Communication...

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...

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...

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

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

One year later…

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

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

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

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

Joseph at Juba markets

A message from Yournew Wol...

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

Correction...

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

A greeting from Ang'er...

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

Please support Ang'er with your prayers.