We made it to graduation!

“Today the playground is transformed,” said Honorable Rebecca Joshua, government Minister of Roads and Bridges, “adorned with flowers and the presence of many dignitaries.” It was true – the outdoor basketball stadium in Juba did not look like the same place where we had watched basketball practice the night before. The bold colors of the women’s dresses reflected in the bright sun highlighted an atmosphere of celebration. Families of the graduates brought buckets of home-made sweets from home that they passed out to everyone around them. Government ministers arrived with their security detail and television cameras were poised to broadcast the event. But it was clear throughout the program that the ‘stars’ of the show were the 15 graduates of NTC proudly receiving their diplomas.

The ceremony opens with a procession of the
graduates and faculty around the stadium

Rev. Santino, principal of NTC, recounted the history of the school in his remarks. Started in Khartoum in 1991, NTC opened a branch in Southern Sudan in 2011 in the city of Malakal. But devastating conflict in 2013 took the lives of 4 students and caused them to temporarily close the school. They reopened in Juba in 2014 with only 5 students, but gradually some who had interrupted their studies and fled the conflict were able to resume their studies. On Monday, the first graduation for NTC in Juba was held, with graduates from ‘batch 11’ (finishing this year) and also ‘batch 10’ (who finished 2 years ago). Of the students in batch 10, 26 started the program in 2011, to be interrupted by the conflict in 2013. Only 5 were able to complete their studies and only 3 were present for graduation. Gideon, one of those three, having moved his family to Ethiopia for security reasons where his wife is currently in school, made the long journey to Juba just for graduation. Several of the graduates have not seen their families in more than a year or even longer, sacrificing and persevering to finish their studies.

(Left to right) Rev. Santino, Principal, Honorable Rebecca Joshua, Rev. James Par Tap,
Chair of College Council, Gen. Taban Deng Gai, First Vice President of South Sudan, with Gideon

With the low rates of education in South Sudan and the struggle that it takes to complete school, graduation is truly something to celebrate at any level. Relatives, church members, and friends all came to join in acknowledging the rare distinction of completing a bachelors-level program. The culture of graduation in Juba is to adorn the graduate with a ‘wreath’ of tinsel when they receive their diploma, along with sometimes spraying with powder, wrapping a traditional embroidered sheet around the graduate to wear, or giving them flowers. Rev. Philip Obang, the Emcee for the event, was careful to instruct the families where to stand to receive their graduates in order to minimize the confusion of people coming from all directions.

Family members line up along the side to receive their graduates

Rev. Michael Aban, NTC Registrar, read the names and a short bio of each of the graduates as they came forward to receive their diploma and congratulations from the leadership of NTC and the government representatives. Each graduate even had their picture taken with the First Vice President of South Sudan, General Taban Deng Gai. As they returned to their seats, fanfare and jubilation erupted from their families and friends waiting on the side. Each one was joyfully wreathed with tinsel, sometimes piled so high that the graduate could not even see. Cheers and ululations broke out, along with jostling for hugs and selfies with the graduate.
    

Prominent church leaders, including the moderators of both the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS) and the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SSPEC) exhorted the graduates in continuing the ministry that God is calling them into. Gen. Taban Deng Gai appreciated the long history of the Presbyterian Churches in Sudan and South Sudan, and the emphasis on providing education that will promote peace and stability in South Sudan. Bishop Isaiah, General Overseer of the Pentecostal Church of Sudan, offered a challenge and a charge to go and make disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit and the assurance that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18-20).

A Vision for CHE

“Sure, I can help you cross the river.” Omot said to Albino, and encouraged Albino to climb on his back. Pretending to navigate the ‘river’ by stepping on boulders, Omot reached an island in the middle of the river. He realized that Albino was too heavy to continue to carry across the river, so he slid him off his back and left him there on the island. A woman, Peace, came to the same river, but was stuck because she did not know how to cross. Elijah came and offered to show her how to cross. One step at a time, he pointed out the places to step, held her hand, and encouraged her as they crossed over together.

 

(Left) Omot drops Albino at the island in the middle of the river.
(Right) Elijah helps peace learn how to cross the river

Our large circle of forty people then discussed the contrast between the ways that Omot and Elijah offered help to the people who needed it. Everyone recognized that ‘showing’ the way and walking with the person had a better result than trying to ‘do it for them’ (by carrying them) but then leaving them stranded in the middle of the river. This is an example of how the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) strategy works. The focus from the beginning is on empowering local leadership and volunteers to own their approach to improving holistic well-being in their communities. They might get training or technical assistance in some aspects, but they have to do the work themselves and invest their own resources. That way, when they begin to see transformation, they know they have done it themselves, and are empowered and motivated to tackle more challenges.

There was good participation in group discussions

Our Vision Seminar last week focused on introducing the strategy of CHE to church leaders in Juba. Three people who have been using CHE for several years came from Gambella, Ethiopia, to present the principles and vision for CHE. Grasping the roles of community committees, trainers, and volunteers can be rather challenging, so I was happy to host people who could explain it from their own experience. I rejoiced to hear them share about the transformation they have seen in the villages around Gambella – a context with similar challenges to South Sudan. About seven of SSPEC’s congregations in Juba were represented at our Vision Seminar, along with a couple other denominations. During group discussions, it was evident that many people recognized the value of this strategy, and were interested in further training.

(Left to right) Ariet, Rachel, and Matthew came from
Gambella to facilitate our seminar

As our colleague Rachel (one of the facilitators) shared afterwards, organizing this Vision Seminar was one of the easiest parts of starting to use CHE. Now we get down to the nitty-gritty of equipping people, mobilizing communities, and promoting holistic health. We are still learning how to cross the river! One challenge is discerning the next steps and figuring out how this strategy designed for rural settings can work in the city of Juba. Please pray with us for the right people to be chosen for further training, and for God to guide this process and provide the right people alongside to walk with us and point the way.

Putting It into Practice!

“You are people of God…come and pray for my child” the woman near the Al Sabaa Hospital for Children said to four of my students as they were departing.  The group immediately stopped and went over to her and Isaac began conversing with the woman in the Dinka language.  The group quickly learned that the woman’s child is partially paralyzed.  They also learned that this woman and her husband are baptized believers but are no longer part of a worshiping community.  With quiet confidence, Isaac and the others prayed for the woman’s child to be healed as a tangible sign of God’s love and care.  Before leaving them, Kerbino, the group leader, suggested that the woman take Isaac’s phone number and call him with an update of the child’s health in a couple of days.  Lo and behold, two days later the woman called Isaac and exclaimed that her child was able to push his cart forward and use parts of his body formerly paralyzed, a miraculous intervention demonstrating, indeed, God’s mercy and grace.   Our whole class praised God when we heard this awesome story during practicum presentations the following Wednesday.  We recognized also, through this testimony and others, the power and value of diversity in each of the groups sent out.     

For the last fourteen weeks students in my Evangelism class and I have been discussing questions such as – What is the Gospel?  What is the Kingdom of God?  What is conversion?  Who did Jesus minister to and spend most of his time with and why?  Who were the “sinners” during the days of Jesus?  Who are the “sinners” today here in Juba?  What “bleeding points” or points of need is God calling us out towards?  We have had wonderful discussions with an eye towards understanding the Kingdom of God and whom Jesus was most concerned about.  Thus, our course culminated with a risk.  I wanted my students to go out and to minister in the way of Jesus, to select a marginalized group and go spend the day listening to that group and then sharing the hope and love of Jesus with them.  Thus, their final examination was a practicum, practicing the very things we have been discussing together since the first week of August.  They would be evaluated on several factors:  the role of prayer in their work, going to a marginalized group, doing evangelism in a holistic way that is concerned with the whole person (body, mind, spirit), evangelism marked by servant and inclusive love, and sharing verbally the Good News of Jesus Christ through testimony and a short message.  

Three groups went to hospitals and prayed for the sick.  One group collected money out of their own meager means and gave out soap to all of the patients to whom they ministered and also to several nurses who are forced to work with dead bodies.  Another group brought devotional booklets in Arabic and English to the mothers of children in the hospital.  Four groups spent time with street people, both young children and young adults.  One of those groups spent the morning at the rubbish pile with these kids, slowly gaining their trust and confidence.  Another group was warmly welcomed by street children who found space where they could meet and promptly began cleaning it to host their guests.  My students asked each of these homeless groups how it came to be that they were on the streets, receiving a range of different answers, all heart-breaking.  They then offered them messages and testimonies of hope, feeding their starving hearts and starving bellies.   

Ogud holds a child and tells the gathering of children and caregivers
at CCC how Jesus welcomed the little children unto him

I was blessed to go with a group to an orphanage where I know the director.  Mama Helen, who runs Confident Children out of Conflict (CCC), first sat with us for half an hour in her office, sharing the history and vision of the program.  She helped us understand the “underside” of her community and gave us the example of some people living on the margins near the stadium who had their shacks bulldozed by the government to get rid of the “eyesore” as they hosted dignitaries from across the continent for the peace celebration.  Mama Helen asked us, “Who is now going to advocate for these families who have lost their homes and have nowhere to go?”  After being served lunch and eating with members of her staff, my students and I led a worship service with around seventy of the children.  We laid hands on the sick and prayed and offered a message and words of encouragement.  After the worship service, one young woman from the Nuba Mountains came forward and shared her heart with one of my students.  Another young girl went to the same student, Stephen Lam Dar, and inquisitively asked, “Are you Nuer?”  Stephen smiled and sat and listened to the story of this young child who comes from the same tribe. 

Stephen ministers to the young women from the
Nuba Mountains (Sudan)

Precious children, mostly orphans or those who have
been separated from their families due to war live at CCC

After Jesus sent out the seventy followers to bless those who would welcome them, to cure the sick and to proclaim the Kingdom of God, the seventy returned to him with the joyful testimony of how even the demons submitted to them!  Jesus rejoiced, in turn, filled with God’s Spirit, thanking His Father for revealing these things to the hidden and humble persons of the world (Luke 10: 1 – 24).  In similar measure, my students returned with joy, a joy which we all shared together.  I am still elated as I think about the wonderful deeds my students did in the strong name of Jesus for their practicum.  I recognize that one day of service is, indeed, only one day of service, but I am tickled pink to see my students effectively put into practice the very concepts we have been discussing together over the last three and a half months.  May God be praised!    

Celebrating peace

Last Wednesday, October 31, was a big celebration in Juba of the recent peace agreement in South Sudan. Several African presidents came to attend, along with leaders of opposition parties in South Sudan. As the city of Juba was busy preparing for the celebration by painting curbs, picking up trash and sending truck-loads of soldiers to beef up security, we were not sure what to expect. Leaders who had been at war were going to be in the same location. We were advised to stay home and lay low rather than join the crowds at Freedom Field.

Wednesday morning we heard commotion and voices in the street. After the recent shooting incident, I am rather reticent to head to the window when there is a commotion. But when we did, we saw hundreds of people lining up for a parade, with banners proclaiming peace. Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, women dressed in white, men and women in traditional clothes and dancers decked out in their tribal outfits – the lines of people stretched long distances down the street. A truck with big speakers provided some music, and they began their march toward Freedom Square – about a 2 mile hike. It was not an ordinary left-right march, either, but one with a few dance steps thrown in that gave it a real celebratory feel.

    

The parade lines up. One of the banners near the front reads “Welcome peace to every hut and heart”.

We listened on the radio as other presidents arrived at the Juba airport, and then to the speeches and proceedings at the parade grounds. We were impressed with the conciliatory words spoken by many parties and by their acknowledgement that the people of South Sudan want real peace and an end to the suffering the conflict has caused. What struck us most about that day, however, was what we heard from others in Juba afterwards.

        

Dancers in traditional costumes join the parade

On Friday, Bob talked to Abraham, a fellow teacher at NTC. Abraham had arrived around 6AM to the celebration, and STOOD in the packed crowd of people for 12 hours. No food, no water. But he said he enjoyed seeing the dances of various tribal groups who performed, and was thrilled to be there to witness the historic event. He also saw many friends and familiar faces and described it as a “reunion,” a mixed group with all tribes together. A young woman who cleans in our building had to work the day of the celebration, but she went to the parade grounds in the evening and joined in the dancing and celebrating all night long. When we visited our friend Mary at her tea stall, she excitedly related how her kids could not sleep the whole night before the big celebration, because of all the commotion and rejoicing in the street. “Peace has really come,” she said, “But there is still a lot of work to do to help people to forgive and learn to live together.”

We rejoice at this significant step forward in the quest for peace in South Sudan. We continue to pray, to work, and to look forward to seeing lasting peace come this land. We know that the wounds are deep and the healing will be hard, and only Christ can carry the pain and transform lives. Please join us in praying for true peace, for effective implementation by the government of this peace agreement, and for the Church who has a great responsibility to model reconciliation and forgiveness that is beyond our human ability.

Giving What We Have Received

When Rev. Santino, principal of NTC, sensed that my strength was returning in the midst of a long recovery from the Epstein Barr Virus, he asked if I would be willing to resurrect the NTC newsletter. It did not take long for me to respond affirmatively. However, from the get-go, I took the decision that this new responsibility was also an opportunity. I began to think and pray about what students I could invite to join me in this initiative. I also asked experienced faculty members whom they thought would be capable of helping me in this capacity. In late August I began approaching a few reliable, capable and creative students and staff to join me in this journey. Almost every Friday over the last six weeks we have met and worked faithfully on this project. We have confidence that we will achieve our goal in the time frame we had planned for, producing and distributing the newsletter by the middle of this month, “Inshaala” (God willing).  There is an African proverb that says, "If you wan to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together."  While in some ways getting the job done might be quicker or easier doing it myself, I hope that together we can take this project much further than it would go with just me.  Actually sharing the burden and working as a team, dividing up the work, has been a real joy.  We have accomplished much in a short time.  A year from now the students will need to create the newsletter without me as we will be in the US for several months, so I am preparing them now for my absence.     

As I have learned over the years, we cannot give what we have not received, and Christianity is more often “caught” than “taught.” When Jesus walked the dusty roads of Galilee with his disciples, when he sat and had countless meals with the twelve and other followers, the simple act of him being with them was as important as His teaching and preaching the Kingdom of God. In my role at Nile Theological College (NTC), my title is “Ustaz” (teacher), or sometimes people use bigger titles like lecturer, professor, or even “Ustaz Kebiir” (Great Teacher). While I cannot exactly reject these titles because they befit my official role, I also see myself as a brother, friend and mentor to my students. When I am able, I choose to eat with students which sometimes raises questions and at times means that I do not eat the same quality of food as the faculty, though on most days we all eat the same thing, beans and bread.[1]

Our NTC Newsletter Team (our first meeting!)  

As important as it is to physically produce the newsletter to share with partners both here and abroad, I view this new responsibility as a meaningful opportunity to connect more deeply and meaningfully with several students and one staff member. My hope is to not only share and model important skills regarding leadership and planning, but also to simply enjoy the gift of fellowship and connection with them. At the end of the semester we will take some time to evaluate our work and then go enjoy a meal together. 

Peter Ayul, NTC librarian, is a faithful ministry partner and member of our Newsletter Team
(pictured together in our home, October 2017)

Through the course of my Christian walk, I feel that God has blessed me with many mentors who have invested in me, taking time to not only include me in their ministry but also to include me in their personal lives, sharing their joys and their vulnerabilities. People like Rev. Marty Loberg, my college pastor who nurtured my embryonic faith in college and who introduced me to movies like Chariots of Fire, Revs. Ben and Christy Pierce who not only helped me discern a path into ordained ministry and a future of service in Africa, but who simply became committed friends who constantly encouraged me and genuinely cared about me, Antoine Rutayisire in Rwanda who not only modeled strong yet humble leadership and the art of preaching, but also invited me to live in his home with he and his family for an entire year. Several others also come to mind who have literally shaped me and helped me to become who I am today. 

 Yes, I am “Ustaz,” I teach Contextual Theology, Church History, Evangelism, Spiritual Formation and other courses. Yet, I am also brother, friend and mentor. If I do not take the time to get to know my students, to show them loving care and concern, to be open with the about my life, professionally and personally, sharing both joys and vulnerabilities, modeling what has been faithfully modeled to me, also spending extra time with them on projects like our newsletter or helping them learn new songs to make chapel more lively (albeit I am a terrible singer!), I am not sure what legacy I will leave.  Mentoring and friendship, giving what I have received, doing life together knowing that faith is more often “caught” than “taught,” these are principles and values I associate with God’s calling on my life. I covet your prayers for deeper connection and relationships with students, also strong relationships with fellow faculty members and staff.

[1] As may know, African cultures are intensely hierarchical, meaning that there are strong distinctions between different sets and categories of persons which usually enforce rigid boundaries, dictating behavior. I have noticed how jarring this cultural reality is for Americans who, like myself, value equality and egalitarianism. While I have to some degree begun breaking some of the norms/cultural rules, the rules which are worth breaking(!), I appreciate that the staff and faculty at NTC has not censured me and supports me eating with students. And the students, well of course they are enamored and enthralled to have “Ustaz Kebiir” come sit and eat with them.

Finding the Good Shepherd

This week I took a two-day personal retreat at the Good Shepherd Peace Center a few miles outside of Juba. Getting there was a bit of an adventure (of course!) as I tried traveling by public bus on a route we have not used before.  But as soon as I arrived, I felt myself relax and let out a big sigh, eager to leave behind the hustle, noise, and dust of the city for a few days. I spent long stretches of unstructured time praying, reading, watching nature, taking slow walks, and thinking. I felt like I was experiencing the verse in Psalm 63 that says “my soul is satisfied as with the richest of foods” as I reconnected with God, refocused, and was refreshed.

On my way to catch the bus…

Here are a few of the mental images that stood out to me during this brief retreat:

• The iridescent blue of the swallows as they swoop by me.
• Sinking knee-deep in mud when I tried to wade in the river
• The silhouette of an owl at dusk, perched at the top of a nearby tree
• A mourning dove’s call, like the purring of a contented cat
• Sitting alone in the chapel, enjoying the sense of God’s love and presence as I prayed.
• The amazing variety of patterns and sizes of the butterflies, dancing around the flowers.

           

• The greeting of the hunter I encountered on my morning walk, carrying a bow and arrow as big as he was.
• An inspiring conversation with a Catholic sister about her experiences in South Sudan, who declared “God sent you here! I’m so excited to meet you!”

The chapel at the Good Shepherd Center

I returned to Juba refreshed, refocused, and reminded that depending on God and focusing on Him is what will accomplish more than any effort I put in on my own. Does taking a retreat sound like something you need too? If so, I hope that you can find the time and space, in whatever way it looks like for you, to step back, disconnect from the demands and routine, and reconnect to the Source.

“…In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)

Lord, in Your Mercy

Brief Caution:  Some of the content of this blog post may be disturbing.  Please be prayerful if/when you read, in a good state of mind.  

Standing in the hall 48 hours later, just behind the one-inch-diameter-hole with jagged rays emanating out from it in the large vertical pane of glass, felt a bit eerie and surreal.  I wondered what the tall, slight young man in the white shirt thought that morning when he woke up.  Surely, he did not say to himself, “Today is the last day of my life; I will be sure to make the most of this day.” 

Standing behind the window on the first floor
two days later; seeing my own reflection feels a bit eerie...

Friday afternoon around 3:30pm I was taking a short nap after a long day at the college.  I was looking forward to getting up shortly so that Kristi and I could go visit Mary, Galdino and other friends at the “mahel shayi” (tea shop) located in the “suk” (local market) across the busy Konyokonyo Road which separates our four story building from the market and the Malakia Police Station.  At first one might be tempted to think that the sound was the harmless popping of firecrackers, but quickly it was clear that these pops were something altogether different, something altogether ominous.  At least twenty gun shots went off in rapid succession in less than one minute in the vicinity of the neighboring police station.  Reacting, I did what most people unthinkingly do in such a situation.  I went to take a look.  I found myself in our hallway, observing the scene from three flights above.  Traffic had come to a standstill as people were either running, ducking for cover, or frozen in shock.   

Peering curiously down into the scene below I was suddenly jolted by the extremely loud gunshot which seemingly shook our entire building.  Hitting the deck, I began crawling on my stomach back to our apartment, now 20 feet away.  What was first a curiosity now turned into what felt like a war zone.  Halfway back, the tall, slight young man with the white shirt came ambling as fast as his wounded body would allow him, rounding the corner from our second floor stairwell.  My mind took a moment to register what my eyes were seeing.  The tall, slight young South Sudanese man was half bent over and his white shirt was soaked with blood.  His body, now not able to direct itself, careened into the wall just in front of our apartment as his head then slammed into the base of the wall, near our door jam, the pall of death glazing over his face as his eyes communicated complete consternation.  His writhing and semi-inert body blocked my return to our apartment. Kristi, hearing the commotion in the hall and my exclamation, wisely locked the door, not having seen what I had seen and not knowing what was going on outside.  Terrified, she locked the door, sat near it to welcome me in, and prayed.  I turned on my belly and crawled in the other direction where I found another young man who had been behind me, this young man holding a pistol, scouring the streets below with his trained eye for would-be assailants.  Thankfully he did not mind me as I continued crawling, now knocking at the base of the door of Leisa, our neighbor, colleague and friend.  Uncertain herself what was going on and what to do, having heard everything and seeing the man in the hall with the gun, thankfully she quickly opened her door after I calmly explained my situation.  We found sanctuary in her back bedroom where we phoned Kristi, our colleagues and friends upstairs, and the apartment manager.  We prayed, waited, and kept calm as our bodies and spirits trembled in fear and uncertainty.

Our hallway, the second door on left is ours; I crawled the hall
on all fours when I saw the man turn the corner and then come and fall in front of our door

Later we would learn that the tall, slight young man with the white shirt died from his gunshot wound shortly after I saw him.  What happened?  Who shot him?  Him being curious like many of us, he had been down at the window in the first floor hallway where he was struck by a stray bullet which came whistling up from the police station below.  We learned that the young man is a relative of the family who temporarily lives in the large apartment at the end of our hall; the young man patrolling our hall with the pistol is a bodyguard to a high-ranking military official who is currently renting that apartment.  That afternoon two other bullets struck our building, one in the ground floor showroom and the other on the fourth floor, the police shooting bullets in the air in seeming indiscriminate fashion.  The whole affair began when a man came to the police station with multiple grenades, ready to use them due to a domestic dispute involving his wife and possibly someone from the station.  He was shot by the police but not killed.   

The police station across the street from the first floor of our building;
three bullets hit our building from across the street

As for Kristi and I and our three colleagues/friends who live together in the same building, we are still in shock and we are still recovering.  Weekly, we hear stories of gun violence, robberies in the neighborhoods at the edge of the city, and killings across the city and country.  Within the last few months, Susan, a dear woman who cleans our building, lost her sixteen year old son, senselessly shot and killed while attending a neighbor’s birthday party.  A week ago Wednesday the home of Terenzo Lako, the new guard of our building, was attacked by robbers in the night.  Stories we have heard from friends and daily news reports have now became a close-up, lived and witnessed reality for us.  

Saturday morning Kristi and I went down to the quiet serenity of the Nile River to find a healing calm.  We read from Psalm 91, words which now possess new and special meaning at a moment when it felt like one of us could have suffered the same fate as our young South Sudanese neighbor.  We appreciate your prayers as we heal and recover from the trauma, as we seek to not live in fear, and as we seek wisdom for such situations and how we can best be equipped to serve in this needy land.  We invite you to pray with us for the family of the young man who died a rather senseless death.  Pray for wisdom in how we can show our neighbors love and solidarity.  Lord, in Your Mercy.       

  

Celebrating milestones

Just in case you noticed that there has not been a post for awhile….we have been on vacation, and then recovering from a terrible cold that hit us after the long travel. So, now we are able to reminisce and be grateful for the days that we had away, exploring new places and savoring some time to catch up with family. But the main reason for this special vacation was the fiftieth wedding anniversary of Bob’s parents. Definitely a milestone worth celebrating. So, please indulge us as we share a few pictures of the beauty that we found in Spain.

   
 
Some pictures from the Alhambra, where we were amazed by the architecture, the intricate, detailed designs, and the history and stories from several centuries ago.

  
     

Most of the time we relaxed together in Marbella, playing games, eating lots of good food, enjoying the pool and the view of the Mediterranean, and doing a little exploring of the area. And taking every opportunity to get ice cream, of course!

And then, of course, we enjoyed some time of marking the milestone of our parents’ anniversary, followed by our anniversary (although we are many years behind them!)

 

Now back to work in Juba, with happy memories to look back on.

“How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?” Psalm 116:12

Getting to the root of the problem

For every problem that a community faces, there is a solution. And to really solve the problem you need to deal with the roots of it. We used a tree to symbolize the problem – the trunk is the core problem, with roots being the causes of the problem, branches being behaviors that result from the problem, and the fruit as the consequences. For example, civil war in Sudan is a problem in our communities. The consequences that we see are displacement, destruction, insecurity, and death. The root causes include politics, inadequate resources, a culture of revenge, tribalism, etc. Unfortunately, many organizations that come to provide relief in South Sudan only deal with the consequences – the UN provides shelter for the displaced, others provide healing for the wounded, or support to rebuild what was destroyed. But how can we deal with the roots?

Elijah identifies parts of the tree as we talk about the tree as a symbol for our problems
(and yes, it was COLD in Nairobi!)

Last week I attended a training in Kenya on Community Health Evangelism (CHE), along with Elijah, one of the elders in an SSPEC congregation. CHE is a strategy for empowering communities to take ownership of addressing problems and improving their physical, social, and spiritual health. Real lasting transformation happens in the health of communities when the truth of the gospel is integrated with truths about physical health. But too often, community leaders are not taught how to work together to resolve their problems—they just wait for solutions to be brought to them from the outside. Those of us coming to help need to be careful that we are not imposing solutions that disempower people or prove harmful long-term.

One way to ‘vote’ on the priorities among all the problems in a community.

In our example of the ‘problem tree’ of civil war mentioned in the beginning, the corresponding ‘solution tree’ would be peace and stability. Peace comes from the roots of unity, equality, forgiveness, etc. Those roots are truths that we must understand and experienced in order to realize peace and stability. In the struggle with civil war, too often the lies at the root (tribalism, corrupt politics, revenge, etc.) are what flourishes in our societies and what we believe. This is a key part of CHE’s approach: integration of spiritual and physical truths to address the beliefs that contribute to problems in our societies. When we recognize Jesus as Lord and look to him as the source of truth, then we can see and deal with the lies at the roots of our problems.

We were pleased to meet a few other people from South Sudan at the training.
This is Margaret, president of the women for the Africa Inland Church.

For example, one lie common in African societies is the men are more important than women. Some behaviors and consequences of this belief are girls being left behind in education, a culture of accepting men beating their wives, and women not having a voice in their society. Today in South Sudan, girls are encouraged to go to school with money to support their school fees…but does that change the root belief? How can this problem really be resolved?

Presenting our plan for a ‘seed project’ to the group.

An illustration about a community that lived at the top of a mountain brings home the principles of Community Health Evangelism (CHE).  According to this illustration, the people living atop the mountain would go down the mountain to trade and work in surrounding villages. Many times, people fell on their way down the mountain and were seriously injured. One visitor to the community noticed this problem and generously provided an ambulance. The ambulance was parked at the bottom of the mountain, ready to take wounded people to the clinic 10 km away when they fell. The community was happy, and many people were healed. But after awhile the ambulance broke down. The community leaders went to the donor, and he agreed to fix the ambulance. But when it happened again, he got frustrated, and said he had no more money to give. Then a church leader came to visit, and said that the diocese would build a clinic at the bottom of the mountain. They built the clinic, provided staff, and treated many people, including those that fell on their way down the mountain. But after awhile the resources ran thin, and the church closed the clinic. The community is now back to the same place they started, with people continuing to hurt themselves and die as they try to go down the mountain. They did not know what to do, because they did not have the resources to run the clinic or repair the ambulance. Finally, the leaders came together to discuss what could be done. One wise man suggested that they could build a fence along the path down the moutain using some trees and rope. Everyone agreed, and they worked together to cut the trees and build the fence. They raised a little money for cement so that the poles could be secured in the ground. Now, people could safely go down the mountain. After a few years, some of the poles rotted and needed to be replaced. But the community knew that this was their fence, and it was not too difficult to work together to replace the rotted poles with new ones.

We are excited to consider how the church can holistically minister to the community through the CHE approach. Please pray with us for this new initiative, and for God to make the way clear as we continue to explore and lay groundwork in the next few months.

South Sudanese Hospitality

While in Uganda for vacation and R&R a couple of months ago, I stumbled upon an article in a travel magazine about Levison Wood, a British adventurer who walked almost the entire length of the Nile, a 4,000 mile journey along the longest river in the world beginning at the mouth in Rwanda and ending in the Mediterranean in Egypt (YouTube short video here).  While Levison’s journey was filled with misadventures, challenges and joys, one detail stands out to me.  Levison mentions the incredible hospitality and care he received in both South Sudan and Sudan.  In South Sudan, due to war, he was advised by the government military to divert his journey for his own safety.  In Sudan, a man walked forty miles with him and helped care for his camel.  Of all the countries he passed through, he spoke most highly of the hospitality in this corner of the world where we now live.      

Photo:  Levison Wood
Courtesy:  Associated Press/Ilya Gridneff at this linked article 

Hospitality is a core value in African cultures, a key feature which has drawn us back, time and time again.  While both visiting and living in Rwanda, I was so blessed by the care given to us during our visits and the efforts taken to see us off when we left.  While living in Rwanda, I was treated like one who truly belonged, like family.  In Congo, Kristi and I ate in countless homes and were treated like royalty.  We were welcomed with open arms by our wonderful host community.  Here in South Sudan, we have been blessed in similar fashion and always enjoy being in the homes of colleagues, friends and acquaintances. 

Making the journey out to the home of a student -
the last part by foot and it was quite muddy after a huge rain!  

Today was a special day for us in the home of a student and his family.  As our friend, Rev. Paul Hensley, wraps up his time here after teaching a three week intensive at Nile Theological College (NTC), a celebration to honor him was hosted by Rev. Santino Odong, the principal, and other faculty, staff and students this last week.  During that splendid affair with speeches, songs and food, Joseph Tubo Apar, one of our students, approached me and invited Paul, Kristi and I for a special gathering on Saturday featuring the local food of their Chollo (Shilluk) tribe.  The inspiration for this idea came when a couple of the students, Joseph and John Ohdong Mayik, learned that Paul would be leaving; they said to themselves, “Ah, we must do something!  We don’t have much here, and we cannot treat them as we would in our home region of Upper Nile, but we must host them and bless them before Paul leaves.”  Thus the impetus for a grand afternoon together, eating Akelo which is a staple for their people, a greens dish called Lōm, and fish.  This sumptuous meal was topped off by sliced guava and tea with ginger.  

John Ohdong Mayik serves us the famous Akelo -
a staple of the Chollo (Shilluk) people

All three students shared kind words of appreciation with us and we were introduced to each member of the family.  Before leaving, we expressed our gratitude and Paul prayed a blessing over the family and the home; we then snapped some photos together outside.  In good African fashion, they escorted us to the bus park and said goodbye as our bus took off, having already that day paid some of our bus fares and asking us to be sure to call them to let them know we had arrived home safely. 

Students John and Daniel (left, back) with members of John's family
also a close friend to John, pictured with Paul and Kristi 

Ahhhh, what a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon!  We are grateful for South Sudanese hospitality and the opportunity to enter into the homes and lives of our students here, students who are becoming so very dear to us.  May God bless Joseph, John, Daniel, and John’s family for their invitation and their gracious welcome and care for us.  “Allah kwes kalis!”  (God is so very good!).              

Visit to the camp

It was only seven-thirty in the morning as our motorcycle taxis navigated the puddles on the muddy road that led to the big camp at the edge of town. As we came over the hill, the expanse of white tents came into view, which stretched as far as we could see. Later, one of the pastors would ask, half-joking, “Do you see our white city? This is our Jerusalem!” This was POC3 (Protection of Civilians Camp 3), for South Sudanese people displaced from their homes. We had come on this Sunday morning to join them for church.

The strong voices of the youth belted out their song in such an arresting way, and made me wish I could understand the Nuer language that they were singing. The pastor whispered to us that they were singing about their suffering, and asking whether it was because of their sin, or the sin of Adam or their ancestors that the suffering had come. Another youth choir followed, singing a song of lament about the suffering in South Sudan. “We are all scattered;” they sang, “we listen for sounds of peace, but there are none.” A third choir of youth sang later, about Jesus being our light in the midst of the darkness. It was evident that all of the congregation enjoyed the choirs and resonated with their songs. One woman, in particular, danced up and down the aisles during the songs, while holding high a small wooden cross.

A short clip of the first youth choir - an impressive group!

Bob preached from Lamentations 5, which describes the suffering of Israel as they are in exile. This chapter describes several specific aspects of Israel’s suffering that are true for the South Sudanese, thousands of years later. Homes being taken by foreigners, women raped, even going to gather firewood for cooking at the risk of their lives, This, of course, is why the Bible speaks to us today – because just as the suffering is the same, God’s power and promises are also the same today. Bob reminded us of reasons for hope that we find in the midst of the suffering described in Lamentations: That God invites us to express our laments, and He hears us; that God grieves with us in our suffering; and that God has the final word (and not any of the governments or leaders that appear to hold people’s fate in their hands). As Bob finished his sermon, one woman sitting near the pupit solemnly came to shake Bob’s hand. Several others followed, wanting to express appreciation, even as the service continued.

Bob preaching while Pastor Peter translates into Nuer

After the service, we followed Pastor Peter and several elders, winding our way through the narrow paths between tents to reach the pastor’s tent. Pastor Peter built the home himself, using sticks for a frame that is covered with the UN-issued white tarp. They brought in several bowls of food, meat broth, fish, kisra (a thin dough/bread like Ethiopian injira), and kop (a small grain a little like rice). It felt like an extravagant gift of food, especially as we discussed the challenges that many of these people have endured. We learned that the pastor’s wife left him in the midst of her trauma of losing a child in childbirth. An older woman, who is an elder in the church, has no family because all of her children and close family have died in the conflict.

Pastor Peter, sitting on the bed in his home in the camp;
a woman elder of the church is to his left.

Yet, in the midst of the long period of dispalcement and suffering, these faithful people persevere. The church hosts Good Shepherd Primary School in its building – 2000 students study in clusters around the large sanctuary, without any barriers to block the noise or teaching of the class next to them. Several of the members serve as voluntary teachers, wanting their children to get some education. Pastor Peter has lobbied to try to get a separate building for the school, but has not yet found the funds and permissions.

The women’s section of the church – you can see a blackboard
on the wall that is used for the primary school.

As we prepared to leave, Pastor Peter expressed his appreciation to us for coming to worship with them. He said that our presence is a tangible reminder that they are not forgotten. We know that many of you far away are interceding for South Sudan, advocating for peace, and even contributing to efforts like education in the midst of the displacement. It is our privilege, in being present in South Sudan, to represent and communicate the concern and prayers of many of you. So, of course, we felt that Pastor Peter deserved our appreciation even more, for inspiring us with the faith and perseverance of these Christians, who gather to worship and seek God together in the midst of suffering.