Fair DINKA Mate !

Stepping out of my boat...

2012-01-02T14:20:00.000+10:30

2012 is bringing new opportunities to strengthen and expand our work in South Sudan. It is both exciting and daunting – but first let me give a little bit of background…

I commenced in ministry at Magill Church of Christ in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide in 2003. Mid way through the following year I was asked if our church would sponsor a refugee family from Sudan.

This was my first involvement with the Sudanese community, but within a few years I had developed a significant role amongst the Sudanese in Adelaide, including establishing the United Sudanese Fellowship, and then travelling to Sudan in 2008 to explore the possibility of commencing a mission partnership. My partner and friend throughout this work has been Rev Joseph Mawien.

Global Mission Partners was quick to approve a partnership with South Sudan and this provided access to the steadily growing support of Churches of Christ throughout Australia. And so, from a small start just a few years ago, we have been able to establish some very basic projects which are making a dramatic difference to some of the most vulnerable people in war-torn South Sudan.

Until now I have worked in a voluntary capacity as GMP’s Sudan Program Director. I have used my annual leave and long service leave to make the trips and my weekends and other spare time to coordinate the ongoing work. In addition, I was privileged to have the opportunity to establish another mission partnership in Bangladesh. It became very evident that I couldn’t maintain this workload at the same time as having the challenging role of being Minister of a thriving church. So, a few months ago I informed the leaders of my church that I would resign and that I would be devoting my time to the missions in South Sudan and Bangladesh. Next Sunday will be my final service and farewell. There is a lot of grief in leaving, but God has opened a door of opportunity to do more in an area of great need.

While my plans aren’t concrete, I plan to leave in March and return in December, spending most of the year in South Sudan as well as some time in Bangladesh and a few short breaks in other places. The main goals will be to strengthen the work that has already been established and to explore some new proposals including two new regions – a program providing for orphans living on the streets of Nassir (Upper Nile State) and an integrated project that includes agriculture, community development and spiritual care in Lainya County (Central Equatoria). There are other projects to explore where we are already working in Northern Bahr Al Ghazal including a girl’s school in Aweil East, a clinic in Aweil North, and support for liberated slaves.

I am constantly amazed at what has grown from a simple decision to sponsor one family of refugees. Now I sense God calling me to sail out of my safe harbour to assist those whose need is greatest.

(Please send me an email if you would like to participate in this expanding mission.)

Photo: With Rev Joseph Mawien, his mother Adut and sister Achol. Aweil 2008

Akech... and countless others who have not been so fortunate

2011-12-23T12:52:00.000+10:30

I first met Akech in August last year when she was only about two weeks old. Her mother had died in childbirth and her grandmother brought her to the opening day of the Emmanuel Children’s Centre at Marialbai asking if Akech could be included in the program along with the other 240 children who had lost parents. These decisions are made by the Program Coordinator Paulino Malou in consultation with the Chief and the rest of the management committee. They decided that Akech could be brought regularly to the program and would be given some milk and biscuits.

When I returned to Marialbai with a team in July this year I recognised the grandmother as she joined the children and staff in greeting us. She was holding a baby and I asked through an interpreter “Is this Akech?”. Her answer was simply to take the child and hand her to me. Akech snuggled in close for a few moments… and then began to scream. I handed her back to the grandma, and was amazed to see her put Akech on her breast. It is common here for surrogate mothers to breast-feed their fostered children, but in other cases it is comfort, rather than milk, which is being provided.

Akech has given me a personal insight into an issue which is prevalent in South Sudan. Infant and maternal mortality rates in South Sudan are amongst the highest in the world[1]. It is estimated that one in ten women die in childbirth.

We deliver birthing kits (provided by Zonta and the Birthing Kit Foundation of Australia), medical equipment, and desperately needed training to maternal health care workers in the region surrounding Aweil in an attempt to address the horrific number of deaths through childbirth. In fact Akech’s mother was a recipient of one of our birthing kits. Sadly that couldn’t help with the complications she experienced in labour. Miraculously Akech survived and motivates us to do more to assist those who have so little when it comes to maternal health care.

[1], The South Sudan head of UNFPA, Dragudi Buwa reported in 2007 that [maternal mortality] "Rates are actually at 2,030 per 100,000 births, the worst in the world."

Letters and Uniforms...

2011-11-11T09:12:00.000+10:30

One of the tasks for my most recent visit to South Sudan was to deliver letters from sponsors and supporters to the children at Emmanuel Children's Centre, Marialbai. There is no postal service to South Sudan, so the only way to deliver these letters was in our luggage. Along with about 50kg of medical equipment and birthing kits we carried 5kg of letters - one for each of the 240 children. It might not be the most strategically useful package ever delivered to South Sudan, but for most of these children it was the first letter they had received and was a tangible expression of the love of supporters from Australia.

I had hoped to personally give each child their letter and take photos to show their sponsors and the other letter writers. In the end we didnt have time to do this so I gave the letters to Paulino Malou and asked that he give them to the children and explain how in Australia we do this to express our love to friends and family.

While our team was still there we agreed to supply uniforms to the students. After the school was registered earlier this year the Ministry of Education notified the Principal of the requirement to have a school uniform. Paulino discussed his preference of colours with myself and Ros Stafford-Green, in the end deciding on navy blue shorts and skirts with white shirts. I received the first photos of the children in uniform a few days ago and was very surprised to see the colour - lime green! I laughed. I am pretty sure I have never seen lime green school uniforms before. However I know how proud the children will be, and in a very real sense it gives them dignity in their community. Not only that... when the community see the children walking to and from school they will be reminded of supporters in Australia who are caring for the children of those who lost their lives in the long battle for freedom.

Income for the Emmanuel Children's Centre comes from child sponsorship. For more information please send me an email or download a brochure.

Photos
Delivering 240 letters to Paulino Malou
The children praying in their new uniforms

Bees - and other challenges...

2011-11-06T16:23:00.001+10:30

A few weeks ago I visited a village in Aweil North County with my friend Pastor Angelo Atak to see the school he has started in his home village, and to learn about the church he has planted. After turning off the main road we drove through the bush for about half an hour on tracks made by cattle and bicycles. We passed herds of cattle and goats, crops of peanut, maize and sesame, and the occasional hut made of mud and grass.

As we approached the village I could see the children running to form lines and sing songs of welcome - about 150 children singing their hearts out! This is a school without classrooms. The classes meet under trees and the teachers provide education every day without a salary. I can see a few remnants of mud buildings which testify to previous attempts to provide shelter from the rain and heat. In the end the shady trees provide the most practical solution. I met with the teachers and community leaders in the school "office" which probably wont survive another rainy season. At the end of the speeches I was given a goat as a sign of appreciation for my visit. I thanked them but asked that it be given to the teachers instead. These are dedicated leaders working without pay and under difficult conditions because they believe the future generation deserves an education. Despite their best efforts the drop out rate is high - especially amongst the girls.

After the meeting I asked Angelo to show me where the church meets. We walked across the clearing and he pointed to a large shady tree. He said "We used to meet under that tree, but a swarm of bees came and drove us away, so now we meet under that tree over there."

We laughed about it, but I am inspired by my brother who has faced many obstacles, and still persists in meeting the needs of his community.

Photos (from top)

Children singing songs of welcome (office in the background)

Students in class under the tree

Pastor Angelo Atak pointing to the original church that is now home to a swarm of bees.

The new church tree

Beyond my hopes...

2011-11-01T22:41:00.000+10:30

The progress of the Emmanuel Children’s Program at Marialbai has exceeded my hopes and expectations. When we commenced the nutrition program in September last year we met under a hastily constructed iron shelter and shared a very basic meal. I took the kids’ photos, met with the management committee, signed a partnership agreement and left. I keep in regular contact with the program coordinator, Pastor Paulino Malou, who keeps me informed of the program’s development, but I was still amazed at what I witnessed when I returned recently.

I was there with Ros Stafford-Green and Anna Anok who were working on our maternal health care project, and John Gilmore, Executive Director of Global Mission Partners on his first visit to South Sudan.

As our team approached in the Chief’s vehicle we could see the new brick walls of the feeding center, the borehole with hand-pump that has been installed and the brick toilet block behind. The children were meeting in class groups under trees – but when they saw us approach they quickly ran to a central space and formed a well organized choir. It is amazing how such small children can sing so loudly. As they sang their songs of welcome the teachers, cooks and other adults filed past to shake our hands. There were prayers and speeches and then more singing - but it was the excitement and joy of the children that made the greatest impression.

The Chief arranged a meeting with members of the community under a large shady tree and once again there were prayers and speeches. Each of the 240 children in the program has been assigned a caretaker, and the community as a whole takes active responsibility for these children who have lost their parents in the civil war.

A few days later Ros and I worked with the teachers to gather some personal information on each child, and I took a new set of photos. Many of the children’s faces shone with joy – a remarkable contrast to the somber photos from the previous year.

As a team we were impressed with the professionalism and organization of the teachers, the care of the staff, the leadership of Paulino, the involvement of the Chief and community and the property development. But more than anything else we were encouraged by the children themselves.

John’s comment summed it up: “This is a happy place!”

(Funding for this program is provided through child sponsorship. If you would like more information on sponsoring a child at Marialbai please follow this link)

Photos (from top)

The children singing songs of welcome

Speeches at the community meeting

Gathering personal information from each child with teachers

Mary's photo from last year

This year's photo of Mary

New beginnings for liberated slaves...

2011-06-14T22:45:00.000+09:30

As South Sudan prepares for independence in less than a month, sweeping changes are taking place at a rapid rate. While there is still conflict and instability in many parts, the region as a whole is enjoying the effects of peace. For those liberated from slavery in the North, there is now the opportunity to establish a new life for themselves.

One of the conditions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 was an end to the militia raids which devastated the border regions. In addition to the loss of life and property was the trauma of abduction. Tens of thousands of Dinka boys and girls were abducted and sold into slavery in the Northern parts of Sudan.

In January 2010 I visited the border regions and met with liberated slaves and spoke with community leaders working for their release. It is claimed that 35,000 southerners remain enslaved. Even for those who are liberated or manage to escape, returning to life in their own society is filled with difficulties.

Soon I will be going back to visit the region again and will explore a request to provide a program that will assist liberated slaves to establish new homes and new lives.

A Request for Help...

2011-04-27T22:18:00.000+09:30

A few days ago a Sudanese man living here in Adelaide told me a tragic story. His brother was a soldier in Sudan and was killed last year. Then his brother’s wife died of lung cancer two weeks ago. The couple had four children aged approximately eighteen months, three, five and twelve years old – now they are dependent on relatives to provide for their needs. My friend is a student and has four children of his own. He has sent some money to buy food for his brother’s children, but isn’t able to provide what they need until he has finished his course and finds employment – hopefully later this year.

He was asking for some help.

I explained that I don’t have access to funds for this type of need, but told him that I would tell his story. Will you please pray for these children? And if you would like to make a financial contribution please send me a message. My church has agreed to process donations.

The first bricks...

2011-04-04T08:52:00.000+09:30

Pastor Paulino Malou has just sent me some photos of the toilets that were constructed recently at the Marialbai Mission. Now, we might tend to think of toilets as being important from the perspective of sanitation and hygiene (not to mention modesty), but back in September the Chief explained to me that it has another significance to the local community. He told me that when the people see the toilets being built they will say "Ahh... Something good is going to happen here. They wouldn't build the toilets unless they were going to provide something for our stomachs".
There is still some work needed to complete the construction, but it is pleasing to see the first brick building go up at the Mission. And while we would all realise the practical necessity of toilets, most of us probably hadn't thought of them as being a symbol of hope before...

Progress at Marialbai Mission...

2011-03-08T11:17:00.001+10:30

Pastor Paulino Malou reports that there has been a noticeable improvement in the health and happiness of the 240 orphans since the Marialbai Mission commenced in September. He writes “The cooks are often giving their testimonies on how God blessed Ayat Community and Aweil West County in particular so that orphans life has been changed and improved as ever expected therefore, PRAISE THE LORD AND GLORY UNTO HIM.”

Approval has been received from the Ministry of Education to commence Junior Primary classes and applications have been submitted for the curriculum. But even before formal classes have commenced the children are demonstrating their hunger to learn English and memorize Bible verses.

Income from GMP’s Child Sponsorship provides a daily nutrition program for the children, and as sponsorship increases this will also cover the salaries of the teachers in the new school. Plans are being developed for the construction of classrooms, and until then the feeding centre building is being used.

Donations have also been committed for the construction of a chapel and Pastor Butros is already providing spiritual leadership and care for this new community.

A team from GMP will return to Marialbai in a few months to see the progress of the mission, and to facilitate the next stages of development.

Photos:

Pastor Paulino Malou, Coordinator of the Marialbai COC Mission, addressing children in the feeding centre which is also being used as a school and chapel.

Pastor Butros and children on the opening day of the mission, September 2010

The World's Best Travel Agent...

2010-12-27T14:28:00.000+10:30

A BIG thank you to Annabelle from Escape Travel at Glenelg for all her help. In addition to her patience making arrangements for complex trips to remote places using obscure airlines, Annabelle has also taken a personal interest in my work in Sudan and Bangladesh. She has even set up a scheme where 1% of all payments from my trips (or anyone I refer to her) is donated to Global Mission Partners to be used in our projects in Sudan.
So, if you're looking for an exceptional travel agent and would like to support GMP Sudan, give Annabelle a call and tell her I sent you. Phone (08) 8295 8291 or visit at 76 Jetty Rd Glenelg, South Australia.
Thanks Annabelle!!!

Relocation...

2010-12-20T09:49:00.000+10:30

In my first visit to South Sudan in 2008 I was stunned by the sheer number of people in transit. The vast majority were on foot, like a trail of ants on long, straight, dusty roads. Some had bikes. Other than SPLA (army), UN and NGOs, there were very few vehicles.
Now there is much better infrastructure for transportation. Public transport operates between most major towns and, while there still thousands walking the roads, not so many are making the long journey to a new home.
It is not that internal migration is decreasing. Now it is better organised and coordinated between the Government, UN and local authorities to enable the return of hundreds of thousands who had fled over previous decades. Returnees that have been registered may be provided with basic supplies when they reach their destination until they can become self-sufficient.
To give an idea of the number of people relocating within Sudan, here are some statistics from the most recent UNMIS report. During the past week...

3070 individuals passed through the transit hub in Kosti (a port town on the Nile south of Khartoum) in spontaneous migration
16,674 people were tracked through Kosti in organised returns
51 busses carrying 2964 people departed Khartoum for Abyei
SSRRC estimate 87,000 will eventually return to Northern Bahr Al Ghazal

Returnees arriving at port in Juba

A Girl’s School…

2010-10-13T18:09:00.000+10:30

My friend Majok was quite determined. I had already told him I didn’t think there was time in my busy schedule to visit his village in Aweil East… but he persisted and in the end I gave in. I rescheduled some arrangements and was assured we would be home in time for an important appointment at 4 PM.

We left later than planned (which is normal), had some extra errands on the way (which is also normal), and then found the road was flooded which required a lengthy detour and then when our car couldn’t take us any further we got out to walk for the last hour. About this time I was realizing I had little chance of making my afternoon meeting.

The community leaders and what looked like half the village were waiting for us under the tree that served as the village council rooms. As the speeches rolled on I gave up any hope of being home on time. Finally two young women spoke. They told me how their school had collapsed and been closed. The boys are able to attend school in a nearby village, but the girls and younger children are required to stay at home and so currently have no access to education. Majok had already told me how they had made bricks that could be used for a school, but lack of funding had put an end to the project. I was assured they had everything they needed for a functional school – if we could provide assistance with iron and cement.

After the speeches concluded we walked to see the bricks that had been made. I was impressed. There were thousands of bricks, made by hand, dried and then baked before being carefully arranged in five huge stacks, ready to be put to use. Afterwards we passed what was left of the old school – just a few remaining bricks scattered on the ground. Majok pointed out where the four classrooms once stood and what was left of the school office.

We were offered chicken and rice, but I explained we didn’t have time to stop and eat. I hoped our driver was still waiting for us. I told Majok I had time to quickly visit his home and meet his wife and children before the journey home. Then it rained. Heavily! Majok suggested we stay the night and find our way home the next day, but I was adamant. I had more meetings arranged in the morning I couldn’t afford to miss. People laughed at us as we slipped along the greasy tracks in the pouring rain and when we borrowed a couple of bikes they were surprised that a white man could ride. Finally it got too dark to see and we completed the journey on foot once again, and to my relief (and surprise) found our driver was there waiting for us. After a long drive home on flooded tracks and rough roads we arrived home in Aweil a bit before mid-night.

(Since leaving Sudan I have received a budget for the project and have had conversations with potential sponsors).

Tension...

2010-10-13T16:17:00.000+10:30

It is now less than three months before the scheduled referendum when South Sudanese will vote on independence from the North. Leaders from both sides espouse a commitment to negotiate peacefully… but there is tension in the air.

A friend has asked that we pray for him and others who work in the area of peace and reconciliation, and especially that peace and stability can be maintained.

A Father to the Father-less…

2010-09-08T03:20:00.000+09:30

On Thursday 2nd September we commenced the Marialbai Church of Christ Mission.
During my visit in January with Joseph Mawien and Ros Stafford-Green the Chief offered a large piece of land to be used for the care of children who had lost their parents during the war. The Chief immediately began the process of registration and identified 240 children in the community who had lost both parents. Over the next few months we agreed to commence with a feeding program with plans to add a school, church, accommodation, health care and some agricultural developments. A visionary Church of Christ leader has agreed to coordinate and lead the mission – Pastor Paulino Malou Bol Jok.
Paulino and I met with the Chief and Deputy Chief soon after arriving in Aweil and we quickly developed our plans. In just 2 weeks we prepared a proposal and budget, gained approval, engaged a contractor, arranged staff, erected the feeding centre, purchased equipment and supplies and arranged the opening and dedication.
As we walked through the village to the opening ceremony I could hear the children singing long before we could see the shiny iron roof of the feeding centre. Hundreds had gathered, children and adults, and Pastor Butros had them singing their hearts out. There were songs, prayers and speeches. I had the opportunity to explain we were there because people in Australia cared and wanted to help. I told them about two young boys in my church who had raised money for soccer balls and hand-balls which I had brought with me, and I used this as an example of how we hope our partnership can bring joy and community and love – as well as food and education and other practical assistance.
After the dedication service I photographed each of the 240 children and recorded their information in preparation for sponsorship. While I was photographing a fight broke out. Some men wanted their children registered along with the orphans and when they were refused they tried to stop the program. Rivalry is strong here and it seems some people would prefer we provided nothing than for their own children to miss out.
Each of the children were given a plate and cup and then we enjoyed a very simple meal of rice and beans, followed by some soccer and a hand-ball demonstration.
The final task was to meet with the Committee to discuss the partnership agreement and some management issues. One man said his wife was expecting a baby that day, but he was so excited about our new program he was at the opening ceremony instead. One of the cooks thanked God for the opportunity she has been given, saying it was like feeding her own children. I stressed again, our mission is more than providing food, education and homes. It is firstly about love. I told them of the verse in the Bible where God is described as a father to the father-less, and how we have been called to be an expression of God’s love for the orphans.
Our mission in Marialbai has begun.

Rain: A mixed blessing...

2010-08-31T02:39:00.000+09:30

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...

2010-08-31T02:36:00.000+09:30

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…

2010-08-23T19:30:00.000+09:30

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...

2010-08-23T03:53:00.000+09:30

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.

2010-08-23T03:51:00.000+09:30

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…

2010-08-20T20:53:00.000+09:30

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...

2010-08-20T20:48:00.002+09:30

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…

2010-08-19T23:06:00.000+09:30

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...

2010-08-14T00:47:00.000+09:30

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...

2010-08-06T23:24:00.000+09:30

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

Exploring new territory...

2010-07-23T22:29:00.001+09:30

While in Melbourne last weekend I met with representatives of two communities that have asked us to consider partnering in mission projects in their home communities in South Sudan. So far our work has been within Northern Bahr Al Ghazel State in the north west of Southern Sudan. It is natural that Sudanese refugees from other regions who have found a home in our churches also want to assist the development of their communities at home.

First I visited Andrew Nyak and his family. Andrew attends the Mulgrave Church of Christ and comes from Nasir in the Upper Nile State. This is in the north-east of South Sudan, towards Ethiopia and is a region where there has been ongoing instability. Andrew returned earlier this year and estimates there are five hundred street children living in the town. The Church of Christ in Nasir was established from returnees from Addis Ababa in 1986. Land has been purchased and donated to the Nasir COC and they hope to rebuild their church, provide for the orphans and commence a school.

On the drive home from Melbourne I visited Ballarat Central Church of Christ to meet with James Abraham and members of the church's leadership team. Ballarat Central has adopted quite a large African community from various locations, but James' home is in the Kenji Payam in the very south of Sudan close to the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In January, while in Juba, Joseph Mawien and I met representatives from Kenji and heard their plans for a community agricultural cooperative. We were impressed with the concept but came away with many questions to explore further. Following the conversation with James and the church leaders in Ballarat I agreed to visit Kenji Payam on my visit to Sudan next month.

These possibilities will be looked at with a balance of faith and caution. As with other areas where we work, we will aim to use our resources to maximum effect by supporting local leaders who have a vision to transform their communities.

Photos: Andrew Nyak with Nyajany, Nyagoa & Nyak

James Abraham with Carl, Keith, Max and Shirley

Reconnecting...

2010-07-21T10:01:00.000+09:30

I was in Melbourne for the weekend and took the opportunity to visit a few Sudanese friends and contacts. Suzie and Deng are members of the first family our church sponsored. This whole mission has grown out of that first contact. Suzie married David and moved to Melbourne and has three gorgeous children. While in Marialbai in January I met Suzie and Deng's mother and sisters and brought home photos and video. Words cant describe what it means to Suzie and Deng to see their family and friends speaking to them on the screen. One sister introduced her children and Deng's twin sister wept saying she didnt even have the chance to say goodbye. Afterwards I used my video camera again as Suzie, David and Deng sent greetings back to their family in Sudan. I will take this with me when I visit Marialbai again in a few weeks.

Travelling with me will be Adhel, the youngest of the family. Adhel was eight when she arrived and is now fourteen, but she hasnt seen her mother since she was two. I will escort her to Marialbai where she can reconnect with her family.

In different ways, this family that have been scattered by war, are slowly able to reconnect.

With Suzie, Deng, Julia, Eve & Chris in Melbourne

With Adhel at Magill Church of Christ

Suzie and Deng's mother Amel (2nd from left), sisters and nieces. Adhel's mother Adut (on right). Marialbai, January 2010

Offering Peace...

2010-07-03T13:30:00.000+09:30

Although there has been peace in southern Sudan since 2005, there will continue to be high levels of dislocation for some years. Amongst the transient communities in Aweil North County, Christian leaders are bringing a message of hope and peace. Regardless of differences of tribe and religion, new-arrivals in IDP settlements are welcomed, cared for, and told about a God who cares for the widow, orphan and alien. A friend who we support in this mission recently told me that 35 new believers were being nurtured and discipled in their new faith. They are also exploring the establishment of a new church amongst this community.

Mission in Gok Machar...

2010-06-25T09:28:00.002+09:30

Since peace has come to South Sudan countless thousands of Darfuris have sought refuge from the ongoing conflict in Darfur. Gok Machar in Aweil North has been a gathering point because of its proximity to the border with Southern Darfur and many have then been transported to the Kakuma refugee camp on the Kenyan border.

Recently there has been a new wave of Darfuris arriving, and they are being settled in IDP settlements just south of Gok Machar. Christian leaders from various churches in Aweil travel to Gok Machar to care for these new arrivals.

For those who have faced the trauma of war and fled their homeland, it is a great comfort to be welcomed and cared for by people who have experienced the same suffering.

Child Victims Of War...

2010-06-12T10:42:00.001+09:30

When we met with the Chief in Marialbai in January we began planning a program that would provide for the many children who have lost parents in the civil war. Land was provided and the Chief and Sub-Chiefs started the process of registration so that the children in greatest need would benefit. Shortly after we returned to Australia George Aguer travelled to Marialbai and continued our preparations. They have identified 240 children who have lost both parents, and estimate the number who have lost their fathers to be between 1000 and 2000.

Plans are now underway to provide food, clothing, education and accommodation for those in greatest need. Consideration is being given to how we might provide de facto families to give these young lives the care and nurture they have been robbed of.

George Aguer meeting with war orphans in Marialbai

Registration...

2010-06-05T13:30:00.000+09:30

I now have in my hands our Certificate of Registration, confirming that Australian Churches of Christ Global Mission Partners is a registered Non-Government Organisation in Southern Sudan. Effectively this is a licence by the Government of Southern Sudan for us to operate in the country and to conduct Christian missions, and to provide humanitarian aid and community development projects.

Until now we have supported Christian leaders and organisations with various church based ministries and development projects. Our registration means we can now run our own projects, employ leaders, open a bank account, receive tax exemptions and entry permits, own and register vehicles and other practicalities associated with establishing our mission. I have also been informed that we will now qualify for registration with the UN which will give access to the highest level security advice, transport on UN planes, and evacuation in the event of an emergency.

I want to thank George Agwer who delivered our application in Juba earlier this year, and recently returned with our certificate. George has also been instrumental in continuing preparations for the establishment of our mission in Marialbai amongst war orphans. But I will write more on this soon...

PS- Some people have told me they have had difficulty posting comments. I have changed the settings to make this easier. Would love to hear from you...

Congratulations to Pastor Ronald Ruay and Awien...

2010-05-27T19:09:00.000+09:30

We celebrate with Awien and Ruay Deng on the birth of Deng Ruay Deng. God's blessings to you dear friends...

Elections...

2010-04-05T16:42:00.000+09:30

News is filtering though from Sudan as the nation is now only days away from the first national elections since the military coup of 1989. It is difficult to get accurate information, but here is a website that posts election news from indepenant, international journalists. http://www.sudanvotes.com/

Planting a seed in Marialbai...

2010-03-13T09:33:00.002+10:30

I took this photo two months ago in Marialbai, Aweil West. Pastor Paulino Malou is standing on one corner of the land the Chief has provided to us, and he is pointing to the other corner on the northern side. The land will be site of a Church of Christ mission which initially will provide care for children who have lost parents in the war. The Chief and Sub-Chiefs have begun the registration process to enure only the children in genuine need will be admitted to the program. We have discussed various possibilities for future development on the land including a church, school and vocational training.

I had been back in Australia just a few days when I sent money to Malou to mark the boundaries of the land. It is a small start really, but we have a vision of what we can do to support this commuity.

Most of what we have done in Sudan so far has been supporting what others have established. This new misison in Marialbai is the first major project we have started from the beginning.

I feel like we have dug the ground and planted a seed. I wonder what we will see on this site in one year, ten years or fifty years.

Politics and Peace...

2010-02-28T14:50:00.000+10:30

National Elections in Sudan are scheduled for April, the first step towards democracy since the military dictatorship took power. President Bashir is currently negotiating peace deals with rebel groups from Darfur and has also expressed his commitment to work towards sustainable peace with the South. A referendum is scheduled for January 2011 where Southerners will decide between independence and remaining in a unified Sudan. This is a critical period where there is potential for lasting peace or for renewed conflict. Sudanese leaders have asked to pray for peace.

When there is nothing we can do...

2010-02-10T11:39:00.004+10:30

A few weeks ago we were being shown through a hospital at Marialbai where we met a woman who at first seemed to be paralysed. During a fit she had fallen backwards and hit the back of her head and had been brought to the hospital where she had laid motionless ever since. Ros asked various questions and was able to ascertain she still had feeling and movement in her feet, but couldnt determine why she was unable to move. She came over to me and quietly said there was nothing she could do to help.

Almost every day in the remote regions of Sudan we met people in desperate situations who would look to us with hope and expectation. It isnt easy to admit - to them or ourselves - that there is nothing we can do.

I said to Ros and Paulino Malou that at least we could pray with this woman. In prayer we recognise our weakness and God's greatness and express our belief that God's mercy is not dependant on physical realities. And, sometimes, it is all we can do...

Ros had more questions to ask, trying to find a medical reason for the "paralysis", and I left her to her work. Later she told me that she and Malou did pray before they left the woman. But that night Ros admitted her feeling of helplessness and frustration. It was one of the few times in the whole trip I saw her a bit shaken. We discussed the importance of knowing our own areas of weakness and accepting our limitations before we try to help others with theirs.

Before we went to bed one of the locals casually commented that the lady at the hospital that Ros and Malou had prayed for had got up out of bed, said she was fine, and walked home.

-------------
Addition - Ros reminded me we were also told that the traditional healer (sometimes called witch-doctor) visited the woman at the hospital. Is that what you call having a bet each way?

Some photos of Ros...

2010-02-01T22:42:00.001+10:30

I'm fairly sure Ros took over 1000 photos while in Sudan - but she wasnt so keen about being on the other side of the camera. In spite of being a bit camera shy I managed to get a few pictures which I hope give a small insight into Ros' experience.

Ros (or Mama Ayak as Adut Dit named her) getting into traditional dress

Doing laundry in Marialbai

Cute and delicious - but no Ros, you cant take it home!

With Anwon and Achol

Joseph and I were amazed at what came out of Ros' luggage - even a battery powered fan! Very useful in 39 degree heat and 80% humidity.

A farewell gift from Adut Dit

Slaves...

2010-01-30T05:29:00.004+10:30

For most of us slavery is something we have heard about but haven’t witnessed personally. Many find it hard to believe reports that there is more human trafficking today than when the slave trade was “abolished”, and even if we are well informed it can be difficult to imagine what modern-day slavery looks like. So let me introduce you to two young Sudanese women who told me their story.

Rebecca’s village was raided by Arab nomads from the north when she was a young girl. Her father was killed, the village burned, and Rebecca abducted and enslaved by an Arab family in Southern Kordofan. As she matured she became a sex-object for her master. Apparently because of jealousy, the master’s wife arranged Rebecca’s marriage to another Sudanese abductee and she has two children from this relationship. Christian Solidarity International arranged Rebecca’s release but when she returned to her village she discovered her husband was a close relative – something so disgraceful in Dinka culture that her husband was forced to leave and Rebecca now lives without support from her community and with little prospect of marriage. She is blind in one eye as a result of being beaten by her master.

Asha was even younger when she was abducted. Her master raised her until she was old enough to “marry”, but after her first child discarded her and offered her for sex to other men who would visit. She was regularly beaten. When investigators located her and began the process of lobbying for her release, Asha’s master would hide her away to a different location. Recently Asha was released, again through the work of CSI, and is beginning to make a new life for herself. But it isn’t easy. She has no memory of her family of origin and doesn’t even know which tribe she belongs to. In a culture where identity is determined through family lineage, Asha has only vague suggestions of where she might have come from. Still, she has recently married, has a new baby, and is making a home for herself in the community.

Lobbying continues for the release of 35,000 abductees in northern Sudan.

Liberated abductees Rebecca and Asha

A report from Joseph...

2010-01-22T23:52:00.001+10:30

It's our last day in Sudan. Tomorrow Joseph and I commence our way home. Here is Joseph's review of our time in Sudan...

We arrived in Juba on 31st December 2009. Juba is the seat of government of South Sudan whereby the temperature is fairly high - politically and naturally. It is the eve of campaigns for the national election, electing the state legislative assembly and national assembly. This is the first step of democratization since the military Junta in Khartoum took the government for the last 30 years. Juba has changed in terms of development which is going in high gear, but also has contradictions - the realities of government bureaucracy and some embezzlement of a few corrupt figures that is the reality of African or third world governments.

We left Juba after some few days to Wau which is the capital of Bahr Al Ghazel region. It reminds me of my childhood days. This is a place where I studied my primary school and junior primary school. And also it reminds me of my exit point when I left Sudan on November 24, 1983. All these memories come back in mind when we landed in Wau airport, but I can see new settlement and peace will become reality. There is also a reflection in my mind from a saying of our late hero Dr John Garang DeMabour when he said “I had sworn an oath for peace which is in your hands and now it is yours. Own it and treasure it.”

Then we travelled to Aweil, capital of Northern Bahr Al Ghazel state where we spent most of our time and started our mission. This time our mission covered four counties – Aweil Centre, Aweil South, Aweil West and Aweil North. In our visit to Aweil South with Church of Christ leaders we encountered a few things which delight our heart in terms of the ministry which have really grown since we left the area the last 18 months. They have done a great deal in terms of their hospital and their vision for Bible college and core workers for the ministry. These are the soldiers of Christ’s mission and their enthusiasm to preach the word of God and change their own people into the Kingdom of God on earth and in Heaven.

Meeting with one of the ministers, Pastor Paulino Malou, and sharing his vision towards the orphan children, in his heart burns fire to do something towards it. These are the backbone of the future for this community which have been marginalised and look as outcasts of the community. We have explored a lot of opportunities and ask God to open doors for this calling.

In our visit to Marialbai in Aweil West we have faced a lot of challenges – some put us in tears and some delight our hearts for what God has just given us in this mission. It is an area which has been destroyed in the last 40 years of civil war between north and south. This region of Ayat is between the border of North and South Sudan and they have lost many lives, women and children and some have been abducted to be slaves for their masters in the north. And also, it was people from this region where God has just called Steve to start his contact with Sudanese families in Adelaide. We met many of their brothers, sisters and mothers. When sitting down with the Chief Makuei Dit (Riiny Riiny Lual) he is in my age, but when we sat down together he looked older – more than 20 years than me, because of the heavy load of his own people on his shoulder. I began to reflect back when we were young and now time just passes by in these circumstances of life. His 10 brothers sacrificed their lives for this cause of the struggle. Among them the Major General Lual Riiny Riiny Lual is one of the founders of the movement. We stood by his grave for a moment and said a prayer. Half of his family live in Adelaide and half live in Marialbai. We heard many stories about great challenges regarding health and abductees and the orphans. The story of the abductees is horrifying. Some are made as sex slaves, some are still retained by their masters in the north, some have been killed through raping and torturing. Approximately they say there is about 40,000 but about 5000 have been released. We are given a portion of land in Ayat region for our mission. We ask God to help the call to start this mission as soon as God has put in the heart of our brothers and sisters in Australia.

Travelling to Gok Machar, Aweil North, to see IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) and Darfurians, the local authorities couldn’t facilitate our request to see and visit these areas. This is the area mostly Rev Angelo and his team minister to Darfuri refugees. Their ministry assists the Darfurians with medications and food and other care.

Finally, we are back to Juba, reflecting on our mission. We see that God has just opened doors in so many ways, and we are asking our friends and brothers to pray and give whatever God has just asked them to give for this mission.

Joseph at the grave of Dr John Garang

What about the Hospital?

2010-01-20T20:35:00.002+10:30

For those who have been following our partnership you might be wondering about our involvement in the Aweil Civic Hospital. Let me give a brief update.

A few weeks before leaving we learned that MSF have adopted a policy not to work with traditional midwives. They claim that in some instances there is a disincentive to bring mothers to the hospital. It was obvious that to supply birthing kits to Deborah at the hospital would be working against the operational practices of MSF and so we agreed that these would be best used in remote areas where home birthing is the only option. The previous article by Ros tells of how this has developed.

In addition to the supply of birthing kits, Deborah had asked us to provide some basic medical equipment and training. Now that MSF have taken over this role in the hospital this has become redundant. This of course is the best outcome as MSF are providing quality medical care. They report that the maternal mortality rate in the hospital has dropped from 22% to 1% since their takeover.

I have also had conversations with the Governor about supporting the development of one segment of the hospital. We haven’t been able to meet the Governor on this visit as he has been busy with pre-election campaigns, but after conversations with MSF we think it is unlikely this will proceed. The Ministry of Health has begun some refurbishments in conjunction with MSF and there are many other NGOs who have roles in the hospital. It seems we will be more effective if we concentrate in areas which have less resources and support. I will report more on this as it unfolds.

Provision of Birthing Kits…

2010-01-20T03:56:00.001+10:30

We put Ros on a plane at lunch time and she is now on the slow journey home via Addis Ababa, Dubai, Kuala Lumpar and Perth. I told her I wouldnt let her leave until she had written a report on the birthing kits and medical equipment. She finished it this morning.

A report by Ros Stafford-Green
Following the 2008 trip by Steve and Joseph, there was interest expressed for birthing kits to be made available. 200 Zonta Birthing Kits were provided by Birthing Kit Foundation Australia (BKFA) for this trip. To ensure they would be used appropriately and that maternal and foetal outcomes would be known it was necessary to make contact with those who would use them. It soon became apparent that a new hospital at Malek Alel Church of Christ worked with some trained Traditional Birthing Attendants (TBAs) who could use these for home births. They had some experience using them some years back and realised their benefit. One bag of 100 kits along with a small amount of medical equipment was gratefully accepted for use in this community in Aweil South County.

Then travelling to the north west of Aweil we spent time in communities that have been decimated by the effects of war. However, with greater stability at the moment, Darfuri refugees and returnees from the north of Sudan are settling in the region. In a society where large families are expected, safe childbirth is a real issue. Here, complications at delivery can result in both maternal and foetal death. This is particularly pertinent in the Marialbai area where they are isolated and have no means of transportation when problems occur. As there are three trained TBAs there who had previous experience using the kits, the other bag of 100 birthing kits was offered to them. Cecilia, the head TBA, delivers three to four babies a week and was very keen to use the kits and receive further training.

At both these locations we were requested to provide further training for TBAs, as well as other medical, laboratory and nursing staff. We have begun to put in place the necessary administrative processes required by BKFA for an ongoing supply of birthing kits in these areas.

Whilst the optimal situation would be for all women to have access to a hospital and medical staff, the kits provide an immediate resource to help prevent infection, one of the major causes of death in Sudan.

Ros delivering birthing kits to Cecilia at Marialbai

Cecilia with one of the kits

Providing medical equipment to Philip Garang, the Clinical Officer at Malek Christian Hospital

Leaving Aweil...

2010-01-19T05:33:00.000+10:30

This morning we were up at 4 AM to commence the first leg of our journey home. Now we are back in Juba and tomorrow Ros will start her way home. Joseph and I will be here till Saturday to meet a few more people and put in place some organisational matters.

Here are a few more photos from our time in Northern Bahr Al Ghazel...

Walking the streets of Aweil Town

Marialbai Primary School

Making Bread

Wau Airport

Going to Church at Malek Alel

Two children who shared our lunch in Ayat

Marialbai...

2010-01-15T23:55:00.003+10:30

We’ve spent three days visiting in the Ayat community north west of Aweil. Ros came home happy and excited. I came home in tears.

Ros has enjoyed the generous hospitality we’ve been shown and the chance to engage with midwives and medical projects. She has been instrumental in forming a vision and plan of what we can do here and has found this both enjoyable and fulfilling. This is a large part of why she has come. She has also captivated the children of Marialbai with her cameras and attempts at the local language. Despite the heat, dust, lack of sleep and very basic living conditions Ros has a bounce in her step. It has been an enjoyable and productive few days and she is obviously excited about our mission in Marialbai.

I have also enjoyed our time in Ayat and feel compelled by a vision that will serve this community. But seeing the impact of this war up close has been very confronting. Chief Riiny Riiny Lual is the Paramount Chief of the region and hosted our visit. His brothers and sisters were the first Sudanese I supported as we welcomed them as refugees in Adelaide. As we approach the Chief’s tukul we pass the grave of his older brother, the husband of Aluong who I supported in coming to Adelaide. The Chief has lost 10 brothers in this war, and those who survived are scattered around the world. The Chief’s car is broken down under the tree. The Missiriya have raided his cattle, his primary source of wealth.

I met the mothers and siblings of the first family we sponsored. As I filmed their message to their family in Australia, one girl broke down. “Waake archa morth aphe, waake archa morth aphe. Have you forgotten me? I didn’t even have the chance to say goodbye. Do you even remember me?”

There are many orphans here. In Sudan an orphan is someone who has lost their father. Many of them still have their mothers, but when life is so hard and resources so scare, life is even harder for these children. We are partnering with an energetic and visionary Church of Christ leader who has a vision to care for these children. The Chief took us for a walk to an area set aside for returnees from the north. These are people who have fled the conflict and now are coming back. There are hundreds of thousands of them with a large percentage of widows and orphans. As we walked others gathered until we had quite a group of followers. Then the Chief pointed out the boundaries of the land he is offering us. It is much larger than I expected. Their hopes and expectations are high.

We walk past a small but well equipped hospital established by a charity organisation. They will leave at the end of February. The local administrator says he would prefer they didn’t have the hospital than to have it stand empty as a reminder of what they don’t have. It is the only medical facility in the region and serves a population of about half a million people. We compare it to having a brand new garage – but no car. He says the community will be going back to the bush to get the traditional roots and leaves for medicine.

Later we met two women who had been abducted by Arab raiders. They are much more fortunate than so many who have been enslaved. A man we talked to has been lobbying the Government to support the release of the abductees. Many are sex slaves and we heard several reports of girls being raped with pieces of wood until they are dead. They have identified 40,000 who are still in slavery in the north and they have arranged the liberation of 5,000. Some men have been killed for their involvement in this work, and our friend narrowly escaped.

The Primary School has 600 students, an enthusiastic Principal and teachers. The buildings remain from the British era, but they are empty. There are no windows, doors, desks or books. Donkeys walk through the classrooms.

The school, the orphans and widows, the Chief’s broken car, the graves, the slaves and the tears of those whose families are scattered combine with overwhelming impact to tell the story of how this community has suffered through 40 years of war.

5 years of peace…

2010-01-15T23:54:00.000+10:30

Saturday was CPA Day – the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Nairobi. The celebration was postponed until Monday and we witnessed the marching procession and could hear the music and dancing continue until dawn. Although there are still pockets of conflict and much to negotiate for sustainable peace to be a reality, we notice a change even from 18 months ago. There are less guns, fewer soldiers, the community is more relaxed and settled. Even a Colonel I spoke with was confident that from now on they can fight with words rather than guns.

Stability...

2010-01-08T17:51:00.000+10:30

We are aware that news reports in Australia tell of a break-down in the peace agreement in Sudan. We are in daily contact with government leaders and are in a good position to monitor the situation. If there is any danger we have many people who will ensure our safety. The bigger issue is working for the peace and stability of the country, without which imrovement to the standard of living will be stalled.

A Family Scattered...

2010-01-08T17:44:00.001+10:30

Yesterday we met Veronica Abuk, the mother and grandmother to several of my congregation in Adelaide. Let me share a bit of her story.

In 2001 Abuk and her family were in Aweil Town when the militia attacked. Abuk’s husband was killed, Abuk was shot, and the family scattered. A daughter, Juer, came to Australia and settled into my congregation with her daughters. Juer was in contact with some of her sisters and brothers, but she didn’t know what happened to her mother or her 4 younger siblings. She assumed her mother had been killed. Finally she found her younger siblings in an orphanage in Aweil under the care of the Catholic Church. We supported her application to bring them to Australia on a Family Orphan Visa. The older girl went missing in Khartoum but we welcomed the younger 3 to Australia about 2 years ago and they have become part of our church family.

A few months later I came with Joseph to Aweil and there we discovered that Juer’s mother Abuk was living in Khartoum, North Sudan. I rang Juer and passed on the news. Last year another daughter was able to bring her back to Aweil. But there is no news of the lost daughter.

When I greeted Abuk I told her we thought she was dead. I passed on greetings from her children, told her how well they are doing in Australia and showed some photos from my computer. Abuk of course was overjoyed to see the pictures and hear the news. But there was no hiding the pain. We see a lot of anguish here, but Joseph and I couldn’t hold back our tears. This family’s story is typical of what many South Sudanese have endured. We pray one day they can be reunited.

With Veronica Abuk and her daughter

Photos of Aweil...

2010-01-06T19:33:00.001+10:30

Campaigning prior to the coming elections

Making tahini at the markets

Meeting Pastor Yournew Wol after his return from Nairobi

Our first breakfast at Mama Adut's home in Aweil

Aweil at last...

2010-01-06T19:26:00.000+10:30

On Monday we flew from Juba to Wau on a comfortable and clean Fokker 50 named after the President of the South Salva Kiir. At one point the plane dipped quite suddenly, and when we arrived at Wau airport I heard the pilot saying another plane was coming towards us and he had to duck out of its way. Our friend Ronald Ruay Deng arranged our transport by car to Aweil – about 1 ½ hours - and we are now comfortably settled in a new hut Mama Adut Dit has prepared for us. Once again we were offered free accommodation at the hotel, but we prefer to stay with our “mum”.

Joseph and I are enjoying renewing relationships and Ros is making new friends. The delegation from the American churches who were to be here for the opening of the hospital at Malek Alel in Aweil South has postponed their visit, so we will not be meeting with them as planned. And the town is busy with election campaigns which will occupy the time of those involved in the state government. But we have a lot to do and are keen to make the most of the two weeks we will have in Aweil.

Juba Town...

2010-01-04T03:57:00.000+10:30

Joseph and I had a chat and decided to appoint Ros the official team photographer. Here are a few of her shots of our time in Juba Town.

Joseph with sister Ajok and brother Maluak. They couldnt remember the last time the three of them were together.

The view from the back of our hotel

The central business district of Juba.

Shopping for a phone - Because 3 phones is just not enough in Sudan.

To Aweil...

2010-01-04T00:25:00.001+10:30

It has taken a bit longer then we planned, but we are all set to go to Aweil tomorrow. Ros' luggage arrived from Addis Ababa yesterday and we immediately booked flights to Wau and transport by car to Aweil.

This morning we attended a Kenyan Pentecostal church. The pastor told us to think positively, set goals, and God will give us new cars and a new house. If it was really so easy we could end world poverty today.

We have been able to spend time with Joseph;s family, including a brother Joseph hadnt seen for 10 years. Sudanese hospitality is really something to be experienced. We are like part of the family here.

Obvisouly the three of us are an odd looking group, and people try to work out the relationship between us. I tell people that Joseph and I are brothers and Ros is our mother - that sems to resolve any issues.

Ros has fitted in easily and has coped well with Sudan. Already she has made many friends including a youg Ugandan woman who greets her with hugs several times each day. I have enjoyed renewing some friendships too, and making some new ones. If I want to get a laugh, I introduce myself as Majok Dit from the Pacher tribe in Waaynjok.

Achincrutch!

First Impressions…

2010-01-03T23:44:00.003+10:30

Having been in Sudan for a couple of days, I asked Ros to share her first impressions.

Flying over vast deserts then seeing the effect of water where the Nile creates lush greenness. Then seeing how the harsh climate affects both building design and its effect on any structure. Added to this is the continuous smoke haze create by numerous fires, particularly by burning rubbish – much of which could be recycled.

The people are amazingly resilient and cheerful, despite incredible sadness. Ive already had first hand contact with situations of great loss due to the war and oppression. However at the same time there is a real sense of moving on and not being dominate by the past.

Ive been amazed at the amount of English spoken here in Juba and the conversations Ive been able to have. Everywhere people have peen friendly and helpful and Ive been surprised at the variety of African countries they have come from.

There is a sense of hope and anticipation for the conditions in Sudan to improve, especially expressed being here at a new year, concurrent with Independence Day. Many seem to sense a personal responsibility for this to happen, rather than an expectation of others to address the issues.

Everywhere there are many children, teenagers and young people, with few old people. Everyone seems to know everyone else, and how and when things happen.

Having flown in from a very Moslem country into Sudan I have been surprised at the very open expressions of Christianity. Many got dressed up to go to church and give thanks on New Years Day and at the special celebration hosted by the President’s wife which we were privileged to be invited we all stood to be led in prayer.

There are cute lizards of various sizes which dart around trying to avoid the kites which circle overhead. As a bird lover I have several as yet unidentified and interesting birds. The huge red sun rises over a pink haze and a light breeze last for a while before it becomes still and hot. In the shade it is quite tolerable. Infrastructure such as power are intermittent, and roads “designed” for 4WD take all cars and motorbikes, often used as public transport.

I feel very welcome and relaxed knowing that Joseph knows everything and everyone and Steve with computer and 3 phones will organise everything.

Photo: Ros with children in Juba yesterday.

Joining hands across the ocean…

2010-01-03T05:54:00.000+10:30

When I first met Deng Deng Akon in Juba 18 months ago I commented on the difficulty of travel and communication between our two countries. He reassured me that Australia didn’t seem so far away because his wife and children were there. I have since learned that leaders in South Sudan have a stronger relationship with Australia than any other western country because of the number who have family members amongst us.

In my first 24 hours back in Sudan I have seen how strong this connection is. Already I have met dozens of Australian Sudanese, several that I know and have assisted in various ways. At an Independence Day concert and dinner last night which was hosted by the President I sat on one side of the Aweil Community Chairman from Adelaide, and on the other side of a man who has a wife and children in Adelaide. Amongst the dozen or so ladies escorting the First Lady were three from Adelaide.

Joseph said to me that he could see the reality of Deng Deng’s words – that the link between our communities was indeed like joining hands across the ocean.

Financial Ironies…

2010-01-02T19:46:00.000+10:30

Juba is known as a wild frontier town, full of danger and opportunity. People who are prepared to face some risks come from many places to make easy money in the rapidly developing capital. But while many are making their millions, finding money for health and education isn’t so easy.

I was discussing this with Ros and Joseph at breakfast, and soon after met a business woman from Kenya who has a vision for returning some of her profits into the development of women’s education. If enough people have the conviction to work for the good of the wider community change will come more quickly. The great hindrance to development here is the wealthy and powerful who only provide for their family and friends. Millions of dollars are being syphoned from the local economy to individuals in other countries.

The sad reality is Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world, with one of the fastest growing economies. While the rich can take advantage of this, the poor don’t see any benefit.

New Year in Sudan...

2010-01-01T02:31:00.000+10:30

Happy New Year from Sudan! Ros, Joseph and I arrived in Juba a couple of hours ago from Addis Ababa. Unfortunately Ros' luggage didnt! So far it has taken 5 flights and 4 days to get to Juba and now it will take a few more days before we get to Aweil.
While in Aweil in June-July 2008 Joseph and I were asked repeatedly when we would return to Sudan. We said we hoped to be back the following year. We made it by 8 hours!
Already we have had to change our plans, but we know that is normal here and we adjust. We're excited about what lies ahead in 2010.

40 years, 40 days, 40 hours...

2009-12-29T14:20:00.000+10:30

The number 40 in our Bible has implications of testing and transition. Not that our 40 hours travelling to Sudan will go down in history with the Israelites 40 years in the desert or Jesus' 40 days of trial. Never-the-less, it has been a test, and we are on a journey. We were up before the sparrows yesterday, only to spend 9 hours at Perth airport. Ros worked her charm with the staff at Malaysia Airlines and we were upgraded to business class for the flight to KL. Here we are in Dubai, enjoying yum cha breakfast and watching a spectacular sunrise - which would be all the more enjoyable if we werent meant to be on a flight to Addis Ababa and then on to Juba! Customs took a while to clear all our medical equipment and we missed the flight. We plan to spend the night here and fly tomorrow, getting to Juba on Thursday and Aweil on Friday. We've had a few hours sleep between us in the last 2 days, so a comfortable Dubai hotel will be welcome - in spite of not being where we wanted.
Despite this change of plans, everything has been shaping up well for the work we hope to accomplish in Sudan. We will keep you updated.

Some very supportive businesses...

2009-12-16T11:28:00.001+10:30

A few businesses have been exceptionally helpful and supportive of our coming trip to Sudan, and I want to publically express my appreciation to them here...

Firstly, Annabelle from Fulham Gardens Flight Centre is, in my opinion, the best travel consultant in the world! Arranging a trip to Aweil is quite complex, and not something many consultants have done before. Last year four travel agents I tried found my trip too difficult and simply gave up. Annabelle seemed to enjoy the challenge and after many hours worked out an itinerary which not only saved us thousands of dollars, but also has much better airport connections. When it was all finally done, and I apologised for how time consuming it had been, she presented me with gifts for myself, Joseph and Ros and wished us well for our work in Sudan. So thanks Annabelle. You're a champ!

Malaysia Airlines have also been generous to us by granting 60 Kg of free excess luggage. This will allow us to take birthing kits and a small amount of medical equipment to provide to primary health providers in the Aweil region. Thanks to Caroline and Steve in the Adelaide office for arranging this.

Virgin Blue have done the same for our domestic connection flight. Apparently they receive hundreds of requests for sponsorship each week, so I feel fortunate to have my request approved. So thanks Ashley and the sponsorship team at Virgin Blue. I appreciate your support.

I commend these companies to you and ask you to consider showing your support in return.

Going back...

2009-11-11T19:21:00.000+10:30

The tickets are booked and preparations are being made. In January we will be back in Sudan. This time there will be three of us as Ros Stafford-Green joins myself and Joseph. We will have about three weeks in Aweil and then some time in Juba. It isnt very much time for the amount of work we have to do.

We will take with us birthing kits and medical equipment as requested by the midwives based at Aweil Civic Hospital. We also hope to visit camps where Darfuri refugees have settled and to establish a stronger channel of support through the Aweil churches. There have been requests to support the development of new churches in regions surrounding Aweil through a partnership programme with Australian churches, and so we hope to gather the necessary information and meet prospective partners in this ministry. In additon we plan to register an NGO, employ a project coordinator, open bank accounts and negotiate with leaders in government about other projects where they have invited our assistance.

The development of friendships is fundamental to all we do, and so of course there will be many hours sitting and chatting under mango trees drinking chai and swatting mosquitos. The way of getting things done is very different in Sudan - scheduled appointments and strategic planning may as well be left at the departure lounge. But we have a shared vision with local Christian leaders, and as my "brother from another mother" Pastor Ronald Ruay wrote in an email this morning "our faith will move mountains".

Photo: Aweil Town from the air. Catholic church is at the front right. Mother Adut Dit's home is on the main road just behind the open school ground in the centre.

Rapid Development...

2009-10-22T12:18:00.000+10:30

Recently Deng Deng Akon was in Adelaide to spend time with his wife and family. Deng is Secretary to the Vice President of Southern Sudan and has been very helpful and supportive of our partnership with communities in Sudan. I met with Deng on several occasions and he provided advice on issues such as registration of NGOs, channelling finance, employment of a Project Manager, transport, freight and much more. Deng also has good insight into the needs of the community and the most effective way to work with local leaders.

Change is taking place at a rapid pace in Southern Sudan, and this will only increase as connections with the outside world develop. Tasks which seemed virtually impossible even a year ago, are now much simpler according to Deng. The President recently opened 18 bridges in Northern Bahr Al Ghazal and this will provide access all year to regions which were previously quite isolated. Freight through Mombasa has now been streamlined, avoiding the complications of the Kenyan customs system. And banks in Juba can now facilitate money transfer, and apparently an ATM has recently been added.

Of course long term development will be dependant on political stability in the region. The world will be watching with some anxiety as the referendum scheduled for 2011 approaches, as this will determine whether Southern Sudan remains in a unified Sudan or has independence from the North. Either option has the potential to spark renewed conflict and this remains the greatest threat to aid and development and also to our church partnerships. But for now there is relative peace and increasing opportunities for us to provide assistance to communities who have suffered so much.

Photo: With Deng Deng Akon at our hotel in Juba, June 2008

Pray for peace...

2009-10-13T13:48:00.000+10:30

My friend Adub is the Director of Peace based in Aweil. He has asked that we pray for a Peaceful Co-existence Conference he is involved in next month. The conference will bring together people from two tribes which have a long history of conflict – the African Malual Dinka of Northern Bahr Al Ghazal and the Arabic Rezeigat from Darfur.

In the past the Rezeigat have been frontline soldiers for the northern forces against the Southern rebels, but even when not at war have formed raiding parties which have captured thousands of Dinka women and children to be enslaved. While in Aweil last year Joseph and I saw numerous fuzzy haired children whose mothers had escaped from their Arab captors. While the raids have decreased since the signing of the Certified Peace Agreement, it is still a source of conflict between these rival tribes. And as the Sahara steadily grows southward, competition for pasture and water increases the need for peaceful co-existence.

I remember Adub’s words of wisdom to me last year – that people first need to find peace within themselves before they can offer it to others. Please join together in praying for peace in this troubled region.

The Graduate From Sudan...

2009-09-29T11:27:00.001+09:30

A documentary has been made on Dr Victoria Anip Achut and will be shown in Adelaide this Saturday afternoon. It tells the story of her life in Sudan and then settling in Australia as a medical professional. Victoria is a member of my medical advisory group. She works tirelessly for her community, both here in Adelaide and at home in Sudan. She is a strong advocate for women's health and education, and speaks out strongly against the practice of female genital mutilation. I encourage you to come along and be inspired.

The film will be shown at Mercury Theatre, 13 Morphett St Adelaide, at 2 PM. Entry is free, but over half the seats are already allocated. Contact me to obtain RSVP details - use the email link in my profile section. If you cant make it, it is scheduled to be broadcast on SBS on Wednesday 28th October at 8.30 PM.

A Spaceship to Sudan...

2009-09-22T15:40:00.003+09:30

Spell-checkers on computer programmes are very handy - but they dont always get it quite right!

I have written to several airlines asking if they will provide assistance with freight of medical equipment on our next visit to Sudan. One airline executive wrote a very gracious letter of reply, commenting how inspired he was by our projects, but regrettfully couldnt assist with "spaceship". Obviously he meant to write "sponsorship", but with the aid of our innovative software it was changed into something quite different.

I resisted the temptation to reply that we werent going to Mars, and that a 747 would do the job just fine. (And I will continue to see what help we can get with transporting this vital equipment).

A message from Pastor Ronald Ruay...

2009-08-20T10:40:00.005+09:30

A few days ago I asked Ruay for some information I could include in a newsletter article I was writing. It was only a brief article and I only used a small part of what he wrote -so I have included his full message here...

I did my training of Bible and Missions at Nairobi Great Commission College in Kenya. I graduated in 2003 after completion of 2 years training and 6 months serving in churches and Ministries in Kenya and Uganda. During my training years, i started a ministry of preaching to my sudanese brothers and sisters living in Adjumani refugee camp. I served in the camp but i felt my heart calling to go back home in aweil. I first came back to Aweil in 2005 before the Peace deal and searched God's will for me to my people who were facing all kinds of suffering and hardships. Before the peace, insecurity was high in the region and there was lack of all kind of basic services. Nonetheless, i felt touched by the needy faces of my fellow brothers and immediately knew this is where my Lord wants me to be.

I chose to start a new ministry in Malek Alel, with the help of Pastor Yournew i established an undertree church and run a small church clinic which served that community's greatest need, which is still as of now Health care. Our health clinic created a big impact as we served with a christian heart and counselled/ prayed for the sick. We converted many of souls and baptized many thousands. The peak of my ministry was in 2006 when we started Aweil Bible College, as we discovered that the harvest was plenty and laborers were few. As Director of the college we trained the first graduates of preachers and sent out 18 men in 2008 into ministry service.

In end of 2008 i took a study leave and handed over the ministry works to pastor Yournew Wol my mentor and brother in christ. In the same year, my state governement formed by the historic peace deal called me to join in serving my people in a different cpacity as Director of Planning and Budgeting in the ministry of finance. This is the work i am currently serving in Aweil.

In 2009 March 24th i married Awien Majak Autiek as my wife and lifetime partner.

Thank you very much.

Ruay

Communication...

2009-07-21T11:56:00.005+09:30

I find it difficult to explain the challenges we have in communicating with our partners in Sudan. Maybe this picture will help. This is the Aweil Post Office. Or at least it used to be. Now it contains a few hundred bats, a telegraph machine (which would look very impressive in any museum - especially if 50 years of dust and bat faeces were cleaned off), and a wooden table where a couple of men sell mobile phones. The building is a relic of British ambition and stands as a reminder of what most of the world takes for granted - communication.

Magdalene explained to me how the "modern" postal service in Aweil works. When she worked as a Postal Officer in Aweil she would be called to an office, handed a letter which had just been typed, and then proceed on foot to hand-deliver it to the recipient - who of course she would know by name. If the person wasnt in town they were dependant on someone travelling to the relevant location to deliver the letter.

This is the same method available to us if we want to "post" anything from Australia to Aweil. If I hear of someone travelling home to Sudan from Adelaide I will ask if they can deliver letters or photos to particular people. Of course dozens of others will make the same request, loading the traveller with clothes and gifts and many instructions. And its not very effective when you want a quick answer to a simple question.

But I mentioned men selling mobile phones. Surely the advance of modern technology has made communication quite simple. Last year there were four mobile phone carriers in Aweil, and another one about to begin. But only one of them could carry international calls. Even then, the coverage is limited to the centre of the town and could drop out completely for months at a time. The Internet is similar - for those who have access it can provide easy communication via email or Skype, but recently the whole network was down for about three months. The Government and NGOs rely on satellite phones for reliable communication, but few people have access to this service.

This week I spoke on the phone to Deborah, the midwife at the Aweil Civic Hospital - having made dozens of unsuccessful attempts over the past year. She told me she thought I had forgotten her requests for assistance. I reassured her I have tried dozens of time to get messages to her and that we are working to provide the help she needs.

The development of a strong ministry partnership is dependant on communication. Currently we are exploring the use of mobile satellite modems which linked to a laptop computer would provide consistent access to email, phone and possibly video conferencing. In the mean time I continue to send emails and try the phone, aware that it is likely to take several attempts before my message gets through.

The Malual Kon Church of Christ...

2009-07-09T12:13:00.005+09:30

This video is a bit longer than the short greetings I have posted recently - about 6 minutes. It is about a year since I filmed it, and within a couple of weeks a flood brought about the inevitable collapse of the church building which you will see. Only a few days ago Philip told me his congregation is still meeting under the tree where it began ten years earlier. Minutes before filming I met a member of the church who pointed to where her husband had been killed by the militia. I dont know how many people lost their lives on this church property - but their relatives and neighbours keep coming together to pray. This video brings back memories which are both inspirational and heart-breaking.

A greeting from Pastor Ronald Ruay...

2009-06-20T13:25:00.005+09:30

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…

2009-06-13T19:17:00.002+09:30

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...

2009-06-08T10:30:00.004+09:30

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...

2009-06-08T10:28:00.001+09:30

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...

2009-06-06T14:17:00.006+09:30

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.

From Magill to Awiel...

2009-05-14T12:06:00.009+09:30

Late last year I showed our Sunday School at Magill Church of Christ some video of a Sunday School in Awiel, Southern Sudan where I had recently visited. Our kids got involved making a banner, writing cards and donating clothes to send over. One of my Sudanese friends recently took them over and presented our small gift as a symbolic link between the children in our two communities. Here are the photos...

With Pastor Tanya Nokes and children from our Cafe Service

And then at the front of our Chapel Service

To its new home at the front of the Episcopal Church in Awiel Town

The children holding cards they have received from Australia

With Rev Angelo outside their grass cathedral

The Political Situation in Sudan...

2009-04-27T22:35:00.002+09:30

Several people have asked me if our work will be affected by the Sudan Government’s expulsion of aid agencies. From reports I have been given the Government’s policy will not be implemented in the South. Even if it were, we have not established an organisation in Sudan, so effectively there is nothing to be evicted. In fact we are working in the manner the Government is advocating Ie resourcing local leaders to deliver the required services.

There are however some indirect consequences for our work. One is that MSF (Doctors Without Borders) are in the process of leaving Aweil. I am told this is in response to the abduction of three of their doctors in Darfur. They have been the only ones providing quality medical care in the region. The other obvious impact will be on the increase of Darfuri refugees fleeing south into Aweil as the situation in Darfur deteriorates.

Rather than being an obstacle to our partnership with Christian leaders in Aweil, the expulsion of Aid Agencies has brought a greater urgency in both areas where we have commenced work - our support for those ministering to Darfuri refugees, and the development of the Aweil Civic Hospital. However the situation is volatile and future developments are hard to predict.

A medical task group...

2009-03-24T17:26:00.006+10:30

You've probably heard the news. The President of Sudan has been charged with war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Rather than handing him over to the International Criminal Court the Sudan government has reacted by announcing the expulsion of aid agencies from the country. I thought this would only apply to Darfur and the northern regions but I have heard Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) are preparing to leave Aweil following the abduction of three of their doctors in Darfur.

Even though the MSF hospital looks more like a tent than a hospital, it is the only thing close to genuine medical care in the region. They provide excellent treatment to babies and children, including giving vaccinations. Soon it seems they will be gone.

This of course increases the sense of urgency in providing the medical assistance that Ang'er and Deborah, the midwife at Aweil Civic Hospital, have asked us for.
I have established a medical task group which is currently working towards sourcing the required medical equipment and supplies to resource the midwives and birthing assistants. When this is ready we plan to take a team to Aweil which will include an Australian midwife working with a Sudanese midwife to provide some basic training and establish a small maternity section in the defunct Aweil hospital. The task group includes Dr Victoria Anip, a Sudanese doctor based at Modbury Hospital, two Sudanese midwives - Asha Sulaman and Aderek Rieng - and Ros Stafford-Green who I introduced a few articles earlier.

It is hard to comprehend that a community that has so little appears to be losing the small amount of medical assistance it has received from the outside world. Please pray for our medical task group as we seek to respond to the ever-increasing need.

A gift for Darfur...

2009-02-18T21:31:00.005+10:30

Today we have sent $1500 AUD to Pastor Yournew Wol Kuot which will be used by a team that have been caring for the Darfurian refugees in Aweil. While Joseph Mawien and I were in Aweil last year we met people from Darfur who had fled the genocide. And when we visited Malual Kon in Aweil East we visited the refugee camp (pictured) where the Darfurians were being fed by the World Food Program. For the past six years we have heard of the ongoing civil war in Darfur and the devastating impact it has had on the African tribes. But hearing about it on the tv news is very different to being there and meeting the victims face to face.

What touched me most was hearing Rev Angelo describe the way the churches in Aweil were caring for the Darfurian refugees. They provide them with food, shelter and clothing and with their limited resources were providing care for the sick and wounded. I was impressed with the way Christians were caring for Moslems. Angelo told me "now they have become our brothers".

I had no hesitation in telling Angelo we would support him. For so long I have felt totally helpless in the face of this disaster and it was a relief to know there was something we could do. I asked Angelo "Please tell the people of Darfur that they have sisters and brothers in Australia who know about their suffering and pray for them."

$1500 isnt a large amount of money, but a dollar can go a long way in Sudan. As well as being very compasionate, Rev Angelo is a discerning man and will enusre the money is used for the maximum benefit. And as he provides for their physical needs, he also shares the gospel of Christ. It's nice to know we can be a part of this wonderful ministry.

Let me know if you would like to get involved...

Trash and Treasure...

2008-12-04T17:18:00.007+10:30

On Monday Joseph and I visited a warehouse used by Rotary to store equipment that has been donated for use in developing countries. We were accompanied by Ros Stafford-Green who is both an endorsed Church of Christ minister and has expertise in obstetrics – just what we needed considering we were looking for equipment to provide the midwives in Aweil with a basic medical kit they can carry as they move into the remote areas.

A few months ago I walked around Aweil Civic Hospital with Joseph. The hospital has almost no equipment, no nurses, no doctors, no medicine. I felt like Ezekial who in his vision of the valley of dry bones was asked “Can these bones live?” (Ezekial 37). I wondered to myself “Can this skeleton of a hospital be brought back to life?”

In stark contrast, Rotary’s Donations in Kind warehouse has more surplus medical equipment than I could imagine. And not only medical equipment! School desks, stationery, electrical equipment, wheel-chairs, library books, sewing machines, type-writers… Joseph said he would like to take it all and put it on a ship to Sudan. The fact is we throw away more equipment than most people in Sudan will ever lay eyes on.

The medical kits are a small start. Deborah and Ang’er (pictured) have asked us to provide fifty kits for the women Deborah has been training as midwives. They were the only people in the hospital that I saw providing any medical care at all. If we can also provide some other medical equipment to help them establish a small maternity ward I believe it could be a small step toward bringing the hospital back to life.

Obviously there is a lot to do. Let me know if you are interested in being involved. You will see I have added an email link on my profile section, so now if you don’t want to post a reply for the whole world to see you can send me an email instead.

Rest in peace...

2008-11-13T21:16:00.002+10:30

It might sound an unusual question, but how do you wash your face? Seriously… I would like you to think about how you go about this daily chore. My brother Joseph told me about a tribe in Sudan that has a tradition of washing one side of their face at a time, keeping the eye on the opposite side open and watching in every direction. Why? Because they were taught that if you closed your eyes, even for a second, someone could attack you.

Now I admit I don’t know what it is like to live your whole life literally keeping an eye open for your enemies. I am one of the fortunate people of the world that has never experienced war and it is impossible for me to fully understand those for whom fighting and killing is accepted as a normal part of life. And I don’t know how people who have inherited such a long history of violence can be taught that it is time to stop fighting. But I pray for the day when the people of Sudan – here and in their homeland – will be able to close their eyes without fear.

In memory of Daniel Awak - one amongst countless thousands of young Sudanese who have died a violent death – rest in peace. And to the Sudanese community, may God’s peace, which passes understanding fill your hearts and minds, enabling you to offer the gift of peace to others.

Darfur: There is something we can do...

2008-11-08T16:04:00.006+10:30

For the last 5 years we have been confronted with horrific reports of the devastating civil war in Darfur, western Sudan. The UN estimates 300,000 have fled Darfur this year alone, and about 2.5 million since February 2003 when the conflict started. It is hard to estimate the number of deaths, but it is in the hundreds of thousands. There is no end in sight and, although the UN aims to increase the number of peace-keepers, the World Food Program and aid agencies are under increasing risk of attack and struggle to provide services where needed most.

Southern Darfur borders on Aweil North and while Joseph and I were in Aweil earlier this year the tragedy of Darfur became more personal. Every day we saw Darfurians walking past our house – they were easy to notice with their bright clothing, head-dress and jewellery. We met them in the markets, ate their produce, saw their children playing.

Now its hard enough hearing about a genocide at any time… but when I met the victims – saw their faces, met their children – you can imagine how my feelings of helplessness and anger compounded.

Then I met a Christian leader who told us about the way their churches are caring for the Darfurian refugees. They help them settle in huts where they are fed by the World Food Program. They treat their sick and injured and share with them stories about Jesus and the grace of God.

I was overwhelmed. The people of Aweil know about refugees. As one of the hardest hit regions of South Sudan they have seen thousands of their own community flee before the Janjaweed, the “demons on horses”. Now the Christians of Aweil who have been persecuted by Islamic extremists are caring for Moslems from Darfur who face the same enemy. I was told they are also planning ways of channelling help to those remaining in Darfur.

I said we would help – that I would ask our churches in Australia to make a financial gift to help care for the people of Darfur. When he thanked me I said it was a relief to know there was something we could do, that for so long we have heard the news and felt helpless and how reassuring it is to know there are people caring for the victims of this genocide. I asked the team to tell the people of Darfur that they have brothers and sisters in Australia who know about their suffering and pray for them. But now there is something more we can do…

So now I am doing what I promised. I am asking you to make a donation that will be used by the team to care for the people of Darfur. Donations can be sent to Global Mission Partners by credit card (phone 08 8212 4446) or cheque (written to Churches of Christ Global Mission Partners, with a note to identify it for Darfur, and posted to Global Mission Partners, 33 Sturt St, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000).

If you would like to know more about the ongoing genocide in Darfur I recommend a hard-hitting documentary made last year featuring Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda) and George Clooney called Darfur Now. I don’t think it has been released yet in Australia, but contact me if you are interested and I will arrange for you to borrow a copy of the DVD. For those who live in South Australia we will be showing it at Magill Church of Christ on Sunday 16th November at 6 PM and Wednesday 3rd December at 7.30 PM. I also have a DVD of an interview I filmed in Awiel. Perhaps you would like to arrange an event where you can show the DVDs.

If, like me, you thought the situation in Darfur is too big, too hard, too far away and there is nothing you can do about it... well now there is!

A Prayer Request...

2008-10-30T11:53:00.006+10:30

I introduced Lino Adub earlier (see blog entry on August 19), and his work as Director of Peace for Northern Bahr Al Ghazal (Aweil State). Adub has asked for the church in Australia to pray for a peace conference he is sponsoring between the Dinka and Missiriya tribes.

The Missiriya are Arab graziers from Southern Darfur. I am told they have been armed by the Khartoum Government and function as a militia in the northern regions of Aweil State. While Joseph and I were in Aweil we were told we couldnt travel north without a UN escort because of the regular attacks in the region.

Of course there is always potential for conflict over traditional grazing land and tribal boundaries, but this dispute is much more volatile because of the sponsorship of the government and their call for Jihad against the African tribes. People from Aweil who are now scattered around the world are being invited to this conference - including a representative of the Adelaide Aweil Community - and this demonstrates how important the issue is.

Adub works hard for the peace of his region, and this is one way we can support him. Please pray for him as he seeks to negotiate a peaceful resolution to this conflcit.

From little things big things grow...

2008-10-09T12:06:00.006+10:30

Well the second anniversary celebration of the United Sudanese Fellowship was an inspirational occasion. Unfortunately Joseph wasnt well enough to share in the presentation of our trip to Sudan, but people were obviously enthusiastic about the opportunities we have to show our support to the Aweil community. Those from Aweil recognised people and places in my photos and showed a mixture of joy and sadness. But there is a confidence growing that although the need is overwhelming, there are things we can do to help. And even a small amount of assistance can go a long way amongst people who have so little. I reported that we are continuing to explore what we can do to help in a few critical areas:
- Assisting Deborah, the midwife at Aweil Hospital, with basic training and equipment
- Support for Rev Angelo and his team who are caring for Darfurian refugees
- Developing links with Church of Christ leaders, churches and the Bible College
- Supporting the vision of Church of Christ leaders to establish a church and clinic in Aweil Town
- Supporting Adub in his work with the Peace Commission
- Exploring our response to appeals for assistance in a number of other practical areas such as training, agriculture, micro-enterprise, books, wheelchairs, water, books, Bibles etc

At Magill COC, our Sunday School is making their own response. A couple of Sundays ago I showed them some video of a Sunday School in Aweil (at the church in the photo above). Now they are making a banner to send over with their hand-prints and names on it, as well as pictures of kangaroos and koalas, to remind them they have Christian friends in Australia. Our reading that Sunday said that "true worship" involves giving clothes to those in need (Isaiah 58:7), and so they have been invited to donate a t-shirt or pair of shorts to send as a gift to the Sunday School in Aweil.

It's a small start, but we hope this small package sent with love from our children, will be followed by many more expressions of our love and support.

USF Celebration...

2008-09-17T09:02:00.003+09:30

It isnt often (in this country at least) that a church will celebrate its second anniversary and at the same time be developing an international missionary partnership. But then, the United Sudanese Fellowship isnt your typical Australian church! And you're invited! The celebration will be on Sunday 28th September, 2 PM at the Salvation Army - 277 Pirie St Adelaide (Their birthday is actually in July, but they wanted to wait until I could be there). Following the service Joseph and I will share some of our experiences and observations (along with a few photos!)from our trip to Sudan, and then present some of the areas of work we have been exploring in partnership with people in Aweil.

If you have an interest in this mission partnership (and if you are reading this I assume you do!) then please make every effort to come.

Awebyawk.

A developing relationship...

2008-09-08T13:30:00.003+09:30

In this photo I am using my video camera to bring home a message from Pastor Ronald Ruay on behalf of his church at Malek Alel. I have been home again in Adelaide, South Australia, for just over a week now and I am beginning to share stories, photos and (when I have done some editing) videos from Sudan. We have been using the image of building a bridge to emphasise that we are laying the foundation for what we hope will be a strong connection between our communities. Despite the distance, difficulties in communication and vast social differences, we are developing a relationship with our sisters and brothers in Sudan which we hope will not only grow into a close Christian bond, but will also be the conduit to channel our support to those in great need.

When I spoke with Pastor Philip Akot a few days ago he told me of the impact of the recent flooding. Many homes have been destroyed in Aweil, there have been outbreaks of cholera and the church building at Malual Kon has finally succumbed to the elements. Philip's congregation are now meeting under the same tree where Churches of Christ first began in South Sudan.

After many frustrating attempts I was also able to contact Pastor Ronald Ruay. Ruay has been appointed to a position in the government and is now based in Aweil town. While this may be disappointing to some in the church and Bible College at Malek Alel, we hope that this will open the door to establish the church in Aweil that we have been praying and planning for. Ruay told me that Victor Deng and Yournew Wol (who both held positions in the government that was dismissed) are exploring resuming their leadership within Churches of Christ.

As you can see, the church in Sudan faces many challenges and constant change. Please continue to pray for them, and for us as we seek to find meaningful ways to show our support.

The last blog of my trip...

2008-08-28T20:31:00.005+09:30

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...

2008-08-26T21:48:00.004+09:30

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...

2008-08-19T20:46:00.004+09:30

"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...

2008-08-12T12:51:00.005+09:30

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.

The church at Malek Alel...

2008-07-26T21:25:00.004+09:30

Here are some of the congregation of the Malek Alel Church of Christ in Aweil South where Ronald Ruay Deng is the Pastor.

Pastor Ruay and the "Grass Cathedral"...

2008-07-26T21:01:00.005+09:30

You've heard of the Crystal Cathedral. Well this is one of many "grass cathedrals" in the south of Sudan. In front is Pastor Ronald Ruay Deng who I wrote about in my last blog.

Soon I will write about the kind of partnerships we hope to develop.

Pastor Ronald Ruay...

2008-07-23T21:29:00.004+09:30

I wrote briefy about meeting Ruay and Anger earlier (See blog on 24th June), but before I tell you more, let me share a story from a few years ago. In 2004 some of the Sudanese leaders in Adelaide, including Joseph, were asking for my help to establish a Dinka congregation. Joseph told me about a vibrant young COC pastor from Sudan who was planning to come to Adelaide, and we hoped he would be the one who would lead this new church. His name was Ronald. I remember my disappointment when I heard Ronald wasnt coming to Australia after all, but as it has turned out Joseph has led the church admirably.

A few weeks ago in Aweil I finally met Pastor Ruay, the young pastor who I had been communicating with for several months by email, and had been so helpful with making arrangements for our trip. During our conversation I heard Joseph comment about how Ruay's plans to come to Australia hadnt eventuated. That was when the penny dropped! Pastor Ronald Ruay was the same man I had expected to be working with in Adelaide, and now, four years later we find ourselves working together in Sudan! I am amazed!!!

Ruay, like his sister Anger, is an intelligent, articulate and visionary leader. As Yournew Wol took up responsibilities with the government it was Ruay who was given much of the oversight and coordination of the COC movement in Aweil. He pastors the church at Malek Alel and teaches in the Aweil Bible College. But now his passion is to establish a Church of Christ in Aweil Centre. His sister Anger is making plans to start her clinic (which I will write more about another time) and they will minister together to the spiritual and physical needs of the Aweil community.

I have told Ruay we will support his vision, and one way is to help them purchase land. I was able to speak with various people in the Northern Bahr El Ghazel government, asking for their support of the COC leaders in Aweil and assuring them of our commitment to partner with them in the work. Ruay is currently looking for suitable land for their church and will contact me about how Churches of Christ in South Australia can help them.

The internet connection is too slow to post the photo, but hopefully I can add some more pictures soon.

Yournew Wol...

2008-07-21T21:18:00.003+09:30

This is a photo of Joseph with an old friend and ministry colleague, Yournew Wol. Yournew Wol was working in Khartoum in the 1980s as an electrical engineer. When there was flooding in 1988 Yournew was working at the hospital and met an American named Paul Douglas. Although raised a Catholic Yournew had a deeply personal spiritual experience which changed his life, and through the guidance and support of Paul Douglas commenced a journey which would lead to the establishment of Churches of Christ in Kenya and Sudan. Paul left in 1990, but was able to sponsor Yournew in his Bible College studies in Zimbabwe, where he studied with Wol Wek. In 1995 they both moved to Nairobi and started evangelistic work amongst Sudanese refugees. In 1999 Yournew started a new work in Kakuma refugee camp with Victor Deng (who I have mentioned earlier). Some of the members of my church at Magill, and several leaders within the Sudanese community in Adelaide were members of Churches of Christ in Nairobi or Kakuma as a result of the ministry of Yournew Wol and others. In 2001 Yournew Wol and Victor Deng returned to Sudan and commenced a ministry in Aweil East at Malual Kon (which I wrote about in the article featuring Pastor Philip Akot). The following year they began another congregation in the Awiel South county at Malek Alel, and this is where the Aweil Bible College is based.

When I met Yournew a few weeks ago he was the Commissioner of the Aweil South County. As my sister Anger put it "The people love him so much they called him to be their Commisisoner." Certainly Yournew is a highly respected leader, not only within the church community but within the government and the wider community. We had only just left Aweil when we heard the Governor had dismissed the Government, including Yournew Wol, and so I am unsure where that leaves him placed. However I know many within Churches of Christ will be hoping that Yournew will soon be free to focus more energy on church leadership once again.

Next I will tell you more about another young pastor who has taken much of the leadership while Yournew has been involved in the government.

A few photos...

2008-07-18T15:56:00.003+09:30

Under the mango tree at Juba on a branch of the River Nile. Here, Sudan seems the most peaceful place on earth.

Joseph and Mother Adut - meeting again after 25 years. Adut didnt know if she would ever see her son again.

The Aweil Hilton. Our home (on the right) for 3 weeks in Adut's compound.

Pastor Philip Akot...

2008-07-17T19:10:00.005+09:30

I started writing this earlier today, but got distracted when I discovered my hotel in Addis Ababa has charged my credit card 7 times for our stay. Thats about 20,000 Birr or $2000 - after I already paid in cash! Its probably an honest mistake and is the kind of thing that happens in countries where Visa is a new phenomenon. Hopefully it can be sorted out quickly.

But let me introduce you to Pastor Philip Akot. Joseph and I bumped into Philip while walking through the markets in Juba. Philip is the pastor of the Malual Kon Church of Christ and also lectures at the Aweil Bible College. Malual Kon was the first COC in South Sudan.

When Joseph and I visited Malual Kon I had the feeling of standing on Holy Ground. One reason was that this was the site where Churches of Christ in South Sudan began - just a few years ago in 2001. In fact under the tree in the photo was where the church met before they had a building, and the hut on the left was the first COC building in South Sudan! The other reason is that members of this church lost their lives on this property. One of the first people I met lost her husband in this compound when the Arab militia attacked just a few years ago. The soil I stand on as I walk around this property has soaked up the blood of its church members. I cant describe how I feel.

Churches of Christ have spread from this church to every County in Aweil - except Aweil centre. Joseph's mother, Adut, tells me when she was living in Wanyjok she would walk to the church's clinic to get treatment for her family. Now however, the clinic is closed. The property is badly in need of repairs and the congregation itself needs some "rebuilding". The church wouldnt be here at all without the support of Paul Douglas and COCs in America (More about that another time), but seeing the rapid growth and decline of this congregation is a powerful lesson to me about how "support" can either empower or create dependancy. Their reliance on the American churches has left this young church vulnerable, and unable to maintain its ministry on its own.

Philip is a gracious and gregarious Pastor who radiates enthusiasm. We discuss sustainable and empowering models of partnership - projects that empower the church to sustain, develop and expand the ministries of their church within the Malual Kon community. Philip and I both have some research to do to see how this might eventuate, but suffice to say we are both excited by the possibilities.

Pictures...

2008-07-15T14:59:00.002+09:30

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.

Awebyawk...

2008-07-13T10:01:00.001+09:30

Its been over a week since my last post - A lot has happened but access to the internet has been difficult.
Our farewell from Aweil was quite moving. Mother Adut literally killed the fattened calf for our send off party and close to 100 people came to say goodbye. Although as their word "awebyawk" expresses, I told people that we will see each other again. Quite a few came to the airport to see us off. When I saw the plane I asked Joseph if had told his mum that he loves her. He laughed, but then got serious and told me our lives are in God's hands. I wasnt sure if he meant "trust God that everything will be ok" or "prepare to die". I decided not to ask. Its hard to describe the airport - The most hi teck equipment I saw was the horn used to clear the runway of donkeys, goats, bicycles and people taking their carts to market. But with a mixture of hugs and traditional greetings we were on our way to Juba.
Juba seemes like a modern city after Aweil. For example, some roads have bitumen (mostly pot-holes but with bits of bitumen around them). We went back to the same hotel by the Nile. Where else in the world will you pay $250 USD for a twin room where the doors dont close properly, the toilet doesnt work, the shower has no water, all fittings are loose on the wall and the hand basin is virtualy falling off? However the air conditioning works perfectly! The friendly staff get the toilet working and turn on the water for the shower. It dosesnt have a shower head so it is like standing under a hose - but after using a bucket for 3 weeks it was still one of the best showers of my life.
Joseph and I are now relaxing in Addis Ababa and enjoying the rich history and friendly people - although many people will ask for money for simply talking to us or showing us something we didnt even want to see. I have grown used to being the only white person, but here people have been more aggressive in their sales pitch. I find explaining that I dont speak American works quite well.
I will write soon about our connections with Church of Christ leaders in Aweil, which has been both insightful and full of potential. Stay tuned...

From Joseph...

2008-07-02T23:06:00.004+09:30

Out mission to northern Bahr El Ghazel, Aweil, started on 13 June 2008, in Juba capital of the seat of government of Southern Sudan where we met with government officials as well as in Aweil with community leaders which has been successful.

Next Monday, 7th July we will be flying back to Juba and staying two days and then we leave Juba Wednesday afternoon on our way to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We will stay for a few days then I will leave to Australia and Pastor Steve wil spend some few weeks on his holiday until the end of August and he will join us in Adelaide.

Our discussion and deliberation with The Governor, The Deputy Governor and the Minister for Social Development, Culture and Sport have really paid back in fruitful outcome. In the grassroot level we have explored windows of opportunities and also the local community leaders of COC pastors and church workers and we have encountered Episcopal Church of Sudan pastor who is working amongst the refugees from Darfur. A positive relationship. This gave us a clear vision and a link with these groups.

We believe these have given us an opportunity to say we have created partnerships with them. And we have planted a seed which might last for a few years. Our mission has been so good and successful, but not you might think a road of roses - there are thorny issues we have encountered and have overcome them with prayers. These challenges give us a clear vision to coordinate and work with them in the future. Our misison is not a coincident - we believe God's hand is with us. We have faced so many challenges - some which broke our hearts and some we laugh over. But the demand is so huge and so great.

We feel these are the areas which are important now to oversee and think over them: Primary health care; Education in general, especially training of teachers, nurses and agriculture for full sustainability which demands a new technology for farming more than traditional farming in Sudan.

Lonely planet guide to Aweil…

2008-07-01T21:02:00.000+09:30

Like many travelers I consulted the Lonely Planet guide before heading off on my trip. It didnt give much information about Sudan, and basically all it said about Southern Sudan is that you shouldnt go there. The Australian Government web site "Smart Traveler", another excellent source for travel advice, went further by giving the reasons you shouldn’t go - you might be shot, abducted or tread on a land mine; you might contract AIDS, cholera or typhoid; Your plane might crash or you might get eaten by a lion. All of which should be taken quite seriously. However if you have the good fortune to travel to this special place some time here is some advice to assist your journey...

Money...
Cheques, travelers cheques and credit cards are useless here. There are no ATMs and you cant withdraw money from a bank. The only thing to do is carry cash. Cattle can also work well but it is hard to carry them on the plane. A Sudanese Pound note which looks like a piece of paper picked out of the garbage will work fine. But a crisp, spotless US note will be scrutinised carefully. It seems a US$100 note dated 2006 is worth about 200 Sudanese pounds. If it is dated 2003 it may be worth half that. I had one dated 1999 - still in perfect condition - and they refused it altogether!

Toilets...
Going to the toilet in Sudan takes some preparation and shouldnt be left till the last minute. First you need to apply repellant, locate your toilet paper and find a jug of water for you to flush the latrine. No matter how much of a hurry you are in, take care to duck your head (as I found out on my first day!) and lift your feet at the same time. If you are not sure how to squat, dont worry. Take a short walk around town and you will see many children willing to demonstrate - without even being asked! They will even smile, wave and call "Kawaja" at the same time. In the corner of the latrine you will find a stick placed for your convenience. This is to assist "flushing" the latrine - which is not designed for toilet paper. Please take care to pick up the stick by the correct end. No matter how much of a hurry you are in to leave, take care to duck your head and lift your feet at the same time. And no matter what you suspect the neighbours are saying as you leave, give them a smile and return the water jug to its place.

Meeting with the Deputy Governor…

2008-06-30T23:46:00.004+09:30

H.E. Victor Deng Ngor was one of the first Church of Christ pastors to be trained in Aweil and has been instrumental in establishing churches here and in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. Now he is Deputy Governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazel State. Joseph and Victor have known each other and worked closely together for many years. Today we met and shared our thoughts on faith, government, friendship and much more.

Victor told me he has many visitors from western countries (though I am the first from Australia) and they all raise the same concerns: the need for education, health, agriculture and churches. Few ever return. He admits there are vast challenges they face, but also points to signs of hope in their community - the Aweil Rice Scheme produces enough rice to feed the state, new crops are being developed, curriculum is available for schools (despite the shortage of teachers), trade is increasing, the wind up radios provided by USAID are educating people about health issues, nutrition and politics. Victor seems optimistic.

When we discuss their health needs and agricultural and industrial development Victor is clear that the best way other nations can provide support is through training their young people to provide the needs of their community. Already we have seen the evidence for this. He tells us that if training can be provided for medical officers, the Government will employ the staff. This would provide a gradual but immediate improvement to the provision of health care here.

Victor is also concerned for the hundreds of orphans who roam the streets of Aweil. He has arranged a programme of screening and where they are found to have parents in the state they have been contacted and asked to take responsiblity for their children. For the others he hopes to establish a residential school which will provide basic schooling for those aged 5 to 12 and then vocational training (eg building, engineering, agriculture) for those aged 12 to 15.

We assure Victor of our support and prayers and tell him we will explore some of the options he has put before us. Finally I promise we wont be like the others who never make a second visit. He will see our faces again.

Some good news...

2008-06-28T17:31:00.005+09:30

We have met several times with Father Angelo, the Catholic Priest and he has provided us with 15 Dinka Riek New Testaments to bring home. Those who donated money at last year's annual COC State Convention will be pleased to know we have finally been able to secure these. They were only published last year. He has also given Joseph church calendars in Dinka which will be very useful to the United Sudanese Fellowship.

For those from Magill COC, you will be so pleased to hear the wonderful news that Juer's mother and younger sister are alive and are living in Khartoum. I met two of Juer's sisters in Aweil and they have only recently heard news from their mother since the attack in 2000. I know many in our church have prayed for the older sister to Yeiu (Ambrose), Aguil and Atak, who went missing last year as we were planning to bring her to Australia. I dont have much news about her, except to say she is safe and living in Khartoum. Needless to say, Juer was very excited when I rang with the news. Thank God!

The Minister for Social Development...

2008-06-28T17:15:00.006+09:30

I think it was Woody Allen who said "Life is what happens while you are making other plans". We find that to be true in Sudan. Joseph and I laugh about how often we make plans that dont work out, only to be surprised by something we hadnt expected.

Yesterday afternoon we walked to the home of the Minister for Social Development to ask if she might help us with transport to Wanyjok on Sunday. H.E. Abour Gordon Nhial is a strong woman, compassionate, well informed and wise. She is also Joseph's sister in law. We discuss micro-enterprise, agricultural development, grass-root community empowerment, economic sustainability, health, education and much more. She confirms the vision Joseph and I have shared about social transformation through empowerment of the poor, and we feel encouraged, better informed and more focussed on the next steps for our work here. Abour also stresses the importance of second hand books, clothing, educational equipment, toys etc and asked if we are able to send these from Australia. She specifically asks, if we are able to, to send a few wheel-chairs.

It has become late and Abour needs to see to other things so we say goodbye. As we step through the gate of her compound I laugh as I realise we havent mentioned our need for transport. I tell Joseph and we laugh so much I am almost hit by a man on a pushbike!

PS - Joseph rang Abour in the morning and she is happy to assist with transportation to Wanyjok tomorrow. I am excited to be going to worship with our churches in South Sudan.

Coming home...

2008-06-28T17:00:00.003+09:30

Isaiah 49:18 "Look around! You will see your people coming home".

From the mid 1980s people started moving from South Sudan to Khartoum to escape the bombing and militia attacks. It seems ironic that people would find safety in the enemy's capital. The South Sudanese built shelters there until the government bulldozed them, forcing them into the desert. Christian NGOs from Sweden and Norway have supported a population of about 1,000,000 ever since. Now the Government of South Sudan is bringing them home. A few weeks ago over 4000 travelled in a convoy and another 4000 a month or so before that. Next week a huge convoy with hundreds of busses and trucks and a UN escort will bring about 15,000 refugees to their homeland. They will be provided housing and food in new villages which are being established around Aweil. In time they may move to other places where they have family or can find employment. It is such a huge task for this young government - imagine relocating the population of Adelaide! And that is not to mention the millions more in Kenya, Uganda and other neighbouring countries. But they are making a start.

Food security...

2008-06-27T21:49:00.005+09:30

Joseph Writes...

The authorities in Northern Bahr El Ghazel are doing their level best to provide food for their citizens. The Government of the state has provided 500 hectares for agricultural farming for returnees in western county as a short and long term solution. Also they bought a good quantity of durah to be sold with a lower price for the local community. This period of the year is the most important time whereby people are busy with farming until the harvest at the end of October. These four months are difficult months and H. E. Governor Paul Malong has put his own staff and ability to serve his people during this time of the year and also he has a vision that in 2010 the state will not be provided food from other states - it will be well sufficient for its own needs and selling extra for other states. We hope his dream will come true in this period of time.

Southern Sudan needs more help from the international community for this period of signing of agreement between North and South in order to stand on its feet after the last 2 decades of civil war in which about 1,000,000 have been displaced internally and others in the neighbouring countries - especially East Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Central Africa and Ethiopia in the horn of Africa.

The returnees need more food, medicine, shelter and schools whereby WFP is trying its best to address shortages of food for the returnees. But the need is still great which needs involvement of international NGOs in this period of the year.

Links with our partners...

2008-06-27T21:15:00.002+09:30

Yesterday was a tough day. I was emotionally exhausted from the previous day. Mother Adut cooked fried fish for our dinner – Joseph’s favourite – but soon my stomach was churning and by morning I vomited. The day was hot and humid and dusty and I was feeling physically and emotionally very weak. Joseph asked if I would eat lunch and I tell him I think I can eat some rice. I really would like an orange, and within minutes Adut brings me an orange. I tell her she can read my thoughts. Her English is only a little better than my Dinka, but the way she takes my hand, and the care in her eyes communicate her deep care and concern.

In the afternoon we walked to the markets where I spotted Angier and called out “My Sister!”. People stared at this strange greeting: A young Dinka woman with long straight hair, Canadian accent and stylish western clothes hugging a tall, bald Kawaja. I tell her we have heard the police have been arresting women wearing pants and that I told Joseph if they tried to arrest her I would like to be there to see it. She laughs in agreement. “Oh yeah, let them come. I will read to them the constitution!” She tells me about taking a very sick man to the hospital and telling the officials “I don’t care what title you have, this man needs to be treated”. She will make a difference in this town.

With Angier is Yournew Wol. Yournew is now the Commissioner of Awiel South County but previously has been instrumental in establishing and coordinating the development of Churches of Christ in Northern Bahr El Ghazel and the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. While working in Khartoum in about 1980 Yournew met Paul Douglas, an American who was working in the hospital and together they worked to establish Churches of Christ in Sudan. Through the work of Yournew and others they established a church in Kakuma, a Bible College in Aweil South and have planted churches and established clinics in various parts of the Aweil region. The work continues to be supported financially by the American churches through the coordination of Paul Douglas. I want to talk more but Yournew and Angier need to leave so we say “Awk bi-eawk”.

This morning we visit Philip Akot, the COC Pastor I met briefly in Juba, and I learn more about the ministry of our churches here. We discuss the way we might work together and he is enthusiastic about building relationship with churches in Australia. We hope to be able to visit soon and see “with our own eyes”. But already I sense a partnership developing.

The Hospital

2008-06-25T17:12:00.004+09:30

On Friday 20th Joseph and I visited the Aweil hospital. The Hospital was built by the British in the 1950s and stands as a relic of a previous era. I expected we would report to the office to ask to look around – but there was no office, no reception. I didn’t see any nurses. There is a sign over one building “X-Ray, CT Scan, UltraSound” – but the room is empty. There were a few patients either in bed or sitting under the shade of trees outside, but I didn’t see any sign that people were being treated.

The following morning I meet Marko Mayol, the Executive Director of Local Government. He asks “What is the point of a hospital that has no medicine and no doctors?”. I have heard there are three doctors here, but Marko explains they are Arabs and two of them refuse to treat Africans. Then he tells me that a few days before we arrived the son of the Governor was involved in a car accident and taken to the hospital. He wasn’t provided any treatment and when he died his parents came to take his body away. I am shocked and outraged. Joseph comments “If the son of the Governor cant get treatment, what hope is there for the poor people outside of town?”

Two of the Governor’s daughters are in my Sunday School at Magill COC, and I am devastated to think their brother in Aweil has been denied medical care. When Joseph and I meet the Governor later that morning I tell him how sorry I am to hear of his son’s death, and that I will ask people in Australia to help make the hospital operational again. His Excellency Paul Malong is a strong and disciplined man, and very conscientious about providing for the needs of his community. But he is a quietly spoken man and his words are almost too faint for me to hear: “Too sweet for my ears to hear. We do not cry in public, but in our hearts we weep.”

We will have further discussion with my sister Anger, the local nurse who I met at Rev Angelo’s church on Sunday, and the Minister for Health to see what assistance we can give to provide at least basic medical care for the people of Aweil. Please pray as we see what can be done in this area of great need.