Sabbath, May 19th, 2012

Tyler is back from Guyana!!

He was asked to have the service and we were blessed with his photos, videos, talk and song.

Tyler is a four year BS graduate of SAU and spent from November through April living with the Wickwire family - Wings for Humanity missionaries.

Tyler made many short videos during his time there and enjoyed being part of the trips out to see what the dentists teams or flights or church services were like out in the jungles.

Tyler also helped to homeschool Jake and Zack Wickwire and gave ukelele lessons to another pair of missionary children who lived close by.

A cello solo by Ty

"It is Well With My Soul"

Thank you Tyler for your interesting and valuable sermon in word, song, photo and video!

Story from Eldon

Here is a brief account of what went down when I arrived in Juba from Rumbek on April 19th, 2012.

Dominique, the UN HAS airport field representative picked me up from the C-FPSA and drove me to the terminal and said to go check in inside.

Once inside I was stopped by the Military and told to check in at the Immigration Counter for a passport stamp (which I had when I first arrived). I also had the letter of permission from the South Sudanese Government that authorized me by name to enter and depart freely with the UN HAS project. The immigration person (a military officer) refused to acknowledge the paper and said it wasn't valid any more and that I needed a new Exit Visa at the cost of $100 US. These dollars had to be in new bills printed after 2006.

They wouldn't accept the South Sudanese pounds. When I got out to find a taxi (normally there would be dozens of them) none were in sight. I took my bags out of the parking area to the Airport Road. No taxis, no motorcycles, nor cars.

I walked over to the Airport Restaurant, from where I could see a massive police and military blockade holding and turning all traffic away from the Airport Road.

I waited a couple of hours and there was no change.  In fact, word came to the restaurant that Airport Road was closed. I asked at the restaurant for a taxi or a vehicle who could get me to the Oasis Camp where the UN made arrangements for me to stay. They found a business man who said he could for $100 US. He knew a back alley way past Airport Road and the blockade.

At the city centre there was another police blockade where the police demanded $200 US cash to allow us to go on.

No receipt was given nor from the man driving me. By then I realized what cash I had left wasn't going to get me back to the airport in the morning for my flight to Nairobi. My only contact tot he outside world was through Skype with my wife. I asked her to contact Yellowknife to get the UN to have one of the UN vehicles pick me up and give them my location, address, etc. and I asked her to call you and let you know what was happening.

The next morning a UN minivan came and got a Kenyan Air Crew and gave me a ride as well. They got us past the blockades that were still there.

Thank you for your help.

But I was becoming allergic to AK47's by the dozen, pointed my way.

Regards,
Eldon

Quilts for a family in Winfield

Hey,
Patti Taylor, a co-worker of mine, lost her home and all its contents in a house fire about two months ago in Winfield. She lost absolutely everything! They were lucky to get out with the clothes on their back.

I knew that Jerrie Lou donated quilts to families in this situation and I asked her if she would consider doing it for Patti. She did not hesitate for a moment and went right to work on a guilt for Patti and her family. Not only did Jerrie Lou provide one quilt but she generously donated two.

Patti was very touched by the kindness of the ladies who know nothing about her but were so willing to give in such a big way.

One of my fellow co-workers came to my desk and told me she had goose bumps when Patti told her what these ladies had done for her. What a testament by Jerrie Lou and her friends!
~ Mike O.

Photo and story submitted by Mike O.

Thank you so much, Mike, for taking the time to share this with us! Thank you, Jerrie Lou and your friends, who make others warm and comforted with your beautiful quilts.

Mini Camp Meeting at OKAA - May 11th & 12th

Pastor Dan Jackson was the speaker for Mini Camp Meeting this year. He is now the President for the North American Division for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. His talks were easy to understand and yet very deeply meaningful and thought provoking.

Pastor Dan Jackson 

Pastor Jackson's wife, Donna, presented a part of the Sabbath School program. Daughter, Lara, helped tell the stories and explain the pictures and videos they showed.

Pastor Jackson and his wife and family have served as pastor to every church in this area from Winfield to the US border with the exception of Kelowna church, so they have a lot of friends in this valley who were happy to have them back.

Sabbath School panel discussion for lesson study
Michael Wixwat, Wesley Torres, Wayne Culmore, and Ern Brake

Cassandra Little and friend singing for the closing meeting on Sabbath evening. What a simple and beautiful song.
Cassie is a granddaughter of Christine Schneider.

*Photos on this day taken by Don Quiring

Update and prayers

Diane B. is home now and recuperating after her surgery.
She is so thankful to the Lord for the quick and efficient way her Dr. looked after her.
All of your prayers for her, the cards and notes and flowers are all appreciated very much.
Diane thanks God for His care.

Let's remember both Diane and Eldon in our continued prayers.
Eldon is back home from Sudan and has a very interesting, God-led story about his return.

Prayer Request for Erika

Erika is recovering in the hospital after shoulder surgery and is happy for all the visitors she has had. She is really enjoying the bright flowers people have brought her and wants to say thank you so much for all the prayers for her to heal well.

Our church in the late afternoon...

Reflection

Sabbath May 5th, 2012

What a happy day!
Bright sunshine and smiles, Bible texts and study time.
Sabbath School put on by Carol S. with several good helpers.

Children's activities about owls and other creatures God made for us to learn about and enjoy.

Cherri G. had the sermon and it was so well presented and spoken.  I had some good photos of the song service and a few from the service but something happened to the last twenty or so photos I took.

Thank you all for your part in our Sabbath School and Church time this day.

Carol leading Sabbath School

Carol always has a good, interesting program

Telling us about composting

Sylvia sharing her part

Walter sharing about proclaim

So wonderful to have Tuesday to help out in the Kids Korner