I slept very well last night despite the intense heat of the day, but this morning it seems hotter! Rosemary and I laughed about the heat - and my peeled-off toe polish.
 
Rosemary gave the devotions this morning. She spoke on forgiving our enemies and those who persecute us and to call on God to build the country. We sang hymns in Arabic and English. God must have heard our prayers and songs for the heat is not as stifling.
 
Last night Thomas told me what happened when he and his family fled Southern Sudan in the 80s. He was in Juba and his family was in Yei (about an hour and a half away) when they were forced to flee. They were separated 18 months and then united in Uganda. From there, they fled to Canada where Thomas’s family has lived for 16 years. His family still lives there and his children, ages 15-25, do not want to return. They have become westernized and don’t believe Sudan is safe. However, Thomas’s wife would like to join him. I asked Thomas about the response from those who remained in Sudan during the war to those returning. He said if the returning person has an attitude of wanting to help, they are well received. But if arrogance rules their actions, they are not accepted. 
 
Rosemary and I accompanied Anthony Poggo, Across’s Director, to a meeting with several NGO organizations. There I met the Episcopal Archbishop of Sudan, The Most Reverent Joseph Maroni. Aside from this meeting, one more time I’m frustrated with the NGO organizations who speak of women empowerment and women rights, but why aren’t these same organizations showing the women how to boil water and care for their families so they won’t get sick? Rosemary says the situation is misplaced priorities. Looks to me that too many - not all - NGO’s are spending the donated money on expensive trucks.
 
We were fortunate to meet Anthony Makana, Government of Southern Sudan Minster of Commerce, Trade, and Supply, a highly educated man. His office is air conditioned, and we were given a bottle of cold water! Mr. Makana had been living in Melvin, Australia before taking this position. He once worked for Across, and he states he is a “committed Christian.” There were several in attendance at this meeting: his cabinet members and several church organizations. The purpose of the meeting was the overwhelming need to educate and train those in the government. The Church of England is helping with this process. Mr. Makana points out to me the members of his cabinet who were Lost Boys and those who were soldiers in the SPLA, which included a man who had lost his leg in the fighting. Christianity plays an important part of the decisions made here. I could list all of the items discussed in this meeting, but essentially the concern was to avoid corruption in the government and constant training.
 
Back at the compound, Rosemary talked about the schools in Juba. The Catholic schools appear to be doing the best job. Another man has come to the Across compound to stay for a few days. He will be in meetings regarding the training of teachers in Yei. UNICEF agreed to train the teachers during the Christmas holidays. I listened to the discussion about the problem of teacher education. The teachers are paid so little that they cannot afford to buy uniforms for their own children, so how can they afford to obtain education for themselves?
 
I look around at the tukuls near the compound. Some are constructed of mud and others of cane and grass, but all have three tiered thatched roofs. Rosemary became ill in the afternoon. She ran a temperature and had a sore throat. Praise God I had antibiotics with me to give her. 
 
In the afternoon a Sudanese man by the name of Moses Haakim visited the compound. He is employed by World Vision and studied in Kenya. I listen to him and the others speak about the problems of Sudan, possible solutions, and the need for grass roots help.
 
Late afternoon, Rosemary and I accompanied Charles to the UN Compound for use of the resource center. I sent another e-mail to Dean with a little more enthusiasm than the one sent the day before. I have learned in this short time to wait. If God wanted me to learn patience, this is the place for it to happen. I wrote down every NGO organization in Juba.
 
After the sun went down, Joseph Ayok, the Director of Religious Affairs for Southern Sudan, visited the compound. I’m humbled he came to see me. I learned we know many of the same people in the States, and he is from the Dinka tribe like so many Lost Boys. Mr. Ayok once walked with the Lost Boys. He mentored them and urged them to get an education and return to their country. I also learn that he had to flee Sudan from the SPLA when he directed child soldiers to leave the army. Now the same group who wanted him dead have him directing religious affairs. He was ordained by the Church of England and intends to use his faith to help his people. Mr. Ayok has traveled extensively to help refugees. I could write an article on his life story. Currently his wife and twin daughters are living in England.
 
It’s been a good day. I’m glad I’m here, and I hope the information I’ve collected will make my book real to the reader.

Photos from Juba, Southern Sudan can be found here.