Saturday Nov. 11/2007 Keyala Village

Military Fatigue - Tanks & a lost child

Saturday, Phil and I traveled to a small, local village that stretched to the mountainous area located several miles from Torit. We packed up from the local AIC Church with three members of the congregation and headed…West, No. East? But the mountains were there so we knew what direction!

The purpose of the trip was to connect with the local tribal leaders of a remote village called Keyala. Keyala has no church. As is commonplace for many African villages alcohol and idleness has infested the local community.
The drive itself was around one and a half hours. It was a great time for Phil Byler and I to talk. He shared about his Mennonite background and strong faith. My appreciation and respect for him as a Godly man grew so much during this trip. He discussed his short time working among the Idinga people of Northern Uganda, before the murder of Warren and Donna Pett. The Bylers were there three and a half weeks before they were forced to relocate and move so abrubtly.

We were engaged in heavy discussion when Sarafino, the AIC Regional Sudanese pastor exclaimed “ Phil, I need to release the Chai and liquid from this morning, they are talking to me!” So we stopped the car and six grown men simultaneously started taking a “ break” alongside the road.

When we reached the Keyala village I noticed a large, green, Soviet styled tank. This was the first symbol of the war I had scene. Second actually. The first were the two de-mining vehicles that we passed on our way into the village. Interestingly, when the war stopped and peace was “established” the Southern Sudanese authorities decided to clear the path for a road to link Northern Kenya with the now free, and traveling people from the Sudan. But what the government didn’t do…was clear all the mines. Intentionally, it is believed so that in case a war were to ever start again the people would not be left totally unprepared. Another example of a war like state and sense of alert.

Keyala was interesting for several reasons. The tank was notable. Dark green and in the center of town. But again I am impressed by the ruggedness of the people, the sharp and distinct village homes and tough people. Phil and I met the local military commander for the Keyala and Torit area. Torit was seiged during the war and the entire area was bombed and destroyed. So meeting the military commander was impressive. He got dressed in his full Sudanese fatigue and we snapped some photos of him. We then got into the m idle of an abducted child case in another local village we drove to. In Africa everything involves meeting with the proper authorities and elders and “paying homage” to those men, always men, who are the tribal chieftains. So we met with many of these men and listened to them speak in Arabic and Lutucko. So my contribution was minimal.

Standing alongside the Sudanese military commander left a distinct impression on me. These people know, and even value, war. Especially, the war leaders.

Apparently with my long hair, shaved face, and God given ( though differently shaped ) body the local drunk man we consoled mistook me for a sister. The deal was, we went to console a local member of the Sudanese Commander’s family. A brother who had lost his daughter. He was intoxicated and very somber when we met him at first. Until he introduced himself to me, then said very sadly, “ How are you my sister!” At first we couldn’t tell if his English was just off or what. But when others noticed what he had said, everyone started laughing. So I was glad I could bring some cheer to his day.

As I write I had to take a break. A large UN plane has just landed on the airstrip that is located directly outside the AIM Compound. The propellers are slowing down. Back to Keyala. For one hour Phil and I listened to reverent praise for the work that George Bush had done in bringing a stop to the war. That was interesting to me, the local Sudanese fighters and commanders loved the American President. Also striking was how war, hatred, and the past sins of the Muslim Arabs dominated the discussion. All among men who confessed to love the Lord.

The men gathered and accounted in glory how they had rebelled against the terrible and stupid Arabs that tried to manipulate, control, and dominate their lives.

Perhaps the best time; spiritually at least, was the discussion that Phil and I had on the return. As men, Phil is definitely old enough to be my father, we are entirely different. Our backgrounds, lives, careers, talents, even spiritual talents. And here we are, living together, working intimately together and be side by side in the Sudan. As we had much time in the car we talked and I shared my testimony. How as a person I have always been inclined to the Holistic vie of life. When I am exercising, being disciplined in food, reading, devotions and getting rest I am much more in order.

African really understand the nature of a holistic life. It centers around their entire frame of life. The spiritual is connected to the physical. The physical is linked to the mental. The mental to the emotions and so on. That is me. Perhaps in a divine revelation ( though mini ) I now understand much more clearly how God fashioned me as a person and set forth his path for me.

Ephesians 1: 4 “ Even before the foundations of the world God had already chosen us to be His through His union with Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before Him." Before Him. Our lives will give an account before Him. As Christ set the ultimate example.

Asim Bitaki Munu!

Nov. 10th ?? Torit, Sudan

My home is not my own anymore, there is no TV or radio or internet even to escape to. No one is a phone call away. Here, my independence must take a backseat, if we truly are a team then all of us are now a unit. But is it a new, and a challenging environment for me. Absolutely.

God must know how to keep my pride closely in check.

So, how did Friday begin? I woke up, played with the propane gas to get the heat on a big pot of water. Made coffee, started to get into Numbers then looked outside and was awestruck by the sunrise and the mountains stretch in the distance and the sunrise leaves the pink, red, and purplish hues outstretched all around the horizon. But there is no doubt in my mind now, the Sudan is harsh. I went running along the local airstrip. Jumped roped a bit. We had breakfast, which is plain toast, some peanuts and an orange given to me by the young waitresses at the Kenyan café, then Phil and I went to a few different places in town.

Everywhere, on just about every building are flags, or colors of, the flag of the South Sudan.
It is obvious that this area wants their unity and independence from the Arab North. That much is clear!

WE had a meeting with the local Torit, Educational Minister. He was accommodating and pleasant. I just have no idea how this will all play out. I mean, here I am, in a Wild West of a city, that has been plagued by bombs, strife, war, and bloodshed. And here I am dressed up in black slacks, my white dress shirt, looking for an "in" into the city. Spirit lead only. What should I be hoping for? Could I plant myself into this town and be poured into it? The Lord must clear the way. Anyway… After a brief discussion with the Minister, who is a highly respected man in this city and Province Phil and I met his deputy. This guy could have punched my face in from the look on his face. He was very unpleasant and not pleased with.. anything maybe. That was our only negative encounter so far. As an American I really want the "end product" to be stamped and delivered as I labor. Jesus said pray for the harvest and for the harvesters. That is my job. Yet, there is always a sinful aspect of my nature that says: seek for more Matthew, look for more, what else could your wonderful and remarkable talents have been producing? You should be training Einstein's by this point. As a person my very nature is so rebellious and unstructured, toward the sinful pride of life. Coming out now, my pride is magnified.

Hmm… Just heard a gun in the distance. But only one shot. Outside the compound are motor bikes racing along the busy road. Now, that is totally made out of mud because of the rain.

Nov. 10, 2007

Africa Inland Church (AIC)

I have had the chance to meet the regional AIC (Africa Inland Church) leader, Sarafino. He was very accommodating and seemed to enjoy having me here. It's hard because AIM is so closely linked with the AIC that we always want the relationships to be positive.

Sarafino was NOT too excited about me working in the local Torit school district at all. I have been praying for this man, with five children and a heart for the Lord, for a vision for the church to spread in the Sudan but our

meeting didn't go well.

God has obviously provided. There is a Kenyan man named Job who has taken over and Sarafinio sounded very impressed and happy. So how does the Lord weigh the plans of people praying in different ways?

I have been praying for a position and chance in Torit- maybe being in an area that is more diverse and filled with various people.

I can guarantee you that this pastor was perhaps praying the exact opposite. How does the Lord balance us all and keep us straight? Perhaps it is our hearts' desire to conform to His ultimate Kingdom building purposes no matter how He most wants it. And then He works among us as His children. I do really like Torit. The diversity of the town, the opportunity to be with the people who are Muslim, unevangalized, and just plain without hope gives me an area to have the Lord pour out.

Torit, Sudan

Nov. 9, 2007

The day of arriving I brought my luggage inside, then saw my containers that hold all of the stuff I now look at and go... "Oh yeah, I did live without that stuff up until now, and I need it now! What's in there again?" About mid-afternoon after lying down I had to get my food craving fixed. A fix for ugali, chicken stew and some African conversation. So I headed into Torit and walked up and down the city and met all the vendors. That brings me a great amount of joy. Torit itself is...part Sudanese, part Arabic, part Kenyan, part Ugandan and ALL Wild West!

Similar to a modern, tiny downtown Nairobi, yet without of course, the paved roads and skyscrapers. But the diversity of the people is remarkable for such a small area. People from all over the Sudan, Kenya, and Northern Uganda have moved into this city to build it and earn income. Building projects are everywhere, even a nice local petrol station is under construction at this point.

I love just sticking myself out there, so to speak, and meeting people. I wore my jeans, a t-shirt, and a huge smile. Though the main language is Arabic, there is much English spoken and a great deal of Swahili which allowed me to make my way into several different conversations.

The local diner where I wanted dinner was filled with… me.. and three ladies who were all from
Kenya. So I walked in.
No one had ever seen me before. A young, slender white guy with longish hair walking into around a city in the South Sudan and then here he is speaking Swahili and asking for a favorite Kenyan dish in Swahili. The people there could not believe it! Wish I had picture of all the people's expressions when they met me. There is a mix of disbelief that a young white man is staying here and wandering through the villages and actually enjoys it! And I do! The Lord will open the doors here for relationships I trust and just walking through the streets in this way makes me visualize that much better how Christ must have seen life. A foreigner with a holy calling and purpose. I prayed last evening around the table that the Lord will use me to the max of what He desires from my abilities.

The streets are filled with army men, some in uniforms, many who are carrying guns

There are many young men who are just… well, hanging around.

To Sudan -- Nov. 8, 2007

On the eighth of November, Linda and Kelly and I left from the Entebbe Airport bound for Torit, Sudan. For the past five weeks I have been living in Africa but have been interacting and meeting with people from many different nations and states outside of the African continent. On Thursday we departed for the Sudan. It was rainy and cold at the airport. As we walked out onto the tarmac I was impressed with the varying degree of airplane shapes and sizes. As we continued walking it became clear that there was one specific plane that just might fit four people! We walked alongside an airplane that was slightly longer than my body and waited for the pilot. He was a missionary pilot originally from the Netherlands but now living in British Columbia.

I was "awarded" the front seat and squeezed into a chair that had double strapped seatbelts and headphones. We prayed for the flight and then the pilot proceeded to start the engine. After a brief whirl of the propellers, we were off and taxiing on the runway.

Thankfully, the only event in that was a great view of the entire Northern Ugandan and Southern Sudan landscape. It was about a two hour flight and we landed on the long dirt airstrip of Torit, Sudan and were immediately greeted by Phil who was ready with a wheelbarrow for carrying our luggage.

I have been praying before the Lord for months... for the Sudan and how He wants me involved in this nation. And then here I was... feeling unemployed, misplaced and out of any comfort zone I've known. Perhaps it was the airplane landing that allowed my mind to finally realize, "I am here... Whoa!"

I have a tiny room that is enclosed into the African Inland compound and there are perhaps three other bedrooms. Kelly Miller has a room, Russ and Lynn Noble are also staying here for a few months as they build their own home on the outskirts of Torit. They will be working closely with the Sudanese locals on training in literacy.

I have NO doubt about God's goodness here. I have had the chance to meet amazing people, many young German ladies, Gene Tan of course who I lived with it seems for five weeks. I'll miss his close friendship and it may sink in the more I am away from other young Western men who know the Lord. My prayer is for the Lord to open up strong bonding relationships with those African nationals here in the area. Spiritually, whenever I am removed from my comfort zone, and "outside" of my timetable clocked box, I struggle praying and reading the Word consistently.

God reminds me that it is the relationships and not my own work that makes my spiritual life tick. Also, I have been so consumed with my own health and body and life that my prayers, sadly, are often centered on myself. God had to restore a huge amount of peace in my heart that I HAD to give my body totally to Him. At this point, in an area noticeable only by airplane that hits home now more than ever! I literally have no choice but to again say to the Lord, "Here I am, still imperfect, still single, away from a large "white" community and now into a foreign, yet familiar group of beautiful people."

On Wednesday I arrived into Uganda. It was a short flight from Nairobi, Kenya. The landscape itself is stunning. Rolling hills and lush green vegetation which display God's graceful touch to nature. The city overlooks a lake, which in early morning hours conceals the local villages in a cloud of mist. At night, a short walk along the hills reveals the abundance of city lights, cars, and fires burning into the

night. The area is heavanly.

We walked outside into the cool Kampala, Uganda breeze talking on the breezeway. As we went outside he took my hand and we walked together into the surrounding village.
He was once a Muslim. Now he knew the Lord. And as a result my new friend, who I walked hand in hand with today, was ostracized from his entire family. Even threatened with death by his father. Perhaps I should explain why I and another young man would walk hand in hand together in a public place. Or goodness, why we would hold hands at all!
In African culture it is very common for male friends to walk holding the hand of another friend. It expresses a closeness in the relationship that would be shocking to anyone in the United States. I must admit, I've never held the hands of another man before outside my time in Africa. Here, however, I felt privileged to walk along the dirty, unpaved Ugandan roads holding his hand as he shared with me his conversion experience. From the threshold of a life without grace to a new found life with purpose and meaning that Christ had given him. Though totally different as men, when we
walked together this evening holding hands I felt a strong spiritual bond with a new brother in Christ.