Photography from Sudan

Nate Grubbs is a photographer from Portland, Oregon that traveled to Sudan and Uganda with us on our last trip. He bundled up 3 cameras, nearly 70 roles of film, and some extra gear and snapped up as much as he could. He came over the other evening and showed me his collection of negatives and thumbnails. He's taken some really incredible work - and he's uploaded a few of them on his website. I'm reposting three of them here:

Regina Poni, a blind grandmother, takes care of her two grandchildren (two neighbor kids are in the photo). She lives in her kitchen, and the three of them sleep on a tiny bed, exposed to the rain dripping through the roof.

Leya Poni is an elderly woman suffering from leprosy. She lives in a small kitchen and her daughter attempts to help her with some food when possible. Kara Starr, a friend from Texas, read about her story on this blog, and donated money for a new home for Leya. While we were there in Sudan, the workmen were beginning to construct the new home.

A Sudanese orphan looks out at the Nile river as he travels for the first time back to Sudan since Sudan signed a peace agreement between the North and South. Many of the children living as refugees in neighboring countries have no idea what Sudan is like.

Lahash Podcast 1 - Interview with Akon Emmanuel
MP3 download link
Akon is not an international rap star - although he'd like to be! Today we are releasing our first audio interview giving you an incredible look into the lives of our partners in East Africa.

This month I interview Akon Emmanuel, a young Sudanese orphan who had a traumatic childhood and who is happy to now call the Amazing Grace Orphanage his home. I sat down with Akon right before Christmas and had a chat with him about his childhood, current life, and his dreams of becoming a huge Sudanese musician. You can sponsor Akon and other Sudanese orphans by visiting our Sudan Orphan Sponsorship page.

New Office in Eldoret!
The Silas Christian Foundation in Eldoret, Kenya just opened their new office in the Munyaka slums. It is located just around the corner from Dr. Oronje's office.
The office will be used for meetings, counseling, keeping paperwork and other files, and conducting trainings. It will also be a central location to welcome foreign visitors or government, church, or other community members.
The office will cost $30 per month to operate, if you'd like to pledge monthly support for this please email dan@lahash.net. Also, make sure you check out Dax Mitchell's update to the SCF website!

School Starts Up
The other news from Eldoret (and from across the region) is that school has begun again for the kids. Generous donations from friends have enabled the two daughters of Grace Mukami to attend school, and the children of Jeremiah Gitonga (pictured above) to also go to class. The parents are very grateful for this gift - both single parents are HIV positive and are currently unemployed. Please continue to pray for both of these friends as they push on into the new year with hopes and dreams for their families.