IndepenDANCE

july 9th was south sudan's independence day! it was exciting to be in mundri and celebrate the newly independent country with friends. 


here are some pictures to walk you through our day, beginning with a feast and ending, of course, with a bit of DANCING!

andrew and his family welcome us to celebrate with them.

i sat next to the tribal chief.

and ate corn on the cob.

bethany and i made some chocolate chip cookies. they were enjoyed by all.

especially the ladies :)

after lunch, we headed to town to join the crowds, just in time for dancing.

we moved from group to group, checking out the different tribal dances.

gaby had the best view.

Do It Again

as a kid, i remember my dad tickling me until i couldn’t breath. i would laugh and laugh uncontrollably, and with my last gasp of air beg him to stop...all the while wanting him to do it again.

(foto, pictured above, can’t get enough of heidi’s tickles :)

heidi recently lead our team in a night of worship and prayer. she encouraged us to share our “do it again” moments, those which we want to live over and over again. we all had different things to share... wonders in God’s creation, the familiar and predictable routine of family, or things that simply reminded us of loved ones. 

what one person would consider mundane, everyday rhythms are sometimes extraordinary treasures to another.

(though he can’t quite reach the seat, martin pedals like a pro, riding a bike for the first time.)   

one reason i loved working with preschoolers was their ability to see the world through fresh eyes. they would point out the tiniest insect or an intricate spider web that i would have normally overlooked or even found bothersome.

what God reveals to one may not be obvious to his neighbor. sometimes we need a little help (from a child or from a friend) to see the blessings around us.

(bethany and i model the ever-fashionable paper disguises.)

i’m thankful for my day with foto and martin, who remind me to be childlike. and i’m thankful for the gift of teammates, sharing in our differences, bringing attention to our daily joys, and together giving thanks for God’s goodness.