Exploring Nasir

Day 5:
About 4 in the morning I was woken up by the beating of tribal drums (I'm not exactly sure why the drums were being played this early). I realized that I was actually kind of cold too. What a nice surprise! After the 110 degree weather the day before I never imagined that I would get cold, but it was very encouraging to know that it cools down at night. Luckily I was able to drift back to sleep until the roosters began to crow about an hour later. By 7 everyone was up and ready to start the day. As we ate instant oatmeal and granola bars for breakfast, Blake (EV intern who had been in Nasir for a few weeks already) laid out the agenda for the day. We began the morning by prayer walking around our compound. This was such a rich and beautiful time of praying blessings and protection over the ground, the buildings that would be built, the fence, and the soil for our future garden. We also prayed that God would make our compound a place that radiates His glory, love and peace to everyone who steps foot onto it. We continue to pray Psalm 127:1 "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain, unless the LORD watches over a city, the guards stand watch in vain" as the compound is now being constructed.

Compound Gate

We then ventured just outside our fence to the water well where many women were gathered collecting their water. For the first time we were able to interact with these women, some of whom we will hopefully later be able to form lasting relationships. This was a joyous time as we took turns pumping water for the Nuer women. As we did this, they began to give us a language lesson, pointing to different objects, telling us the corresponding word in Nuer. Of course our accents and the way we formed our words were off, so it gave everybody at the well a good laugh. It's hard to put into words how joyous of a time it was, the laughter may have been the cultural bridge, but I do believe that God's hand was in this. I definitely felt some sort of bond with these women, but again this is hard to explain. Before leaving the water well, we were able to pray with some of the women. The presence of Holy Spirit was super thick in that place. Way awesome and so powerful.

Water well outside compound fence

After lunch of rice and beans, we set off to visit Nasir FM, a radio station run by the locals. We had to walk a little over a mile, and during the hottest part of the day (between 1-4) this is rather difficult. It is so hot and dry that staying hydrated is quite a challenge. At the radio station we were able to talk with some of the reporters and djs, all of whom spoke pretty good English. It was really cool to see their sound proof recording studio and how they improvise to accomplish their goal. Our next stop was the MSF clinic (staffed mostly by British and French). Due to my health background, I was very excited for this visit. Here we were introduced to a British nurse whose blog we had been following for a few weeks, so it was great being able to meet her. She gave us a tour of the clinic, telling different stories and explaining how the difference in culture sometimes makes it more difficult to provide optimal care. Most of the clinics beds were full, so there were many mothers with their children just laying out on the porches of the buildings. She was also able to speak into what life in Nasir is like for a westerner. Everything she had to say was very very helpful. After explaining to her what we would be doing in Nasir, it came out that she was a Christian as well. What a nice surprise! I loved hearing this as we were able to pray with her to bless her as she had just blessed us.
For dinner that evening, we ventured into the market place, to eat at an Ethiopian restaurant, which in fact happened to be the only restaurant in Nasir. The market was live, people selling and bargaining all around, as well as goats and chickens running around aimlessly. Teenagers lined the roads, sitting at tables trying to sell cell phone calling cards along with various items (to my surprise, almost everyone in Nasir has a cell phone). There were people selling hut-making supplies along the road and small shack-like shops full of clothing. There were vendors set up selling canned goods and a small amount of produce (mainly potatoes and onions). Most of the merchants in the market are Ethiopian, and most of the things sold in the market come up the Sobat River (runs through Nasir) from Ethiopia. Small kiosk-like buildings blared rap music, we heard a lot of 50-cent (we're hoping to introduce Lacrae to the youth, to eventually replace the not so whole-some lyrics). Finally making it to the Ethiopian restaurant, we were thrilled to just sit, as the intense heat had taken a toll on all of us. We were seated in a room that had chairs lining the walls. I had thought we were sitting in a waiting room until they brought out trays of food and set them on small tables. Silly westerner, ha. The food was different, but rather delicious, and they even had cold Fanta to drink! Woooo!    

Young boys selling phone cards

Building supplies

Shops along the market road

As the sun was setting, we made our way back towards the compound. Along the way, we made friends with a large group of kids playing together, and they began to walk with us. Many of them could speak some English, so this was a joy to be able to communicate a little with them as we tried to learn other words in Nuer. After devotions and taking a nice and refreshing "shower" (jerrycan of water, bucket, and a cup), I was more than ready for bed. My head hit the pillow and I was out.

Makeshift Shower