The last blog of my trip...

It has been an amazing trip, but I guess I always knew I would have to come home someday! I left on the first day of what people have told me has been Adelaide's coldest winter, and will be back to enjoy (???) the last two days. I dont expect too much sympathy when I tell people about enduring 37 degree heat, jelly-fish stings, and sunburn. Sigh...

So for my last blog from overseas, here are a few photos...


This day started hot, humid and dusty. Then it rained! The compound flooded, then it soaked away in an hour or so. Then it rained and flooded again, even more then the first time.


Achai, one of the gorgeous Aweil children who won my heart.


Joseph at the Aweil markets


Our farewell from our home in Aweil. Joseph and I with mother Adut and sister Achol


Aweil airport, complete with luggage area, cafe, reception, baggage inspection, customs - and grazing area for goats. Joseph and Adut are seated to the right with our friend Majok.

Aweil Bible College...

I've already mentioned the Aweil Bible College in a few articles, but as it is another area of ministry where there is potentional for partnership with our churches in Australia I though I would write again in a bit more detail.

This might not be one of my best photos, but you can see Pastor Ronald Ruay on the right with one of the Bible college students wearing a T-shirt with the college logo and slogan. The building - made of branches, grass and mud - is vastly different from those of the Churches of Christ Theological College in Melbourne where I did my theological studies, as is the library which is carefully kept in plastic crates to protect against damage from insects and humidity. But the college has been effective in training pastors and evangelists, and as I have previously mentioned, the Government of Northern Bahr Al Ghazel has benefitted greatly by the leadership of people who have been trained through the college. This year the college has 52 new students, including 2 women, and Ruay and Philip tell me of the students' hunger to learn and eagerness to move out into ministry and mission.

Joseph and I discussed the work of the college with Ruay, Philip Akot and Yournew Wol when we visited Malek Alel and there were a number of areas we agreed to explore further. The first is the need for accreditation. The college really needs to be linked with another college which will provide accreditation of the academic awards. Those who are lecturing are looking for opportunities for further study themselves, and ultimately they would like to be able to offer degree level courses in addition to their current certificates and diplomas. Perhaps some of the pastors / lecturers will be able to come to Australia for further study at some stage, and we are also exploring the possibility of using video conferencing allowing us to teach classes from Australia. Some practical resources such as teaching aids and books for their library would also be greatly appreciated.

Awiel Bible College has a strategic role in the development of churches in the region, and those churches in turn have a strategic role in the development and welfare of the communities. Whatever we can do to strengthen and encourage the work of the college will have direct benefit to the people of Southern Sudan.

Please pray about how we might partner in this ministry, and I would love to hear any other ideas you might have.

Adub, the gentle giant...

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God"

I'm not sure of Adub's exact relationship to Joseph's mother Adut (other than having similar names), but it was quickly obvious to me he is like a son to her. And while Joseph and I were there he showed the same helpfulness to us: dropping around most days to see what he could do for us, allowing me to use his laptop, or just stopping by to tell some stories or jokes.

Adub's previous employment was as a "tree inspector" - at a time when people were cutting down Sudan's teak and mahogany to sell for their personal gain. I told Adub with his height he was an obvious choice to be a tree inspector! He is also naturally gifted in his current work as "State Director for Peace" in the Peace Commission of the Government of South Sudan.

When we sat to discuss his role Adub surprised me by saying the main focus of his work is on peace within and among the people of the region. He asks me how people can have peace with others unless they first have it within themselves - but then he adds that people have been fighting for so long many dont know how to resolve issues without conflict. He told me "It's not as simple as forgive and forget, but people need to make a choice for the sake of peace, not to fight. Whatever the result of the referendum in 2011, whether the south becomes independant or Sudan remains united, still North and South will be neighbours and have to learn to live together." Once he has said it seems so obvious.

At times Adub has been able to be directly involved in resolving conflict, for example between Arab graziers in south Darfur and the communities of Northern Bahr Al Ghazel. Climate change has reduced the grazing land to the North, forcing the graziers to look further for pasture, but in the process encroaching on land in Aweil North and breaching the peace agreement. In some situations Adub will refer the matter to UN peacekeepers, and in some cases he admits his best efforts have failed. But still he tries, and Adub emphasises to me the importance of his work. "Without peace, all development work is wasted. Unless there is peace we cant develop schools, hospitals, agriculture or anything." While seeing the value of other government departments and NGOs, Adub doesnt hesitate to say that striving for peace is the most important work to be done in his country.

Adub goes about his work with little in the way of resources, support or training. He asked if there were universities that offer Peace Studies in Australia, or other organisations similar to his Peace Commission that he might be able to liase with. I admitted I didnt know, but that I would look into it when I get back home.

So here is an opportunity for someone with a computer and some spare time (and most of all an interest in peace): If you are interested in doing some research in this area drop me an email. (My email has been a bit unreliable while travelling, so if I dont respond try the link on the Magill COC website or contact me through the GMP office).

And, as Adub requested, please pray for him and all who work for peace in Sudan.

Partnership...

When this photo was taken Joseph and I had just presented 2 posters to the COC leaders in Malek Alel. At the back of the picture are Pastor Ronald Ruay and Pastor Philip Akot and in front Joseph and I are sitting alongside Yournew Wol. Behind is the mud wall of Aweil Bible College.

Melinda Rawlins, one of our Elders at Magill COC, had taken photos at our commissioning service and then produced these posters as a way of demonstrating the partnership between our communities. The text at the top reads "United Sudanese Fellowship and Australian Churches of Christ - Partners in Mission". And the verse at the bottom is based on Phil 1:3-6 "We thank God every time we remember you. We pray with joy because of our partnership in the gospel, being confident that God who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." The poster has a compilation of photos including the joint congregation surrounding Joseph and myself as they prayed for us and sent us on our way to Sudan with their blessing.

Wherever we showed the posters in Sudan people would crowd around enthusiastically. Whenever they recognised someone they knew in the photos there would be shouts of excitement. It was a powerful way of demonstrating the links between Churches of Christ and the Sudanese community in Adelaide, and how we have joined together to reach out to our sisters and brothers in Aweil.

As we showed people the posters, and as we presented them to the men pictured, Joseph and I assured people that the two communities we represent are commited to standing with them, supporting them and working with them. Wherever I had the opportunity to speak I assured people how for many years we have heard the news of suffering in Sudan. At first all we could was pray, but after some time we found we could help refugees settle in Australia and support them in providing for their relatives at home. Now however we have the opportunity to be directly involved in supporting people in South Sudan. The posters, we told them, are a way of showing that their Christian family, both Sudanese and Australian, are reaching out to join hands with them across the oceans.

Now our challenge is to work together to make this a reality. In my next few blogs I will introduce you to specific areas of need and opportunity where we can assist Christian leaders in Aweil. Im praying you will be moved to become involved in some of them. In some cases it may be churches supporting churches, or pastors linking with pastors. But there is also work to be done with hospitals, clinics, schools, agriculture and government. There is great potential, and even small contributions can make a great change to the people of Aweil who have so little.

So lets pray together that God, who began a good work in us, will now bring it to completion.