Stuck in Juba - Part 2

Blog #2 - 29 June 2014

Today I am thinking about unexpected blessings. When I first heard that we were going to be stuck here in Juba for 4 more days than expected I was really horrified. When I was here last year I really hated my time in Juba. It was hot, boring, and lonely. There was also uncertainty about food and water and the whole place just smelled terrible. Both coming and going, it was the place that was keeping me from where I really wanted to be - either Nyinbuli or home.

Juba 2014

This time around I can say that Juba has grown on me quite a bit. I've seen a lot more of the city and although it's not a clean or comfortable place, there are some little lovely things that I hadn't noticed before. For example, in the middle of crazy traffic - even though everyone is pushing to get into any open road space - people are still watching out for each other. The driving seems a bit chaotic to my American eyes, but there is a watchfulness to the drivers here. They are aware of the other vehicles - cars, trucks, motorbikes, and donkey carts. And they are aware of the many jaywalking pedestrians. They are even aware of the dogs, goats, and children that may wander into the streets.

Juba 2014

Beyond this hyper-awareness, they are patient. Everyone wants to get where they are going, but I hear no yelling or cursing. Even the horn honking is only done to warn other drivers or pedestrians of passing or turning. It's not done in anger. This amazes me, because I can hardly drive for ten minutes without feeling the need to yell at one or more of the drivers around me. The driving here may be wild and chaotic, but the drivers seem more even tempered and patient. The roads here are in terrible condition and there are no traffic lights or street signs, but there is no road rage. What is wrong with us that we can't have this kind of peace in our peaceful, controlled driving?

Another lovely thing I've discovered about Juba is the Nile region. On Saturday, I went with my little team and some NGO workers from IAS and from ZOA on a little boat trip on the Nile. Downtown Juba is kind of ugly and stinky, but the river is beautiful. Everything was so green and the air was much cooler on the water. I know the water isn't very clean - they are having a cholera epidemic after all - but the air above it is still glorious. As we motored down stream to our destination - an island village - I saw many colorful birds, gloriously tall trees, and smiling faces of swimming children. It took us about 20 minutes to get to the island. I was thinking it would be rather small, but I discovered that it was quite large. I don't know what the total population is but I do know that there are several primary schools on the island and that the one we visited has about 700 children attending. Still, it was a rural place - similar in feeling to Nyinbuli - even though it is very near the big city.

White Nile - Juba 2014

White Nile - Juba 2014

A mountain view from the island - Juba 2014

The people we met there seem to have been forgotten by those on the mainland. It is my understanding that they have been without schools and without access to clean water far longer than should have been allowed. IAS has been working hard to bring in bio-sand water filters - a very expensive and time consuming project - so that the island people can drink the water from the Nile without poisoning themselves. They can't dig wells there because the water table is too shallow (only 6 feet) so the filters are the best solution right now. Another NGO has built the schools and is providing teachers so that the children can be educated and given opportunity and access to the world.

Water filter on island - Juba 2014

Of course, I "report" these things as if I actually know all the facts and completely understand the circumstances. There is a very good chance that I really have no idea what I am talking about (please remember that whenever you read my stuff). Okay, now that I've said that.... Let me tell you my experience in the island village. Our little group had the opportunity to do a little village tour. We were first taken to the church. As we approached we could hear children singing inside. We entered and sat down to watch the boys and girls practice for Sunday service. When they were finished we greeted them all and told them how lovely they were.

The IAS man, Daniel, who had brought us there and worked with these people, told us that at some point (when wasn't clear) the children had decided that they would like to devote their Saturdays to fasting and praying for the church and the village. This is a remarkable commitment from these children and they have seen very tangible results from their dedication. There was a lovely feeling of peace in that place. Even the town crazy guy seemed harmless and friendly.

After we finished at the church; the children took us to see their school. They lingered for some photos but soon went back to their practicing. Let me just reiterate that there were no adults making these elementary age children do this. They were giving up their Saturdays of their own free will, and from what I could tell, were more than happy with their decision. Out of a community of nearly 700 children these 20 or so individuals gave up a day of play and leisure to pray and sing to God on behalf of their community. Amazing!

One of the schools - Juba 2014

A classroom - Juba 2014

Graffiti is different in SS - Juba 2014

As we continued our island tour, we were led through thick brush and tall grass by a local man. Soon we emerged into a small plot of banana trees and okra. These little farm plots are hidden in the bushes. It is like a secret surprise in the jungle. I also saw maize, cassava, sorghum, and cucumber. There were definitely others, but that's all I can remember.

A farm in the jungle - Juba 2014

Eventually we re-boarded our boat and headed back to Juba. The ride upstream was about 30 minutes and it was just as lovely as the one downstream. There were many children playing in the water and they would try to race us as the boat motored by. We also saw people washing their clothes and themselves there in the Nile. The water isn't really clean enough for this, but then again, this is the best they have.

Greeting - Juba 2014

Racing - Juba 2014

All in all, Saturday was a fantastic day and it made me really glad to be here in Juba. We finished up our day with good food and World Cup Soccer. Everyone here is crazy for soccer and the craze is catching. I whooped and hollered along with everyone else whenever we watched a game (every night).

Today is Sunday and later this morning we will travel across town to attend church with our brothers and sisters here in Juba. I think it will be wonderful and I am really looking forward to it. Afterward we are going to have lunch at one of the really nice restaurants here in Juba. I'm looking forward to that as well. Tomorrow we will get to the airport early and board a WFP flight to Aweil and from there we will drive to Nyinbuli. I probably won't have another update until I am safely arrived there. Please pray that we have good internet service there. And please pray that we will be obedient and helpful during our time there. Until next time.... I love you all and I'll see you soon.

Stuck in Juba - Part 1

Blog #1 - 26 June 2014

It's hard to believe that after 3 days of traveling I am only halfway through the journey to Nyinbuli, South Sudan. For now I am waiting in Juba for a flight to Aweil. We had planned to leave tomorrow (Friday, 27 June), but are now being told that there are no flights until Monday, 30 June. This is pretty frustrating, but we will try to make the best of our time here in this dirty, stinky city.

I'm traveling with three other women; Holly, Ginnie, and Jane. Holly is the friend who first invited me to accompany her to South Sudan in March of last year. She works for IAS as a midwife in the Nyinbuli clinic. Ginnie also works for IAS. She is a photographer and a recorder of stories. She is gathering pictures and testimonials to bring back to the US and to share with donors and other interested parties. Jane is a student from San Diego. She found IAS and Holly through a Google-search over a year ago and has been planning and preparing to come here since that time. We are a pretty interesting team.

Jane brought a whole suitcase full of clothing for children and babies and we are hoping that we can go to one of the orphanages here in town and gift them with these items. I'm not sure if this will actually happen, but it would pretty great.

In other news, it's rainy, hot, and humid here in South Sudan - just as predicted. We are squeezed into some rather tight quarters here at the IAS Juba office, but the facility is quite sufficient to our needs. My only major complaint is the lack of good internet. Actually, I think that's everyone's complaint. We all depend on the internet to communicate with our friends and families back home and it can be incredibly frustrating to have that life-line fail. But I think we came here knowing that this kind of thing would be an issue. Instantaneous communication is a luxury, not a guarantee. Coming to this part of the world involves letting go of many of the things we are accustomed to having near at hand.

I know I have mentioned this kind of self-denial in past posts, but I as I experience it again I feel the deprivation as if it were the first time. Oh how I miss air conditioning, internet, and indoor plumbing. I am so spoiled by these things that it feels like a part of my life is missing. How odd. I don't need A/C to survive, but I long for it as if it were a staple.

I also long for sanitation. Everything here is so dirty. The streets are dirty, the floors are dirty, I'm dirty. I'm not a clean freak by any means, but I would really like a bottle of bleach and good mop so I could do something about the toilet and shower stalls. Anyway, I've complained enough.... Thank you for your prayers and please know that even though some aspects of my life here are not so comfortable or pleasant I am grateful to be here in this place.

Garbage in road in Juba - Africa trip 2013