Before I begin posting stories and pictures from the trip, I like to acquaint you briefly with each team member so you can put faces to the names. It helps. I promise. The italicized names in parenthesis are the Dinka names that we were given in one of the villages. I LOVE them!
Here is our team picture before we loaded up and headed out of Sudan…
Left to Right: Kerrie, Ashley, Me (aka Amer), Elizabeth, Susie, Andrew, Bob, and Lizi
Kerrie (Yam)-Aid Sudan’s Health Director, Kampala
Kerrie is my roomie for the summer! She is the kindest, gentlest person you could meet. She is a nurse who has served in missions all over the world, and who just recently moved to Kampala, where she will work as Aid Sudan’s Director of Health. She’s amazing and I am SO blessed to have her in my life now!!
Ashley (Bene Bay)-Team Member, Houston
This woman oozes compassion and love for people. She and I talked a LOT on the trip, and I just love how much she pours herself into bettering others and caring for them. I love that girl! Oh, and Ashley got to assist with two births during our stay. How cool is that?!?
Elizabeth (Ayin)-Team Member and Leader of Sister to Sister Program
Her knowledge of Sudan and its plight is unbelievable! She is a two-time published novelist, which I did not know until a few days into the trip. I now have her book on my bedside table and will be reading it over the next couple of weeks. She is so selfless and servant-minded…and like someone said, she would tell you she was fine even if she were lying in a puddle on the side of the road. She truly cares for people on a much deeper level than most do.
Susie (Ajok)-Team Member, Atlanta
Susie is a film student in Atlanta, and she is just so cool! She showed up at the airport with purple hair, and I just smiled at the thought of the Sudanese enjoying her hair. Susie is definitely a visionary, and I can totally see her producing ah-maz-ing documentaries in the future that are not only beautiful, but that make people FEEL. She, too, just oozes compassion and love for people, and it was SO cool to see her work her magic behind the lens of her camera.
Andrew- Team Leader, Houston
Andrew was my TL on my trip to Nasir last year, and he is still the same amazing leader. He is consistent and completely focused on God. It is really cool to see his passion for the Word of God!
Bob (Majok)- Logistics Coordinator, Kampala
This was my first trip with Bob, and it was really fun getting to know him. He is so completely able to look at a situation and see it from multiple viewpoints…and he is a teacher, so it was so great to bounce ideas off of him regarding educational programming.
Lizi- Team Member, Houston
Lizi is a mother of five, which was very impressive to the Sudanese! She was just full of laughter and enthusiasm the entire trip. She also cares deeply about the women of South Sudan, and her questions and concerns were phenomenal. Oh, and she has an ah-maz-ing singing voice!!!
I apologize that I cannot remember Andrew and Lizi’s Dinka names…I will try to find them out and let you know!
