Strange... a month a ago Bangkok seemed a dirty, smelly, chaotic city. Today it seems so clean and orderly! Joseph and I arrived yesterday from Addis Ababa. We said goodbye at the airport and Joseph is now back home in Australia. I know how pleased Magdeline and the children will be to see him. Im enjoying being in a more relaxing environment. Our time in Africa has been amazing and very productive - but hard work both physically and emotionally. Its time for a rest.
It has been frustrating not to be able to post photos on here, but I think I will be able to now that I have better internet connections. Until I get organised to do that, here are some "pictures" I would have liked to have photographed...
* Two soldiers, both about 6' 6" and built like buffalos, in combat uniform and with automatic weapons over their shoulders, walking along holding hands.
* Two gorgeous young women, immaculately dresed in traditional clothing and hats, smiling and laughing as they talk together. They walk proudly, like models on a cat-walk. Then one spits and the other does the same. Then she blocks one nostril and ejects the contents of her nose onto the road side. They continue walking, looking glamorous.
* Two men on a pushbike on a long, straight stretch of road, miles from anywhere. Just two men amongst thousands - most walking. The man on the parcel carrier has a lap top computer and an automatic rifle slung over one shoulder. A man on the side of the road tries to wave down a 4WD driving east. It doesnt stop. Soon he tries to wave down a car going west. It seems he wants to go somewhere. Anywhere.
* Dozens of big 4WD vehicles roaring around the dirst roads of Aweil - most labelled UN, WFP, Unicef or some other organisation - amidst donkeys pulling carts, locals walking to the market and groups of school children holding hands and singing songs.
* (From the plane) Thousands and thousands of tiny ant colonies, joined together by tracks which look like a mosaic. Until I realise the ant colonies are actually grass huts, joined together in huge communities. In places I can see thousands of them.
About Me
- Steve Blacket
- My connection with South Sudan began in 2004 when our church sponsored a refugee family, and my involvement in ministry amongst Sudanese grew rapidly from that time. My partner in this ministry from the beginning has been Rev Joseph Mawien, and it was his request that led to our first trip to Sudan in 2008 from which this mission has grown. The relationship with Bangladesh has also grown out of a friendship. Vana Bawm first contacted me in 2009 and we have worked closely together since. I consider myself incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunity to provide mission and development in these two beautiful countries. I am thankful to my two dear brothers, Joseph and Vana - wise and visionary Christian leaders. It is through them that I have been received as family even before entering their countries.
3 comments:
Have a good rest! Will catch on on your return. Would be great if Joseph and You could come visit our place some time later in the year.
Graham
Hey Steve,
I love your imagery. I think your words paint a more evocative picture than most photos.
Its the idiosyncracies and paradoxes that bring a country and its people to life and I admire your sensitivity in recognising them.
Warm regards,
Mike Folland
G'Day Mike, Great t hear from you again. Hoping all is well there. Yes, I have certainly had my eyes opened to many different cultures and societies. At times it has been hard to know which traditions to appreciate, which to respect and which to challenge. But that has been part of the adventure!
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