Sudan, Africa’s largest country, has been in crisis for the last fifty years. It’s a land of two identities—Arabic and Islamic to the north but African and Christian/Animist to the south. The death toll is uncertain over this past half-century, but some have estimated it’s greater than World War II. Much of the conflict can be summarized as oppression of the rich north on the poorer (but resource-rich) south. That is until January of this year.
A landmark vote for secession took place, and the southern Sudanese voted 98% in favor of independence. The past six months haven’t been enough time to establish a stable and unified new government, but at last, the day of independence came. Today.
Read the AP story.
Both Ambassador Gration and Luol Deng were in attendance in the capital city for the celebration today. My dinner host on Tuesday night and his celebrity guest spoke extensively about the challenges South Sudan will face. Infrastructure. Government buildings. Education. Anti-corruption tactics. And most significant, high expectations from a hopeful and impatient populace. I know very little about Sudan, but I was fascinated by their real and honest conversation about the future for South Sudan.
Luol Deng and his former-diplomat father hope to contribute to the rebuilding process of their homeland. That is why they are here. American hero Scott Gration and his wife Judy (testimony to the adage “Behind every great man is a great woman”) hope to help the process of peace and growth in South Sudan from their strategic positions in Kenya. That is why they are here. I’m here to teach and care for kids of people who help grow God’s kingdom all over Africa, especially in places like South Sudan.
And last Tuesday night, it was a treat of my lifetime to be all together with these exceptional people at this extraordinary time in history.
(Gration, right, and Deng, left, discussing basketball and Sudan on Tuesday evening)
1 comments:
I've checked in on your blog several times and read your book "All That You Can't Leave Behind." My family and I currently live in California, but will be moving to Kenya (outside of Nairobi) in August to work with First Love International. My husband will be helping with building and I'll be homeschooling our kids and doing some tutoring as well. We know that this is where God wants us and we're thrilled that His plan is finally coming to fruition. If you have a few minutes, to email, we'd love to get some answers to a few questions ~ mostly pertaining to what we should bring with us, what we can't get there, etc. Thanks!
Michelle Johnson
dmalo@sbcglobal.net
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