Dust Bowl and other thoughts....

Dear Friends,
Greetings!

Life is different here in Malakal. It is intentional. It is slow. Everything takes a long time. Some of this is because without a car I must walk just about everywhere. Not as many different tasks can be accomplished in one day as at "home" in Seattle. Of course I also don't have to deal with things like, say, cleaning the oven. Because I have no oven. I do have to cope with never ending sand in this, the dry season.

I have never seen sand like this before. Blowing. Everywhere. My tear ducts have sand in them. My clothes have to be shaken out before wearing them.

I understand the term "The Dust Bowl" now, from the Great Depression in the United States. When the land turned to dust. Yes, it really does. Turn to dust.

Today I must walk to the college to see the Academic Dean. Then I must walk to the bank to see if the wire transfer from Seattle has been deposited into my account yet. These two locations are on opposite ends of the town. I won't be walking on sidewalks. They don't exist here in Malakal. Only the sides of the streets. Most people walk in the middle of the streets because that is where it is flat and easier to walk. The sides are full of potholes and mountain ranges. I think it is because the grading equipment that evens the center of the roads out does not extend far enough to smooth out the sides as well.

Dust poofs up with every step. I totally understand now why Jesus wanted to wash the feet of the disciples and they didn't need a full bath. The feet here become filthy. At least mine do. Dust caked on. Everything dries out on the skin. Lots and lots of lotion gets used and still the skin gets dry. Glasses give some protection to the eyes, thank goodness. I've noticed that after just a few minutes my glasses look as though they haven't been washed.

I worshipped Sunday in the small Nuer congregation near the college where I have decided to belong. The female pastor said that now that I have been there twice on my own (without being invited to preach) that they know that I belong to them fully....I was invited to preach next week and reluctantly asked if I could hold off on that as I begin teaching this week and will not have time to do a sermon justice.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, is Opening Day at the college for the Spring Semester term, 2012. Wednesday the Concentrated Courses begin. For at least the first five days I will have to walk the 15-30 minutes to the college from where I am currently living, and the same back later in the day. If I am able to move on February 1 then my walk will shortened by over 2/3rds! Then I will have to start using my exercise machine to get my 45 minutes a day of exercise!

Blessings,
Debbie