South Sudan
is a wonderful place. It is the newest country on earth as it was only
registered as The Republic of South Sudan in July 2011. Before that it was part
of Sudan and there were many troubles. Sudan is to the North. He north is
mainly muslim and there is still a lot of fighting as different tribes fight
for control. Some have got together and formed a new group. They are organising
themselves like the Libyan Transitional Council did before gadaffi was
killed........The north is where Darfur is with its massive refugee camps and
where many people are starving due to lack of good governance. Not due to lack
of money as far as i can tell. South Sudan is very different and full of hope.
Here we are 98% Christian. The people have found their voice and are no longer
prepared to put up with corruption and/or ineptitude. We are getting a new
commissioner here in Maridi. We do not yet have a bank or a post office but
they are on the way, which is great because the mission air co that brought me
here is in dispute with the immigration dept. who says they are to land at
Juba, the capital, every trip putting an extra £2000 on to every return flight.
So at the moment i do not have an address. There is a post office opening in a
town just up north and when it does we will use that for the interim. I’m quite
looking forward to the trip.
Temperature
in Maridi dry season which we have just entered is 62 morning and evening
rising to 100 mid day. I love it. I am not getting a suntan, Shoulders and upper
arms and knees have to be covered for modesty. I don’t really mind. Its too hot
to sunbathe,
My work in the nursery is going well. The children are as
cute as cute can be and love the all singing all dancing action songs they are
learning. The Mothers Union group where I teach English has grown to 27.
English is a vital tool in this newly emerging country as the govt has decided
all business is to be conducted in English. I’ve no idea why as most tribes
already speak Sth Sudan Arabic, which is more than adequate. I am learning it.
albeit vey very slowly.
My new house is getting a tarpaulin ceiling. I think Trisha
thinks I’m struggling with the bugs. But I’m really not. I did ask this morning
if the ants trailing up one of the inner strets of the roof, in their millions,
were any threat, which they weren’t and I think she may have noticed my hacking
cough due to the inordinate amounts of bug spray I’m using but i think I’m
coping really well...considering...I am so thankful that God prepared me for
this journey by allowing my daughter, Georgina, lizards as pets that were fed
live crickets. Because if she didn’t I would not have coped. They are the
ugliest, springiest noisiest things but I don’t have to get them out the room
before I can sleep. Trisha just has a
very generous Spirit.
Tomorrow is World Aids day and I’m pleased to say there is a
big party in the town to announce it. The schools are closed and most people
will be in attendance. We should all get T-shirts given as well. I love the
fact that here most t-shirts have profound messages rather than just wise
crack. Such as ‘send your children to school’ or ‘End the stigma of Leprosy’
Ah well you can pray for me to give up smoking as I’m a very
bad example of a saved Christian here. The Anglican Church is very stiff upper
lipped. Although sometimes I think God keeps me as a poor example so people can
say to themselves “well if she can be a Christian so can I” J
and it’s true. He loves us just the way we are......
