My Homecoming

As we drove into Kipkaren, I could hear the familiar sound of my dear friends singing to welcome me home. It was already dark, and they were waiting in the pouring rain. As I walked down the line to greet my friends, I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving because of the opportunity I have to serve God in this place. Even though I have lived within this culture for some time and frequently experienced their “welcomes”, it was still remarkable. I continue to be amazed by, and learn from, the hospitality that is so generously given.

I have jumped back into village life with a great sense of peace and joy. It has been encouraging to see the ways in which the health ministry has not only continued while I was away- it has flourished. The staff of ELI’s health clinic had a vision to begin a mobile clinic in a neighboring village called Labuywet. Over the past 3 months, we have been partnering with this village through our Traditional Birth Attendant training program. The lack of health care within the community prompted our staff to respond. This past Wednesday we held our first mobile clinic and treated 70 patients & tested 40 for HIV with 3 being positive. Please pray for us as we embark on this exciting new aspect of ministry.

This past weekend, we held an HIV/AIDS Campaign in a town called Moi’s Bridge. Approximately 6 months ago, we trained members from a local church there in our 3-Day Home-Based Care training. Needless to say, the church caught the vision & have begun a great work in their community. On Saturday morning, hundreds of people gathered in the town center and marched to the site of the HIV/AIDS Campaign as the Salvation Army band played on. We held a soccer tournament, bicycle race & concert which created a platform to speak truth concerning HIV/AIDS. We counseled and tested 127 people for HIV with 6 being positive. Those who tested positive are being connected with quality treatment for HIV. It was truly an amazing day to experience.

Marching, that morning, in the middle of the crowd felt something like I imagine marching into a battle field might feel. There was the rush of adrenaline but also the realization of the very present danger. In this case, AIDS. The strategies to battle against it are not clear cut; but for the sake of Africa, the battles must be fought and won. God continues to speak to my heart that this is not a battle I’m called to fight on my own. Rather, it is His battle, and I simply get to a play a part. I recently was reading in 2 Kings 6 and was both encouraged & challenged by the story I read. It says, “And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to Elisha, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’ So Elisha answered, ‘Do not fear for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (15-17). It is humbling to consider all that goes unseen; but like Elisha, I am asking God to open my eyes that I, too, might see. He is with me. He has surrounded me and is fighting the battle that is so much bigger than myself.

Journey to Sudan…
I ask you to join me in praying… I am going to travel to Southern Sudan with a team of 6 others February 16-21. Over the past year, God has been opening doors and confirming opportunities for ELI to move into Southern Sudan. A peace treaty was signed last January ending 21 years of civil war in Sudan. There is much brokenness in the land. The poverty is extreme. There is great need for healthcare. As I consider this journey, there is no doubt it will be stretching. I also know that God will be with us.

Please pray for:
- Safety & protection throughout our travels & stay in Sudan.
- Vision for the ways God is wanting to work through ELI to empower the people of Sudan & wisdom in how to do it best.
- Health & strength as the climate is extremely hot.
- God’s compassion for the people of Sudan to be experienced & put into action.

Thank you for your prayers & support. I look forward to sharing more in the days ahead. Blessings & love, Juli

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email: julimcgowan@empoweringlives.org web: www.empoweringlives.org