We apologize for not blogging for awhile. We have been busy, away from good internet, and not much interesting has been happening. This will likely be our last blog from South Sudan because we are returning home in a few days. Last Thursday we moved from Afex (tent living) to Pan Dor, which is the housing for the Catholics here. W share a nice room that has screens in the windows and running water. Marion is the person on staff responsible for the housing and food. She has been so very good to us, including finding us a floor fan. There is power only from 7-11 pm but we do fine - get all our electronics charged. The teachers we hired are doing a great job. We try to stop by every day or two. The energy is very positive. On Friday we are inviting the families of the students to come so we can meet them and share with them more about the school. We are looking forward to meeting them. Some of them have parents, others are parents! We also selected a contractor to build the facilities - 2 classrooms, an office, and latrines. We continue to visit with NOGs and government people. There is a great network here of people working together and we want to be part of that. I preached on Sunday at the English-speaking Episcopal service. I had to speak very loud and slowly but I think the about 130 people in attendance could hear me and understand me. They seemed to respond (laugh, complete sentences) at the right time. So we have 3 more nights in Rumbek, then a night in Juba, one night on the plane and we will be home! I am sad to leave here but happy to be going home. Thank you to all of you for your prayers and support in this. If you want us to speak at your church or group, just let us know. If you want to give financial support, Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to do that. We will need $100,000 for just the facility. Then we have teacher salaries, etc. So consider if you want to support Abukloi. Again, thanks!

New Accommodations

"Transitional Housing" for Bev and Marg.  These are rooms located at
Afex, a compound primarily for NGOs (non-profit).  Platform tents with
electricity 24/7 and running water.  Living large!

Bev and I have been caught up in a major cultural event here in South Sudan. Jacob's daughter, Agok, is getting married in December. This weekend/week is the cattle exchange. So Jacob and much of his family have traveled from Juba to Rumbek. The women arrived on Friday and spent the night at the house sleeping on mats on the floor. We aren't sure how many there were but there was much chatter! Apparently the women are expected to be present to support the bride but do not participate in the cattle negotiation. We understand from Agok that there are TWO men negotiating, a common practice which serves to increase the number of cattle exchanged, the excitement, and creates somewhat of a choice for the bride. Before a final decision is made Agok's parents will ask her if she has a preference. If we actually get to go to the cattle camp for the exchange we will take pictures and let you know how all of this works. We had planned to move from Jacob's home to the Catholic Compound (Pan Dor) but a room was not available. Then we considered a place called Canal. However, in the end we decided to stay at Afex, the place we go to nearly daily for internet. There are three levels of accommodations at Afex, most of them housing people who work for NGOs (non-profits). The high end are rooms made of blocks and bricks and includes a TV! The next two levels are tents on concrete platforms. We opted for the lowest level because of the prices. But we do have electricity 24/7, and running water including warm water at the shower head. The room has a fan and screens on the tent openings. We slept very well. We anticipate staying at Afex just three nights and then move to Pan Dor. We will be closer to the school (walking distance) and the rate is far less. Our director, Philip Nyumba, was at home in Kenya visiting with his wife and two children when he came down with malaria. He was very sick and it has greatly delayed his return. This has handicapped us in terms of connecting with other NGOs. Philip has been doing that for the past year so these are connections he already has and could help us with. We will do what we can until he comes and trust God will provide what is needed. Our understanding is that other established NGOs sometimes assist new NGOs. And we need all the assistance we can get! We have been able to change our return airline tickets. So we will leave Rumbek for Juba Nov. 9 and South Sudan Nov. 10 returning to the US Nov. 11 early morning. We have much to do before then. Pray for God to make a way, to open doors. When we get home we are availalbe to speak. Let us know if you would like us to speak at your church or group. Marg