"We must meet the uncertainties of this world with the certainty of the world to come." -A.W. Tozer
Welcome to Robin's Missions! Join me in my adventures in Southern Sudan! Hope today finds you smiling!
Blessings my friends!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

It is well with my soul!!!!

In the joyous times.....

What's the buzz?!

Well, actually there was a lot more of a buzz around (and in) my room than I would have cared for. I came home from work one day to a loud droning buzzing sound--outside my window was a swarm of bees. Ok, outside my room seemed alight as long as I kept my door shut and none followed me in. So I thought! I opened my room to see an even bigger swarm of bees! Maybe you don't know this but I'm petrified of bees. I can deal with a bee but hundreds, no way. They were getting in through the roof! I rushed to find help. Sadly there was no one around to help. Well, it was time to take action. Luckily, another friend had the same experience a few weeks before and I knew these stinging pests hated DOOM...a killer bug spray so lethal I think you could kill a human with a full can---ick. I started by spraying the can up at the roof on the outside and a bunch of bees flew off--Then I used my noggin, and sprayed through the screened window on where all the bees were swarming. Then I left the room closed and walked away until the toxins dispersed. Hundreds and hundreds of dead bees. In fact dead bees are STILL appearring a week later! One small step in conquering fears?

Then there was church last Sunday-- My choir gave it's best performance. By the time we sat down I was covered in sweat...dance, Kawaaja, dance! We did this one dance where we swiveled our hips a lot (somewhat as if we were skiing) and really got in the groove. I laughed to myself as I thought about the fact that NONE of the church choirs I grew up in swiveled their hips or broke a full on sweat! ha! I dare our choirs to sing and dance at the same time! :)

It is well with my soul...

in the difficult times...

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

This last week a close friend, six months pregnant, went in for a normal check up. The baby's heart had stopped. They quickly took a plane to Kampala (Uganda) to deliver their unborn baby. God provided for them, in their grief, with people to walk along side them and take care of them in Kampala. This last Tuesday they brought the body home and we buried it at the church. It seemed fitting that the day was dark and cloudy with sharp winds whipping around us as we all hudled together singing "Nearer my, God to Thee" and other English and Arabic hymns. We each placed a bright pink flower on the tiny grave before it was closed. My heart ached for them that whole week, it aches still...

It is well with my soul...

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Three of our women in the Yei Bible study were pregnant at the same time! Two delivered hours apart on the same day, HURRAY! One precious boy and girl! We were still waiting for Charity, the last of the women to give birth, she was huge! What a joyful woman, a twinkle in her eye and a quick smile. She went into labor on Thursday and everyone was eager in anticipation. In the process her womb burst and we almost lost both mother and child. Thankfully, Charity's sister was there--with the same blood type--so her life was spared. For the second time last week I found myself at a funeral for a child. We were deep in the village, the baby's body was lying in the hut wrapped in blankets and we went in to pray. The weeping and wailing and even more chilling dead silences were all around. It broke my heart that not only were we burying a long anticipated child but they hadn't even told Charity yet. She didn't know until we visited the hospital later in the day. Our hearts were heavy. What a week... but God is good. He is good in the hard times, He's good in the great times.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Sunday, August 10, 2008


Singing in choir....dance kawaaja, dance!


My Sudanese outfit!!!



Dancing with AnneGrace in front of the cars at June's consultation meeting


Joyce and Charity--kitchen workers, friends, and some of my Yei Bible study women. Great servants of God!

Hugging small children...one of my hobbies :)

Yesterday over half of the church announcements were about goats... what about you?

And what are the odds that TWO pastors from TWO different churches that are BOTH in Irving, Texas preach in the same church in Yei, Sudan in a matter of a few weeks? I'd say the odds aren't high, but it happened! Amazing. :)

It's been a really interesting month actually. I'm thankful to be here in Yei. We've had two teams come (one from Kentucky and one from Texas) and I've been able to jump in and walk alongside each team while still working on the regular teachings and responsibilities! I love it! Also just continuing to get to know everyone here and forge deeper relationships--wonderful!

When the First Baptist Irving team was here we were focusing on the women in Lora. I can't tell you how excited my mamas at the orphanage were to have the team there. I'll use a phrase I've heard a lot of recently, "the ministry of presence", we worked alongside the mamas and got to be a part of their every day lives. When I helped in the kitchen within minutes my eyes were bright red from the smoke! Wow. Jen and I did a couple of days of washing with some of the mamas. I can't even begin to tell you just how strong these women are! They would whip through the washing of the wool blankets and I just struggled. My arms hurt for days. I could barely lift the water logged blanket and they would pick it up and wring it out as if it were simply a string. Wow. I will say, I am proud that the mamas have declared me an expert g-nut paste maker. Basically you kneel on the ground and grind the nuts with a smooth stone on top of an even bigger smooth stone. And then you grind some more...and just when you think it's done, you grind the g-nuts some more. I was proud of my tiny amount of g-nut paste I produced. When I think of the large amounts the women make every day to add to sauces, etc... I just stand in awe. These are STRONG hard working women. And what I love about them as well is the joy they have while they work. They are ready to celebrate and are so thankful for all that God is doing. They are also hungry for the gospel, in the afternoons the gals (from 1st Baptist) and I got to teach and sing with them. It was a blessing to everyone. The guys worked hard too---learning what it means to haul tremendous amounts of water from the hole back to camp for the orphanage to use. Again, it's the ministry of presence, simply saying you're worth it to serve...seeing people as God sees them, walking in their shoes, serving them, it's amazing.


This week they had another cause to celebrate--we have a NEW well in Lora! It's actually being drilled as I type this but they hit the first water on Saturday. This means clean drinking water for the kids and staff, what a blessing. We've been praying so hard for this. Watching the video that was taken just showed the mamas and kids jumping, dancing, singing, acting out how they felt with the old water (basically they got water from a HOLE in the ground...cloudy water...mmmm). God is good!!!!!

I can't believe that exactly 3 weeks from today is my last full day in Sudan--this time--- but still I'm not ready to leave. I am so encouraged by evening prayer (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) in Bishops piot and the "family" time with everyone that happens after prayer. I feel like I'm home. It's a great thing. :)


One thing I'm working on, to help with fund raising for coming back again, is CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!! I know MANY people (like you?!?!??!) need Christmas cards and they would be ones featuring my art...stay tuned... I understand that it's August but I hope to get this idea off the ground when I get back in a few weeks- I'm already working on art! :) Also, if anyone is good at web design and would love to volunteer to help me make a website PLEASE let me know! I'm trying to find creative ways to help with raising the support I'll need to stay here longer and using the web to show my art is just one way! But I don't know how to design a web page, so, yes, please let me know if you can help!


Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when the heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit. --Jeremiah 17:7,8

That's my theme verse right now--Abiding in God and trusting Him. He IS trustworthy.

That's life in a nutshell...so much more, but I'll save it for another day! :)
Much love to you all!!!

Robin