In the words of Eugene
Meltsner (from "Adventures in Odyssey"), Greetings and Salutations!
I hope you are well! I have two things to share today. One is a very exciting
announcement that you don’t want to miss and also an update on some exciting
happening at the house in Loa, South Sudan. I will save the announcement for
last!
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| Tiny Feet! |
First, Joyce’s Father, Albert and Brother, Duku, arrived in Loa mid August to do work preparing the land around the house. With the help of some local men staying near Loa Mission, they have prepared fields for planting, and begun to clean the grasses around the house that could be a potential fire hazard come dry season and widespread wildfires. Many varieties of fruit and shade trees were also planted. The saplings that went into the ground included: mangos, guavas, avocado, jack fruit, and oranges (for food), as well as Nim (medicine and shade) and Tik trees (sustainable source of hardwood).
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| The house during the rainy season. |
One encouraging report we received is that no
elephants have been seen since they arrived and it appears they have left the
area. This will make Joyce’s village safer for those returning and Lord
Willing, ensure that the newly planted tree will not be ripped out and
destroyed by elephantine marauders.
The
particular tasks outlined above will be finished by the end of the month and Joyce’s
brother and father will return to Joyce’s mother in the refugee camps. They and
we are waiting for God to provide the needed funds so we can resume
construction on the house and make it inhabitable. The next construction steps
are:
-Installing
Doors and Windows
-Plastering
(the finished cement coating on the interior and exterior walls)
-Casting
and tiling the floors
-Transportation
(The cost of bringing the men and supplies to the work site).
Please
join us in prayer for God to meet these needs and that very soon Joyce’s family
can return to their home in South Sudan!
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Now for
a special announcement (for those who haven’t heard it by word of mouth)!
I have
been reflecting on how the most precious gifts are often the ones we wait for.
The specific gift I have been thanking God for is one the Joyce and I waited 9
months for.
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| Taking a walk during early morning Labor |
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| The birth space |
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| The Midwife team preparing in early labor. |
For those who solved my picture puzzle (previous post), you know that we were expecting our third child in August. Well, the baby decided that waiting for the due date was too long, so she came 3 days early! Lydia Mae Juwa (Juh-WA) Lueken was born on August 7th at 9:50 AM after only 7 hours of labor. She entered the world at 6 lbs. 9oz and 20 inches long and made her presence known!
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| Lydia striking a dramatic pose |
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| Patience and Benaiah are so excited to see their new sister. |
Joyce
was given the desire of her heart to give birth in a home birth setting. I was
able to directly assist the midwives and Joyce, catch the baby and cut the cord.
A huge thanks to Nurse Midwife Janet and
our dear friend, Joyce’s midwifery mentor, and our children’s adopted Auntie,
Sushilla for making this possible!
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| Sweet Dreams! |
Joyce is
recovering well and Lydia is eating, sleeping, (and pooping) like a pro, and
gaining weight like someone who wants to go places! Thank you to everyone who
has brought meals or already sent gifts our way! We are so blessed! I have
wanted to send out a personal thank you, but have been kept busy being a full-time
meal planner, cook, dish washer, babysitter, Stroller chauffeur driver, and
baby comforter.
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| Going birdwatching is a great way to give Mama some peace and quiet. |
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| Baba and Lydia |
Thank
you for celebrating with us and enjoy the pictures!
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| "I love my Newborn sister!" |
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| Big brother holding little sissy! |
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| Patience gets a fussy Lydia back to sleep. |
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| "Thanks Big Sis!" |
Please
pray for:
-Joyce’s quick recovery and extra Grace for the transition of taking care of two toddlers AND an infant. The regular household tasks, feeding Baby, and jointly homeschooling Patience will be a juggle.
-The
continued healthy growth of Lydia and for Patience and Benaiah’s adjustment to
having a new (and fragile) sibling.
-God’s
protection and blessing as Joyce’s Father and Brother finish up the land
preparation and return to check on their families in the Ugandan refugee camps.
-God’s Provision for continuing the construction of the house: ~Doors and windows ~Plastering the walls ~Casting and tiling the floors ~Transportation of building materials and the men doing the work ~Plumbing (lesser priority)
-Peace in
Nimule, where there has been major tribal conflict and retaliatory killings that have fluctuated back and
forth this whole year.
-True
peace brought to the lives of all South Sudanese, both in and outside the
country, that would be established through the gospel touching men, women, and
children’s hearts!
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| Hi Everybody! |
God
bless you and keep you!
Jonathan,
Joyce, Patience, Benaiah, and Lydia
