Well since R&R in June, I've been back in Sudan working from Aweil mostly. Shortly after I got back we prepared to drive from Yei up to Aweil. It took us about four days to get there, but well worth the drive. Our projects are moving up to the Wau and Aweil area next year. I along with some other researches went in to do the assessing in preparation for us to move projects into these areas. Once i reached Wau, I was sincerely impressed. Wau is the second largest city in South Sudan, second to Juba. Wau was controlled by the North during the war so most of the buildings there were not destroyed. The second largest Catholic Cathedral in all of A
frica is in Wau, South Sudan. Of which I do not have a photo of yet. My apologies. Wau is one of two cities in South Sudan that actually have paved roads so that was nice. From Wau, I headed up to Aweil where my work would be for the next couple of months.Aweil is a victim of flood planes. Many of the areas flood completely during the rainy season. However Aweil is a very flat section of South Sudan which makes for great drives, especially around sunset, or when a storm is rolling in. The people in Aweil are Dinka, and quite delightful. They are a peaceful sub-clan and couldn't be more excited for us to be there. Pretty much everyone out and about in the markets are more than helpful. The people have been great to work with for assessments and research.
One downside to living and working in the Aweil area is the food shortage. The crops from last year were not so productive because of flooding. Many of the people are suffering from starvation. On a clear day when it's not raining, you find ladies out in fields collec
ting grass seeds to pound into flour. These seeds have no nutritional value at all, but its something to fill the people's stomachs. So food shortage and flooding are the main problems facing these areas. Some of the stories I've heard about during the war here are the worst I've heard any where else in the country. I've met many women who were slaves up until just a few years ago. I've heard stories of torture that will never be forgotten. People who were blinded by having needles inserted into their eyes, people beaten so badly they are crippled now, and many accounts and scars from gunshots and stabbings. The people in Aweil have suffered greatly. Some people have had to witness their families being burned alive. The militias were very strong in the Aweil area and people were dominated by these groups. It's sad to hear these stories and know how much people have gone through, while also trying to understand how one person could do these types of things to another.
There are many organizations here trying to help with some of the issues and problems that the people suffer from. So hopefully we can come in as well and be a small encouragement in an area full of hardships. The people in this area deserve encouragement from any angle that they can get it. I'm sure I've never met people as strong as the ones that I'm living among now. May God bless them for their faithfulness and diligence to overcome.
I've been covering Church dedications in Kajo Keji the last few days of my time in the field before I go out for break. Once I come back in to the field I'll probably be head
ing back up to Aweil to continue researching. Ten weeks from them I'll be coming home for a visit. I can not wait to get back and see everyone and spend Christmas in the States with all of my friends and family. I hope this message finds you all doing well and on top of life. God bless.Jeremy
