Wednesday 2nd November

After a leisurely morning at the house, the bus came to collect Ruth and I to go meet some of the ladies from the church for a ladies workshop.  Warwick came with so he could browse the markets.  There were 9 women from the church who came.  We began by sharing our stories.  We have discovered the importance of sharing stories ... some of the women spoke for over 1.5 hours.  Many tragic accounts mixed in with amazing stories of God’s care and provision.  Here is a snap-shot:  one family of 10 children lost all but 2 of them.  One girl grew up in Bor and did not leave during the war ... many stories of all those around her being killed or injured.  One occasion, the soldiers were fighting over her because she was a beautiful young prize.  Because they could not decide who should have her, they decided to kill her so no-one could have her.  She prayed that God would protect her, and then tried to run away.  She fell over, and although a soldier ran right over the top of her, he did not see her because God had hidden her from his sight.  

If Mum is unable to care for children, they will be cared for by grandparents.  Many left Sudan and grew up in refugee camps on the border.  Children are very important.  If you have only girls, you have no son to care for you in your old age.  If you have only boys, you have no girls to receive the bride price to increase family wealth for so your sons can marry.  The women knew who was married to a good husband, and they all wanted to know how those women had found a good husband.  There were 2 in the group that particularly got singled out for these questions. We laughed and cried together. We have made new friends. We hope to meet them again.

Greg has been sick with a fever overnight but seems to be on the mend after a slow day. Some cloud cover and a breeze helped.

Penny