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June 19, 2006
Leaving Kurmuk
Dear Friends,
After next Wed, June 21st, we'll be at chris.crowder@sim.org or Beverly.crowder@sim.org.
We're leaving Kurmuk on an SP flight to Nairobi. We are reading goodbye notes now from all our friends and are feeling the pangs of separation already. They are very sweet, and Bev can't read them now or she will cry. Thankfully, some are in Arabic which temporarily spares us from sadness. May God watch over us all as we are apart.
Chris had a good trip to Yabus and Chali the other day. We went by ATV and battled mud and breakdowns but ultimately had a great trip. We encouraged the church at Chali by delivering zinc to repair the church roof as well as a load of blankets. Chris was able to meet with the SIC church leaders in Yabus to get their opinion on a possible school project. Also, a colleague and Christian brother named Michael Odhiambo was able to go along and survey the old school property for renovation. He has graciously offered to produce a set of blueprints on his computer drafting system!
As if it were not enough to leave Kurmuk, the authorities finally gave us our eviction order. We must move from the old compound to our partly-finished new one by Tuesday the 20th. So, everyone is scrambling to pack and move. The good news is that 3 tukuls are finished, and we will have a temporary kitchen and an office to use. God is gracious in all ways.
A prayer request: please pray for God's Spirit to open the eyes of Hissein. While walking home in the darkness, Chris asked him, "If becoming a follower of Jesus is a journey, where are you? Have you reached the destination?" He responded, "I'm almost there." A bit surprised, Chris clarified and he again said, "Yes, I told you, I'm almost there." Then he changed the subject, and we didn't talk about it any more.
Lastly, we'll sign off with a bit of humor. After driving more than 60km on an ATV, Chris was dozing off for a much-needed nap. Suddenly, one of the big brown dogs that wanders the streets of Kurmuk snuck into the tukul and jumped up on the bed! Chris leaped up in astonishment and yelled at the dog, which reluctantly climbed off the bed and sauntered out of the hut in a hail of flying objects which Chris was hurling at him: books, gumboots, etc. I wonder what would have happened if I had retained my composure and just laid there. Would he have relaxed and gone to sleep beside me? Of all the nerve!
We love you guys and miss you,
Chris
Published at June 19, 2006 01:50 PM
