Special message from Danielle Purdy

(Ed note: Danielle is a parishioner at Sts. Peter and Paul, if you haven't met her, and is soon to be going on a trip to the Sudan to work with refugees there. I decided that her most recent message regarding this trip would be a good thing for the whole parish to see. - Malcolm)

GLOBAL NEIGHBOR INITIATIVE UPDATE

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings once again. Our group is now a little less than a month from take-off. We are furiously preparing last minute plans such as braving vaccinations of all kinds and securing packing details. We are mentally, spiritually, and emotionally preparing as much as we can as well. Currently all of us are reading They Come Back Singing by Gary Smith, who, along with working with the poor and disabled right here in Portland, lived in Sudanese refugee camps in Adjumani for six years. His words, more than anything else in the past year, have began to piece together for me the truth of what we are about to encounter.

These people we are going to form community with are raw with such a rich and pure humanity that we rarely see in this superficial culture. I know I will be broken deeper than I could ever prepare for, but I have no fear of this sort of vulnerability, for it is these moments of purity that we most truly see the love of God.

I have been more encouraged than ever about using my passions for performance during this month. In his book, Gary mentions frequently the Sudanese people’s love of drama. They use it on a regular basis to tell stories, explain difficult points, and simply for entertainment. My heart leapt at seeing theater used purely as it was meant to: to speak truth. When contemplating my contribution to this trip, I often was met with nothing more than discouragement at my lack of skills. However, in the past week, my passions for the arts and the disadvantaged are slowly beginning to melt together in a glorious new color I had not yet imagined.

I am continuously thankful for your support and prayers. Thank you to everyone who has supported financially. If you would still like to, I am still in need of about $1500 by June 15 in order to purchase my plane ticket. Please make a check out to Global Neighbor Initiative if you would like to give in this manner. Send the check to:

2212 SE 96th Avenue
Apt 6
Portland, OR 97216

Please continue to pray for myself and the other group members as we finish up preparations for this journey. Pray also for the community we are joining as well as Jeff and Michelle Theisan, our missionary contacts in Adjumani. Do not hesistate to contact me with questions, comments or thoughts for our trip.

Thank you again for your love and support.

Danielle Purdy