Church of the Brethren Sudan Initiative

Today was mostly a travel and organizational day. We tried to meet with the Catholic ArchBishop of Juba this morning, but were not able to be received as he was too busy, so we left a note of greeting. We then packed, ate a quick lunch out of stores we had along, and got a lift to the airport to fly back to the UN base in Loki, Kenya, via a UN plane. (We are circling back into Kenya to be able to pick up a charter flight to the Holy Trinity Peace Village in Kuron, Sudan... the only way to get there now, as the roads are washed out, is a charter flight). As we confirmed logistics here on the ground, we were delighted to learn that the Diocese of Torit (DOT) was not only willing to share the flight with, as they have been seeking ways to get food and materials into Kuron, but they are willing to pay for this flight! That leaves us with the flight out and triangulating to Torit in two more days, and while the DOT could send a plane completely full of material up to Kuron as it goes up empty to get us, we want to see if they could also share expense on this flight also, for the only available plane is a 16-passenger, and so will be very costly. Regardless, we are glad for the blessings of this next flight, leaving early tomorrow morning (so it will be a short night). We spent a good bit of time arranging for flights and talking to those who are working hard on our behalf to set things up for the remainder of our trip--the next eight flights, if I've not counted wrong!--and we are very grateful, and feel blessed.

A few vignettes from today:

Phil noted: Today has been an amazing day in that during the course of going through airport check in and immigration procedures (for flying to Lokichogio) we saw lots of friends, and/or former co-workers at NSCC (or other non -governmental organizations). A real uplift and gift for Louie and me.

We are staying at the NSCC (New Sudan Council of Churches) compound tonight... pretty nice, compared to where we've been, even if still rustic... at least the water supply is reliable, and we will be able to shower in the showerhouse outside. This place has changed a lot since I (Enten) was here 13 years ago... more than just one container sitting in an empty yard! And in scouting out where I could find sky to access the satellite to send these messages out, I had to work around the tall trees, as it has now grown up.

We ate at the UN compound here in Loki tonight. Louie commented that this was a romantic place, in the sense of young people with dreams of helping, and giving of themselves... also more luxury than we've had for a little while. We could at least trust the drinking water!

All in all... a long day, but not too hectic. But the heat is wearying (we still won't say that we're tired, however!), and tomorrow comes early with yet another flight... so farewell for another day... I'll finish up the reporting in and logistical emails I need to do, connect to the satellite to send things out and see if there are additional messages for us, and then crqawl in under the mosquito netting for the night!

--Enten, and Phil and Louie