Hey all,
Well it's been a little while since I wrote, lets see, what's been happening…
Well I went to the hospital to visit one of our mama's the other week. She was looking after her sister in-law who just gave birth, but unfortunately the baby died and the mum had to have a major operation.
In the same ward was a 2 day old baby. His 16 year old mother died giving birth. The grandmother was there but as they don't have any money they were just giving the baby water. So I prayed over the baby, and then the grandmother asked me to name him. I called him Davidi, then, I went down town and purchased some formula. 30 pounds for one tin, which will last one week! How are people supposed to afford that! It's crazy. Who knows, if I hadn't gone that day… would the baby just have died a few days later from starvation? Yes, most likely. It happens all the time. Poverty is a killer in many ways. Thankfully though the baby is now on our milk program and I hope being well looked after.
I've been thinking lately how ironic it is how some things just grow on you. Driving the motorbike the other day I drove past a truck filled with armed soldiers. Their legs hanging of the sides of the flatdeck, AK's or klashnikovs in hand… Didn't think twice, just drove past. Then it struck me just how unnatural that is but how natural it has become.
Sights like that I get used to. Soldiers walking down the street, big gun in hand, is no longer a threat. I now know not to go into town after 4pm as some of them are drunk by then… and you know drink and guns don't mix that well.
Other things just grow in annoyance… like the endless calls of Kawaja Kawaja (white person, white person) or the constant asking of things. Well actually I don't know if I would call it asking, it's more like demanding. Goes something like this:
I'll be driving down the road on the motorbike, or in the car and suddenly I hear "Kawaja, give me biscuit" , "Kawaja, give me dollar". Or I stop in town and some old lady comes up to me and says "Give me 1 pound"
I'm sure it's our own fault though. White man have come in to help (when there not trying to take over that is) and we have created a hand out mentality. People have almost become dependant on foreign aid workers. It's not good, but it's hard to see a way around it when there is also such genuine need and if these organisations didn't come in half the population would probably die of a lack of clean water, sanitation or through starvation. I've had this debate a many a time, are NGO's/Aid groups doing more damage than good? Is there a better way to do things? How can we empower the local people to do it themselves? But, even if they could, how would they get the money? And can they be trusted with the money?
It's hard when you see a population so torn by war that craves peace, but yet sits around so much and just waits for someone else to do the work. Everyday I look outside and watch the builders. It only really takes 3 to build a house, but it takes 10 to stand around and offer encouragement. I think in an 8 hour day each person probably only works 2-3hrs. I mean yes, its hot, and they don't get paid that much, but they certainly get paid a lot better than most, and their use the heat, right?
Life is definitely all about relationships here. I mean it doesn't matter how late our driver arrives at compound, to take the car, to pick up the staff in the morning. He will still stop and greet all the mamas first. It may mean school doesn't start on time, as he didn't get the teachers here on time, but what is important is that he acknowledges people. I need to learn a lot more in this area, I'm often too consumed with the project and forget the greeting. A lot of respect can be lost this way.
So about 2 weeks ago I moved into my own house. (house sitting) It is so nice : ) There is running, hot water and a flush toilet and electricity!!!
I then invited some of our girls around for the day, I wanted to spoil them. Firstly I had to go into town, to market to buy baking ingredients. In town I was hassled by a crazy man who finds me every time! I had to shove him out the way in the market and everyone laughed. I just wanted to run and cry, boy was I angry… But the day with the girls went well. It was chaotic. They made beaded jewellery and baked cakes, while I cooked them a pasta lunch. Then they watched a DVD while I made roast chicken for dinner. I think they felt very spoilt and enjoyed it a lot. I wanted to honour them, they do so much around the base.
Now with all this said though, I have decided my time in Sudan has come to a close. I have been thinking about this for a long time and have decided I'm really not cut out for long term mission work.
I will be leaving Yei on the 26th May and flying to Switzerland, where I plan on catching up with a few old friends. Then I will be heading into Eastern Europe. Romania is another place that has always been on my heart. There are many orphans there too, which I hope to visit. My aim is to find organisations that need volunteer help. Whether it be long or short term. But my heart is really to bring people back out to these places on adventure based mission trips.
I'm travelling on a one way ticket and leaving all doors open, so I'm sure there will still be many adventurous tails to share with you in the up coming months. As far as returning to NZ, I'm not sure when that will be… I guess it depends on how long I can make my money last!
A huge thank-you to all who have supported me here in Sudan! I really feel I have been able to contribute in a good way to the Iris base here, and I'm going to miss my Sudanese family in a big way. But one must move where the wind takes them. I would still appreciate your prayers as I begin the next chapter and hope we all can keep in touch.
Love to you all
Amy
