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A letter from Nancy McGaughey in South Sudan

november 2014 - overcoming

“All the world is filled with suffering.  It is also filled with overcoming.”  Helen Keller

A hen in the delivery room

“Bible, Three, Nancy,” the only three words I understood during an announcement at church recently.  I wondered what it was about, then just forgot about it until greeting people after church.  The Murle have a custom of filing out of church, going down the line, and greeting each person.  During that time at least three women repeated those words (among others I didn’t understand) as they greeted me.  Taking the third one by her hand, I went in search of an English speaker.  “You are the ‘preacher’ for the Women’s Group this week.  It is Tuesday at 3 p.m.,” he told me.  Typical South Sudanese fashion, no checking to see if you are available, just making the announcement.  “Ok, I will do it, but they must get a translator,” I told them.

Wau Shilluk Antenatal Clinic staff

3 p.m. on Tuesday found me (and only me) at the church.  I set up my flannel graph "sermon" and  waited as slowly the women trickled in by one or two.  Finally we started with prayer and songs.  Then came testimonials, but I still didn’t see a translator.  More testimonials, another song.  Then Tabitha looked out the door, and as another woman got up to give her testimony, she said, “No, we are done with that.  It is her turn.”  The translator had arrived.

Good Samaritan felt story

I gave my "lesson" on the Good Samaritan.  I chose that scripture because earlier when I was in the field and talking with the driver. he said he was tired of all the fighting in his country (a common sentiment) and he wanted peace.  I said before lasting peace there had to be forgiveness and reconciliation.  He asked, “How many times must we forgive?  We are tired of forgiving.  My grandmother used to tell me, ‘You can remove one piece of grass from the thatch of a tukhel and it will not leak.’ ”  I must have looked confused, as he then said, “We can lose one tribe and still be the country of South Sudan.”  The hurt and the pain go deep—on all sides.  Only God can unite this nation.  We must keep praying for these brothers and sisters.

Patients waiting to be seen in Lul

The best way to get around during the rainy season is to travel one of the many waterways in South Sudan.  The Nile is certainly one of the prettiest (at least when it isn’t raining).  The noise of the motor prevents conversation.  It is just you, God and His creation.  Beautiful birds, fish, water snakes, crocodiles and hippos.  Mostly I see birds and fish.  Of course if it is raining, it isn’t nearly as pleasant.

Crossing the Nile

At one of the clinics I recently visited in Upper Nile State, the staff said people who came to the clinic for treatment had requested the "kawajas" (white foreigners) to come and meet with them so they could thank them for bringing health care to their village.  It seems those who have so little are the most grateful.  This is one of the clinics that are being funded by the OFDA (Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance, a branch of USAID).  It occurred to me that as it is funded by U.S. government, you are the very people they want to thank!  So thank you from them.

At another clinic I was sitting in the delivery room/inpatient room/outpatient clinic for prenatal care talking with the staff about their challenges and what they needed in order to provide good care for their patients.  Out of the metal cupboard in the corner of the room comes a hen, which proceeds to wander around the room.  I think I was the only person there who found this strange.  I do admire these women as they overcome so many obstacles in their lives and work to make pregnancy/delivery safer for women in Sudan.         

Please hold in prayer:

  • All those displaced who do not feel safe returning to their homes
  • Those who need to forgive and those who need forgiveness (all of us)
  • The leaders of this nation, that they might come to an agreement, seek peace and what is best for the people and the nation

I am privileged to be one of your representatives here in South Sudan.  Without your prayers and financial support, I would not be able to be here.  Mere words cannot convey how blessed I feel or my gratitude for your support. May you be blessed.

Nanc

The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 129
Read more about Nancy McGaughey's ministry

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