February 6, 2009

Yambio, Sudan!
There is so much to talk about! I have been in Yambio for about 30 hours -- the flight from Uganda to Sudan was about 3 hours, and it was full. However, i got all of my bags on and it was only $40 more. This was one of the biggest concerns, since the small plane has weight limitations. Since the flight was full, the pilot asked me to sit in the co-pilot seat! I had the best view in the plane!

Yambio is truly a village. There is no electricity, only generators. It is surrounded by 1000's of thatched roof, mud walled, dirt floored huts. These huts are peoples homes --- they cannot afford nor easily get building materials, so the huts are built for homes for families and extended familes. (On the flight over from Uganda, these huts were scattered across the landscape --- in clusters of 3-10 or more. Some were so remote that their nearest neighbor must have been miles away. ) Yambio is a village of huts, with the brick buildings being governement, Nato, Unicef or religious groups.

The Seminar is on the edge of town, a large piece of property with huts and brick buildings. Unfortunately, their generator broke down a few weeks ago! There is no power! No lights! No running water! I am trying to think of it like remote tent camping in 100 degree heat!

The seminar officials sat down to discuss the schedule with me, and I was thinking I would have a pretty easy 30 hour class on Genesis... similar to an OASIS class. It turns out that they want me to take 54 hours on Genesis, 6 hours a day. And they also want me to lead a Saturday Bible class, preach each weekend I am here (one out in the remote areas), and lead seminary chapel! That's okay with me though, I am not here to put my feet up! The first six hours of class was today, and we are only barely into Genesis chapter one!

At the guest house where I am staying, I think there is a colony of bats, right outside my window, and grand central station for rats in the ceiling tiles. And of course, the continual vigilance of malaria laden mosquitos! So far though, no bites!

The bottom line is that the Lord is good, and so far this trip has been very, very smooth. The Lord has prepared the way and the stuidents are eager to learn. They really really appreciate all the books and resources that I brought.