Thank you, mom.

It has been really fun over the past few days to work in my garden. I grew up helping my mom plant flowers all around the house every spring and summer, and we enjoyed a large garden that produced all kinds of fresh vegetables and fruits. I have long since held a fascination with watching things grow and take joy in having things that I planted produce flowers, vegetables, and fruits.

Planting things in the ground helps me feel connected to the land and the place, somehow making it feel more like home. When I was living in Philadelphia I planted roses, tulips, herbs, and all kinds of vegetables. The pesky squirrels managed to eat much of my harvest, but almost every year since then (2003 is when I first planted stuff) the rose bush I planted has had wonderfully full and magnificent looking flowers. My photographer friend Christy has continued to take pictures of the bush every year, and I take much delight in seeing the beauty that continues to spring forth year after year.

Even my roof top garden in Baltimore brought much joy and greenness to my life, and my hope is that my garden in Sudan will also be a source of joy and nutrition. Larissa has been busy in her garden too, and even the Masso kids are eager to lend a helping hand and have each developed their own small flower gardens. Christine has planted numerous moringa trees as we try to transform our new compound into an oasis of beauty and growth.

Thank you, mom, for instilling in me a sense of beauty in the natural surroundings, and a love of gardening and fascination with watching seeds transform into abundant life. May we all continue to plant seeds of love and growth in those around us as we each venture on our path of life.

Beautiful zinnias! I scattered some seeds in the garden six weeks ago, and then left for Uganda and Europe, leaving the seeds to nature. I was astounded to see full grown, beautifully colored flowers when I returned! A wonderfully heat and drought tolerant plant.

Even the squash seeds have produced life, though I fear they are not to happy with the heat. If only I can somehow manage to keep them cool enough to allow them to grow...

Germinated lettuce!! Oh how great it would be to have some fresh greens to eat of! I better concoct some shaded shelter soon before these delightful green buds succumb to the intense sun of Sudan.

Aboundant life springing forth from dry and weathered ground. Every time I see these flowers I am encouraged that the work we, the WHM team in Mundri, are doing will bear some fruit. Yes, we will and do have discouragements and trials as we establish our lives here, but God will continue to work with and through us to bring others closer to Him. Maybe I will never see the full beauty of what God is doing in Mundri, Sudan, but I am happy to help plant the seeds.

My soon-to-be new home! Yes, there will be a tent under that grass-thatched roof, but yes, this is still an upgrade from my current home. I am looking forward to cooler nights ahead in my well-ventilated new surroundings!

Tomorrow three male interns arrive from the USA. They will be living with and working closely with me and others on the current team. Please pray for them as they delve into life here. Over the next six weeks the interns and I will be living part-time in the 'new' tent on the 'new' land near all the other missionaries. The rest of the time, the interns will be living in a small 'tukul' house next to mine on the church compound in the center of town, about three kilometers away from our new land and tent. Please continue to pray for all of us as we continue to form and strengthen new relationships and seek to invest in people, loving them and serving them.