Please Pray for Sudan

Only 4 days from now....this Sunday...on January 9, Sudan will hold a referendum vote to decide its future. This will be a historic day for Sudan, as the people of Southern Sudan will decide whether to remain in a united Sudan, or to secede and establish their own nation. Voting will be held in Sudan on Sunday, but it will take 2-4 days for votes to be counted.

This referendum vote is a huge part of the Peace Agreement that was signed 6 years ago which ended 20 years of civil war in Sudan, where over 2 million people lost their lives. This is no small matter, and the country really needs prayers beginning now! There will be huge implications whatever the outcome is on Sunday. People who have been displaced from their homes by the war, are now giving up their jobs and their "new life" to return home to vote. People are flooding into Southern Sudan right now.
If Sudan splits, a new country will be formed that will need much outside aid, lots of development and many people praying for them. And if Sudan remains as one country, it will face MAJOR challenges in uniting the north and south under a new federal government, and in helping the South to bring fair government and development in rural areas, especially in the human rights sector.

One positive thing is that the Christian church in Sudan has agreed to remain as one church. But it will really need to support those churches in the north, because the north will be in a new Islamic state, should Sudan decide to split.
There are huge tensions and expectations on all sides about a likely outcome for Sudan and much political wrangling over power and wealth distribution. There is also much argument over the actual border line between North and South Sudan, because much of this area runs through rich oil fields. This could easily become a source of new conflict. Whatever happens, in a country more used to fighting than talking and with so much at stake for all involved there is a huge potential for violence and bloodshed at this time.

On a side note...in what many are saying is just strictly politics, the U.S. has placed an embargo on all mail from East Africa to the U.S. right now. It began on December 15, and we're not sure when it will be lifted. We can still receive mail, but can't send anything out! Most say that the embargo is a direct effect of the political climate in Sudan, because the U.S. has a different take on things than Rwanda and other countries. It's all an interesting political game, but I want it to be finished, so I can write a letter to my momma! :-)

Please join me in praying for Sudan this week, and especially on Sunday. Prayer for Sudan at this time of change is very important. January 9th has been requested as a day of prayer in churches in Africa. Pray with us!

A New Year of being certain!

I read somewhere that the nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty.

I wrote that down in my journal when I read it, and I keep going back to it. I have to read it a few times, and really try to think about what that really means! I've got a few thoughts...

Having certainty..living a life of certainty all the time, is like a commonsense kind of life...whereas a life of uncertainty, living from faith, and covered with grace, is the mark of a spiritual life. Really, to be certain of God, means that we are totally uncertain in all of our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring, or even what today may bring! Or especially what a new year may bring!

Who knows what 2011 may bring?!? Not me! I am totally uncertain, but completely excited and putting my trust in the only one who does know...and I trust in His complete and amazing plan that He has orchestrated for me, His beautiful daughter for this year! That's what I do know.

I can look back on 2010 and be thankful for His mark on my life. There were some "uncertain" times, where decisions were placed in front of me, and I just went out and said, ok God, I don't know what you're gonna do or what you're doing, but I trust you. And each time, He revealed himself. It's hard sometimes, to go out, especially in uncertainty, and completely surrender to God whatever it is you need to....and then just watch and marvel, and not even be surprised by what He has done, because you are CERTAIN of Him who is doing it!

"As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises.".(..another quote that I have no idea who wrote, but I have down in my journal!)

I want to do this this year, in 2011...totally surrender all to Him, do the work that He has placed before me, and watch and see Him working! I want to have a faith that doesn't worry...that seeks God's will, and moves towards Him, not worrying, but totally knowing and being certain in Him and His purpose.

"My earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death." ~Philippians 1:20

We're back!

Ethan and I made it back safely to Kigali this morning, after what will go down as the all-time, worst-ever, "TIA", scary, awkward, extremely uncomfortable, Survivor-like, 12 hour nighttime bus ride from Kampala. There really are no words. But I'll try to conjure up a better image for you later! And also of the good times, the amazing scenery, views, and extraordinary people we met. We had such an awesome time exploring Uganda, and saw some stunning examples of just how cool and creative God is. After Ethan leaves on Sunday, I'll have a week before school begins, and I hope to have some time to try and reflect and write, and put some of the memories on paper (or computer!).

We slept some this morning, and were thankful for showers and clean clothes, after about 48 hours of wearing the same thing. We're at Shokola now, and just enjoyed some hummus and mint tea, and had an awesome skype with family, including the famous Aiden! Man, he's getting big! Miss him so much! Momma, we'll skype with you tomorrow, k? Been a good relaxing day. Gonna try to connect with a few friends tonight (most are still out of country.) Bout to head home and primp a bit and go to a "Seychelles" themed New Years party at the preacher's house so Ethan can meet a lot of the KICS families, then probably gonna head to my favorite estabalishment of Carwash for some great and greasy pork, and maybe try to see "Black Mzungu", the famous Rwandan hip-hop and reggae artist in concert later. Should be a fun and interesting night! Glad to get to spend it with my brother! Tomorrow, we've got big plans for an African market experience, craft co-op, and just some chill time. He leaves after church on Sunday. :-( I promise more stories and pics will come later from our adventures. Miss you all and thinking of you at home right now enjoying the snow! Can't believe ya'll had a snowy-white Christmas! I'm jealous! Much, much love, peace, and joy to you all...and many bright and beautiful blessings and promises for 2011!

Love from Kigali,
Emily

Merry Christmas!

Hi everyone! This is going to be really quick...because my brother, Ethan, is here!!! And right now, he's waiting at home for us to go out to Carwash for the best pork/goat in town! I took him on a 45 minute run through the village today, and it about killed him. :-) He's so hungry now! Sorry for the lack of blogs this week. There's sooo many things I want to write about, but they will have to wait a few weeks! The last week of school was wonderful, but crazy and chaotic too with all the fun Christmas chapels and programs. And then Ethan arrived Sunday afternoon (sans bags!) But they came later.

Since he's arrived, we've eaten at Bourbon, tons of great Rwandan food, played with the kids at the orphanage, visited the coffee factory, explored the lively market, eaten at Cactus overlooking the city, visited the genocide memorial, and ridden about 50 motos already. :-) He's about to get used to them! Tomorrow morning we head out for a 10 day adventure through Uganda and Rwanda. Not sure if we'll have internet access or not, so I want to wish you all a very merry Christmas!! We'll come back on New Years, and he leaves on the 2nd. I'll have about a week before I have to start school again, so I hope to catch up with you all during that week. I'm so excited Ethan is here, and I'm with family this year, and I get to share a bit of my world with him! But we will be missing all of you and miss being at home with the familiar sounds and smells.

As I've been preparing for Ethan to come, and getting "ready" for this time of year to celebrate this amazing birth of our Redeemer, this year one word has stayed with me...Light! We've been studying John in our Bible Study, and my kids had to memorize the beginning of John.

"The Word gave life to everything that was created,

and his life brought light to everyone.

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it."


-John 1:3-4


You know, I think the disciple John was trying to describe something, or really someone, that is totally indescribable! It's so hard to put into words the power of the light of Jesus. When I think of light, I think of the sun, or a Christmas tree all lit up, beautifully decorated. But I think John was trying his hardest to capture the full power and mightiness of the Light, of the Messiah that had come to earth. He is the light in all of the darkness. There is darkness everywhere. We all know that. We don't have to look very far to find it either. It's here. And it's there where you are too. Loneliness, confusion, hatred, racism, sin. But John tells us that no matter how dark the world is, or your community is....the light of Jesus is always stronger and more radiant than ever! And I know it to be true. I see His light everywhere. I see His light working through people and in people that don't even realize it! This Light is real! The light truly overcomes any and all darkness, and this Christmas, I want to celebrate that! He is the Light of the world; a city on a hill cannot be hidden! ~Matthew 5:14.

Blessings to you this Christmas! Love you!

Emily and Ethan

Engineering for Change

Can hip-hop power a solar revolution??? Hmm...

Check out these two articles about my friend, Sam Dargan, who hails from none other than the huge metropolis of Mechanicsville, SC. He's one-half of the Dargan brothers...James works in coffee here too. Sam has lived in Rwanda for about 5 years now, first starting as an engineer and medical worker at his aunt and uncle's rural hospital in Shyira. (they are UNC alums, and Morehead scholars!) It's neat to have some hometown connection here. Sam, only 28, owns Great Lakes Energy, which sells stoves and solar-powered lamps and bulbs to rural communities. How he markets his products is even neater! He has discovered some of Rwanda's new, up-and-coming hip-hop artists, and he's started a production company to produce their albums! In turn, they provide on-air, and YouTube advertising for solar products. Both parties benefit, and the word about solar power and its effectiveness is getting out! That's what I call creative energy! :-) (This is also the guy who invented "moto polo." Don't ask. But you can also find that on Youtube as well!") :-)

Diplomate and Sam

http://www.engineeringforchange.info/2010/12/clean-tech-awareness-brought-to-you-by.../

http://newtimes.co.rw/print.php?issue=14420&print&article=34787

Keep back nothing

"Submit to death, death of your ambitions and favorite wishes every day and death of your whole body in the end; submit with every fibre of your being, and you will find eternal life. Keep back nothing. Nothing that you have not given away will really be yours. Nothing in you that has not died will ever be raised from the dead. Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in. " ~C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

This challenges me. In the biggest way. Especially the part about, keep back nothing. I tend to want to hold onto things, and keep trying to work them around in my head, and fix it how I think it should be fixed. And many times, when I do give something totally over to God, I think that I'll just end up being disappointed. I feel sad about it, cause I feel like I've lost something. Such little faith! But you know, the things I have truly, truly given over to Him, I haven't at all been disappointed. So then, why does it still remain such a challenge to continue to let Him have control...control over my desires, my wishes, my ambitions, of other people that I want to know him, to love Him. What C.S. Lewis says is honestly hard to do, but necessary. "Look to Him, and everything else will be thrown in."

Jotham's Boys

On Sunday afternoon, our Bible Study headed out to Gasabo district, way out in the village, to Jotham's house. Jotham is a member of our church, and together with his wife, they have taken in 25 former street boys and have given them shelter, clothing, and paid for their school fees. The boys range in age from 12-18, but most of them are in 2nd or 3rd grade...a few in 4th. But they are all doing well; they are so eager to learn, and many are at the top of their class! It was a fun day of getting the house "tour", playing a Rwandan version of duck-duck-goose, running relay races, eating snacks, and singing Christmas carols with these boys. They devoured the chocolate cake and had fun eating the popcorn. At the end of the day, they opened gifts, and it was a complete joy to watch their faces. Then they prayed for all of us, through a translator. Their prayers were amazing and so precious. They said that they had asked God for a little, and He had provided them with a lot, and they could never thank Him enough. They prayed that God would bless us and keep us safe and strong. It is so humbling to have someone who has nothing pray over you for God to bless you with your needs. We are so blessed, we don't even know it. I can't wait to visit them again in a few weeks! After spending a day with these wonderful fellas, I am now officially in the Christmas spirit. God bless Jotham and his boys!

All 25 boys share these 3 bunkbeds, with a dirt floor.

The kitchen

The hallway

They've started raising rabbits behind their house to sell. If you look in the tree, the boys also have created a beehive, and hope to harvest their own honey.

Their soccer ball... made from sticks, straw, material, rags, trash.

Paul brought out his Ipod and speakers to add a little Irish Christmas music to the party. Looks kind of funny sitting on top of the concrete and rice bags.

Singing Silent Night in English and Kinyarwanda

Amazement at Doug's guitar

Piggyback rides!

Moses and Doug

Relay races!

Their first real ball and pump. They were estatic.

2 more! These came from America! Thanks Jordan and Caleb!

Smiling faces

Paul, showing them how it's done, ha!

I see this picture a lot....a "baby" holding a baby. I never get used to it though.