It has been a good Easter weekend.  Though I am usually not the best at participating and recognizing the importance of such days of remembrance, I had some good opportunities and took more time than I usually do to ponder God's plan from the beginning for what Christ would do.  Here in Torit I had a simple Passover celebration on Thursday with the other missionaries and we took communion together.  On the following day I read about the story and the account of the last supper and the Passion.  On Sunday we watched a film about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. How amazing it truly is to think of Christ's death and resurrection and what it means for those who know him!

I have now over a full week in Torit, having just recovered from yet another illness after spending five weeks in Loryok.  Though I experienced sickness off and on during my time there, the work continued to move forward.  I was connected with a young Laarim woman, Nalarete, who has been willing to help me with translating Bible stories from English into the Laarim language.  After completing each story I have been able to practice presenting them to Clement's father Joseph and some of the children in Loryok to make sure that the phrases and questions are understandable.  With each story that I have told Joseph, he has reacted with enthusiasm hearing the Bible stories presented in his mother tongue.  Please pray that God would guide my helper and I as we translate the Bible stories and questions so that they are understood by the hearers.

During my first two weeks in Loryok, Pastor Joshua came from Juba and stayed with me.  In the evenings he met at the homes of different families inviting the neighbors to join them.  There was singing followed by Joshua presenting a gospel message.  With each meeting there was a high turnout.  Joshua also met with a few of the young people who regularly participated in the evening gatherings to teach them from a gospel tract he was using for evangelism.  He has done a good job in connecting with many of these young people and as a result I have been able to develop closer relationships with some of the children who express an interest in God's word.  Please pray for Pastor Joshua as he desires to spend more time in Loryok, but with having a family finds it a challenge of how to get established here.  Please also pray for these Laarim children who express an interest in learning the word of God.

 During my time in Loryok, Clement came with a woman from the organization he works with in Juba to hold a teachers' training course for mother tongue literacy.  I attended the class mainly for the purpose of learning more Laarim as the material was being presented in English and translated into Laarim, but I found it difficult to focus because of my health as well as the hot weather.  Thankfully the rains have now come and the days are cooler.  Looking back I do see that I benefited a little from learning the teaching strategies and getting to practice some writing in Laarim.  Please pray that I would be able to stay healthy.  I believe am partly to blame for my sicknesses for being a bit careless and not ensuring that I get the proper nutrition I need.  It will take a bit more effort on my part, but with some accountability and encouragement from the other missionaries here in Torit I plan to take better care of myself.

As usual, I feel that I have to push myself a bit to get out to Loryok after having a nice rest here in Torit, but I do look forward with anticipation of what the Lord will do this month.  We serve an awesome God!