On the road to Juba

Thank you for your prayers during our recent trip to Juba. It took eight hours with only one pit stop and a 15 minute stop for a peanut butter sandwich and to stretch our legs. But, as we left Rumbek early, we arrived in Juba in plenty of time to find the guesthouse where we were to sleep before darkness fell.

The road was pretty straight forward and we could decipher which way most of the vehicles travelled and we just followed in their path. However there were many warning signs which we heeded along the way.

The road was littered with wrecked trucks reminding us that we must remain alert and be cautious as there are dangers on the road and with the desolate areas we were driving through, if something were to happen, help would be very far away.

The road varied from really, really bumpy to just really bumpy and our speed was about 30-40 miles per hour. As we moved closer to Juba, within 100 kilometers, the road had been worked on and it became quite smooth; we were able to speed up to 50 mph.

...another warning sign that you don't see too often. Look at the bottom of the sign, the part in yellow -- reminding us to always stay on the road because landmines still litter the countryside. This also helps us remember the trauma the people of South Sudan have lived through. The years of war, unrest and insecurity are hurdles which are difficult to overcome. Pray that we can show the love of Christ to everyone we meet and help them know the One who can give them everlasting peace.

Sunday Worship

Corporate worship is good. Getting together with other believers, singing praises to our Lord is something that can transcend cultural differences.

Our first three Sundays in South Sudan we found ourselves in Rumbek town, out of necessity, worshipping in a more international setting.

The drummers

Today, as we are now living at the house on the Baptist property, we find ourselves at a small Baptist fellowship situated just behind the Baptist property.
The drums begin as early as 7:00, when the sky begins to lighten, letting the community know that this is the day of worship and calling them to church.

Church services can be quite lengthy in many African countries, continuing late into Sunday afternoon.  So far we have not had that experience in South Sudan -- it is just too hot!  I believe effort is made to begin early so that by the afternoon when the sun is at full strength folks can rest in the shade.

Worshipping together

This particular fellowship meets under a large tree. Our pews are tree branches.  The choruses sung are known by all, except us; but we are willing learners. The leader usually sings the beginning verse and everyone repeats; so if we have quick ears and a good memory we can sing part of it at least.  If not we can always join by clapping because with every chorus there is rhythmic clapping.

Sharing biblical truth

As the worship progresses, Jerry is asked to preach the sermon. There is one in the congregation who may be able to translate into the Dinka language. Jerry storys out of the book of Mark. The story is told and translated.  It seems, however, that oral storying is a new concept to these folks as well as to the translator.  Jerry had great difficulty getting the translator to translate the question allowing others to respond; instead the translator would answer the question himself.  We went on to retelling the story. That seemed to be a difficult concept as well because as others came up they would tell a different story or relate an incident, almost like a time of testimony.  We decided that while this wasn't storying as it is meant to be, still, truths were taught, praise to God was proclaimed and worship was experienced, all the the glory of God.  After all, isn't that what church is all about?

Water is life

Jerry and our two friends working on our well

Water is life. A statement made by both a Zambian and a Kenyan; friends whom we have met while in South Sudan.  They have come out to help us connect a pump to the borehole on the Baptist compound so that we can have running water in the house. Working for a day and a half we still were not able to get the water to flow from the well into the house, evidently the two pumps are bad. We called a man who lives in Wau.  He sold all of his in stock, but has more ordered and might get them by next week or the following – Water is life. 

It is unusual in that we have seen no permanent streams, rivers or lakes.  In much of Africa the towns are located on or very near a permanent water source. Rumbek is located in the Lakes State of South Sudan.  We can see them on the map, but they are far away.

Debbie pumping water from the borehole

For us it is a mere inconvenience.  We have 25 litre (6 ½ gallon) containers which we fill up at the local borehole (well) and put them in our car and carry them home.  We have a long drop outhouse on the property which we use (just like in the olden days!).  But for those around us who walk a half mile to a mile or more to the borehole and carry the water home it is quite a challenge.

Dinka cattle helping themselves

Water is life.  Jesus talked to the woman at the well about water. She understood the drudgery of going to the well every day and carrying water home. Jesus offered her a different kind of water – everlasting water.  Yes, here on earth, water is life.  But we know the One who offers heavenly water, the kind of water which brings everlasting life to all who come and partake.  Pray that we can help those around us recognize the offer that Christ made to the woman at the well, forgiveness of sin here on earth and everlasting life through the Living water.

Cattle are King

Imagine walking around with something this
big on YOUR head!

At least here among the Dinka people cattle are king. The other day one man said nonchalantly, "Oh yes there are many murders committed in this area per week. They are always related to cattle and wives -- and if it is wives it is because the wife was stolen and the family did not receive the proper amount of cattle for her." So cattle are king.  They name their children after the colors of them.  Yesterday, we heard about a squabble last week that ended in 34 people being killed over cattle rustling. It reminds me of the old west and the John Wayne shoot 'em up western movies on T.V.  I don't think I will ever look at those the same again now that I know it is a current life story in South Sudan.

• Pray that these people will come to cherish a relationship with God in the same way that they now cherish their cattle.
• Pray that God would speak to these men in dreams and visions as they are out in the lonely wilds with their cattle and they would desire to learn more of this God of creation.

Working together for the Kingdom

Recently, as we are detained here waiting for things to be settled with the land, we were able to visit the smaller nearby town of Akot.  It is really nothing much more than a collection of tukels (huts), but it has two important elements, a Christian training center and Mustard Seed hospital.  They also had a small airstrip -- which doubled as a road -- with three small, damaged and abandoned twin engine aircraft sitting desolately along side.

Sewing on treadle machines

When we visited the training center I was pleased to see a group of ladies there.  It seems there is one, Judy, who has come from Canada for three months to help these ladies learn to how to sew and to learn more about Jesus.  Judy had come the previous two years for six weeks each, this year she upped her time in South Sudan to three months.  The ladies are learning to sew school uniforms for the two small primary schools which are also run by a Christian organization.
Pray for these efforts in Akot.  Baptists built the training center and used it for many years; now these have come alongside to continue the work of spreading the Good News.  Working together for the Kingdom, that is what it is all about.

Our current tent home

History tells us that land is a precious commodity. Wars have been waged over ownership of it and people have died fighting to preserve it. The land where the Baptist house sits is at the center of a land dispute. Last Friday we were told to leave the property and we did. This week Jerry and a colleague from Uganda have been in meeting after meeting with city officials and traditional heads trying to resolve the dispute.

Our current home away from home -- away from home!

 Seven years ago, Baptists signed a 25 year agreement to use the property. And, while it is a complicated and winding story, suffice to say that other people now own the property and are not willing to accept the contract that was signed those years ago. So this tent has been our home away from home -- away from home for the past week.  It isn't terrible, we have running water, electricity from a generator, and internet, which is how I'm able to write this post.  However, the situation is distracting us from our main objective which is to research the land.  We were hoping the house would be our home base, a place we could go out from, and return back to; but so far it has been the object which has taken our time and attention away from the main thing.  We would ask that you join us in praying for wisdom in this land agreement situation.  The land is the Lord's and He will use it as He pleases.  Pray that we would be a light and a testimony of God's grace and patience as we deal with the situation.