Last Friday, Blaise and I arrived in Tonj, South Sudan for our temporary assignment (3 months). Nasir remains closed to us at this time, as it is a rebel stronghold, and though our hearts are broken, we have held onto the fact that nothing happens outside of God’s control. We are in Tonj because that’s where He wants us.
Our work is certainly cut out for us here! Blaise’s sole focus of work here is getting the radio studio (currently a room with transmitter that broadcasts all of our pre-recorded material) fully operational and broadcasting live. This means transforming that small room into a working studio with appropriate sound dampening, setting up equipment, gathering hours and hours of materials to be mixed in with live programs, carefully mentoring and discipling the three radio guys, and building anticipation in the community in preparation for our live launch. It also means working out any bugs that are sure to come up. Like I said, big job!
My work is to support Blaise and the radio team however I can and to continue developing our educational radio programming. Additionally, I am hoping to offer a beginner-level English class to women in the local community as a way of forming relationships and meeting a need that is repeatedly expressed. My vision is to teach 4 days a week (either mornings or afternoons) and then conduct home visits, which will provide an opportunity to get to know my students on a deeper level as well as share the Gospel with them and their families.
Already, our short time here has been filled with the unexpected! I will write a couple of blog posts dedicated solely to telling these stories, but last Friday (our first day here) I got to watch my first birth and then Sunday I tested positive for malaria. I wouldn’t mind if things got a little less exciting!
Please keep us in your prayers. Blaise would love prayers for wisdom and guidance as he starts this very important work and I would love prayers for healing, protection for the baby, and favor with local education officials.
