[Nine Photos below]
Archdeacon Howard Stringfellow and I have recently completed a mission trip to Kajo Keji. For me the trip started October 18 at Bishop Paul’s New Hope Donors reception and ended with a presentation to the Presiding Bishop in November. The October event was a meeting of New Hope donors. We socialized for about an hour. Bishop Paul gathered the group and he blessed the New Hope donors and the bronze dedication plaques that would soon be mounted on the walls of schools in the Sudan. It was an emotional moment filled with love, the Holy Spirit and the memory of loved ones. There were few dry eyes in the room.
We set off on the 8,000 mile journey to Kajo Keji with 80 pounds of plaques and great expectations, expectations that were surpassed. The minute we landed on the dirt strip at Kajo Keji, significant changes became evident. In the distance there were dozens of metal roofs, two FM transmission towers and four cell phone towers.
We see no people wearing rags, there is some form of footwear on every foot and perhaps most significantly there are no protuberant ribs, denoting an end to starvation.
As we enter the main road to Romogi there is no bouncing, no bobbing. The road has been graded. It is smooth, wide and we are traveling at 45 mph. In fact, there is a speed bump every two kilometers; an intentional speed bump in Kajo Keji is a note of remarkable change.
On the afternoon of arrival we have a meeting with the Diocese of Kajo Keji’s construction panel. We reviewed contractor performance in terms of quality, cost and timeliness. Archdeacon Stringfellow, Stephen Tomor and I meet with each of the four contractors to discuss the projects and do an informal process review. It is evident that New Hope’s strict financial protocols have provided an education for Sudanese contractors. Of the original five contractors only two will be used going forward, Twins and Nasera.
We meet with the Rev. Dan Kure. Dan is a physical engineer who works for a large construction company in Juba, capitol of the New Sudan. Dan was ordained in 2008. He has agreed to oversee the remaining New Hope construction. He aptly points out that no lightening rods have been used at Romogi or Gaderu Schools. We currently are putting those lightening rods in place! Dan will visit the buildings at least four times during their construction and insure that they are properly built. We were impressed by his capabilities. One noticeable difference here – Dan as a Sudanese has a more critical eye than the Westerner Garry Ion. We continue to benefit from the community of the faithful.
On the second day, Howard and I visited Sodogu, the site of one of the next primary schools to be built. There is a warm welcome and a procession of children walk us into the village. There are two hours of speeches and requests, mostly in Bari. The heat and the jet lag make this almost painful. The landlord points to the site of the next school. We address the crowd and ask for their help in procuring bricks, gravel and sand for the construction.
Then, on to Gaderu for the dedication of the new school. We are over two hours late due to an unscheduled stop at the Bethlehem Tailoring Center. The children have walked roughly four kilometers from the school to greet us. They escort us to the school site marching and singing a welcome song. We greet all the students and parents. The New Hope and New Sudan flags are raised. We say a prayer of thanksgiving for the new school and the donors that made the school possible. Howard cuts the ribbon and the entire community inspects their new school. We then go into the church for –– you guessed it –– two more hours of speeches, in Bari.
On Saturday we commence on a 90 Sudanese-minute drive to Liwolo, site of our next primary school. 150 American-minutes later we arrive. (Rumor has it that Stephen Tomor lost a two dollar bet to an un-named benefactor on the length of the journey.) We are warmly greeted by the students and PTA. After a compressed program of speeches (only 90 minutes) we are greeted by the headmaster, Rev. Charles Kenye, who was ordained by Bishop Paul. Charles is the future of the New Sudan. Well educated and charismatic, he will see that the children receive a sound education and walk in the ways of the Lord. The landlord donated the land to the church in perpetuity. The parents and PTA are overjoyed with our pledge to complete a school there in the next year.
On Sunday we go to church at an English speaking service at St. Luke’s church in Woodoo. Seated with the clergy, this is the first Sunday service we’ve attended without a bishop present. The service is largely conducted by the laity. There are hymns but without instrumental accompaniment. And then comes the collection. People process to the altar and drop their offerings in hoop type baskets like in England. When in the Sudan a story from the Gospels will play out in front of your very eyes when you least expect it. Archdeacon Stringfellow and I witnessed the gift of the Widow’s Mite acted out not once but one hundred times. Consecration Sunday will never be the same for me again.
Monday is the big day. We will officially open the college and the Romogi New Hope School. We begin at the courtyard of the college. The New Hope flag is raised simultaneously with the flag of the New Sudan. This is a moment of great emotion for people who have never raised their national flag before. We are standing with modern day Adams’, Otis’ and Hamilton’s. Bishop Poggo says a prayer and we cut the ribbons to seven buildings.
We walk to the Romogi New Hope School. There she lies in front of us, a gleaming jewel under the mango tree. The sun shines off of the dedication plaques. There is a rainbow in the sky between the office block and classroom block A. Rainbows always seem to be waiting for us at this school. Temporary tables and chairs have been built and the entire village awaits us. There is the mandatory program and speeches in Bari. Bishop Poggo thanks us. We say a prayer and cut the ribbon. There is a feast for the village and everyone eats their fill.
Adults with wide smiles and tears in their eyes thank us. They call us the good Samaritans. I realize that I am seeing dreams, from both sides of the world, being fulfilled. It is a day of great joy and thanksgiving because an unselfish Bishop and his people have decided to live the Gospel. Our dreams for the New Hope campaign are beginning to come true. I ask for God’s Blessings for all in both dioceses this year and I thank you for sharing the miracles of your generosity in my presence. This is the greatest blessing I could ask for. Amen.
[Charlie Barebo is diocesan missioner for development and chair of the New Hope Campaign.]
Click images to enlarge
Speed bumps
Stewardship
Charles Kenye
Charlie Barebo evangelizes for the Phillies
Flags
Grand Opening. Charlie Barebo and Bishop Anthony Poggo
Dedication. Archdeacon Howard Stringfellow
Liwolo
You Anthony and your friends have taken me back home. Tears come down my cheeks when I see you and your brothers in Jesus CHRIST doing all the wonders in my county Kajokeji in particular and the country at large. May our Almighty God bless all of you! May He give much in return to your brothers in Christ who stood and are still standing by us in this difficult time? We know you will do it Anthony-you will really do it just like your late Father Pogo. Thanks
Posted by: George Mogga Benjamin | May 30, 2010 at 01:11 PM