Children are a gift from God. Part 2 School daze!

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

School days -- School days -- Little golden rule days.

School is part of life for most children in the U.S. and developed countries around the world.  Parents, even governments, realize the importance of reading, writing, and arithmetic.

However for children in most of Africa, school is not a necessary part of life, it is a privilege.

South Sudan is a young nation – not only as a new country; but, over 40% of the population of South Sudan is under 14 years of age – this is an amazing statistic – children make up almost half of the population.   

Children are a gift from God. Part 1 Babies

"Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children."      Proverbs 17:6

Children are a blessing from God – in trying to find this verse in the Bible, I failed; it may not be there, but it is implied through many scriptures.  This sentiment is revealed in most cultures and the people groups in South Sudan are no exception.

So, we were surprised our first weeks in South Sudan to notice women without children on their backs.  We actually discussed this together, “Where are the babies – do they not carry their babies with them?”  We were astonished that we had not seen South Sudanese women carrying babies on their backs.  We noticed some ex-pat Kenyan or Ugandan women with babies on their backs, but where were the South Sudanese babies?

We discovered the answer one morning at church when a woman walked up carrying a goat-skin carrier under her arm. She put it down on her lap and lo and behold there was a baby inside!  Imagine our surprise.

Now in our defense, mothers always have a cloth or light blanket across their shoulder covering the baby as they are walking; so you really can’t see the baby.  The image to the right shows the way they carry their babies without the blanket covering and the inset at the top left corner on the picture shows how the carrier holds the baby.

Ingenious – and quite unique, we haven’t seen anything like it in any other part of Africa. 

Not all South Sudanese people groups use this type of carrier, but the Dinka and the Nuer do.  The Toposa use a goat skin carrier, but they are fashioned so that the baby is carried on the mother’s back and not under her arm.

Armed with this knowledge, we happened upon another sight weeks later.  While walking through a family settlement we noticed something hanging from a tree. (See the image at the left)

The inset image on the bottom left of the picture allows you see what we saw when we peeked inside.  This newborn is napping quite happily in his goat skin carrier while gently swaying in the breeze under the shade of their large tree.

Not to be undone – Debbie felt she needed to acquire a baby carrier – it being so unique and useful, never mind that fact that there will be no more babies, except possibly grand-babies one day, coming our way.  

Since these are not sold in the market, but are made as needed, we asked a South Sudanese friend if he could procure a baby carrier for Mama! Grinning, he said he would try, and several weeks later he brought two baby carriers up to the house. 

Here,  the lady who made our baby carriers is demonstrating their use.

Children are a gift from God.

Pray for God’s people to grasp a vision for teaching His truths to Dinka children that they may grow in the knowledge of God.

The infant mortality rate is high in South Sudan. Good medical facilities and trained personnel are needed to care for sick and malnourished children. Vaccinations and medicines are needed to help South Sudanese children grow healthy and strong.  Pray that God would supply these needs.

 

These feet were made for walking…and other modes of transport in South Sudan

"Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD."  Isaiah 2:5

You, who have been part of our journey in South Sudan, have witnessed the abominable road conditions that are likely to exist.   As you would guess, walking is the most frequently used mode of getting from one place to another; happily walking isn't dependent upon road conditions.  

While we were stateside we enjoyed walking for exercise; but that is very different from walking out of the necessity of getting from one place to another.  We have witnessed people walking to the hospital; four men, one at each corner of the blanket walking for two days transporting their sick relative/friend to the hospital.

Folks don’t give a second thought to walking two, four or even ten miles to town or school – two miles to fetch water is an everyday occurrence for most women, farther than that and they would most likely try to use a bicycle. 

Speaking of bicycles…

Next to walking, bicycling is the next most common mode of transport. Those who have the means of purchasing a bicycle try to do so.  While we often see bicycles carrying paying passengers or transporting loads of goods; the picture on the right is unique to South Sudan (at least for us).  A good idea for transporting those too young to “hang on" well – although this little fella looks like he is pretty good at “hanging on” – a good thing too as his driver seems to be talking on his cell phone while dodging potholes, animals, cars and people.

Awaiting customers

Motor bikes are another popular means of movement. While they preserve your strength, they deplete your wallet; however, in South Sudan, motorcycles are used as taxis throughout the country.  There are very few automotive taxis. Motor bikes can maneuver paths in the bush where cars cannot go. 

 

---AND --- as in all of Africa, there is always room for one more. So don’t think you are limited to only one passenger!

Unfortunately the AK47 is also a frequent sight.  

Around town these little tuk-tuk vehicles can be seen.  With a motorcycle front and a seated trailer behind, they afford a bit of protection from the ever-present dust.  They are more comfortable than the back of a motorcycle and can carry more goods safely. However as you may guess, they cost a bit more to hire than your regular motorbike and are operated only in the town centers.

Here you go!!

 This young Dinka man has polio and is unable to walk; however he has a convenient mode of transport which is eco-fuel efficient and can go practically anywhere!

 

This is a frequent sight, especially on the major transportation route which travels in front of the Baptist compound. 

Long distance trucks transporting goods to all parts of South Sudan can take weeks to travel the distance from Uganda or Kenya to their destinations in South Sudan. (Notice the men sitting on top of the load.) Three or four men travel together on one truck to help when the inevitable breakdown occurs. 

We often see these trucks on the side of the road, sometimes camping for days if not weeks waiting either for roads to dry, digging out -- in the rainy season -- or waiting for mechanical parts to arrive from town to get the truck running again.  It is a dangerous and dusty place to travel.

As you think about the different modes of movement, pray that the Gospel message would move throughout South Sudan as well, penetrating hearts and changing lives.

Pray for safety on the roads. Travel anywhere is a dangerous prospect and South Sudan is no different. Passing or even driving behind a truck in the dry season is very dangerous as the billows of dust make it impossible to see; the possibility of a breakdown in places of unrest or insecurity and the ever present abominable road conditions make traveling in South Sudan an act of faith.


Pray that the people of South Sudan would hear of God's love and believe so they will  "walk in the light of the LORD."