To the Bush & Back

“That car drinks water like a person! Every day, every day…even it’s needing food. Maybe you feed it and it becomes strong again. Now it’s just jumping like a frog. What is wrong?!! Everywhere jumping, jumping like a frog!” Douno laughs and points at the broken-down vehicle passing through town.

We sure missed these boys....  Happy was the day when Mr. Olayo and I found ourselves crossing the border once again, entering our beloved Toposaland. Having seen God’s faithfulness in answering so many prayers, we were ready and eager to return.

Aerial view of Kapoeta town

Arriving in South Sudan was a surreal experience – getting to revisit all the places where God had manifested His grace during our last term. We rejoiced together and felt strengthened to see His hand still at work. The boys were busy in the church – Lopua and Lorot looking more comfortable than ever in leading services and sharing Stories with the congregation. Speaking with them in private, we could see their progressing maturity in the faith. What a wonder of the Spirit in a land where cultural pressures and ties can so easily crumple even a grown man’s resolve to be different!

One of the most wonderful and anticipated experiences for us was to be able to share a new testimony with the boys.  Mark and I having both been good friends with them, it was an incredible joy to return and find them all eager to hear the full story of our courtship and marriage. 

“When will you share with us and show pictures?!” they asked us multiple times in the first day. 

“Tomorrow morning,” we told them, “so gather everyone who wants to hear.”

 The following morning a group had gathered in front of the boys’ dormitory. A time of laughter and fun ensued, as Mark and I took turns testifying of the Spirit’s work over the past several months. Then the time for photos came. “Whey! Whey!” echoed through the crowd as their faces lit in delight over the wonder of it all. “Mariko! Ang’atun! Ekile!” (Mark! Lion! Man!) “Dera! Nakaato! Aberu ka Mariko!” (Darah! Sister! Wife of Mark!) they exclaimed again and again.

“What about video?! Do you have wedding video?!” their excitement was growing. So was ours. Having witnessed countless tribal weddings in their lifetimes, this was their first time seeing two Believers wedded in Africa. They watched as the pastor encouraged us from Scripture; they sang along with our wedding guests during the worship time; they watched intently as Mark and I knelt on the ground and were prayed over by mentors, pastors, and close friends; and they clapped in delight to see everyone break out dancing in the end, with voices ringing a cappella praise in the background. “Again, again!” they pleaded when the wedding ended.

The next day we awoke to news that there had been an attempted coup in Juba. Kapoeta town had shut down, and for three days we were without ready access to groceries and supplies. But we waited, being sure it would pass. When town opened again, we felt the situation must be improving in the capital. Mark continued investing in the young men, each day going out for several hours to visit with them and sow into their lives with Bible Stories and truths. Meanwhile, I focused on administrative issues – meeting with the watchman and the new pastor, spending time with the kids, and adjusting to the new role of wife and homemaker (which I am LOVING!). 

With the uncertainty of the political situation, tensions began to rise. Four days after the eruption in Juba, we lost phone service and were unable to call out for three days. This, coupled with other factors, led us to pray more about the possibility of leaving. Taxis to the border were becoming few, but Mark managed to find one that would take us out on Christmas Eve. With everything on the compound set for a Christmas Day celebration, we exchanged farewells, the boys and ourselves committing to keep each other in prayer.

Civilians seek refuge at U.N. headquarters in Juba.
http://www.fortmilltimes.com/2013/12/17/3169999/gunfire-in-s-sudan-as-military.html

Eldoret, Kenya (Mark's home place) came back in view on the night of December 26th. Here, we will be picking up where we left off in ministry – working with indigenous missionaries, helping teach Good News Clubs as well as looking for more counseling opportunities with young people when schools open up, mentoring some young adults, and serving in the local church.

Please keep us in your prayers as we strive to walk in obedience and as we seek God’s further direction from Kenya. We are so, SO grateful for all your prayers, support, and encouragement! 

In Christ,

Mark Philip & Darah Olayo

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