Airports, signs, awesome friends,family, hugs, onion rings, air conditioning, and chinese food!

Airports, signs, awesome friends, family, hugs, onion rings, air conditioning, and Chinese food= United States of America= home!
Oh, my goodness! I feel like I am in daze and do not even know what to do with my self. I am home! I arrived in St. Louis at around 10:30 pm last night, after over 30 hours of travel and running on 2 1/2 hours of sleep in over 32 hours. At the airport in St. Louis I was greeted by 20 people, 2 babies, and lots of signs! I was a little embarrassed, but extremely blessed. My friends and family are amazing! It was definitely weird to see them all. It some ways it feels like I never left in other ways I just feel like a visitor. We were driving home and I decided it feels like when I go visit my grandma or a different city. You know the feeling when things feel familiar, but they feel really different and a little out of place. That is the feeling. My parents house feels like I am just a guest. It's very strange, but I am sure I will get over it. So, we went to Denny's after the airport. That was weird too. I had only had 2 1/2 hours of sleep in a day in 1/2 and everything kind of felt like I was in a dream. I had a cheeseburger(haven't had one of those in 4 months and not an American one or American cheese in 1year) and onion rings(I haven't had those in 1year). It was so much fun! Thanks for coming to all of you who came. Than I went home and slept for 9 hours and than woke up. My body is so tired but it is telling me that it is actually 8 hours later than the clock actually says. It's 10pm in Uganda and Sudan right now. Also, air conditioning- Tara you weren't kidding when you said you get sick. I now have a cold, because my body is not used to air conditioning. Crazy! All right, well got to go I am eating Chinese food for the first time in a year, for lunch. I will definitely be writing again soon.

One year down to nine hours

It's been a year of learning and growing. A year of making mistakes and laughter. A year of hardship and a year of joy. Now, I am down to nine hours. Nine hours until a board an airplane to jet of to the USA. It's crazy to think about it. I can not believe it has basically been a year. Somedays it feels like I just got here and other days it feels like I have lived here for five years. The emotions haven not kicked in yet, either that or I do not even know what to think. It definitely will be interesting boarding the plane tonight and my over 24 hours of travel. So, I will take off tonight(Tuesday) at around 10:50pm and be in St. Louis by around 10:35 pm on Wednesday. I will see you all than. This is so strange!

Building Tsunamis and Earthquakes

 

 

 

 

Here are my students building tsunamis and earthquakes for geography class.

Kids of ECA

 

 

 

 

Making Trenches

 

My senior 3 students were learning about WW1, so we made trenches.

In the Classroom

 

In the Classroom

 

Just Hanging Around Goli!

 

 

 

 

My house and it's surroundings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More pictures!

 

 

 

 

Here is my house while in Sudan. All of the pretty stuff is compliments of Tara. She left it behind and had the wall painted red.

August Update Letter- Coming to a Close

August 2, 2010
Currently I am sitting in Matoke Inn(AIM Guesthouse), Kampala, Uganda one week before I was supposed to be. If you have following my life in the last year, heck, two years or even more you would know that plans changing has been a constant theme in my life and should be no surprise to me. But, somehow it always is.
New Teacher and Net ball lessons
In June it was decided that the girls of ECA needed to have more time playing net ball. Net ball is an woman only African sport, basically it is mixture of basketball and ultimate Frisbee. I just learned how to play last month and enjoy it, but it is so different. So we decided to have a student versus female teacher game. It was quite fun as we all learned what rules were, even the referees.
The first week of exams the new teacher finally arrived in Goli. Brenda, is an amazing replacement for and I am so blessed to have her. She is a Kenyan young lady and will do an amazing job at ECA. We got along really well.
“African dance, Daniella”
My relationships with the kitchen girls has really been great lately. About month ago they decided to try to teach me to dance. I know some of you are rolling your eyes right now and chuckling to yourself, because you know my extreme lack of coordination and rhythm. But, they were convinced it could happen. So after the first day they tried to teach me after that, whenever they would see me and wherever they would see me they would say or yell, “Daniella, African dance” and that meant that right than and right there I would have to do a little diddy. I did however tell them I would never do it front of men, because that is just weird. But, it was like our little thing. So, we would dance parties in the kitchen. Oh I’m going to miss that.
Packing it up
Three weeks ago I began the long process of packing of my house. I had accumulated more than I thought, basically because I had accumulated everything from people who had been there in the past; Tara, Dorrette. Oh, my so my house looked nuts for weeks, trying to figure who to give what and make sure I would give it to someone who would actually use it. Trying to figure to out what to keep and what not to. I actually quite enjoyed it. I love giving, at first I was going to sell some things, but then I started giving and I couldn’t stop. It was fun! So, luckily when I was rushed out of Sudan, most of my stuff was already packed and already given away. I did have a bunch of clothes that I was planning on selling to the kitchen girls(so I could use the money to give to a family in need) and some other things. Thankfully the Saturday before I went a packing and getting rid of frenzy and didn’t want to stop until I finished with everything but the basic things I need to live with for a week. With the little I did have left, thankfully my amazing friends in Goli helped pack up the rest of my stuff and somehow, someday soon, my suitcases will arrive in Kampala.
School and Curriculum
Currently, ECA is on break. Second term end July 30 and from what I hear it ended well, minus me. End of term exams had began on July 22 and luckily I finished all of my exams the end of that week. The next week I was planning on working on curriculum and finishing on Friday. Unforeseen events happened to change those plans. So plans and desires have changed. The goal is to still work on some curriculum when I am back in the States. I’m just working on Senior 2 history and geography, but it will be good.
Leaving more than my heart
If you have been keeping up with my blog than you know that I was rushed out on Tuesday, July 27 with severe abdominal pain. The ECTC staff thought it would be better to be safe and take me out of Sudan just in case it was my appendices and I would have to have surgery. Well, they were right. I had an appendectomy on Wednesday, July 28 and everything went ok. I was discharged from the hospital on Friday, July 30 and have been recovering in Kampala ever since. Because, of doctors’ orders I will not be going back into Sudan before I fly out to the States on Tuesday, August 10. My heart is broken from my sudden exit from Sudan and my lack to back in and say goodbye. When I was rushed out of Sudan I was not thinking straight and was convinced I could go back in. I was literally transferred from my bed to the car, so did not get to see anyone let alone say goodbye. But, God has a plan and He will mend this heart of mine.
Future Plans
In my last update letter I had stated that I did not know what I was going to do when I went back to the States. I had had some options, but God had closed the door on those. The day I got out of the hospital God re-opened one of those doors. Now I have a plan. I am kind of hesitant to say what that is, considering I have not signed paper work yet, but just an agreement over email. But, let’s just say God is providing and you will know soon. This experience has opened my eyes and my heart to certain places and people groups in Africa. Please, pray with me as I look down the road and see where God might lead me in my future ministry.
Leaving on a jet plane…
I fly out of Entebbe, Uganda late Tuesday evening, August 10 and arrive in St. Louis late Wednesday evening, August 11. I will see you all then! I will also send a letter out soon of my reflections on the last year and what I have learned and been challenged in.
Praises
• God protected me and got me out of Sudan in time before anything horrible could happen.
• A good end of Second term for ECA.
• A new teacher for secondary school to teacher history.
Prayer
• My heart as it heals, that I will continue to grow closer to the Lord in this
• My health as I fly back to the States
• ECA as they begin third term in a couple of weeks, that students and teachers will be challenged and grow.

Only Because of God’s Amazing Grace,
Danielle Olson
daniolson84@gmail.com
www.daniellesafricandiscoveries@blogspot.com

Just some pictures!

 

 

 

 

My friends

 

 

 

These are my househelp and friend's, Lillian, children.
Agnes
Brian
Abow

The Walk

August 2, 2010
I laid in bed yesterday trying to process in my mind and heart hwy this had to happen to me. Really, it is a selfish struggle since I am not the only one involved. This meaning rushed out of Sudan without a chance to say goodbye or an inkling if I would ever return. This meaning the doctor saying that I cannot go back in to Sudan before I go back to the States. This meaning not a sense of closure. This meaning my heart breaking just a little bit more than it would have before. I lied in bed and cried more than I have cried in a long time. Even sitting here writing this tears well up in my eyes. Purpose… what purpose does this all have? Other than breaking hearts and I know mine is not the only one involved. I could care less about my stuff that is left behind, that is replaceable. What is not replaceable is that last embrace from my sudo Sudanese mother and father, the last wave from all of the kids, the last question of “when are you coming back?”, the last joke, the last comment that eat too little, the last laugh, the last smile, and the continuous prayer and support. I feel like I have cheated them. They have given unconditionally to me and I don’t even get the chance to look into their eyes and let them know how much I appreciate them, how much they taught me about love, giving, mercy, acceptance, un-removable faith, and prayer. Yes, I have told many of them that before, but not for the final time. I am thankful that all of my relationships were left on good terms. I have all of these questions and uneasiness in my heart and I was reminded about something next morning that is hard to grasp but important to have faith through an old school Steven Curtis Chapman song called, “the Walk”. One of the most common lines in this song is “…just doing the walk… it all comes down to the walk…” it continues to talk about Jesus showing us the walk and then it correlates everything to Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” I should just be doing the “walk” and I may not understand where that walk takes me or when it may change direction and I may not like it at the time , but one thing I know for sure is that I serve a God who is just, merciful, and humble and not matter how my heart is going to break, my God will pick up my heart and He will use His mercy to nurse me back to health and put my heart back together again; because, a long time ago I gave my heart completely to Him. In all truth yes, I might question His purpose or His timing, but I trust Him completely with my heart and I have full trust that God has a greater purpose in this and His timing is truly perfect no matter how heartbreaking it may be. So, no matter how many times I stumble and fall I will continue to live “the walk”, because I have the God of perfect justice, perfect mercy and perfect humility handling my heart. And so, if He thinks it has to break a little than it has to break, because wounds are perfectly healed in the Healers hands and it brings me closer to Him and that’s worth it.
“…do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

Not only my heart...

Have you ever heard anyone say that they left part of their heart in Africa? I really think that that is usually very true. As of a week ago I was thinking about how difficult it would be to leave my Sudanese family and did not even want to think about it. Last weekend I spent all Saturday just cleaning and giving away things and packing. I felt as if it was necessary for me to do it right than and it was good that I did. I was saddened to leave my home in Sudan and my friends, but had my whole last week planned out to make it worth while. Little did I know I was not going to get that whole week, but just a day.
Monday morning I started having severe abdominal pain. I went to bed a little early and decided that it would go away by morning. By morning I was having a hard time breathing and could not stand up straight. After being examined by a couple of my friends the management of ECTC decided that the best option was to rush me out of Sudan. They through clothes in a bag for me, gently put me in the LandCruser and we maneuvered our way through the rain worn road of Goli to Yei. After, begging the Eagle Air people to hold the airplane we made it to the airstrip. I held my breath as I chose a seat close to the door and was off to Kampala to be taken to the hospital. As we landed in Entebbe I was too stubborn to ask for a wheelchair so I slowly made my way through customs and out to my unit leader- Phil. We went to the hospital and after some tests I was admitted into the International Hospital in Kampala. Wednesday, morning the doctors confirmed that it was my appendix so they decided we would have surgery Wednesday evening at around 10pm(because the surgeon had been out of town and would not be in until than). I had surgery and it turned out my appendix was inflamed, so it was good it was taken out. I have struggled with a couple of fevers since my surgery, but was released on Friday afternoon. I am now recovering in Kampala at the AIM guesthouse and praying that I will be allowed to go back to Sudan to say my goodbyes(but, the Surgeon originally said no). Three things I have learned through this experience, so far:First, God has perfect timing no matter how strange it may seem at the time and no matter how much it doesn't make sense to us; Ugandan Christians are up front- I had a nurse lay her hands on me and say, "It's ok, God will provide and protect, He is with you" and even other visitors and hospital workers say they would pray for me; Thirdly, how many people God has blessed me with in my life that care for me. Thank you for the many of you that have been praying; I was actually surprised by the number and reminded that God is faithful. Thank you from the depths of my heart!!!
So, I am not only leaving part of my heart and love in Africa, I am also leaving my appendix!

Black Licorice

I grew up in a world where most people do not share my love for my favorite candy. I LOVE black licorice and most people I know(except my mom, because it is her favorite too)think that is a disgusting thing that I enjoy. I'm ok with that fact, because that just means there is more for me and no one will steal it! Now I have a problem, though. Most of my American friends and family to not enjoy this luxurious sweet, but I have just discovered that the majority of my Sudanese friends LOVE black licorice too! Who would of known? Most American sweets they think are too sweet, but they love black licorice. Thank you mom, for sending my favorite candy, because my friends and I are enjoying it!
I think they should start selling Black Licorice in Sudan.

Goli Girls Night!

In the midst of exams, grading, curriculum writing, and packing the women of my housing block decided to have a girls night. I had 8 women in my little house. We laughed, drank different teas, ate popcorn, and watched "The Perfect Man". It was so fun. I love my friends and I think they enjoyed themselves. It's nights like these I am definitely going to miss.

July Update Letter

July 3, 2010

New Life: New life is given and we rejoice in the birth.  In the most cultures babies are welcomed happily, there is no exception in Sudanese cultures.  Babies are cute; we play with them and coo with them.  They are a joy to a new mother.  The sad reality to life is that sometimes it ends to what we sometimes think is pre maturely.  Goli struggles with malaria and it has been plaguing families during this rainy season.  Infants are extremely susceptible to malaria and it is bad for them. A family in the Mundu community, who is also close to ECTC, has lost their 2 month year old family member.  Please, pray for this increasing problem of malaria and for the family.  

Time is going, going, going… almost gone: At this very moment I am in shock and awe that it is July!  It is pretty unbelievable to me one year ago I was getting excited and nervous about coming and sending out support letters.  Now I am sending out support.  Now I am sending out a newsletter informing about my last month in Sudan.  Crazy!  It’s been a year, but it feels like yesterday. In one month I will board a plane and wave goodbye to my Sudanese family.  I will spend seven days in Uganda and on August 10 I will head back to the USA. June was busy with a visitor, green day, parent’s day, mid-term break, arrival of new teachers, saying goodbye to friends being sick, and my computer crashing. 

Visitor and painting Goli green:

For a little over a week I had a visitor, Rachel another AIM short termer in Uganda, come visit me.  It was nice to have her here.  On June 6 we celebrated green day at school with 1 ½ hour of planting flowers and plants around our school. Now our school is beautiful and the flowers are coming.

Surprise:

Today is my mom’s birthday, she is 50!  Happy birthday, to my mom, have a fantastic day!

Girl’s night x 2:

Popcorn, soda, sweets, finger nail polish, facial masks, and laughs. In the last two weeks I have had two girls nights. Last Friday my two secondary girls came over for a movie, popcorn, soda, sweet, painting nails and having facials.  We had so much fun looking crazy with green faces and soaking our feet and making our toe nails pretty. That night reminded how much I love teenagers. This last week I had three girls that live in my housing block over and we ate popcorn and watched Horton Hears a Who.  Other than having to explain the English in the movie every 5 minutes it was quite a fun night. Being a girl is so much fun, no matter the culture!

School, school, and school:

My students will be taking exams for Second Term on July 21.  That means that before then and a week after that I have to write exams, grade exams, finish the history and geography curriculum. So much to do and not enough time. 

Wednesday Outreach:

For the last couple of weeks our school has been having a community outreach with the local children.  We go to the community primary school, play games and then we divide into groups.  We have started using the Wordless book as a series.  There is has been many children coming and lots of feedback, but in the last week numbers have dropped tremendously.  We are somewhat concerned due to the fact that this community struggles with witchcraft. Please, keep this outreach and these children in your prayers.  Mundu children tend to be looked down upon as if they are worth nothing, but we know that God has created these children to change their families, communities, countries, and worlds one day. 

Request:

This might be a strange and even selfish request and I am sorry for that. I am just looking for somewhere to stay for a couple of days in August or September to just gather my thoughts and spend time by myself just to get on track and figure out with God just what to do next.  I am looking for a place that is cheap.  So if you know of anything. Maybe you have a lake house, cabin, or something that you wouldn’t mind a lonely ole’ girl, who is just getting back from Africa, using it. Thanks!

What’s Next?:

Some people have been emailing me and asking me what is next for me?  I have decided I will tell all of you what is next for me. I have no idea!  If there is one thing I have learned this year, that is not a normal part of my character, that I do not need to worry about what is around the corner, because my God has it covered.  So, even though I have no clue what is in-store for me in August, I do know that God has something amazing planned for and I will know when it is time. I also know that He will give me peace about whatever it is and He has been preparing me for whatever it is. I have hope in that. **** I do ,however, have a growing urge for homeless teenagers, so if anyone has any connections on that, please, let me know.

Donors:

Ok, one last thing and I will close out this letter. I have had some growing interest in supporting Emmanuel Christian Academy. I would like to let you all know that your interest is welcome. Our school is a growing school and a financially struggling school that is run on donor support.  If you are interested in supporting our school or even a family that is struggling to send their children to school, please, let me know.  Your monetary donations would go to a new copier, computers, textbooks, library books, and struggling family school fees. If you have even the slightest interest, please, let me know and I can give you more details and why I strongly believe that this is a solid investment.

Praise and Prayer:

Praise-

·         We have had tons of rain for crops

·         ECA community outreach- the children are seeing the importance in sharing Christ with others.

·         I have a working computer again- yeah!

·         My parents successfully celebrated their 30^th wedding anniversary and 50^th birthdays.

Prayer Requests-

·         Transition at ECA and ECTC- myself and the Open Door missionary family (the Williams) are both leaving the same week. There will be a lot of changes and transitions happening more with them being gone (they have been here for 9yrs and Sudan for 15yrs) than me. Also, transition in my relationships. Pray that I will leave strong, solid relationships with my friends here.

·         That my replacement will come soon and I will be able to smoothly hand over everything and leave no loose ends. I want to leave with everything finished well.

·         Our area is taking a beating from Malaria. Right now there four teachers down with Malaria and a lot of other staff and community people. Please pray for resistance against Malaria and break down the resistance the mosquitoes have against our treatments.

·         My health: I am one of those four teachers (yes, again), I have switched to a new treatment so we will see if that works, but this treatment is really hard on your body.

·         Peace in what is next.  Pray that no matter where I go that God will give me a peace that passes all understanding that I am to be there.

Thank you for taking the time to read this incredibly long update. Have a great day!

Only Because of God’s Amazing Grace,

Danielle Olson

www.daniellesafricandiscoveries.blogspot.com

daniolson84@gmail.com

Praise the Lord!

Guess what?! That's right my computer is back in commission! Yeah! I am so excited. Praise the Lord; now it is better than ever. What an answer to prayer!

Dear Lord, please, bless my computer!

I know that this sounds strange, but it's true.  My computer is a blessing grom God- it was give to me as a gift when my other computer went kaput just a week before I left for Sudan.  So, I vowed I would use my computer for good and not for evil and to take extra special care of it(which, I have).  Monday, my computer became very ill :(.  Turns out my operating system crashed and we thought it was a the hard drive, but instead it is a mystery peice of fault hardware.  We have now clue what peice.  The saddest part is not eve that my computer is sick, but that all of my files are corrupted.  All of my curriculum work and pictures for the last 2 months are gone.  I usually save weekly to two other devices, but have failed to do that in the last 2 months.  Product of that mistake= OUCH!  Please, pray that my computer will get a huge dose of Vitamin C and jump back into action for the next month and 1/2.  It would be very useful for all of the I work that I have to get done!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my Dad's 50th birthday! If you see him say, "Way to go, Kev!" He is along on his birthday- he need help celebrating this big milestone. My mom is in Greece and to be quite honest I don't have a clue about my brothers. 
Happy Birthday, old man! I hope you have a great day! I love you and miss you!
Love,
Dani

Psalm 62 and 63

I am not going to type the whole 2 chapters, but I will pick a couple. The whole 2 chapters have been a driving force for me for the last couple of days.
Psalm 62
vs 1-2
For God alone my soul waits in silence from him comes my salvtation He only is my rock and my salvation my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
vs 7-8
ON GOd rests my slavation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.  Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him God is a refuge for us.
vs 11-12
Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.  FOr you will render to aman according to his work.
Psalm 63
vs 1
O GOd, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my lfesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where therei s not water.
vs3- 4 Becuse your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.  So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

Unexpected House Guest

Last Tuesday I received a house guest. My friend, Rachel, came to visit me from Kampala. I am so happy she has come, considering, it is her first time to come to Sudan. I was so excited that she came, but apparently I was not the only one. I had planned for one house guest, instead I received two. The day after Rachel arrived I received another guest; let’s call him… Herbert.  Herbert is a little, grey, beady eyed field mouse. Now, don’t get me wrong I am pro- God’s creatures, but this thing is DISGUSTING and ANNOYING! I have had mice before, but this one acted like it weighed 250 lbs rather than 1 lb. Rachel and I had about 5 sleepless nights because little Herbert had decided he was in Disney Land and my house was his magic kingdom.  Herbert, for your information, you are nothing like Mickey Mouse.  He popped the lid off of my medicine tub and then jumped into the trash can and made a ruckus.  He climbed in my school bag, which was hanging by my head. He even climbed up Rachel’s leg.  We searched for the little bugger, but could never find it. Then, yesterday, Rachel was looking for headphones in one of my cloth boxes and there it was sleeping in the little bag with the cords. I heard Rachel scream and finally had had enough. We put towels under all of the doors, removed everything from the walls, and gathered our weapons (a mop and a broom). We were ready for war!   Herbert began running from corner one against the wall to corner two. He past corner three, sprinted to corner four and again to corner one. Herbert was running a marathon and he is one fast mouse. You could almost hear…Vroom, Vroom, Vroom, Vroom. Once he ran a couple of times I realized that we would have to be the ones to smash him and as much as I wanted him gone I didn’t not want to be the perpetrator in that scenario. So I ran outside and called one of the men to come in and help. But… Herbert had disappeared. We were positive he was only in the one room, but could not find him. We searched high and low. We started picking up thing and putting them away so we could find him more easily next time. He was gone. Than… Rachel was moving a green, metal box and there he was. We accidentally squished him when we were searching for him. There was NO WAY I was picking up that thing so I called our rescuer back in one more time. He picked little Herbert up by the tale and as he carried him away to the field mouse graveyard his little feet were still running in mid air. Sorry, little Herbert, now you get to be in field mouse heaven, which is probably the real magic kingdom!  Say hi to Mickey!   Rest in peace, Herbert, I know Rachel and I did last night!

June Newsletter

June 1, 2010

Dear Friends,

With every thought, every word, and wherever I go I want to love you all of my days for you are my God and I surrender all… There are three primary age girls standing outside my house right now practicing this song. Powerful words, easy to say, harder to do. 

This month is a big month in my family. On June 7, my parents will celebrate their 30^th wedding anniversary and on June 16, my dad will celebrate his 50^th birthday. What an amazing milestone month that gives credit and is a true product and testament of God’s grace. I am so thankful for my parents and their Godly example of marriage. I am also so grateful that we, as a family, were gifted to have my father for 50 years(not possible without God’s grace, healing hands, miraculous strength and plan for my dad’s life; if you don’t know what I am talking about ask me about it sometime). So if you see my parents give them a pat on the back or high five! I am pretty sad I am missing these milestone events. You know and next month is my mom’s 50^th birthday! Wow, they are really getting oldJ!

I can’t believe it is June! The month that mangoes are ending and rain is coming every day. Ok, so what is happening this month? What happened last month? Let me give you the 4-1-1. Today is great day! Today we got internet back. You really do not know how much you rely on something until it’s not there. I just wanted to let you all know I haven’t been dead just un- connected. Last month I came back to Goli and to rain. Rain is such a blessing for farmers, but a pain for the road.  We do a lot of praying driving back and forth from town. Last weekend all of the teachers went to Yei for time together and time away from our compound.  It was such a fun time. We all did our shopping and then went to the Green Mango for lunch and games. It is so much to let down your guard and just have fun with the people you spend every day with away from our normal lives.

This month started off with a visitor. My friend, Rachel (another short termer who is in Kampala) came to visit me for just over a week. I love getting visitors and just letting them see what life is like here and meet the amazing people I live with. I am so happy she is here and she brought me chocolate. Yum! This month we will get a mid-term break and all of my secondary students are going to Murchison Falls. They are so excited for this trip. I might even go with them! We will see.

Things are going great here; we have parents weekend next week so our kids are gearing up with projects, songs, and skits.  Like usual, my house is swarming with children around.  They have decided that my house is the new art studio, so they have been coming to me everyday asking for paper and markers.  They sit on my porch and color. My house has turned into a gallery and I have no more room for drawings, but they keep on insisting that I take their drawings. I am also running out of paper, but they will pretty much use anything.

So, as all of you are starting your summer breaks remember me. I am still in school, granted I had my summer break in December, learning about World War 1, Vikings, waterfalls, tourism, urbanization, and monopolies.

Praises!

1)   God’s constant provision and strength!

2)   My friend Rachel has come. It’s nice to have visitors!

3)   Our area is still safe and peaceful!

4)   Our term has gone smoothly so far

5)   I have not been sick for two weeks, now!

Prayer Requests:

1)   God’s provision in a teacher to take my spot soon, so we can smoothly transition before I leave and so I can spend some needed time on curriculum before I go.

2)   God’s wisdom in my next step

3)   ECA students and teachers that we can continue to work hard and well together

4)   My parents that have a much deserved great anniversary! My dad has a fantastic ½ century birthday!

Only Because of God’s Amazing Grace,

Danielle Olson

daniolson84@gmail.com

www.daniellesafricandiscoveries.blogspot.com

May Newsletter

May 7, 2010

Dear Friends,

249 days, 36 weeks, and 8 months; only four more newsletters to go. Wow! Time has really flown by and now to begin one of those last four newsletters. Yesterday, I stepped foot back onto Sudanese soil. After being away for almost exactly a month I was ready to be back in Sudan. Elections were peaceful and all is calm in the great Southern Sudan so AIM allowed us to return to this great land.  As the rest of my team embarked on the mission to return I stayed behind for an extra week. I have not been feeling well over the last month, so I went to the doctor in Kampala and was given medicine to take care of my bacterial infection. I am getting stronger every day and will soon be fully functioning.

My holiday was full of adventures for me and new things. At the very beginning of my R&R we had a Sudan prayer day. This day was a success and thank you to all who prayed for Sudan all around the globe.  I than got the opportunity to go white water rafting on the Nile river with some friends, that flew in from Kenya. What a rush! We had so much fun in a boat of only five girls and two instructors (one of them was training).  I have conquered the Nile! Well, sorta! We did flip quite a bit; there is no fun without flipping. I am ready to do it again! The day after I returned from rafting I was than privileged to go visit an SIL missionary couple and the Ik tribe up in the Northern most corner of North Eastern Uganda. I learned so much from this trip. This was an exploratory trip for AIM to see if this is future spot for ministry. I loved watching how that whole process works and the conversations and learning that has to happen. The Ik defiantly need education, health care, and most of all… the Gospel! Anyone interested?!

I returned from my trip to the Ik and the next day headed to Kibale(eastern Uganda on the border of Rwanda) for a short-term retreat on Lake Buyoni. This place was beautiful and the retreat was an overall success. I unfortunately became ill and spent the whole retreat in bed. I was than presently surprised when the children of Hope Church called me. Thanks kids! That phone call made my day. Diana Fischer and Maggie put me on speaker phone and Maggies’ Sunday school class asked me questions. They had great questions.

Decisions, decisions, decisions… One part of life that I never did like was making decisions. Sadly, that is what we do every day. It is time for me to make the decision of what to do in August. I have so many choices and not really sure what to choose. So I have been praying about the choices I need to make. Please, pray for me and my next step. Pray that will open and close the needed doors to guide me in the right direction.

May 26, 2010- this newsletter was finished on May 7, but we haven’t had internet in Goli and when we do have it it only works on certain computers, so I have had problems posting blogs and sending this email. Sorry about that. Since May 7 I have gotten malaria again and have had a continuing stomach problem. I am beginning to get frustrated with these health problems and continuous fatigue.

Praises:

-      The encouragement and prayers I get from all of you! Thank you!

-      Elections went well and all is safe in our area of Southern Sudan

-      We have a successful three weeks of the term

-      God’s constant provision and abundance of strength

Prayer Requests:

-      Continued peace through- out Southern Sudan

-      God’s provision in a teacher to take my spot soon, so we can smoothly transition before I leave and so I can spend some needed time on curriculum before I go.

-      My health; that God will give me the needed strength to do my best in all that I do.

-      God’s wisdom in my next step.

Only Because of God’s Amazing Grace,

Danielle Olson

daniolson84@gmail.com

www.daniellesafricandiscoveries.blogspot.com

I absolutely detest White Ants!

May 24, 2010

I know God created all living things even gross little insects that my neighbors enjoy eating.  But… they are absolutely disgusting not to mention annoying. Don’t get me wrong I will taste one when my neighbor fries it for me(apparently they are really good), but in my house that is a different story. These things are EVERYWHERE!!!! Last night I was sitting in my house try to enjoy a nice cup of tea and I had five white ants fly into my tea… 5. Ok, so those of you that don’t know what these are. Picture little ant looking worm type larva with large dragon fly wings. They crawl under the doors and get everywhere. They attach onto your clothing. I was so fed up with them dive bombing me and ending up in my tea that I climbed into my mosquito net at 7:45pm. That is way too early to be climbing into bed when I am not sick. Go away white ants!

All of My April Posts!

April 10, 2010

Psalm 31:23-24

Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.  Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!

April 10, 2010

Just sitting here…

I have been sitting here contemplating the “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel” thing.  Presently, I am sitting on a 4^th floor flat veranda overlooking the majority of Kampala.  Up here I can see for miles.  I see house upon house, cars driving, women washing, men working on a roof, children playing, shop owners conducting business and people walking.  It’s somewhat quiet up here, but I can still hear the dimmed sounds of the bustling city, laughter of children, hum of a drill, conversation of nearby pedestrians.  It is like I am down there with them… I am still part of their world, I am in their world, but right now I am still just an onlooker.  Yes, I am still part of this world, because I live it, but am I experiencing it.  I think sometimes this is exactly what we do, as Christians, with Christ’s commandment to go into all of the world.  Let’s face it we are all ‘in the world” is doesn’t matter if we are living in Africa, Haiti, or St. Louis.  I really do not think Christ meant that by going “into all the world” meant moving to another country and living amongst another country.  Yes, that is still going into all the world.  And… God calls some of us to do that, but I really think that Christ meant to “go into” the world.  Don’t just observe from a veranda and smile to a passerby.  Don’t just be another person who live in a place, but be part of that place.  Because, yes it might be nice and neat and somewhat peaceful up here on the 4^th floor.  But isn’t beauty found in the people?  Isn’t beauty more apparent whey you are standing face to face with someone experiencing joy and heartache with someone?  Isn’t more peaceful to stand around and chat with the shop owner, wash with women, work with the roofers and laugh with the children.  Because, I strongly believe that that is where God’s grace is and what Christ meant by going into all the world.  I think He meant get down and dirty with others, experience life with them (the up and the downs) and (here is the key) allow them to do the same with you. Don’t just be an onlooker who occasionally helps others, but let them into your world too.  Allow them to experience your ups and downs as well.  When that happens that when you see beauty at the extreme and that is where it is truly peaceful. Amongst the chaos and broken pieces of life we can find peace we can find Christ.  When we are living personally with others and intentionally living like Christ (no matter what continent, country, or city) that is when we are “going into all of the world”.  Well, I have to go- into all of the world.

April 11, 2010

ELECTIONS!!!

This is an email I sent over a week ago. I just wanted to bring it up again, as today is elections. Please, join my team today as we pray for wisdom, safety, and God’s guidance in Sudan. Today is an important day for the nation of Southern Sudan. Please, pray with us.

Hello all of my prayer warriors!

Today is April 1st, some know it as April Fools day, some know it as thirteen days until tax day, but there is another group of people that those two things do not even resonate with this date. Southern Sudanese look at April 1st as ten days before elections. As in any country elections can cause a lot of drama and a lot of he said she said. I want to urge you to diligently and fervently pray for the country of Sudan for the next eleven days. Despite what you might hear in the news, this country is crying out for freedom and independence.  They just want to live their lives; they are tired.  Please, pray that God will rise up leaders that seek after His heart and can lead in faith. Please, pray that God will squash LRA threats, other rebel activity, tribal fighting, corruption of the Southern government, power struggles and tribalism within the Southern government, and the determined spirit of Northern Sudan to infiltrate the South with Islam(by any means). There are many different reports about the elections and not all positive. Please, join the church of Sudan in crying out to God for this country. Pray that God's protection will be upon them and sustain the spirit of hope. This morning I was reading in Exodus 17:8-16 and I came across the story of where Joshua goes to battle with Amalek and whenever Moses holds up his arms Joshua wins, but whenever his arms get tired and he lowers them Joshua loses. Moses asks Aaron and Hurr to hold up his arms when he is too tired to hold them up with his own strength, so that God will prevail and Joshua (through God's mighty strength) will win the battle. I believe that this is what God wants us to do. The Sudanese are tired and sometimes their strength is limited, but as a Christian I firmly believe that God calls us to hold up each other’s arms when we are tired and exhausted in the midst of battle.  Brothers and Sisters! My Sudanese brothers and sisters are fervently praying for God's peace to come over this nation and they are getting weary(as they have been praying for a long time) and exhausted and are in the midst of a serious battle! Please, hold up their arms, as they are fighting on the frontlines of this Spiritual battle in Sudan! Hold up their arms in prayer, so that God can use their willing hearts to overcome the enemy and prevail(He can do it without them, but pray with, please)! Hold up their arms!

May 1, 2010

My time out…

I just wanted to let you know what I did on my time out. My homebase was Kampala, but I was on the move most of the time. My first adventure was going white water rafting with some friends from Kenya, on the Nile in Uganda. I came back and a day later left for Karamoja in North Eastern Uganda to go visit a SIL Missionary couple and a tribe called the Ik. That was amazing experience for me. I got to see the process that Central Region AIM uses to decide on new ministry opportunities.  I also had time to get to know the Wolcotts(Central Region Director), Bylers(my unit leaders), and Tianne(a fellow Sudan missionary) better. It was a great experience. I came back about 8pm and left the next morning at 8am to go to Western Uganda to Lake Buyoni on a Short term retreat. Sadly I really didn’t get to experience the short-term retreat, because I was sick and stuck in bed most of the time. But, it is a beautiful place! When I came back from Lake Buyoni than I privileged to stay with my friends’ the Lewis’(well in their flat) and recover for a week and ½ before I went back into Sudan. Other than being sick, I really had a great time out. I got to spend time with old friends, make new friends, and learn a lot from seasoned missionaries. Although, Sudan’s safety was always in the forefront of my mind and on my heart, my time out was a blessing. Thank you for your prayers!

It’s over…

Praise the Lord! Votes are in and Southern Sudan is safe. There were no large problems and safety is high in the land of Southern Sudan. Even though there were some delays, elections went well. Please, continue to pray for this country and the people. I can’t wait to go see my Sudanese family!