Missionary Blog Watch » Sudan

Videos, a cool tree house, and more!

Jim — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:17:20 +0000

We’re moving right along with the updates on our Up-and-coming missionary bloggers page. Here are some interesting posts I’ve come across lately, including a couple of videos…

The joy of envelope-stuffing in Kenya
The eyes of the world are on Greece – are we praying?
Now that is a cool tree house in Taiwan!
A video – flight to Sudan!
Thoughts about corruption in Russia – or is it corruption?
Thoughts from a medical missionary in Ukraine – Am I Contagious?

Finally, this video from Chile – Chilean folk music meets an old hymn…

Practising Medicine: What’s it like?

Jim — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:14:04 +0000

Specifically, what’s it like it east Africa?

I really enjoyed this post from Ginna about the challenges, frustrations and blessings related to practising medicine where she is. Here’s the start – click through to read the rest.

‘So, what’s it like to practice medicine over there?’

That is a questions I was asked a lot while we were in the US. I never really know how to answer. I think I should say something noble like ‘rewarding’, but all I can really think is ‘frustrating!’ It truly is on so many levels. Lack of equipment, lab tests, imaging and medicine was something I expected. The fact that patients would not be able to afford what was available was also not a surprise. Even the language barrier was nothing new… [read What's it like to practice medicine here?]

Travelling Around Africa

Jim — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:28:41 +0000

So, I’ve been travelling all around Africa! Well, not in real life – but via the blogs of our many missionary bloggers in Africa. So I thought I’d stop and share with you some of the posts I found!

Do we take for granted the simple things – like electricity? In Senegal, getting basic steady electricity can be a challenge, as we read in Power Cuts.
And not to complain – but what about the ability to get good milk? Well, some of us could live without it, but some of us couldn’t. Here’s what a family in Madagascar has been dealing with – bad milk!
On a more positive note, let’s head over to Sudan for something that is badly needed – good, solid training for leaders! Take a look at Church Leadership Training (details)
Working in South Africa, David points out that some Bible passages – that may seem very archaic and far away to you – may seem quite contemporary in other parts of the world. Read All the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked (Genesis 31).
And how about an update about everything from the country of Niger? Head on over and read Eleven in 2011.
Take the time to get to know some real people in Ghana – The Privilege of Sharing our lives in Christ.
Wow, how often do you face decisions like this? Missionaries in Uganda want to share with you about this tough decision.
I’m sorry – you’re under arrest. For what, may I ask? Find out what happened to this missionary in Liberia…
It’s 435 years old! What is? Why, Luanda of course! It’s the capitol of Angola.
And this is totally unrelated to anything, but I was very excited to find this extraordinarily practical blog for those who aren’t eating gluten – and are living where perhaps it’s not so easy (not that it’s easy anywhere!). So, from Senegal, check out Living GF in Dakar.
And just one more – a video (below) from Mozambique, thanks to the Da Silva Family blog.

Malaria

Jim — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:25:25 +0000

According to the World Health Organization, in 2008 there were 243 million cases of malaria. Malaria accounted for 863,000 deaths, and 89% of those were in Africa.

But, of course, those big numbers don’t say much about the families that have lost children, fathers, and mothers. It doesn’t tell us about coworkers and friends who have been lost.

So, for the month of October, please read A Friend Has Passed and The fragility of life.

You might also want to check out PRAISE GOD FOR ANSWERED PRAYER, and on a lighter note Charity, Beer, and Malaria in Burkina Faso.

At My House…

Jim — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:19:37 +0000

A few recent posts about the places where missionaries live, and what they live with…

How would you like to live and work in this place in Burkina Faso?

In many places security is a big deal – here’s one way they deal with it in South Africa.

And over in Uganda, a description of a house some new missionaries are moving into. (Page was temporarily down when I wrote this – check back or try here if it still doesn’t work.)

Not specifically house related, but this post takes a good look at ministry and challenges to ministry in Mexico. Also in the category of things missionaries see and deal with regularly, this post from Paraguay.

One last house picture, as a missionary family finds a place to live in Sudan.

By the way – do you want to introduce your children to houses around the world? Try Imagine a House: A Journey to Fascinating Houses Around the World. It was written by retired Peace Corps volunteer Angela Gustafson for kids.

Talk about people around the world, and pray for them today!

Videos, pictures, and naming God

Jim — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:47:55 +0000

Lots going on out there in the missionary blogosphere – I’m especially noticing an increase in the use of video! So here are some posts with video first, then we have a few more…

How to train fleas (Ecuador) – I know you’ve always wondered.
Retreat and Prayer Requests (Japan) – just a basic update – always nice to see someone’s face!

And for some other interesting posts, many including some great photos:

Into Indochina – lots of photos
Another Busy Day (Haiti) – some great photos of the relief effort
A Name for God? (Papua New Guinea) – a great illustration of the challenges of Bible translation
Hot Lava and a Burned up Computer (Guatemala) – Take a hike with the Glicks
Travel The Road (Guatemala) – what kind of a road would your life be like?

And here’s one more video for you – this one from
the delorenzo flyer (Kenya) The video is about Sudan, Chad, Congo, and Central African Republic…

Beauty and Hope – this week’s Missionary Blog Posts

Jim — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:03:47 +0000

Some more random posts from around the world – enjoy!

Let’s get practical – How Can You Pray for Missionaries? Some great ideas here.
Getting ready for hot season… just how do you do that in Niger?
What’s it like going to a women’s conference in Sudan? Read all about it and see some pictures in “He makes winds His messengers…” Psalm 104:4
Hope – how do you hang on to it in such difficult circumstances? Read about a pregnant woman searching for hope in Swaziland.
Just plain beautiful! See it here – Doi Tung, Thailand.
Some news from Haiti – Sherry’s update – Feb 2, 2010
A glimpse into a few people’s lives – Guess who was waiting for me during a trip to Columbia.

Unusual Food, Amazing Flashlights, and why these kids are NOT future missionaries…

Jim — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:30:59 +0000

Drinking coffee in Sudan
Photo courtesy of joodmc

Food, drink, Christmas outreaches, flashlights… quite a variety today from our bloggers. I don’t know what it is, but the posts seem to be getting more and more interesting – check out this eclectic set from recent days…

Zillions of Cookies in Russia: Don’t you love this kind of outreach?
The difference between the statistics of Christians worldwide and the reality – talking about syncretism in Swaziland.
Hate to say it, but these kids are Not Future Missionaries in the Philippines
Let’s head over to Rwanda to see A Batwa Christmas, and why it was extra special this year.
While we’re in Africa, let’s stop for a Coffebreak – Sudanese Style (in Sudan of course) before continuing.
On with our travelling, to see Jacmel… beautiful place with beautiful people in Haiti.
Around the House and Around the Neighborhood in Mexico. Ice skating and riot police?
So you’re a techy interested in missions? Check out this amazing Reliable Solar Powered Light from these folks heading to Kenya.
Just for fun, check out these International Nativity Scenes from Thom in Senegal.
One of the world’s most amazing delicacies right here – Balut–something to try at least once (the Philippines)

In the Villages of Sudan

Jim — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:05:44 +0000

I’ve been enjoying the stories of the travels of Loriann in Sudan. She just wrote a couple of posts about her "Ganza trip", listening to and sharing with people in villages in Sudan. The Ganza are a tribe of people in Sudan, and it’s fascinating to hear about their lives and concerns.

You can read about it here: Overview of Ganza Trip:Day 1, and then Overview of Ganza Trip: Day 2. Here’s and excerpt:

On a personal note, I’m not sure I’ve ever felt more overwhelmed in my life on a cultural, physical, and spiritual level. Culturally I felt the pressure of what it would say about me as a woman if our second round of cooking in the bush turned out like our half cooked beans the night before. In this culture, the visitors are served first, then the men, then the women and the children. We didn’t have enough plates for everyone, so Kristin and I served food and then waited for the men to finish, wash their plates and then serve the next people. On a physical level, I was rather hungry and felt anxious about the long day of hiking ahead of us and looked at the pot of dwindling food…

I discovered another journal of fellow travellers here at Sizzin’ in Sudan. Worth a read if you’re interested in serving God in this amazing country!