What a night! Something upset the dogs at 1:00 a.m. Something upset the cows at 2:00. The dogs were barking again at 3:00. Plus it was hot - it didn't cool down until around 5:00. Very long night...
But an extremely blessed morning! At 9:30 the Sisters of Charity Land Cruiser left Rumbek Central with Sister Maria Larissa, Sister Rose, Sister Barbara, a driver, interpreter, and me. Thirty minutes later after a very bumpy ride, we drove into the Leper colony compound. The first few minutes were spent with the children, who sang and charmed us as children do.
The adults had assembled in another area and were also singing. "Shibak" is the generic Dinka greeting and the only Dinka word I know, but it drew smiles from men, women, and children. I have attached photos of hands disfigured by Leprosy. This was my third visit to this Leper colony, and any problems I might think I have quickly disappear as I observe the challenges these people deal with every day. It's easy to understand why people with Leprosy in Bible times were forced to live apart and cry out, "Unclean! Unclean!'' The physical toll this disease takes on bodies is a terrible thing to see.
Sister Barbara led the adults through a series of exercises designed to combat at trauma, which they enjoyed to the limit. So much laughter - it was fun to observe and participate. We closed by laying hands on each head and anointing the hands with oil. It was a very spiritual, very moving time, and the sisters accepted me as one of their own, allowing me to minister with them.
A friend in Virginia Beach provided $500 for supplies, and each individual or family left with a sack of posho - something like corn meal. Thank you, Jean, for your generosity! You can't imagine what a difference it will make!
I experienced my first Rosary on the road to the Leper colony. There has been recent violence on this road, and Justin flatly refused to go. However, the Sisters go every day and have never had any problem, so I decided to cast my lot with them. They prayed the entire way:
"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus."
Over and over and over again - calming, soothing. I know nothing about Catholicism, but it didn't take long to commit the words to memory.
After lunch Justin drove Sister Barbara and me to the Loreto school to tour new buildings and talk with available staff. Loreto, sponsored by Irish Catholics, is the gold standard secondary school in South Sudan. We hope to emulate facility and academic success in coming years.
Blessings!
Ellen
Children at the Leper colony
This man is blind
Hands disfigured
Disfigured hand
Dancing
With one of the children
Posho
Handing out bags of posho
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