On our drive from the airport to our guest house in Akobo, we saw a busy and colorful market with a mix of goods from Ethiopia, Sudan, and other places. We were told that in the wet season the main roads of the town are barely passable due to the thick clay-mud that forms. Now that dry season had arrived, the clay hardened into firm ‘rocks’ with big cracks in between, so that you always had to watch where you walked. In parts of the town, the road was lined by big trees that gave shade over the road. My colleague lamented that those who planted the trees decades ago did not plant fruit trees that would produce something useful for the people. The town of Akobo is spread along the bank of a river which has many tributaries coming off it. Many of the other nearby villages are also along the rivers, so water is a common mode of transport.
Our workshop was to start on December 1. But on that morning
as we prepared to start, we learned that each year the churches in town hold a
march and combined worship service to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas
season. At six in the morning we heard the drums and singing as people marched,
and we found our way to the church by following the sound of singing. We started
our workshop just as their service was ending, setting up in the shade of a big
tree next to the church building.
During introductions at the beginning of the workshop, we learned that participants came from the four different ‘payams’ (districts) of Akobo, and a diverse representation of chiefs and members of local government, church leaders and members, men and women, older people and youth. We were told that the primary conflict in Akobo is between clans based in the four different payams, so we were happy that people came from all the regions, even if some had to travel by canoe or cross rivers to get there. We discussed the overall purpose of the workshop and the expectations that people had. There are many humanitarian organizations as well as the United Nations working in South Sudan, even in remote corners like Akobo, so a workshop is a common occurrence, particularly for leaders. This meant expectations were high, including things like receiving a t-shirt, sitting allowance (to compensate for the work they were missing), and even requests for things like raincoats and tarps. It was a difficult conversation and reality check for our team and also for all the participants; we all came to an understanding about what we could provide and why we were not meeting all of their expectations.
We were given a ‘security briefing’ when we checked in with
the humanitarian organization that was giving us lodging. “The security
situation is relatively stable right now,” the staff person said, “so if you
hear gunshots it is probably either a celebration or a revenge killing.” On our
third day, we heard the gunshots late at night, and learned the following
morning that someone had been killed in a revenge attack between the clans in two different payams. It was the final day
of our workshop, and we wondered how our participants were affected by the killing
and whether they would be able to come. We were pleasantly surprised to see
almost all of the participants made it that day, which showed the value that
they placed on the workshop and their commitment to promote peace.
holy nation that God calls us to (1 Peter 2:9)
On the second day of the training, we were talking about wounds in our hearts. One older man raised is hand and said “since you’ve been digging at my wound for the last two days, I have to speak it out. I had a conflict once, and one of the men here was the judge of the local court over my case. He did not give me my right in the case, but instead gave favor to one of his relatives. I have been angry with him ever since. But now I forgive him. I don’t hold it against him anymore.” He stood up and reached over to the man he had referred to, who also stood up and they shook hands warmly, both smiling.
We heard several testimonies on the third morning of the
workshop of how God was working in people’s lives. One woman said “All of these
teachings were about me. I think they came to Akobo just for me, because this
is what I needed to hear.” She then described how she had been abused by her
husband and finally separated from him when he continued to mistreat her and
her children and did nothing to help or provide for them. She has struggled with
bitterness and anger against him. She said that she now forgives him and feels
free in her heart, although she will not return to her husband. She even said
that if she were able she would call her husband on the phone right there to
prove to us that she has forgiven him.
in a basket at the cross, sybmolizing giving it over to Jesus
We conducted the workshop in Nuer, since that is the common language in Akobo. We always like to have a diverse teaching team, so we had two Nuer from different regions, a Dinka woman, and me. And because Mama Sarah (the Dinka) has a remarkable gift for languages and heart for people, she was able to teach in Nuer. This made discussion and sharing much easier when we did not have to translate very often. One of the SSPEC pastors in Akobo, Rev. John Lam, was trained to facilitate the workshop in March of this year. He coordinated all the logistics in advance of our coming, including inviting participants, and also taught one of the sessions. We were very grateful to have someone local who had experienced the workshop and knew what to expect.
Near the end of the workshop is the ‘Standing in the Gap’ session about corporate repentance. When the opportunity was given for people to repent, Mama Sarah was the first one to confess the ways that her people, the Dinka, had hurt the people of Akobo. A woman came up in response to Mama Sarah’s confession and shared that some of her relatives had been killed by Dinka people and she had been filled with anger and hurt towards them. But now she felt able to forgive and warmly expressed her forgiveness and thanks to Mama Sarah. Others also shared how significant it was to hear her acknowledge how they had been hurt and expressed forgiveness. Nyakuma, who was facilitating the session, then invited me to come and confess the wrongs done by my British and European ancestors that has harmed those in Akobo. I named a few of the more significant ways that those in Europe and America have caused harm in South Sudan, particularly coming with an attitude of superiority and taking the freedom to exploit the people and the natural resources. As I was sharing, the participants started clapping – I think they were surprised and pleased to hear someone acknowledge how our actions from the West had contributed to their suffering.
We capped off the workshop with a celebration of being God's Holy Nation, where all people are included and valued. The people from each payam stood up in turn and the rest of us affirmed the good qualities and talents from that community. Then we blessed them and spoke out the good things we wished for them before they shared a dance or song from their community. It was so beautiful to see how eager people were to affirm the other groups and the collective joy as we celebrated each others' cultures. Knowing the backdrop of the pain and conflict that these participants carry, to experience the joy of celebration together was a real gift and I pray that it gave them as much hope as it did for me.
3 comments:
Kristi, blessings on you and all that organized and carried out the workshop. What a meaningful time of forgiveness and sharing.
Bless you, well done;)
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