Another day, another chance to relive events of days gone by. Today, I was half way through a job when a Kenyan builder wandered along and told me I was doing it wrong. Thanks for that. Avid followers of this blog will remember that when I was here previously this was a regular occurence with my right hand man, John Maruti. Unfortunately he is not the Kenyan builder in question here, although to be honest, Gilbert is the next best thing (He even sounds like John, and uses the same phrases. It can only be a matter of time before I hear "Noooo, not like that Keveen").
In case you are interested, today was mostly spent making windows (I say windows - they have no glass!) for a house for some missionaries here, along with considering cutting my flight back to Dubai particularly fine in order to have a few more days in Doro. In the words of one of the missionaries here "that sounds completely wreckless, but I think it's cool". We shall see how that one turns out. This evening, after regaling you all with my musings I plan to spend some time pondering lifes big question under the stars, which is always fun. Perhaps by the end I'll have decided to go become a monk...
Unfortunately, today also had some bad events to relive. Namely, hearing tales from the clinic of two dead children (pneumonia I believe). In the words of one of the nurses, "there was no need for these children to die". But such is life here, the incomprehensible happens all the time. And you just have to get on with it. Maybe you should come and see for yourself...it has the potential to change your life, or at least to help you realise how good you have it....
Monday 25 June 2012
Sunday 24 June 2012
Sunday
"This short guy is very strong". So said pastor James Haruun as he introduced me as the preacher at church this morning (I was ready for him this time). Quite what he was basing this bold assertion on I'm not so sure, but it was certainly good to be back in Gasmalla and reunited with some more old friends.
Following our ten mile round trip walk to/from church I got the chance to spend some time indulging what is probably one of my favourite Sudanses pastimes: lying on a bed under a tree dosing in the afternoon sun. It doesnt get much better than that...Indeed, some of my former teamates here have been known to speculate that I spent more time under a tree than I did doing any work. Which is of course not true.
Anyway, that is all for today. But before I go let me pose a question. As a missionary, is it better to live life as much as possible in the same way as the people you are among, trying to become like them so that you can relate to them better, or should we be showin them the way to develop their circumstances by setting a higher standard? I used to be well and truly in the former category. Now I'm not so sure.
Until next time, my friends...
Following our ten mile round trip walk to/from church I got the chance to spend some time indulging what is probably one of my favourite Sudanses pastimes: lying on a bed under a tree dosing in the afternoon sun. It doesnt get much better than that...Indeed, some of my former teamates here have been known to speculate that I spent more time under a tree than I did doing any work. Which is of course not true.
Anyway, that is all for today. But before I go let me pose a question. As a missionary, is it better to live life as much as possible in the same way as the people you are among, trying to become like them so that you can relate to them better, or should we be showin them the way to develop their circumstances by setting a higher standard? I used to be well and truly in the former category. Now I'm not so sure.
Until next time, my friends...
Saturday 23 June 2012
Welcome Back
Today I did something I have never done before - walked through a refugee camp. Then played volleyball in said refugee camp, using a combination of height advantage and goalkeeping prowess to help my team of missionaries to second place in a tournament we (I say we, I didnt really do much) had organised. The term 'refugee camp has always conjoured up a particular image in my mind however (unsurprisingly) the reality was somewhat different. It's kinda like a large village full of UNHCR standard issue tents. I say a large village, a large village of several tens of thousands of people (I've yet to hear the same number quoted twice, what is certain is that it is a lot of people) where there were none before. It really is a dire situation, although I and my team-mates were struck by the fact that almost everyone we saw was still smiling. These people have a lot to teach us.
We arrived in Doro on Thursday afternoon, after a fairly lengthy journey. Being back after being away for so long is a strange experience, a mixture of feeling like I was never away and being hit in the face by the start changes that have taken place since I left.
One thing that has not disappointed has been the chance to be reunited with my Sudanese friends. It has been worth the journey just for that. Already I have had more (semi-awkward) embraces from two me old enough to be my grandfather, simultaneously lamenting the fact that I am only here for a short time. That coupled with the chance to catch up with my close friends as been the highlight of my week. I've made a lot of promises to go and visit people that I may well struggle to keep!
Anyway, for now I must go, as someone is waiting to use the computer. But rest assured I shall keep you posted with whats going on here, hopefully with some more profound insight than I have been able to offer here.
However, in time honoured fashion I shall leave you with a sobering story. Of the many good friends I left behind back in 2010, at least three have taken second wives. This saddens me greatly as, for a Christian (which these guys are), this is the Sudanese equivalent of...well, something pretty bad (I'm not sure what comparison to draw). Some of the guys in question were, to my mind, the least likely to go down this road however temptation has taken it;s toll. Whch brings me back to my intial observation that I was quick to recount to anyone who would listen when I got home in September 2010. Where are the people teaching the young men of this tribe to live as diciples of Jesus. I'll tell you where they're not....here.
We arrived in Doro on Thursday afternoon, after a fairly lengthy journey. Being back after being away for so long is a strange experience, a mixture of feeling like I was never away and being hit in the face by the start changes that have taken place since I left.
One thing that has not disappointed has been the chance to be reunited with my Sudanese friends. It has been worth the journey just for that. Already I have had more (semi-awkward) embraces from two me old enough to be my grandfather, simultaneously lamenting the fact that I am only here for a short time. That coupled with the chance to catch up with my close friends as been the highlight of my week. I've made a lot of promises to go and visit people that I may well struggle to keep!
Anyway, for now I must go, as someone is waiting to use the computer. But rest assured I shall keep you posted with whats going on here, hopefully with some more profound insight than I have been able to offer here.
However, in time honoured fashion I shall leave you with a sobering story. Of the many good friends I left behind back in 2010, at least three have taken second wives. This saddens me greatly as, for a Christian (which these guys are), this is the Sudanese equivalent of...well, something pretty bad (I'm not sure what comparison to draw). Some of the guys in question were, to my mind, the least likely to go down this road however temptation has taken it;s toll. Whch brings me back to my intial observation that I was quick to recount to anyone who would listen when I got home in September 2010. Where are the people teaching the young men of this tribe to live as diciples of Jesus. I'll tell you where they're not....here.
Tuesday 19 June 2012
Back, by Popular Demand
So, I'm at the beginning of another (short) African adventure, and I've decided to resurrect my blog. We (Ben, Colin & I) arrived in Kenya on Sunday afternoon, and I was reunited with a lot of my old colleagues and team-mates on Monday morning. It was a heartwarmingly warm welcome!
A particular highlight has been the chance to spend time with an old friend who I thought I would never see again. We last saw wach other on the airstrip in Doro back in September 2010
For those of you who don't already know, we are heading out to Doro for a couple of weeks (all that annual leave would permit) to help out on a housing project there. We fly out from Nairobi early on Thursday and will arrive in Doro that afternoon.
Since arriving in Kenya and hearing from the other SIM people I have been struck by just how much different Doro is now to when I left. Back in 2010 it was a small village of a few thousand people in the middle of the Sudanese bush. Now (apparently) it is the site of a major relief operation, with tens of thousands of refugees on the doorstep of the village. I cant get my head round what it is going to look like...
The more I think about this, the more aprehensive I become about going back in. It's kind of like it'd be better going in completely blind than going in thinking you know what a place is like, when in fact you have no idea. The one thing that outweighs that apprehension is the anticipation of more heartwarming reunions with friends (both former team-mates and Sudanese alike) which is, after all, what it is all about.
So doubtless, once I'm back in Doro, I'll have plenty of interesting experience to tell you about, and I'll attempt to do so with my customary mixture of humour and harsh reality. Which gives you all something to look forward to...
A particular highlight has been the chance to spend time with an old friend who I thought I would never see again. We last saw wach other on the airstrip in Doro back in September 2010
For those of you who don't already know, we are heading out to Doro for a couple of weeks (all that annual leave would permit) to help out on a housing project there. We fly out from Nairobi early on Thursday and will arrive in Doro that afternoon.
Since arriving in Kenya and hearing from the other SIM people I have been struck by just how much different Doro is now to when I left. Back in 2010 it was a small village of a few thousand people in the middle of the Sudanese bush. Now (apparently) it is the site of a major relief operation, with tens of thousands of refugees on the doorstep of the village. I cant get my head round what it is going to look like...
The more I think about this, the more aprehensive I become about going back in. It's kind of like it'd be better going in completely blind than going in thinking you know what a place is like, when in fact you have no idea. The one thing that outweighs that apprehension is the anticipation of more heartwarming reunions with friends (both former team-mates and Sudanese alike) which is, after all, what it is all about.
So doubtless, once I'm back in Doro, I'll have plenty of interesting experience to tell you about, and I'll attempt to do so with my customary mixture of humour and harsh reality. Which gives you all something to look forward to...
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