Sitting here next to the Nile River – watching the full moon reflect on the wide expanse of water that is flowing North – ever flowing – never stopping – it makes my mind think of the greatness of our God and the amazing ways that His purposes can be accomplished as we trust Him for guidance and direction – ever giving – never ending.
I feel such a sense of God’s presence today. He walked with me at every corner, motorcycle ride, and South Sudan Government office I visited.
Little did I know when the day began what God had in mind.
I had met Janet at Mayfield Guesthouse in Nairobi, Kenya last week. Just a simple introduction around the table like always – hearing from the other guests where they were from and where they were going and the possibility of some kind of connection or encouragement in life or ministry. She was quiet and the other people at the table were engaging and full of stories – so – it was at the last moment that I introduced myself and she did as well. “You’re from Southern Sudan?” I asked, “I’m going there next week.” So we exchanged emails and I shared about our work and a vegetable we grow at the ELI training centers in Kenya called Chaya. She asked me if I could bring some seedlings when I come to So Sudan. I told her that I would certainly try.
Today I am in Juba, So. Sudan and walked into her office at the So. Sudan Government Office of Heath. She was pleasantly surprised. There were three women – each at their desks working hard and one of her comrades was so proud of Janet and told me that SHE is a real icon. “She is a model that we follow – a master nurse, teacher and trainer. She is head of ALL NURSING here in So. Sudan and Midwifery! Another thing you should know is that she is a Christian.”
Janet’s friend then asked me what I do. I mentioned that, “Full time I look for God’s direction to share that He is real. That He loves us and gives us all the opportunity to know Him through Jesus. Secondly, I want to demonstrate His love in action that makes a difference for people. This is why we are here today – sharing this amazing plant I brought from Kenya at Janet’s request. Here are the stems to plant CHAYA.”
The room became quiet and full of anticipation as I brought out the stems and shared the nutritional value of the matured plant and how to propagate it. Micah Albert (ELI Staff – Communications Director) was with me as well. His wife is a delivery nurse in California and so within a few minutes of sharing stories and mutual places we all knew – strangers were becoming friends, and relationships were being established in that small but very significant government office.
I also shared about the ELITE grain storage bags we produce in Kenya and asked if they thought someone in the So. Sudan Ministry of Agriculture would be interested. They all agreed. Janet knew the location of the office but not who to talk to. She said that she knew a friend in the building and that if we met her that she might be able to direct us to the right office and person. I wrote down the name and Micah and I walked across the campus to the Agriculture Office Building.
I asked the receptionist to assist me to locate “Mary” – they pointed upstairs. Once there, I asked again and was directed to a door across the way. Reaching the door – I had to smile. The sign on the door read “Director of Post Harvest and Home Economics “. Seems that out of the twenty plus offices that Mary (Janet’s friend) was exactly the person that we would have wanted to meet! We entered her office and though Mary was heading OUT at that moment to a WORLD BANK meeting, she said to return in one hour. The result can only be another example of God’s presence. Wonderful talk – wonderful sharing – She said that the ELI School in So. Sudan has potential to be one of their official garden / nutrition demonstration areas (Once we complete putting up a fence). She wanted CHAYA stems and called Janet while I was there. They talked by phone and it felt again like a place where God’s people from different places, cultures, and backgrounds can team up to accomplish something MORE than anyone could ever do alone.
One thing that kept catching my eye was a notebook on Mary’s desk titled Training Manual for Improving Post Harvest handling and Storage. While we talked I asked permission to take a look at the notebook. She allowed – I did – and was amazed at the materials that were so pertinent and useful to us in OUR work. She mentioned that she had received it from World Food Program – a man named MAX. We left that office knowing God had again helped us.
Within a few minutes we had flagged down a motorcycle taxi that took us to the airport. Wrong place – the driver was lost. I called the number of a taxi driver that I happened to have and asked where in the large bustling city of Juba he was at that moment. He was… across the street in the airport parking lot! Within a minute we were heading across town in the RIGHT direction to WFP compound. After going through some tight security we entered and began searching for “Max”. Soon we were in the office of “Marc” (His correct name) and he shared about what United Nations World Food Program is hoping to accomplish in So Sudan. I shared about the ELITE storage bags and we will follow-up in may when I return to So Sudan again. I asked him about the Post Harvest notebooks and we left his office with TWO copies! Another friend – another example of God’s direction and help on this journey of empowering lives.
As I sit typing this here in So Sudan, glancing at the beautiful notebooks next to me FULL of important training materials. My heart is full of memories from the day. Moments of laughter, great discussion, deep learning about the people and situations of So. Sudan. As I prepare to put my head on the pillow and wait for the sun to rise on tomorrow, I have peace – knowing and feeling deep in my spirit that I lived another day in the circle of Gods influence.
Once again I see the incomparable and undeniable fact that God showed up.
Don
