Church of the Brethren Sudan Initiative

Safe in Torit albeit under the most, umm, rustic conditions yet, learning much. What with travel and trying to make arrangements here in Torit, there was not the opportunity to write yesterday evening. Yesterday had good conversations with several priests from DOT. This morning, even more; then were able to meet several governmental officials and also the acting governor of Central Equitoria. We could report much, will try to find power to type and send our notes sometime.

Bottom line: we are welcome here, would likely get free land to develop. Torit has ample market, transportation of several sorts (both road to Loki or to Juba or Nimule and on to Uganda, or air to Juba-Loki-??--and roads are much more passable than we were led to believe from our research in the States, and the public transportation business is thriving), a very good ecumenical spirit, lots of places where we could work... many things seem promising (as may be the case in many places). We are able to hear about the demining progress... even Katire is accessible now, except for a small bridge out--I'd guess that Matt and I could have a bridge for small vehicles in place within a few days, given our combination of building and engineering (not that we'd be the ones to do it, just saying...), if we had a few tools and a little money for materials or using nearby resources. All agree that Katire is a lovely place, and would be a good place to start a school or other development. Water is the next more mentioned need -- bore holes -- especially near the Lopit Mountains, another area lifted for our attention--and now locally declared safe for travel, unlike the bandit warnings we heard earlier from Juba. If we can arrange for a driver, we might try to go to some of these places.

This team is beginning to form ideas, generated from our experiences in Kuron with having educated local people as partners, and our sharing the gospel and Bible stories with Mara as we waited for the plane at the desert airstrip for 2-1/2 hours, that could inform how we might be in ministry in this area. We will bring these thoughts back to share more fully.

How to share so much we are finding out?! We are gathering so much data that I could type for hours trying to summarize my notes alone. Our experiences will take some time to relate... really, each of us will be more like walking databanks, carrying our information and impressions with us, able to share through conversation and recollection. Not that we are not trying to summarize, but what we know will be far more than what would fit onto an assessment grid, and includes cultural, ecclesiastical, and personal impressions, from how bridges are made to how to talk with government officials (and how to ignore the usual political hyperbole, even here (Truly we are all brothers and sisters, and politicians here are not much different than ones we know at home! They just use a different language out of their situation, and have some cultural differences.)

We of the Church of the Brethren continue to dismantle some other expectations, such as us needing to be treated more highly than others... Father Jacob, the priest acting in the Bishop's stead while he is gone to the Bishop's Conference in Khartoum, finally heard that we are happy being treated just like the others here, sharing food and such. It is nice building firm and collaborative relationships on behalf of the Church of the Brethren, setting the stage for those who will come later, whether here or elsewhere. To that end, we have also been handing out the photos of the Messicks that I was able to print before we left, putting a face on those who are planning to come to live.

Must stop to save battery, in case more is needed later.

Blessings!
Enten