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