Tales From Nagishot

Two weeks ago I got that chance to return to a place that has grown near and dear to my heart, Nagishot, Sudan. As many of you know, I first went to Nagishot this past summer, on a trip lead by my dear friends Jonathan and Lauren Ramirez who will, God willing, be moving there within the next few months. Those two weeks impacted my life more than I think I even realize right now. From the people, to the smell, scenery, sights, and sounds, all of it infiltrated my soul and hasn’t left yet.

Since coming back on Monday, countless people have asked me about the trip. From trying to get every detail, to asking for a one word onomatopoeia to sum up the trip (thank you Nolan Dean), I’ve tried to recount my second trip as much as I can. Yet I can’t help but feel like I’m doing the people of Nagishot an injustice each time I talk about it. Not to mention an injustice to the incredible things that God did in the midst of our trip. Something I prayed for on this trip was stories. I felt like I missed out on a lot of stories the first time we went, and I really wanted to capture that this time around. I prayed that God would open up all of my senses to Nagishot, to the Didinga people, and to the larger story he was creating for them. More than I could have ever dreamed of, God granted me stories. Whether it’s the story of City on a Hill, as told by William and Eunice in the dark light of a post-dinner conversation, or the story of a parent’s plea to give their child the “light” of education during a PTA meeting, or the story of 24 women who spent one Friday afternoon dreaming with me under the shade of a big tree, these are the stories God has created in Nagishot. And these are the stories that continue to tell of his greatness amongst a people he created for his glory.

So since I can’t possibly attempt to sum up my trip in one conversation, much less a blog, I’m going to tell it in stories. I pray that each of these stories will take on a life of their own, that they may each tell smaller tales between the lines I write about them. And more than anything, I pray that the stories will paint a larger picture of what God is doing in Nagishot, and around the world.

To all of you who have supported me in Nagishot, these stories are especially for you. I could never thank you enough for your support, prayer, and encouragement. You are each truly a part of these stories just as much as I am.

You can keep up with the “Tales of Nagishot” as I post them on my blog here over the next few weeks.

Peace, love, and happy reading-
Jackie