Our Sudan Adventure

We have returned from our first trip to Sudan safe and sound, and sooner than expected. It is hard to know where to begin with so many first impressions of a country recovering from 38 years of civil war since gaining independence in 1956. We arrived in Nimule, the first town past the Uganda border and were joined by five young Sudanese men that have worked with Jeff & Michelle in their past ventures into the country. With five in the truck cab and four packed in the back with our gear, we journeyed on to Magwe and then on to Torit the following day where we successfully received a certificate of NGO status for the SudanVenture Resource Center!! What we thought would take several days to secure, took only an hour (most of that time being for the printing of the document). It was a huge answer to prayer and a testimony to Jeff & Michelle’s prior efforts to establish themselves within the community and among local government officials.

It was exciting to witness the rebuilding of the communities we passed in our journey. At this time, thousands of Sudanese are being repatriated with the help of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). We passed a convoy of about 18 trucks loaded with refugees and their possessions. It was quite a sight! In addition to transport, these refugees receive a UNHCR tarp, some jerry cans for water, enough food for three months, and some cooking pots. The difficulty for those repatriating in the coming months is that the 3-month food supply won’t last them until the growing season. It's another challenge that requires these people to work together and reminds us of the great opportunity to assist them as individuals and a community.

We’re looking forward to returning in late January to select a plot of land in Magwe to locate the Resource Center and to sit with the church members to learn more about them and their needs. During this trip though, it became very apparent that the truck, as faithful as it's been in the past, will not survive many more Sudan “roads” (we’re not sure if you can call them roads, as most of the time they looked more like dried out river beds). On day three of our journey, halfway back from Torit, the brakes went out completely. Jeff & Rick made some adjustments and we decided it would be best to head home early, slowly. Our biggest worry was Gordan Hill, a five-mile downhill stretch into Nimule. It was a glorious moment when we reached the bottom and pulled into our guest house parking lot (click here to see pics).

The last day of our journey was the most eventful. About 30 miles from Adjumani I heard a strange new noise, and a few moments later there was a loud clunk and the truck came to a complete halt. We watched as the back tire rolled past. It’s moments like those that you just have to laugh and be thankful that you broke down on a flat spot near some shade. Michelle and I sat with some women and their children while Jeff & Rick once again did some handy-work with many onlookers.

For now, we’re having to make the truck work but we know it won’t sufficiently meet our traveling needs in Sudan, especially as more people begin coming to the community. Jeff has researched a utility vehicle that will carry 12 passengers (safely with seatbelts) and is used by many NGO’s present in Sudan. At this time, we’re about $10,000 short of what’s needed and are praying the funds will come within the next few months.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. God's faithfully seen us through another adventure!