For the past two days, we've joined the hospital staff for their morning devotional time following breakfast. Yesterday one of the doctor's gave a message and today the female chaplain, Kijira spoke. This time of teaching and worship began as a time for the staff but it has evolved to include patients and those waiting to be seen by the doctors. This morning we were given songbooks and sang along in Juba Arabic. I have no idea what we said, other than Yesua (Jesus), but it was truly a beautiful song. 
This is Kijira leading the devotional this morning. She works 3 days a week as the female chaplain in addition to teaching Arabic to the missionary staff.
In addition to helping with the children, we are here to help the hospital staff complete their inventory. This sounds trivial but is required and by having volunteers do this, the hospital saves thousands of dollars. Today we counted items in the Laboratory where the very patient lab tech, Innocent, answered our myriad of questions. (Below: my friend Dianne is having her blood typed by Innocent. We will all give blood while we're here since we won't be allowed to do so in the U.S. after being here in Africa.)
The hospital has been open here since 2011. As you can see from the sign it is a hospital for women and children. South Sudan has a very high mother/infant mortality rate. 1 in 4 women will die in childbirth. This little hospital delivers 150 babies a month! They do many cesarean deliveries and today Dianne and Laura got to be in the delivery room for one of those. There are three full time doctors, one who is South Sudanese and the other two are from the U.S. Dr. Jeff Perry and his wife Elizabeth left Colorado Springs 4 years ago to come serve full time. They brought 8 of their 9 children with them. Dr. Graham Pool and his wife Lynda came from Australia three and a half years ago. They just left yesterday with their three children to enjoy a 6 month leave back "down under".
This is where the cooking and laundry for the hospital staff is done.
When I wasn't doing inventory I was working with Stephen to help him prepare for exams. On Tuesday I was able to get his first set of exams so that I could see what it is we need to work on. This next set of exams is given by the county and we can only hope that the questions are similiar! He brought his friend Seth with him which was a huge help to both of us. When we began our review of SST (Social studies) I really needed Seth's help for correct answers. I learned much about South Sudan during this time: there are two seasons here - wet and dry; what we call cities they call Payams; their payams are ruled/goverened by chiefs - though the boys were excited to learn that we have mayors and they do as well.
The highlight of my Tuesday was playing with precious Anna Peace who is the newest orphan here. She is about 18 months old and absolutely adorable! (Don't panic Brian, there are ridiculous adoption laws in place in South Sudan and it is all but impossible to adopt) After we played, the sweet baby let me rock her to sleep. What a privilege and delight.
I worked with Stephen a bit more this afternoon in preparation for his Christian Religious Education exam tomorrow. I told him that I would have my friends praying for him - so please do! A rain storm changed our afternoon plans to join some of the students for their village Bible studies. Hopefully we can do that tomorrow.
The week is half way over which is hard to believe. I miss Brian and Ty (and I always miss my girls) but I am beginning to realize that saying goodbye on Saturday will be difficult. Again, I thank you for your prayers and the financial support that have covered this trip. YOU are part of this journey - you just don't have to sleep under mosquito netting.
If you haven't done so yet, I would encourage you to learn more about Harvesters and the story of how it came to be. www.hrtn.org
So thankful for this update, Julie! I will share it with your class.
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