Homeschooling in South Sudan

Teaching my youngest how to read

Back in 2007 when we were preparing to come to Sudan and I had a 2 year old and a baby, friends would ask me what we're going to do about the schooling of our children. Our organization also forewarned us that there were no schooling options for our children besides teaching them ourselves at home. Being a teacher myself I was excited about the idea of homeschooling when the time came.

Fast forward 6 years. Now I have a 3rd grader, a 2nd grader and a kindergartener. I live in kind of a remote place with no local library, poor internet connection, heat, and many many distractions. But...I believe this is the IDEAL place to homeschool and I believe my children are getting an incredible education that I would not trade for the world!

Making our own paints with egg and dye in art class

Up until this year I have been teaching my kids on my own, using my own ideas and creativity - which isn't that great. :) This year God has given our family a gift - other families with children who are also homeschooling. Though we each have our own curriculum and do most of our school in our own homes, we have started doing fun classes together as a group. It is soooooo much fun.

Math is more fun together

My teammate, Amie Cross, also taught a fun music class where our children got to learn the different music notes and how to read music. They practiced with tin whistles and a recorder and 6 weeks later could all play "Mary Had a Little Lamb".

Just this last week, our member care teammate came to visit and bring refreshment and encouragement to our team. One of the fun things she did with our children was a 2 hour class on ocean animals. They loved it!

*photo taken by Jonathan Cross

Last weekend, 6 weeks after starting our classes together, we had a special presentation for the rest of our team. The program began with the kiddos playing their much practiced piece: Mary Had a Little Lamb, followed by speeches by everyone, a few songs, and finally a giant potluck complete with two different cakes!!! These children's performances were just precious. Topics of speeches ranged from bats, natural pesticides you can make at home, a pet, and the Code of Knights.

I'm not sure what the Lord has in store for my children's educational needs in the future. But I am so grateful and content with the opportunity they have at this age to live on the Nile River, get school done in 3 hours, learn how to speak Arabic, live in a very different culture and see first hand what it means to live your life as a light for Jesus.

Delights of Gardening

My first successful sunflowers

My favorite thing about this time of year (the rainy season) is experimenting and growing new things in this land on the Nile River. Since we just moved into our brand new house in April, it's been very fun to plant flowers around the house, a vegetable patch in the front, and a small garden behind the house. Not only do I love to see things grow but I actually enjoy weeding. I like to get down on my hands and knees and think and pray as I pull out weeds and beautify my garden. It's so rewarding!

Josh hiding in the midst of our flowers at the front of the house

We're getting a great cucumber crop this year

Our 1st watermelon - we had to pick it a little early since some grubs were already helping themselves to it!

God's Hand in a Miraculous Birth this week

GTC's newest baby

This last Wednesday another student's wife went into labor. This time we were worried about complications because she went into labor a month earlier than she’d calculated and she’s had very high blood pressure during her pregnancy. Claire, our teammate who is a nurse,  took her to the hospital around 10 am on Wednesday. A few other women on campus and I joined them at the hospital and spent most of the day assisting Claire and being there for Miriam (the laboring mother.) Honestly my emotions are still numb from everything that took place that day. I have been traumatized by the state of our hospital here and have decided NEVER to take any member of my family there. Miriam delivered a baby girl around 3:30 pm and honestly, we almost lost her. Her blood pressure shot so high she started convulsing and then went unconscious. While my teammate Amie held the newborn baby, Claire and I gently talked to Miriam (Claire in English and me translating into Arabic.) At one point Claire turned to me and said, “We’re losing her. PRAY!” Less than a minute later we started coaxing her, “Miriam, if you can hear my voice, try to open your eyes.” I guess the drug they gave her for her blood pressure made her lose her muscle strength so she was very drowsy and couldn’t move. I cannot tell you the utter joy and awe I had for God at the moment her beautiful eyes fluttered open!

    Fast forward to today, Friday. Little Baby Claire (named after her amazing nurse!!!) is doing great. She showed some signs of infection (or so the Sudanese staff thought) so they’ve been keeping them at the hospital. We’ve made many trips back and forth taking food, taking her other five children to meet their new sister, and this afternoon carting gallons of hot water so she could have a nice hot bath. I won’t bore you with the list of things you have to bring for your hospital stay. Basically, just pack everything. All they provide is a bed. Period. We are all looking forward to hopefully bringing Miriam and baby Claire back to campus tomorrow.

   

Miriam and Baby Claire

A new friend

This young mother also arrived at the hospital on Wednesday morning with a 2 week old baby who was diagnosed with malaria. Over the last few days we got to know her a bit. The other women in the maternity ward loved watching and listening to the khawadjas (foreigners) as we loved on Miriam.

As you read this blog please also pray for one last student wife who is due any day. Her name is Rhoda and since the last 2 labors have been quite traumatic she is nervous. Pray for Claire to recuperate from her long 36 hour stay at the hospital with Miriam and baby so she'll be ready to help with Rhoda's delivery whenever that may be.
 

God's Protection

In less than 24 hours the Lord has protected our family from 3 different dangers (that we know of, I'm sure there could have been many more!!!)  First, yesterday, while the boys were making a fort with their friends in the yard, Evan carried an old sack from across campus not knowing the whole time that there was a huge scorpion hanging on to the same sack. Only when Isaac was tying the sack onto their fort did he see the scorpion and realize they both could have been stung.

Then yesterday evening we were over at our teammates' house having dinner. After dinner the adults were chatting while the kids played and suddenly they all came running screaming, "Snake! Snake!" Sure enough, our teammate Jon found a puff adder, a very dangerous snake, right where they'd been playing. Isaac told me he'd been walking barefoot along that side of the house, happened to look down at his feet and he was just about to step on it!!!! Again, THANK THE LORD for His protection!

This morning Eli was making the bed and I heard him call out, "Bethany, come check this out!" He had found a scorpion UNDER HIS PILLOW! Who knows how long it had been there. I remember something scurrying under my pillow before I got into bed last night. I tried to find it but figured it was just a beetle, which we have many of this time of year. I don't know if that was the scorpion but again, the important thing here is that we could have easily been harmed but the Lord protected us.

I imagine there are many more dangers that occur all around us that we never even see but today these occurrences have been a huge encouragement to my heart to be reminded of God's care, love, and protection.

Our Trip to "The Big City"

On Monday, August 12th, we set out from Melut by boat for a four day "get away" to Malakal, the capital city of Upper Nile State here in South Sudan. We brought the boys' best friend German with us so he could see the "big city" for the first time. It was quite an experience for all of us. The boat ride took 3 and half hours and we got to see beautiful scenery and many types of water birds.

We met up with friends we knew from Yabus days and went to this nice restaurant.

Anter Deng, pictured next to Eli, was a teacher at the SIC Secondary School in Yabus and we lived together for about 3 years. He recently got married about a year ago to Nyabuol and they are expecting their first child in a few months.

One of the perks of Malakal was the larger variety of foods and drinks. We splurged and ate out every meal - great treat for me so I didn't have to cook! Here we are eating fish sandwiches with fresh veggies and fruit in our guesthouse.

One day we were out and it rained quite heavily. The walk home after dark IN THE MUD without real flashlights was quite the "adventure". Other fun adventures we had were:
- going to the local zoo where we saw hyenas, crocodiles, an ostrich, a baboon, a monkey, and an antelope.
- our own tour of an old Egyptian agricultural project from the 1950's which included old cranes, ships and railroads.
- a walk around town and the clothes market
- eating out at different restaurants
- meeting up with old friends and our SIM teammates, Tohru and Claire Inoue

An afternoon with the ladies

We have 3 student wives who are expecting babies in the next few months. As is their tradition, just before the baby is due, the expectant mother invites her friends over for tea and coffee and they make a very special incense together. There are many different kinds but they make it themselves. That way, when people come to visit the new baby and mama, there is lovely smelling incense burning.

It is quite the process. After chopping this special type of wood, they melted sugar on the fire and coated the wood in candied sugar. Once all the wood pieces were coated then they added lemon juice. Finally they poured at least 3 different scents of perfume over the wood so it would soak into every piece. The end result smelled amazing.

We were entertained by babies Gideon and Nyangat

My teammate Amie cuddles with little Nyangat

Gideon - named after the martyr who our college is named after

Guinea Fowl Stew

 
Guinea fowl have kind of been an obsession in our family lately. Since all of the students have planted gardens, including us, we have become very protective of our hard work. These little rascals come in the early morning and evening and scratch up and eat the seeds and little budding plants. So for the past few months Eli and the boys have experimented with different types of traps and hunting.
    A week ago they learned a new technique from our Sudanese friends - a trap made of string with lots of different loops that is stretched over a large area so the birds get caught in them. Today around lunchtime Isaac heard the familiar squawk of a fowl in trouble. He rushed out and was able to grab the fowl while it was still stuck. "Guinea fowl for dinner tonight Mom", he proudly announced as he carried the bird onto our porch to show it off.

A few hours later German, Isaac's best friend, came over to help kill it for me. We have a sweet deal whenever we get chickens or ducks that he will butcher and de-gut it if I give him the innards, head and feet. This is a great deal! As you can see, all the kids thought it was very entertaining.

All ready to put in the pot. I know it looks a little pathetic!

After browning it in the pressure cooker, I poured in some seasonings and dehydrated vegetables (the only fresh produce we can get in market right now are onions, garlic and sweet potatoes!) and an hour later - voila!

Guinea fowl stew was a big hit! And that scrawny little bird fed our family of 5, our teammate Claire, and 6 little neighbor friends. :)

School Sharing

In the last week my teammate Amie Cross and I have been joining forces with our homeschooling to make it more fun. Last Friday Amie did a public speaking class and each child, even 20-month old Daniel, got up in front of the others, introduced themselves, told what their favorite thing to do was, and then concluded by asking if there were any questions. It was precious and I had to suppress giggles a few times because it was so pickin' cute!

This morning's class was Music Theory. Amie brought over a bunch of tin whistles and Isaac brought out his drum and Evan his recorder. They learned what a music staff is and about the different types of music notes: whole, half, and quarter.

very attentive students

making a joyful noise :)

She even showed them how conductors show when to start and stop the music. I was glad the GTC students weren't in session because of all the ruckus coming from our house but boy did our kids have fun!

Our BIG 9-year-old

Our summers are always a flurry of birthday celebrations since 4 of our 5 family members have birthdays in June and July. Isaac brings a close to this season with his 9th birthday today, July 20th. We began this special day with a pile of chocolate chip pancakes and we have a picnic and outdoor movie with all the campus kids planned for later in the day.

I have enjoyed "going down memory lane" so come along and join me. This morning the thing that really hit me as I was making breakfast was that our oldest son is only 9 years old and yet he's already had a very full life. He's lived in many different places and experienced things many people don't experience in a lifetime. Thank you Lord for giving this incredible childhood to our children!

July 20, 2004: Isaac Amani was born in Chicago, IL

 

We were only 23 when we became parents but God was gracious and as you can see, fatherhood came very naturally to Eli. He is still such a wonderful father to our 3 boys!

 

Isaac was such a good baby, sleeping through the night at only 6 weeks old, and making a move to South Carolina when he was only 2 months old. However, he did get into mischief now and then.

Before Isaac turned 1, Eli and I were already spreading the word about the difficult situation going on in Sudan. Before he was 2 we were appointed with SIM to go to Sudan as missionaries.

What a sweet little one year old! Eli was in seminary at the time so Isaac and I had special days just the two of us.

 

Christmas at age 18 months. We were already expecting a little brother

 



 

3rd Birthday in Yabus, Sudan

 

 

Age 4 and loving life in Sudan. This was our donkey, Teddy.

 





5th Birthday, still in Yabus :)

Swimming in the Yabus River

6th Birthday in South Carolina on home assignment

 



 

7th Birthday in Khartoum, Sudan. Shirtless was his typical wardrobe since it was so hot up there!

 



One year ago we celebrated Isaac's 8th birthday shortly after arriving in Melut. We have now been here one year and our boys are thriving. We are so thankful for happy, healthy boys!

200 km for a Slumber Party

200 km for a slumber party

July 14-15

 

At 6 pm on Saturday evening, one of our Sudanese colleagues, Joyce, came over to our house to tell us she found a ride with a UN vehicle for the next morning to take her to Mabaan county to visit our late Principal’s wife and family. I had already been hoping for a chance to go see Lydia and her children during the break between semesters so I asked if there might be room for me to go along. Joyce told me to go ahead and pack an overnight bag and be ready by 8 am. By 9:45 we were both in a land cruiser heading to Mabaan.

 

We arrived in Bunj town around 4 pm and tried to find transportation to Dangaji, the village where Lydia and her family lives, but no vehicles would drive there because the rains had flooded the road. So at 5 pm, not wanting to waste anymore daylight, Joyce and I decided to walk, though we knew it would take almost 2 hours. By 7 pm we arrived and surprised Lydia and the kids. We hadn’t been able to get a hold of them by phone so they were quite surprised to see us. I had brought balloons and letters and cards from Isaac, Evan and Josh to the younger children so I gave those out. Joyce and I walked around the village greeting relatives of the late Philip Eisa and then settled down around a fire once it grew dark. We talked and caught up and ate supper around 9. By then it was getting cold so the ladies all headed into one mud hut for the night. Several beds had been made on the floor and some on bed frames, all with bug nets. Once we all got settled in our beds, we talked and laughed late into the night, well past 1 am. At one point I smiled to myself, realizing that slumber parties aren’t just something we have in the west. That night we had a real Sudanese-style slumber party.

 

The next morning we woke up early so we could visit some more with Lydia's family before Joyce and I had to trek back into town to catch our ride back to Melut. It was such a short visit but we couldn’t complain since it was a free ride and those are very hard to come by. After a cup of morning tea and brushing my teeth with a special “brush” made for me from a tree branch, Joyce and I set off for town. This time it only took us an hour and a half but once we arrived in the market we received news that our ride would be delayed. 3 ½ hours later we left!

 

We stopped several times on our trip back to Melut. Our driver had several jobs along the way so we got to see some of the UN projects in the refugee camps and got to meet a lot of interesting people. The road seemed very rough having just driven it the day before, then hiked 2 hours to the village and back. Add on to that the fact that we didn’t sleep much the night before and now were back on the bumpy roads! When we arrived safely back in Melut around 7 pm on Sunday evening, I can’t remember it ever feeling so good to be back in my own home. And who would have thought that a basin bath could be so soothing?

 

Having said all that, I am soooo glad I went. It was wonderful getting to know Joyce better and spending precious hours with Lydia and her children. It did my heart good to see all of them smiling and laughing. They seem to be doing well under the circumstances. It was nice to get away and have an adventure on my own. Each time I felt my sore muscles today, I breathed a prayer of thanks to the Lord for allowing me the privilege of traveling 200 km for a Sudanese slumber party!