A greeting from Pastor Ronald Ruay...

I've just checked my journal, and it was a year ago today that I first met Ruay and his sister Ang'er in Aweil Town. For the remarkable story of our meeting, click on Ruay's link under "Labels" on the side bar and go to the last two articles.

I continue to chat with Ruay regularly as we plan our work together. But instead of me telling you about it, you can hear his message first hand. I filmed this at Mother Adut's home near the end of our visit in July last year.

One year later…

A year ago today, in the very early hours of the morning, I met Joseph at Bangkok airport where we boarded a plane for Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), touched down briefly at Entebbe (Uganda) and then arrived at Juba, the capital of  South Sudan. I clearly remember stepping out of the plane and taking my first steps on Sudanese soil.

In some ways it was the natural development following several years of ministry, engagement, and friendship with Sudanese new arrivals in Adelaide. In another way it was a naive exploration of a ministry relationship with one of the most oppressed and neglected communities on our planet.

 As a result of that first visit we have been able to channel support to victims of the genocide in Darfur who have fled to Aweil, children in my church’s Sunday School have sent clothes, cards and a banner to a Sunday School at an Episcopal Church in Aweil, a medical task group is preparing medical equipment and training to support midwives at Aweil Civic Hospital, and the leaders of the United Sudanese Fellowship have prepared a proposal to develop a Church of Christ centre in Aweil Town. 

In a few months time we plan to return and lay the foundation for the next stage of our work together.

Joseph at Juba markets

A message from Yournew Wol...

I filmed this greeting from Pastor Yournew Wol in Malek Alel, Aweil South in July last year. The building is the Aweil Bible College which has been instrumental in the development of leaders in the church, government and community. Yournew Wol has been instrumental in establishing churches throughout the Aweil region, as well as in Nairobi and the Kakuma Refugee Camp on the Kenyan border. He is a gracious and wise leader, and deeply loved by his community.

Correction...

Recently I wrote that MSF (Doctors Without Borders) will be leaving from the Aweil Civic Hospital. In fact I had been told they had already left. However I have now been told they are negotiating to stay. This is great news. Lets pray they will be able to continue their critical medical relief.

A greeting from Ang'er...

Here is a message from my sister Ang'er, taken in Aweil last year. She had just returned from Canada where she completed a degree in community health. Ang'er works passionately for her community under very difficult conditions. Currently she has an educational role with young women addressing issues of health and sanitation. In addition to her other responsibilities with government and church she is the key person I consult with in regard to medical projects in Aweil and is a key leader in our partnership.

Please support Ang'er with your prayers.