The visitors are coming, the visitors are coming!

Hello everyone!

The compound is a blaze with activity this morning. Actually it's been
every morning this week. As clean as our compound is I've never seen it
cleaner! Every weed has disappeared, every bush trimmed, the dirt raked,
and the rooms scrubbed. I am the kitchen spy. Find out what the visitors
like, find out what they don't like and report to the caterer. Speaking
of the caterer we have eaten like royalty the last two days... PANCAKES
for breakfast...ok, so no syrup or anything of that nature, but I was
still felt like a spoiled kid hyped on sugar!And perfectly roasted goat
for lunch...can we KEEP the caterer? Please? Plus everything is
presented beautifully, something I grew up with in my family... It's
quite fun!

Who are the visitors? Great question! They are EPC's partner
organizations from around the world. Namely England and the U.S. This
consultation is the first time they're all meeting so we can look at the
future of EPC and plan together! So, we've been getting ready to take
good care of them. I've been working on welcome cards- Four fun designs
each paired with some cookies and sweets...just a little something to
say hi and we're glad you're here!

I have good news! My computer is working! I call it my computer on life
support but at least it's still alive! I basically can just use a word
processor and check e-mail but hey, I'm blessed that it's working at
all. And I'm thankful I did not chuck it in the Yei river. Self
restraint is a great thing!

A prayer request/praise...I got sick last week and they ended up testing
me for malaria twice. I really do not enjoy being tested for malaria, I
feel like a small squeamish kid when they get ready to prick my finger
to take a blood sample. I will even admit to holding a stuffed animal at
one point, some things never change. BUT the good news is that I do not
have malaria. I only had a nasty virus that caused me to sleep the
greater portion of two days and now I'm feeling a lot better. I'm still
running on a lower energy level and would love prayer for restored
energy, especially since there will be a lot of activity over the next
week!

Christine (my German co-worker) and I sang in our women's Bible study
choir this last week. We all wore Sudanese tie-dye dresses and head
scarves. You should have heard the cheering, screaming, and even some
muffled giggles that happened when they noticed two kawajas were singing
and dancing. It was super. Then Bishop announced that we will be singing
this Sunday too! Oh my! The visitors I happen to know I can't look in
the eye, they'll just make me laugh!

Ok, it's time to go change. I have a bright yellow traditional Sudanese
outfit that I've been asked to wear to welcome the visitors. I normally
just wear the skirt. As an American I'm just not used to parts of the
shoulder that go out past my actual shoulder! However, all the Sudanese
think it's awesome and love it on me, and if it makes them happy I am
more than willing to go the distance!

I discovered a great thing this week...a tri-weekly prayer and praise
meeting in the evening in Bishop's home. It is so wonderful to pray
together! Hallelujah!!!

Much love!
Many blessings!
Laugh today!
and eat some ice cream for me! :)
Robin