was there speaking now on my behalf. The Sudanese police chief finally relented and allowed the three women to go back to the huts and collect my passport.

My emotions. I apologized profusely, was genuinely sorry that now there was a strained relationship in the local area between the police and missionaries. He tried repeatedly to humiliate me, in front of the other four people, and then gave grunted permission for the women to go. “ My friend, if you are lying to me….”

His threats all followed this train of communication. When the ladies left reverend Tobiolo asked for his permission to hear me. For ten minutes I finally expressed everything that he seemed to be accumulating for eight weeks of time in Africa.

“ I am sorry,” I said. “ But I did nothing intentionally wrong, and have also spent one year, praying for the Sudan, praying for HOW the Lord will use me to help rebuild this country! Your country! I have left my family, my schools, my house, my car, everything I knew.!” I continued like this for about five to six minutes and instead of digging myself a hole I seemed to come across finally as a person. I quickly shared my entire life, ( basically ) emphasizing the Lord’s guiding me into the Sudan, my heart for his people and the sacrifice to just come. His eyes looked everywhere but at mine, he at times pointed his pen at my face but always kept quiet. It wasn’t anger, but genuine hurt I felt.

Twenty minutes later the ladies returned, with the passport. The police man took the passport, reopened the book and wrote down the exact same information he had written out earlier. He was surprised to find that I wasn’t eighteen years old!

His entire thinking was that I was not even twenty year old, just a young, punk from the America that needed a good kicking in Sudanese respect. Now. As our Father works this is how the story ended. After writing out the passport information, I started joking with the police officer. Within a few minutes the following things happened: He started to smile, he began laughing, he took my hand and we walked outside together, hand in hand! In Africa culture, men hold hands as comrades and friends, personal touch between men in this way is a strong symbol for friendship. We parted as respected friends. Only God could answer those sweaty, mental prayers for help. Lord willingly, I may again see him.

The remainder of the time in Ikotos was eventful afterwards more for spiritual clarity then mental wrangling and waging with a police officer. The headmaster of the Ikotos AIC School is a man named Job Otieno. Job is a Lou man from Kenya. I immediately liked him when we met and over the next few days we had much time together. My Swahili started to get a lot more use all over again. Thankfully, the home stay in Mathias Akabati and Bianca Akabati’s house made all the language of Swhaili fresh in my mind. Job felt called by the Lord to go to the Sudan and help rebuild a school. He didn’t know for sure where, until he providentially ran into Phil Byler on a trip to Juba, Sudan. The men met, spoke, then traveled together. Then, as often happens in Africa, they both got stuck together on a terribly muddy road. It was here that Job and Phil communicated over the need for the Ikotos AIC school to have a leader. Job felt this was the school and area the Lord wanted for him.

For how long I had been praying for Ikotos. Now, to be here in person, to meet the local people, pastor, and now headteacher…and to miss the ministry in Torit. That was everything. The local Africa Inland Church leaders strongly pushed Phil Byler to send me, on command almost, to Ikotos. After visiting the area, I am so thankful for God placing me into the heart of the Torit school system, community, and missionary family here. Also, Meghan Baird is doing a wonderful job at the school, learning the Arabic and blending into the community in great ways. The Lord clearly showed that my new ministry and location is the city of Torit. Not the rural, secluded county of Ikotos. That is spiritual clarity!

Finally, I feel confident that the Lord is moving me on. And not only that, but God used the confrontation with the police man, to allow Linda and I to talk, really talk. I was upset, and still unsettled personally from all of the travel and newness and ‘freedom’ everything. That was the greatest blessing of the whole trip. To now be in true fellowship and friendship with the AIM Co-ordinator.

The Bylers and I will be staying together in Torit. Partnering together in Torit. And now, this is finally a home and family to me. God definitely worked ALL these things out for good. It just took patience, praying, roughing up and some small humility pills taking.

Torit, Sudan

2007-12-02T19:06:00.000-08:00

"Every tribe Every language"

Torit is a small, very African cosmopolitan city. The main strip of the city is a market version of the Wild West. In Africa at least, the people groups are many and the languages are numerous. Somalia, Eritrea ( Idetitnae?greeting ) Arabic traders, Kenyan, Ugandans, Congolese, Ethiopians, Pakistani and Bangledash soldiers who ride around in huge UN convoys. And of course the many different Sudanese tribes; Lutucko ( Ngai), Dinka, Massai Kenyans, and many other Sudanese peoples. Several of the young men I’ve noticed have very distinctive facial and shoulder arm tattooing across their bodies? Every single young Sudanese man is dressed in brightly colored soldier regalia. The Rastafarian hats with khaki shorts or pants and of course always some sort of camouflage. Many NGO’s also make their home in Torit. Catholic social services, of course the UN, Merlin ( A medical group based from somewhere…)

Since my time here I have seen a city emerging from the end of war. There are military marches, numerous armed police forces, motor bikes everywhere, huge convoys, trucks, lorries, construction projects, Wildlife services, Kenyan laborers, SPLA soldiers, Northern government soldiers. Every head of government branch is located for the district of the Eastern Equitoria region here. So the town itself is painted with the colors of the Southern Sudan new government. Buildings, T-shirts, cars, houses. The people of Torit live in tukuls. These are cone/cylinder shaped homes constructed from mud, or cement, and grass thatched roofs. To fly over the city you would see all the newly constructed offices with shiny metal roofs, and then the thousand of tukul and cone shaped huts.

Meeting with Education Minister & out in Torit

2007-12-02T18:57:00.000-08:00

The Schools in Torit

If you had seen me you both would have been impressed. Dressed in the nice khaki pants and my blue dress shirt I walked early from the house of Mathias and Bianca. I stopped by the AIM compound and grabbed my folder with my school and registration photos. Then I made sure I meandered through the Torit city until reaching the Government of the South Sudan Educational Office. Mr James Amoko was late, which is alright, it’s Africa, and with the usual very stern look on his face. When I was called into the office he greeting me briefly and told me he was the third in command (Sudan is ALL military structured, even the schools)and would introduce me to the Torit Headmaster.

So Mr. Francis Amiji and a driver went to the secondary school. How do I describe the school?

I first met with the headmaster and his deputees. His name was Mr. Petriolius.

He apparently is a local Catholic Bishop at the Catholic Church. We talked, he was polite then we went to the staff room. The setting of the school and layout is nothing like Bonjoge. Very flat, very dry and arid. Upon entering the staff room I noticed that the teaching staff was half Arabic and half black Sudanese. Their is a very strong Arabic community and teaching staff. So the students are fluent in Arabic and English then is another separate wing of the school. Overwhelming are my feelings now. The Deputy Education Minister and the Headmaster and I went from classroom to classroom for my introduction. There are many different buildings. So this took awhile. Later, I had some time with the principal himself. I am praying for this relationship. He is not a believer. In fact, it may be that very few, if any, of the Torit Secondary school staff are saved. A young lady Florence is involve with the AIC Church here on occasion. She actually was an interpreter at the pastor’s house a few days ago.

But Muslim staff and beliefs dominate the school.

Torit Secondary is a mixed, day school. So there are female students. Very few girls however, and the schedule is from 7:45 until 2:40 in the afternoon. No boarding school situation. What a deal. I was praying on my return walk, with several Muslim staff teachers, “ Lord. What is going on!” the headmaster wanted me to start immediately. But of course I will not, we’ll ease into the school. More on the situation later. But this may help. Very, very unreached school, administration, and staff for sure. This has NO similarities to Kenya education and Bonjoge.

Home visit and little visitors

2007-12-02T18:43:00.000-08:00

November 12th

On Sunday evening, the 12^th of November my heart began praying about a local family in Torit of whom to live with. As AIM requires longer term missionaries to pursue an African home for a short period of time, I knew that I should prepare for room in my own selfish, at least often selfish, heart for a family that wasn’t Kenyan. I loved the time in Kenya and always thought, “well, been there, done that…know everything about African hospitality.” How wrong I was!

Leaving the local AIC Torit church service, which lasted close to three hours, including the traditional handshakes to finish, we headed back to the AIM house.

Along the way I began talking about a local pastor at the AIC Church. The man’s name was Matthew, part Congolese, and part Southern Sudan and no English! He did however speak Swahili so when we saw one another we could talk a bit and communicate. On our way back I began talking to the Bylers about staying with, or seeing this man more often. Phil exclaimed that he was actually the head pastor, but due to his language barrier he could only lead in Swahili. As we drove past his house the Lord may have struck us all with the same idea. Why not invite ourselves into his home. A week, several days and nights. Sure why not!

So we did just that and by the afternoon Pastor Mathias ( Matthew ) and Matthew Lovelace worked together to put up a tent.

I placed my sleeping material in the straw and mud hut for sleep in the evening. We talked as mush as possible in Swahili to build the tent and after finally succeeding settled into the chairs. After a heavy meal of ugali, and a new dish, meat cooked in heavy peanut sauce I began to walk back into the hut. The pastor stopped me and motioned back to his own house. I had a hard time understanding what he was saying to me. Then both he and his wife Bianca picked up their own mattresses from their beds and began carrying them outside into the tent we constructed in their dirt side yard. He then motioned to the bed and gave me his flashlight. “Karibu” (Swahili for welcome). He and his wife had left their own bed and moved into the tent so the guest could sleep on his own in their tiny house. Would I so willingly do this. For a self invited guest from another land that could not speak the same language. I hope so. Christ certainly would.

In one act of grace and selflessness I learned more about the Lord’s nature then my entire trip out to the Southern Sudan. My body yearns for the familiar and comfortable. Yet, the pastor and his wife have emptied themselves, and moved their children, out into discomfort for a stranger. An interesting sidebar to this adventurous tale of…grace was a comment about rats. As we were eating in the evening a local AIC pastor who knew English, Pastor Johnson, stopped by to join us in fellowship and food. As we were closing in on the night’s event he turned to me and asked, “ Matthew, how do you feel about rats!” I was unsure as to the correct reply. “ Heaya, love em!” or “ What?” I reassured him that I was unconcerned about the vermin.

As we said our salama for the night I laid down in the bed. Apparently, Pastor Mathias is right next to the local Torit discotech. So between the hours of all night, and most of the night I listened to the melodious sounds of Swahili and Arabic music blaring through the local loudspeakers. Eventually, the party goers headed off for the night and I was alone in the house. Around midnight I was laying quietly, not sleeping after a kilo of tea in my body, and heard a rusting.

O, make that the loud movement of feet, scurrying and bags being bumped and scrapped. I could only assume these were the uninvited guests I was expecting.

My tired mind and body were just not strong enough to convince myself to pick up the flashlight, which was by my head, and take a peek. Perhaps because I knew through the noise what the answer in the headlights would be. So were these loud scratches really rats? Hmmm….

Phil. 2:5-7
"the attitude you should have is the one that Jesus Christ had."
"He always had the nature of God, but He did not think by force that He should try to become equal with God. Instead of this, of His own free will he gave up ALL He had. And took the nature of a servant."

Saturday Nov. 11/2007 Keyala Village

2007-12-02T15:47:00.000-08:00

Military Fatigue - Tanks & a lost child

Saturday, Phil and I traveled to a small, local village that stretched to the mountainous area located several miles from Torit. We packed up from the local AIC Church with three members of the congregation and headed…West, No. East? But the mountains were there so we knew what direction!

The purpose of the trip was to connect with the local tribal leaders of a remote village called Keyala. Keyala has no church. As is commonplace for many African villages alcohol and idleness has infested the local community.
The drive itself was around one and a half hours. It was a great time for Phil Byler and I to talk. He shared about his Mennonite background and strong faith. My appreciation and respect for him as a Godly man grew so much during this trip. He discussed his short time working among the Idinga people of Northern Uganda, before the murder of Warren and Donna Pett. The Bylers were there three and a half weeks before they were forced to relocate and move so abrubtly.

We were engaged in heavy discussion when Sarafino, the AIC Regional Sudanese pastor exclaimed “ Phil, I need to release the Chai and liquid from this morning, they are talking to me!” So we stopped the car and six grown men simultaneously started taking a “ break” alongside the road.

When we reached the Keyala village I noticed a large, green, Soviet styled tank. This was the first symbol of the war I had scene. Second actually. The first were the two de-mining vehicles that we passed on our way into the village. Interestingly, when the war stopped and peace was “established” the Southern Sudanese authorities decided to clear the path for a road to link Northern Kenya with the now free, and traveling people from the Sudan. But what the government didn’t do…was clear all the mines. Intentionally, it is believed so that in case a war were to ever start again the people would not be left totally unprepared. Another example of a war like state and sense of alert.

Keyala was interesting for several reasons. The tank was notable. Dark green and in the center of town. But again I am impressed by the ruggedness of the people, the sharp and distinct village homes and tough people. Phil and I met the local military commander for the Keyala and Torit area. Torit was seiged during the war and the entire area was bombed and destroyed. So meeting the military commander was impressive. He got dressed in his full Sudanese fatigue and we snapped some photos of him. We then got into the m idle of an abducted child case in another local village we drove to. In Africa everything involves meeting with the proper authorities and elders and “paying homage” to those men, always men, who are the tribal chieftains. So we met with many of these men and listened to them speak in Arabic and Lutucko. So my contribution was minimal.

Standing alongside the Sudanese military commander left a distinct impression on me. These people know, and even value, war. Especially, the war leaders.

Apparently with my long hair, shaved face, and God given ( though differently shaped ) body the local drunk man we consoled mistook me for a sister. The deal was, we went to console a local member of the Sudanese Commander’s family. A brother who had lost his daughter. He was intoxicated and very somber when we met him at first. Until he introduced himself to me, then said very sadly, “ How are you my sister!” At first we couldn’t tell if his English was just off or what. But when others noticed what he had said, everyone started laughing. So I was glad I could bring some cheer to his day.

As I write I had to take a break. A large UN plane has just landed on the airstrip that is located directly outside the AIM Compound. The propellers are slowing down. Back to Keyala. For one hour Phil and I listened to reverent praise for the work that George Bush had done in bringing a stop to the war. That was interesting to me, the local Sudanese fighters and commanders loved the American President. Also striking was how war, hatred, and the past sins of the Muslim Arabs dominated the discussion. All among men who confessed to love the Lord.

The men gathered and accounted in glory how they had rebelled against the terrible and stupid Arabs that tried to manipulate, control, and dominate their lives.

Perhaps the best time; spiritually at least, was the discussion that Phil and I had on the return. As men, Phil is definitely old enough to be my father, we are entirely different. Our backgrounds, lives, careers, talents, even spiritual talents. And here we are, living together, working intimately together and be side by side in the Sudan. As we had much time in the car we talked and I shared my testimony. How as a person I have always been inclined to the Holistic vie of life. When I am exercising, being disciplined in food, reading, devotions and getting rest I am much more in order.

African really understand the nature of a holistic life. It centers around their entire frame of life. The spiritual is connected to the physical. The physical is linked to the mental. The mental to the emotions and so on. That is me. Perhaps in a divine revelation ( though mini ) I now understand much more clearly how God fashioned me as a person and set forth his path for me.

Ephesians 1: 4 “ Even before the foundations of the world God had already chosen us to be His through His union with Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before Him." Before Him. Our lives will give an account before Him. As Christ set the ultimate example.

Asim Bitaki Munu!

Nov. 10th ?? Torit, Sudan

2007-11-30T05:44:00.000-08:00

My home is not my own anymore, there is no TV or radio or internet even to escape to. No one is a phone call away. Here, my independence must take a backseat, if we truly are a team then all of us are now a unit. But is it a new, and a challenging environment for me. Absolutely.

God must know how to keep my pride closely in check.

So, how did Friday begin? I woke up, played with the propane gas to get the heat on a big pot of water. Made coffee, started to get into Numbers then looked outside and was awestruck by the sunrise and the mountains stretch in the distance and the sunrise leaves the pink, red, and purplish hues outstretched all around the horizon. But there is no doubt in my mind now, the Sudan is harsh. I went running along the local airstrip. Jumped roped a bit. We had breakfast, which is plain toast, some peanuts and an orange given to me by the young waitresses at the Kenyan café, then Phil and I went to a few different places in town.

Everywhere, on just about every building are flags, or colors of, the flag of the South Sudan.
It is obvious that this area wants their unity and independence from the Arab North. That much is clear!

WE had a meeting with the local Torit, Educational Minister. He was accommodating and pleasant. I just have no idea how this will all play out. I mean, here I am, in a Wild West of a city, that has been plagued by bombs, strife, war, and bloodshed. And here I am dressed up in black slacks, my white dress shirt, looking for an "in" into the city. Spirit lead only. What should I be hoping for? Could I plant myself into this town and be poured into it? The Lord must clear the way. Anyway… After a brief discussion with the Minister, who is a highly respected man in this city and Province Phil and I met his deputy. This guy could have punched my face in from the look on his face. He was very unpleasant and not pleased with.. anything maybe. That was our only negative encounter so far. As an American I really want the "end product" to be stamped and delivered as I labor. Jesus said pray for the harvest and for the harvesters. That is my job. Yet, there is always a sinful aspect of my nature that says: seek for more Matthew, look for more, what else could your wonderful and remarkable talents have been producing? You should be training Einstein's by this point. As a person my very nature is so rebellious and unstructured, toward the sinful pride of life. Coming out now, my pride is magnified.

Hmm… Just heard a gun in the distance. But only one shot. Outside the compound are motor bikes racing along the busy road. Now, that is totally made out of mud because of the rain.

2007-11-18T15:14:00.000-08:00

Nov. 10, 2007

Africa Inland Church (AIC)

I have had the chance to meet the regional AIC (Africa Inland Church) leader, Sarafino. He was very accommodating and seemed to enjoy having me here. It's hard because AIM is so closely linked with the AIC that we always want the relationships to be positive.

Sarafino was NOT too excited about me working in the local Torit school district at all. I have been praying for this man, with five children and a heart for the Lord, for a vision for the church to spread in the Sudan but our

meeting didn't go well.

God has obviously provided. There is a Kenyan man named Job who has taken over and Sarafinio sounded very impressed and happy. So how does the Lord weigh the plans of people praying in different ways?

I have been praying for a position and chance in Torit- maybe being in an area that is more diverse and filled with various people.

I can guarantee you that this pastor was perhaps praying the exact opposite. How does the Lord balance us all and keep us straight? Perhaps it is our hearts' desire to conform to His ultimate Kingdom building purposes no matter how He most wants it. And then He works among us as His children. I do really like Torit. The diversity of the town, the opportunity to be with the people who are Muslim, unevangalized, and just plain without hope gives me an area to have the Lord pour out.

2007-11-18T14:44:00.000-08:00

Torit, Sudan

Nov. 9, 2007

The day of arriving I brought my luggage inside, then saw my containers that hold all of the stuff I now look at and go... "Oh yeah, I did live without that stuff up until now, and I need it now! What's in there again?" About mid-afternoon after lying down I had to get my food craving fixed. A fix for ugali, chicken stew and some African conversation. So I headed into Torit and walked up and down the city and met all the vendors. That brings me a great amount of joy. Torit itself is...part Sudanese, part Arabic, part Kenyan, part Ugandan and ALL Wild West!

Similar to a modern, tiny downtown Nairobi, yet without of course, the paved roads and skyscrapers. But the diversity of the people is remarkable for such a small area. People from all over the Sudan, Kenya, and Northern Uganda have moved into this city to build it and earn income. Building projects are everywhere, even a nice local petrol station is under construction at this point.

I love just sticking myself out there, so to speak, and meeting people. I wore my jeans, a t-shirt, and a huge smile. Though the main language is Arabic, there is much English spoken and a great deal of Swahili which allowed me to make my way into several different conversations.

The local diner where I wanted dinner was filled with… me.. and three ladies who were all from
Kenya. So I walked in.
No one had ever seen me before. A young, slender white guy with longish hair walking into around a city in the South Sudan and then here he is speaking Swahili and asking for a favorite Kenyan dish in Swahili. The people there could not believe it! Wish I had picture of all the people's expressions when they met me. There is a mix of disbelief that a young white man is staying here and wandering through the villages and actually enjoys it! And I do! The Lord will open the doors here for relationships I trust and just walking through the streets in this way makes me visualize that much better how Christ must have seen life. A foreigner with a holy calling and purpose. I prayed last evening around the table that the Lord will use me to the max of what He desires from my abilities.

The streets are filled with army men, some in uniforms, many who are carrying guns

There are many young men who are just… well, hanging around.

2007-11-18T14:43:00.001-08:00

To Sudan -- Nov. 8, 2007

On the eighth of November, Linda and Kelly and I left from the Entebbe Airport bound for Torit, Sudan. For the past five weeks I have been living in Africa but have been interacting and meeting with people from many different nations and states outside of the African continent. On Thursday we departed for the Sudan. It was rainy and cold at the airport. As we walked out onto the tarmac I was impressed with the varying degree of airplane shapes and sizes. As we continued walking it became clear that there was one specific plane that just might fit four people! We walked alongside an airplane that was slightly longer than my body and waited for the pilot. He was a missionary pilot originally from the Netherlands but now living in British Columbia.

I was "awarded" the front seat and squeezed into a chair that had double strapped seatbelts and headphones. We prayed for the flight and then the pilot proceeded to start the engine. After a brief whirl of the propellers, we were off and taxiing on the runway.

Thankfully, the only event in that was a great view of the entire Northern Ugandan and Southern Sudan landscape. It was about a two hour flight and we landed on the long dirt airstrip of Torit, Sudan and were immediately greeted by Phil who was ready with a wheelbarrow for carrying our luggage.

I have been praying before the Lord for months... for the Sudan and how He wants me involved in this nation. And then here I was... feeling unemployed, misplaced and out of any comfort zone I've known. Perhaps it was the airplane landing that allowed my mind to finally realize, "I am here... Whoa!"

I have a tiny room that is enclosed into the African Inland compound and there are perhaps three other bedrooms. Kelly Miller has a room, Russ and Lynn Noble are also staying here for a few months as they build their own home on the outskirts of Torit. They will be working closely with the Sudanese locals on training in literacy.

I have NO doubt about God's goodness here. I have had the chance to meet amazing people, many young German ladies, Gene Tan of course who I lived with it seems for five weeks. I'll miss his close friendship and it may sink in the more I am away from other young Western men who know the Lord. My prayer is for the Lord to open up strong bonding relationships with those African nationals here in the area. Spiritually, whenever I am removed from my comfort zone, and "outside" of my timetable clocked box, I struggle praying and reading the Word consistently.

God reminds me that it is the relationships and not my own work that makes my spiritual life tick. Also, I have been so consumed with my own health and body and life that my prayers, sadly, are often centered on myself. God had to restore a huge amount of peace in my heart that I HAD to give my body totally to Him. At this point, in an area noticeable only by airplane that hits home now more than ever! I literally have no choice but to again say to the Lord, "Here I am, still imperfect, still single, away from a large "white" community and now into a foreign, yet familiar group of beautiful people."

2007-11-03T07:47:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday I arrived into Uganda. It was a short flight from Nairobi, Kenya. The landscape itself is stunning. Rolling hills and lush green vegetation which display God's graceful touch to nature. The city overlooks a lake, which in early morning hours conceals the local villages in a cloud of mist. At night, a short walk along the hills reveals the abundance of city lights, cars, and fires burning into the

night. The area is heavanly.

2007-11-03T07:35:00.000-07:00

We walked outside into the cool Kampala, Uganda breeze talking on the breezeway. As we went outside he took my hand and we walked together into the surrounding village.
He was once a Muslim. Now he knew the Lord. And as a result my new friend, who I walked hand in hand with today, was ostracized from his entire family. Even threatened with death by his father. Perhaps I should explain why I and another young man would walk hand in hand together in a public place. Or goodness, why we would hold hands at all!
In African culture it is very common for male friends to walk holding the hand of another friend. It expresses a closeness in the relationship that would be shocking to anyone in the United States. I must admit, I've never held the hands of another man before outside my time in Africa. Here, however, I felt privileged to walk along the dirty, unpaved Ugandan roads holding his hand as he shared with me his conversion experience. From the threshold of a life without grace to a new found life with purpose and meaning that Christ had given him. Though totally different as men, when we
walked together this evening holding hands I felt a strong spiritual bond with a new brother in Christ.

2007-10-08T23:30:00.000-07:00

I hadn't slept in two days and the airplane food was getting old. I can only handle so much chicken absorbed in sauteed sauce with French titles. So landing in Nairobi was a welcome blessing. My Kenya parents, Stanley and Sylvia Mutangili, collected me from Jomo Kenyatta Airport around nine PM Kenyan time. We then left the chaos of the airport and drove through the darkness and rain into the heart of East Africa's largest city.
Nairobi, Kenya has a population of about three and a half million residents most of whom live in the slums and surrounding sprawl. I will be staying for two to three days at the Africa Inland Missionary guesthouse called Mayfield. My roomate is Jene Tan, a medical researcher from the Newark, New Jersey. He will eventually be living in Uganda working at an HIV research center. As AIDS is so prevalent throughout East Africa his work is very valuable. We'll also be together during our next three weeks of school and training in Machakos, Kenya.
Being back in Kenya, especially Nairobi, is somewhat de javu, the sights of people walking everywhere ( no one owns cars except the wealthy ) and the nasty smog smell.
Jene and I went running this morning and we were consistently greeted with a wondeful, scented blast of black gas from whatever unrepaired vehicle was traveling.
The Lord has been good. I have had breakfast the past two mornings with fellow workers and AIM Sudan team leaders here at mayfield. I am always awed at the large body of dedicated believers who come from Europe, the States, and Africa to work alongside others called to prosper the Word here in Africa. Body of Christ at work.
Thank you for the prayers and support, Matthew

Salvation journey and into Africa ( Part one )

2007-09-14T04:31:00.000-07:00

From the time I was six until the age of twenty one my life revolved entirely around three elements: Scripture, talk of the Bible, and strong Christian role models. I attended Lincoln Christian High School in Lincoln, Nebraska where the Bible was deeply rooted into every facet of life. On Sundays I attended a strong Bible centered church. All of my friends were raised in christian households, each day involved activities with two parents who loved the Lord and experienced His blessings. As a student I struggled mightily, my attention span lasted about 45 seconds before it had raced off into the imagination unknown. My early school career was notorious for driving my teachers crazy with bizarre drawings of dinosaurs and animals. But they were good!
Middle school and high school were a blur of regular junior high pranks, wrestling team participation ( which I was terrible at ) and testosterone fueled anctics. Though raised in the church and a school that heavily emphasized the gospel and importance of knowing the Lord I really had no true walk with the Lord until I was a few years removed from high school. My life is an example of someone who can know the truth but place the personal life changing relationship on the backburner while I find many in the many pleasures of a dying world... now as a missionary and teacher I am amazed at the Lord's redeeming and amazing grace. Wretch like me indeed that has experienced tremondous life changing fruits over the years. Journeying to Africa is only the beginning.

2007-09-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

Remarkable to me to view a creature this fierce and remember that the Lord says are enemy prowls waiting for an opportunity to destroy.

2007-09-11T16:47:00.000-07:00

Jeramiah, football, and the Zoo

What a crazy and wonderful weekend. Jeramiah, a great friend from Kenya came to visit me in Lincoln. Never did I think that one of my close friends from Kenya would ever be able to come and experience Nebraska life. The Omaha Zoo, Nebraska football, the State Capitol Building. Heck, even driving a car around my hometime took on new and entertaining experiences. Makes me long even more for the return and also to trust the Lord that much more. He has provided a great friendship at a time when I really needed that breath of fresh air. Thanks Jeramiah, see ya in a few weeks in Kenya.
Tutoanana rafiki. Matthew

2007-09-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

At times I am in wondering awe at God's creation; And also our Father's wonderful sense of humor. Me? To Africa? Sweet.

Purposefully Pursued

2007-08-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

Frequently I ponder deeply the enormity of what God did for me. Christ defined true love...He inhabited a dirty, battle scarred earth that after creating, in perfection, His perfect beautiful painting, then had to watch it's inhabitants crumble and ruin the masterpiece. Yet, despite our deep and eternal grievance against Him and His justice, He decided to eternally preserve His crafted artwork be sending His only son to live on the dusty, nasty dirt roads. Jesus experienced disease, saw death, heard cries of pain and wept with His friends. This is what drives my life...Christ I know saw my face during His time on earth. He knew that without living perfectly, then bravely embracing the torture and brutality of the cross, sinners like myself would spend our remaining eternal existence without light, hope, joy, and purpose. He purposefully pursued me. How can I know this truth and not give my own self as He calls me. Anything less than us following wholeheartedly God's calling on our lives equals sin and fear. Two aspects of human nature I know far, far too well unfortunately. He however is what must compel us all forward. Matthew

Six weeks until a return home

2007-08-19T16:54:00.000-07:00

Six weeks, is that possible?

Test Post

2007-08-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

Heading to Sudan in about 6 weeks. Just wanted to see if this blog thing works. Hopefully I can figure out how to post comments, pictures, nonsense....