Living in Loryok

            In mid-April, I moved out to my new temporary home in the town of Loryok, South Sudan where I have been concentrating most of my efforts on learning the Laarim language.  For a number of reasons I have found my life in Loryok to be more difficult than it was living in Torit, yet I feel that I am learning to depend more upon God to give me the strength to take each step ahead.  There are no other westerners living in the area, but I am thankful that there are two missionary pastors who have committed to working with the Laarim people in the area.  There is Pastor David from Kenya who has been in Loryok for several years and more recently my ministry partner Pastor Joshua from Juba.  Initially Pastor Joshua was planning to move immediately up to Kimatong in the Northern part of the Laarim territory, but due to some logistical challenges he has found Loryok to be a better fit for the time being.

            At the moment that I am typing this, I am enjoying a break in Kampala, Uganda staying with my friend Ryan a fellow Omahan and missionary serving in Kampala.  Being an urban environment, Kampala certainly has its own set of needs and challenges for missionaries serving here, but it has been a great place for me to get some R&R.   Running water, hot showers, electricity, and a seemingly endless variety of food and types of restaurants are all things that I have been enjoying here and it has been very refreshing.  Soon I will fly back to South Sudan to resume my work there.  To be honest, I do feel a bit of dread when I think of going back to all the challenges that come along with living in Loryok, but I do look forward to being with the people there that I am growing to love.

            A typical day in Loryok for me begins with having coffee or tea and spending some time in prayer and in the Bible.  I then go out to find people I know in town who speak Laarim.  When I find that person or group, I can use the time to practice speaking and listening as well as collecting new Laarim phrases and vocabulary words.  If I cannot find someone who is wanting to speak Laarim, or if I start getting tired of all the interactions, then I eventually go back to my house to review vocabulary I have collected.  On most days, I am visited at least once by children who want to play UNO or another card game, so we may play several games together as I try speaking Laarim to them.  I also typically get together with Pastor Joshua and our "Laarim father" Joseph at least once a day to visit and to pray together.  Though I have not begun leading groups or teaching since I am working to get a better grasp on the Laarim language before I do so, I have been finding some good opportunities to pray for others and to talk about the Christian faith.   

            Just before this last time that I left Loryok, I was blessed by a visit from a group of leaders with Africa Inland Mission accompanied by Africa Inland Church's missions coordinator. The group with AIM included the international director with his wife, the couple leading Central Region, and the couple which will soon be leading the South Sudan unit.  Together we traveled to the north part of the Laarim territory, meeting with some elders and visiting some of the populated areas. These leaders in AIM took the time both to listen to the Laarim people as well as my own hopes, thoughts, and concerns. I am so appreciative of them as they show a commitment to serving the Lord through serving us.  The best way that I can describe them are as genuine servant leaders.

            Neither Pastor Joshua nor I know exactly when we will begin ministry in the villages of the Northern Laarim territory.  Though our current goal is to get established there during the dry season late this year or early next year, we are confident that the Lord will make the way in His perfect timing.   

-Praise the Lord that both Pastor Joshua and I have been able to get established in Loryok among the Laarim people.

-Pray that we would remain united in purpose and spirit, and that we depend upon the Lord as we strategize and work to reach the Laarim people.

-Pray that the Lord would help me to focus as I put my efforts into learning the Laarim language.  

-Pray that the Laarim would have a growing hunger for truth and for the Lord.