Rain: A mixed blessing...

Shortly after arriving in Sudan I travelled south from Juba to Kenyi Payam. The three hour drive was spectacular and arduous. It was a relief when we stopped for a break at a road-block as they cleared land-mines close to the road ahead. I smiled at the irony - the potholes are a greater danger to me than the landmines. Despite gripping tightly, my head hit the roof more times than I can remember.
I was exhausted from the drive, but the moment we arrived the schedule began: Children dancing and singing to welcome me, speeches and prayers, then on to the next village where the routine was repeated. In a few hours we visited six churches and an orphanage. As we approached one church storm clouds began to darken. As soon as the speeches began, so did the rain. Soon it was so loud no-one could hear anything. So instead of talking they danced and sang. They said the rain is a sign of blessing. I thought to myself it was a blessing it didn’t happen at the previous church that meets under a mango tree.
The next morning we began early. We walked for two hours to survey the agricultural projects. After drinking tea we walked to church – where I preached (without much warning!) After church we had another meeting. Again there were many speeches and I was so tired I didn’t have much voice to give my reply. The final speech was by an older woman who announced my new name in the community: Lukudu - a son born in the rain.
Here in Aweil the name seems appropriate – though not everyone will consider it a blessing. The locals tell me it hasn’t rained like this since 1974. Even before arriving I heard reports of flooding, displacement, malaria and water-borne diseases. But this latest rain has affected 90% of Aweil residents. Many huts have collapsed and there must be thousands now living in temporary huts and tents. They will be glad when Lukudu goes home.
But this is the nature of the community here. They accept hardship and give a blessing in return.

New believers...

A few days ago I met with a group of young men who told me their stories of suffering and survival. Two days later one of them returned and asked me to baptise him and give him a Christian name. He had seen my tears and was convinced that if Christians in Australia cared enough to reach out to people suffering in Sudan, then he wanted to know the loving God we profess. The next day he brought two friends, also wanting to be baptised and given new names. I explained I wasn’t here to baptise, but that Christian leaders here would teach and nurture their new faith and help them to share the story of the God who cares for the orphan, widow and refugee.

To hunt an elephant…

Yesterday the Chief of Marialbai told me how in earlier times the men of the village would go hunting with their spears. A man could appear very brave chasing an elephant that is running away… but the moment the elephant turned around it would be the man’s turn to run for his life. Then everyone would laugh at him and ask “why do you try to hunt an elephant on your own?”

Marialbai Mission is like an elephant and the need in Sudan is like a huge herd or elephants. We can only do this if we all work together.

Paradise...

Marialbai is beautiful. Not just beautiful… peaceful, playful, serene. And the community here is like a big extended family. We sit under huge mango trees between crops of maize, millet, okra, peanut, sesame and much more. Children sing as they collect water and cattle and goats graze with minimal supervision. At night fire-flies dance in the grass and the only sounds to be heard are birds, insects and the occasional baby crying. A tranquil village. This is paradise.


But my imagination wont let me get too comfortable here. I can picture the militia attacks, the raiding parties, bombs, bullets and people defending and fleeing.

The terror and the beauty! What a contradiction!

Peace, Thankyou, Amen.

This morning I attended the 10 AM mass at the Aweil Catholic Church. There were about 400 inside and I think a similar number outside. These people have stamina! It is hot and humid and the service lasts over two hours. The singing is beautiful and I recognise some of the liturgy, but I only understand three words – salaam, shukarin and Amen. So I reflect on the “sermon” I have been given this day: Salaam – the offering of peace, Shukarin – the expression of appreciation, and Amen – leaving it with God.
Ironically, the final words of the service are in English. An announcement. Today, in addition to the Dinka service at 8 AM and the Arabic service at 10 AM there will be an English service at 4.30 “so that everyone might have the chance to hear the Word of God”. I am the only non-African present and I receive a few hundred nods and smiles.

The beginning of the Marialbai Mission…

Sudan is a very difficult place to work. Communication can be almost impossible at times. Getting agreement requires spending a long time to develop trust and understanding. Cultural differences mean there are vastly different ways of working, and finding the ways that will satisfy everyone involved, even with simple tasks, can be frustrating. And even then there will be many obstacles to get the job done. At least, that is how it normally is.

When I was in Marialbai in January the Chief had been informed we were concerned to assist the many war orphans in the community. He offered a large piece of land to us for a Church of Christ Mission. Various bits of information were passed backwards and forwards via a complex network spanning different countries and languages, until finally we had the basis for a shared vision for a facility that would provide feeding, accommodation, education and Christian care for 240 children who have lost both parents in the civil war.

On Wednesday Paulino Malou and I returned to Marialbai. The Chief took us to see the land again. Now it is green and productive. Maize towered over us as we searched for the boundary markers. In the evening we commenced our formal discussions with the Chief and Deputy Chief. After listening to their speeches I gave a short reply: “If we agree tonight, we can commence work tomorrow.” I explained the requirements of our partnership and the funds we have available. By mid-afternoon the next day (yesterday) they had prepared the budget, identified the staff, arranged a contractor and begun searching the markets for the necessary equipment. At about 11.00 PM, after a very long and busy day, I was sitting outside my grass tukul, notebook on my lap while holding my torch with my chin, finalising the submission to send to the GMP Office in Australia. This morning the finance has arrived and Paulino and the Chief are already on their way to buy iron and cement and to make arrangements with the contractors.

When I return to Marialbai in a few days I hope to see our new centre at the Marialbai Church of Christ Mission, and to meet the children who will benefit from the provision of their friends across the ocean.

Spare a thought...

Yesterday morning we were at the Chief’s tukul in Marialbai. A father and two sons came to visit the Chief to resolve a conflict. It seems the man’s two sons married at the same time, but he only had seven cows for dowry. Dilemma: How do you divide seven cows between two families? Four were given to the family of the woman marrying the older son and the remaining three to the family of the younger son. But this sparked a conflict within the family and the Chief’s advice was sought to help reconcile the parties. We joke about King Solomon addressing a similar dispute – how to divide one baby between two mothers. My suggestion is politely ignored – give three cows each, and use the other one for a BBQ for a joint wedding celebration. Im glad Im not the Chief!


Spare a thought too for for the poor woman in Juba who is receiving numerous phone calls for a tall, bald kawaja variously know as Steve, Mojokdit, Lukudu, Wani, Abuna or Beny-Steve. Before leaving I printed some labels to attach to the back of my business cards with additional contact information including my Sudan numbers. Except I put two of the digits in the wrong order. Whoops!

Increasing instability in Darfur…

On this morning’s news it was reported that 13 children have been killed in Darfur and another 9 wounded. 2 UNMIS workers have been abducted and UNHCR has announced its evacuation. President Bashir has announced they will not be allowed to return, which will leave those living in refugee communities even more vulnerable and desperate than before. The number fleeing to IDP camps in Aweil North and even as far as Kakuma Refugee Camp on the Kenyan border is increasing.

This morning I have met with our mission partners who care for the victims of the ongoing conflict in Darfur. They risk their lives to express God’s love for those fleeing the terror. We will meet again soon to discuss the resources we can provide them with to make their work more effective and to demonstrate the caring support of Christian sisters and brothers in Australia.

The thought which is with me constantly in Sudan rises to the surface again: “The need is so great, and our resources are so small.” If you would like to contribute, please contact Global Mission Partners: (+61) 08 8212 4446 / info@gmp.org.au

To Kenyi Payam...

Today I met with representatives of the Kenyi Payam who have a proposal for a community agricultural cooperative project. (Kenyi is a region between Juba and the Congo / Ugandan border. Payam is the name of a local administrative region). Southern Sudanese are very proud of the fertility of their land, but apparently this region is particularly productive. However decades of war have taken their toll, not only on the population, but also on the agricultural output of the region. Now with so many widows, orphans and returning refugees to the region, payam and church leaders are seeking a way to provide for their community.


Over the next two days I will visit Kenyi to see first-hand the state of the community and to listen to their vision for holistic development. The schedule that has been prepared includes visits to churches, orphan schools and agricultural projects.

This is my second meeting with representatives of this community, and has come about through the work of James Abraham, originally from Kenyi and now a member of the leadership team at Ballarat Central Church of Christ in Victoria.

With John Abraham ( Cooperative Chairman), Nixon Benjamin (Cooperatiuve Secretary), Jacob K Lupai (Chairman of Development) and Edward Laila (Kenyi Payam Chairman). Juba

Marialbai Mission...

Early this year I walked around Marialbai with Rev Joseph Mawien and Ros Stafford-Green. The Chief and other community leaders accompanied us as we saw first hand the devastating impact of decades of civil war. We met orphans, widows and liberated slaves, spoke with families whose relatives are dead or scattered around the world, and visited the school and hospital which in their own way witness to the persecution and neglect this community has suffered.

The Chief offered a large piece of land for a Church of Christ Mission to be established and we began the process of planning how we could provide for those most in need. Pastor Paulino Malou agreed to coordinate the establishment of a ministry providing for children whose parents have died in the conflict. The Chief arranged a process of registration to ensure only those in genuine need would be admitted to the program and over two hundred children were identified who have lost both parents.  We have entered an agreement to commence a feeding program and plan to follow this with provision of accommodation, education and spiritual care.

This month I return to Marialbai to establish the beginning of this mission. We will commence a feeding program in a traditional tukul made of grass and wood, and arrangements are being made for building projects using compressed earth bricks that will be both environmentally and economically sustainable. Soon we hope we can provide a school and church.

People's generous contributions are being used to address the great need in this remote community.

Rev Joseph Mawien and Chief Riiny Riiny Lual in Marialbai. January 2010