Little reflections, from Lindsay

It is 2 days until we go on R&R and a week's holiday, and I'm so happy about it! We tend to work in 8-9 week cycles, then take minimum 1 week off (it is called R&R - rest and recuperation) and often people will tack on one week of annual leave to give a 2 week break. The unlucky ones work up to 11 or 12 weeks before taking a break, but the wear and tear begins to show at about week 7, so Steve and I are fortunate to be going at the right time. In 2 days time! The slump hit me last week and I was less able to perform fairly simple tasks. Cumulative tiredness. I know that parents of young children will have no sympathy (and quite right too), but the routine here is a lot more than I am used to. The working days are long, the mornings are early, my work phone is on 24/7 and goes off during the night at least a couple of times a week, usually for pretty minor stuff which still needs addressing. It is not super-intense morning til night, but there are constant interruptions,...

Forgive the introspection which seems to be a big part of my thought life here in South Sudan! (The problem with introspection is that it doesn't always bring sufficient answers which lead to peace, however, it can also launch us into conversation with God which does bring peace.) There may have been moments in your life where you find you are thinking 'why'... for me, I have had an undercurrent of 'why' running throughout our time in South Sudan so far. In human terms - this was a bad decision. I cannot remember being less happy! The things I want to do, I can't. The things I think I 'need' aren't here. The comforts I run to are not available. And the big 'reason' I came has been met with disappointment - I haven't seen much classic, hands-on Humanitarian work yet.  But God gave me a new perspective this morning. What if there are hidden purposes which are the reasons God has brought Steve and me here? What if He is doing an important t...

  God has made us all with a tailor-made set of circumstances which shape the course of our lives. We find ourselves on this hierarchy of need in different places. Some people hover around physiological needs for their whole lives - this is the situation of many in South Sudan. And I find myself at the top level, having been provided for on the lower levels, and sensing a real and tangible need 'to become the most that one can be'.  Is there a level which is the 'right' level? Should we only advance so far, and then find we have enough? It doesn't work like that. Each level of need is legitimate and felt. You do not have a choice where you are and what you find you are striving for next. God does not lament where we are - He has made us with needs, so that He can meet them . He has opportunities for us at each level, and each level bears challenges. I work with some lovely ladies who I perceive to be hovering around 'safety needs'. I sense no struggle with s...