Written in August 2016 - published March 2017 -
I hesitate to share this information, as it is not easy to share what has been OUR REALITY since July 11th when we left Yei, believing we would plan to travel back in a few weeks, when insecurity improved. Little did we know that things in Yei would be worse today than at that time. Weeks have passed now, and food insecurity, violence, and desperation have increased, such that 1,000s of Yei citizens have evacuated to refugee camps in Uganda and nearly all ex-patriate missionaries have plans to evacuate soon – at least for the time being. Lord, have mercy.
I hesitate to share this information, as it is not easy to share what has been OUR REALITY since July 11th when we left Yei, believing we would plan to travel back in a few weeks, when insecurity improved. Little did we know that things in Yei would be worse today than at that time. Weeks have passed now, and food insecurity, violence, and desperation have increased, such that 1,000s of Yei citizens have evacuated to refugee camps in Uganda and nearly all ex-patriate missionaries have plans to evacuate soon – at least for the time being. Lord, have mercy.
Our days have revolved around efforts to reach out for NEWS
– from our South Sudanese staff and friends as well as the internet with
e-mails and news. Needless to say, the
news on the situation has been so mixed – with rumors, contradictory stories,
and stories of pain, suffering, starvation, and abuse. Over 60,000 South
Sudanese has sought refuge in Uganda over these weeks, including many of our
UMC staff, friends and children from the UMC Children’s Homes. This week the
remaining 13 children will be flown out as soon as travel documents can be
processed – hopefully this Thursday.
We were able to visit inside the Rhino Camp (an old refugee camp)
where more than 30 of the UMC children and staff are living. After a long
registration process in a transit camp, they were given tarps, blankets, food
rations, and mosquito nets and had to build temporary structures in which to
live. It took the Children’s Home director and other adults several weeks, but
now the compound is neat and organized in the midst of 1,000s of other
refugees. Many are from Yei – a town
with only about 10% of the previous population, according to a friend who
arrived in Arua today.
Property has been secured for the children to resettle from
Rhino Camp to Koboko, Uganda, where they will be safe and able to resume their
education. We continue to pray for a miracle of peace in Yei and the entire
country. Churches in Yei are calling for peace; youth are calling for peace. We
trust and pray. Join us in prayer!
So much remains uncertain in the country and for the
people. We are preparing to return to
the US soon to prepare for speaking with supporters in the next 3 months. In this world filled with uncertainty and
massive migration of people, we rest in the assurance that God loves and cares
for each person – no matter their tribe, their color, their country, their
means – and this is an amazing opportunity for the Church of Jesus to reach out
and love. We are feeling pain for all
those suffering – but we are also thankful for being able to encourage and
support those people within our little circle of the world! Blessings until next time!
