James' family in Juba...

James has very kindly offered for me to stay with him and his family in Juba. In addition to saving us a lot of money at South Sudan’s over-priced hotels, I get to enjoy their warm South Sudanese hospitality.

Let me introduce you to a few of the family…

Jacqueline "No-Need" Agiyo

Elario is James’ older brother. He has been blind for about 18 months and doesn’t leave the compound. I gave him one of the bananas provided for our afternoon tea yesterday and when he had finished he threw the peel in the direction he thought was over the roof. It missed me by a few centre metres causing everyone to laugh. He was very embarrassed. “Sorry kawaja. Sorry sorry kawaja.”

Brother number three is Lukudu. He also has impaired vision, thought to be from repeated exposure to artillery. For about 7 years the family thought Lukudu had been killed in the war. James even brought his wife and children to Australia. Then they discovered that miraculously he had survived and had been living in the bush. His wife and children haven’t yet had the chance to reunite.

Agiyo is the daughter of James’ eldest brother. She is the one who does most of the cooking and cleaning for us. Her parents lost four of their six children within a few months of birth. So when their next daughter was born and they were asked what her name would be they simply replied “Agiyo” meaning “no need”. And that became her name. I prefer to call her by her Christian name Jacqueline.

Despite their various hardships, this family has welcomed me into their homes and their lives and shown unending kindness.

Feeling At Home...

I attended a funeral today. I was the only white person in a crowd of about 500 people and 5000 flies. It was hot and humid and not a breath of wind. I didnt know the language let alone the songs, and I'd never met the man we were paying our respects to.
About a quarter of the way through the five hour event one of the speakers seemed to be addressing me. My friend James interpreted: "He is saying feel at home. Feel at home."
I smiled to myself and thought I would struggle to find a place more un-like home anywhere on God's good earth.
But surprisingly, and in a way I cant understand let alone explain, his words had their effect and I found myself feeling completely at home.
That is Sudanese hospitality.

The day has come...

About six months ago I made one of the craziest decisions of my life – I resigned from my job and commenced making plans to move to South Sudan. What was even crazier was that no-one except me seemed surprised! But my head was spinning as I came to terms with such a radical re-definition of my life.

Now, the day has come. In a few hours I will land in Juba and, if things go according to plan, will remain in the country for the next six months.

I admit to feeling a bit nervous about entering a country that has been on the verge of war. And in addition to security concerns the challenge of being away from family and friends for so long is daunting. Somehow this vulnerability makes me more dependent upon God and the community of supporters who vicariously share the journey.

A few days ago a friend shared this poem…

To Risk (By William Arthur Ward)

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool,

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.

To reach out to another is to risk involvement,

To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.

To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.

To love is to risk not being loved in return,

To live is to risk dying,

To hope is to risk despair,

To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.

He may avoid suffering and sorrow,

But he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live.

Chained by his servitude he is a slave who has forfeited all freedom.

Only a person who risks is free.

So here we go…

A Lesson on Grace...

I was walking the streets of Addis Ababa yesterday and got chatting with a man who happened to be going the same way. This is common in Ethiopia – people are generally very friendly and also quite curious about foreigners. I’ve also come to realise that some will do their research, knowing which hotel I’m staying at and will have a story prepared which is designed to get me to part with a small amount of cash.
Having learned that I am spending some time here in preparation for working in South Sudan the gentleman enlightened me with his philosophy – how some will travel to the other side of the world to give help and show kindness, while those living right there line up to kill each other.
I smiled at his simple summary of global politics – and his attempt to flatter me.
As the conversation progressed he told me about his sister Sarah who works in the laundry at the hotel where Im staying, and about his daughter who contracted malaria while in Bahir Dar recently. Would I give 150 Birr so he can buy her medication? I had my doubts about his story but gave him 50 Birr – about $2.50.
Back at the hotel the receptionist told me they don’t have any employees named Sarah and I found myself reflecting on the concept of grace - undeserved kindness.