We had great church this morning! Went to Pastor Joseph's church on the edge of town -- three partial mud brick walls with sheet metal roof and dirt floor. Two guitars, metal drums with stretched leather percussions, old license plates used as symbols and different girls taking turns dancing up center aisle leading songs comprised the most excellent worship team. And the preacher was outstanding. Ou own Vergil Brown did a very anointed teaching on the Lord's prayer with Joseph interpreting. The two of them became close brothers and friends just in the hour of teaching Vergil and he did together. Joseph spoke to Vergil's heart afterwards confirming things the Lord had already directed in his life. It was a very powerful time for Vergil and for the rest of us. Yes, the term "sweating eyes" once again became prominent in our experience here. There were about 125 or so people in attendance with several I recognized from the conference last year. I managed to get some video of Verg preaching. A disappointing thing -- Pastor Enoch is sick and had to stay in the South so will not be attending the conference; I was so looking forward to seeing him. And a sad thing -- due to family financial pressures, Pastor Toban left pastoring to accept a government job. Toban was the pastor last year who repented of his negative opinion regarding the teaching of children. I don't know all the circumstances involved, but Joseph said Toban was very sad and had concluded there was no other option left for him. The pastors here live very sacrificially as their congregations have little money to give for their support.

Our meeting with the pastors regarding tomorrow's conference opening went well, but wasn't the same without Toban and Enoch. We will have 4 full days teaching, one day in desert camps outreach and 1/2 day on Saturday for graduation/celebration. Really looking forward to tomorrow and seeing all those familiar beautiful smiles. Went shopping at the same AFRA shopping center (like a Fred Meyer department store which is highly unusual here) as last year to buy things for some of my conference activities -- what a sticker shock! I had exchanged $40 at motel and had 7 small boxes of crayons, 7 small boxes of colored pencils and 100 plastic cups -- I was going to buy the paper I needed in a shop upstairs. I went to pay and I didn't have enough money -- just the boxes of crayons were $6 each! The dollar has fallen in value substantially since last year. I will have to get creative here to make do with things I can find. I would appreciate prayer in this regard. Gary bought some things for his puppets and they gave him back his change in little piece of candy -- the AFRA is no longer your friendly neighborhood shopping center.

Vergil didn't go shopping and when we got back was sound asleep, the kind that making noise and turning on lights does nothing to disturb. There is only 1/2 hour left for dinner so I should go try again to wake him. There should be some fun things to report after conference tomorrow.

Blessings from Khartoum,
Micheal

Some other interesting things to be learned today. It is so inteesting being in a country where you are so wanted on one side and so hated on another. The children's leaders are so eager to have us this week, as we are to be with them. But the rest of the country hates Americans. It's not like we don't stand out here either. So far nothing derogatory has been said or done towards us.

Rosemary shared with us this morning that the language being taught in school is Arabic with English slowly being eliminated. The main reason is because Islam is very much tied to the Arabic language and if they can eliminate English being taught and spoken, then the Christians will have very little or no contact with anyone outside of the country. That is why the Christian Sudanese are so anxious and excited for us to have whatever English lessons we can offer them. So much to be grateful for in our own country, so much to pray for our fellow brothers and sisters and to get our heads out of the sand.

Prayer:
- restful sleep as we try to catch up
- we have done our preparation, now we need to listen to the Spirit so we can be His vessels and pu tour agendas aside
- safe travel for everyone travelling tomorrow
- Knitting together of hearts and spirit of the new speakers and the conference attendees

May the Lord bless you and keep you!