Keeping Promises
October 15, 2008
Sargena’s former home.
Since my last post, I was able to bring together some staff members and volunteers to work in Luri Rokwe. We bought tarps, purchased some bread, and picked guavas. We arrived the day after a hard rain and with a little engineering skill, covered Elizabeth’s roof, tarped the sides of Emelia’s house, built a temporary shelter for Sargena, and shared a meal.
We discovered that Sargena had been living in a makeshift shelter the size of a large coffin. We had seen the structure other times, but had no idea it was a home. So we demolished the current structure and created one that was more spacious and provided better shelter from the rain.
Two of Sargena’s neighbors, who also have deformities from leprosy, joined us as we dug, sawed, and built the structure. One used his hands to dig a hole. I used a metal cup. He laughed at me because I told him I didn’t want to get my fingernails dirty. This same neighbor also sacrificed several bamboo poles from his own home so we could construct the shelter.
Through our continued visits to Luri Rokwe, we are breaking down walls of distrust and hurt that have come from years of broken promises. I like to think that, just like Sargena’s new home, our efforts are building residents’ trust not only in Samaritan’s Purse, but also in the authenticity of the Gospel.
As we continue to visit this village, please pray that many will come to know Jesus Christ and personally experience his love and care for them.
Previous entry: Returning to Luri Rokwe
Next entry: It’s Happening Again
PROFILE
Lori Bryan
Program ManagerJuba, South Sudan
In March 2008, Lori Bryan left her post at Samaritan’s Purse international headquarters in Boone, North Carolina, for South Sudan. Lori has lived in the Philippines, Jordan, Kenya, Germany, Peru, Nicaragua, and Italy, doing a variety of missionary and humanitarian work. As one of our program managers, Lori says it’s often easy to become overwhelmed by the enormous need facing those recovering from a brutal 20-year civil war. She writes about how following God’s leading allows her to bring hope to those experiencing great need.
Field Journals
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SudanLori BryanProgram Manager Lori Bryan describes the needs of South Sudan, a nation recovering from 20 years of civil war. Read More |
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ZambiaDr. Matt CothamWorld Medical Mission Doctor Matt Cotham describes the triumphs and challenges of practicing medicine at Mukinge Hospital. Read More |
