First days in South Sudan!

Thanks for coming to learn more about our trip to Torit.  We are so grateful for the prayers, financial support and encouragement we have received as we have taken this survey mission trip.  Whatever role the Lord has called you to in helping us on our way, we are grateful as we know we could not have done this alone. I have broken our time in Torit into several posts due to length, so be sure to look beyond this first one!

We traveled into South Sudan on Monday April 27^th via AIM AIR. Pete Young was our pilot, and his family recently relocated to Lokichoggio, Kenya from Waverly, MN (within 20 miles of our residence) of all places!  That was a fun connection.  Pete took us in on a Cessna 206, which did not settle well with a few of our family members.  It was a hot and bumpy flight in.

We had family introductions with the Scotland family, and stayed in the guesthouse that is on the same compound as the Scotlands’ home. They built the guesthouse to give their teams that live out in the more remote areas a relatively close place for rest and a few creature comforts.  We had comfortable beds, a small kitchenette, and a nice shower that supplies us with water warmed up during the day by the sun.  Amazingly, the water temperature always seemed about perfect! The evenings were warm, but we were blessed with fans, which make it easier to sleep.

Andrea, Jordan, Aislynn (6), Aiden (8), Calum (10)

During our time, we met many people in Torit.  We started the day off on Tuesday by going to greet the Governor of Imatong State, Toby. The governor has a huge job- and the blessing is that that Jordan has been friends with Toby for a long time (an active Christian)- even back to the time when the Scotlands lived in a more remote area.  We feel that a good relationship for the AIM team with the governor is a tremendous plus.

After meeting with the governor, I attended a prayer meeting for National Women’s Prayer Day.  The Prayer meeting went on all day, but Andrea and I went over for a couple of hours. Many
churches of the area were represented, and came together to pray for peace in South Sudan. Most of the ladies spoke in Juba Arabic, but a couple translated into English as well.

Tuesday afternoon we spent time with the Scotland family, asking many questions and learning more about the people of Torit.  The kids had a great time of playing kickball, whiffle ball, cards, and night time hide and seek!