We had breakfast cake this morning - sort of like pound cake - dense and heavy, slightly sweet - perfect with a cup of tea and spoonful of peanut butter.
And my love/hate relationship with this country continues. When Justin picked me up shortly after 9:00 this morning, he had just gotten off the phone with Minister of Agriculture, Philip Job, who had suddenly been called to Rumbek East. He sent his regrets, but said that three representatives from his office would be coming in his place - a disappointment, but ok.
We had already learned that the Minister of Education had been taken ill and was sending his assistant. And, by the way, the assistant needed a ride, so Justin drove away to collect this guest, returning at 10:30 with the Director General of the Ministry of Education and a young woman who worked for the radio station. TV wasn't going to happen - sorry.
The festivities were scheduled to begin at 10:00 so 30 minutes late wasn't bad. Then the Ministry of Agriculture contingent called to say they would also need a ride. This round trip journey was going to take at least an hour. My American patience was being sorely tried, but there was nothing to do but sit back and wait - and actually the time passed reasonably quickly. We found plenty to talk about, and it turned into a pleasant interlude.
Around 11:30, Justin returned with three dignitaries from the Ministry of Agriculture. These four VIPs from ED and AG, along with the head teacher, two agriculture teachers, radio host and yours truly, set out to tour the grounds. The younger of the four visitors was intent on impressing everyone with how much he knew and our small project was well received and complimented.
Now it was time to address the students, assembled in the bright sun. The head teacher encouraged brevity due to the heat of the day, but persons in positions of importance love to hear themselves talk. For thirty minutes the students endured sun, heat and speeches.
All that to say this was a successful morning. The students were praised for their efforts and encouraged to continue. The Ministry of Agriculture sent a vehicle to collect those employees, and Justin was able to fit the rest of us in his car. So - as a former pastor of mine is fond of saying, "We declared success and moved on!"
The third student interview was with 18-year-old Barnabas Ater, in his second year at Abukloi. Barnabas is, in essence, an orphan. His father died of cancer six years ago. His mother remarried and moved to Aweil. He never hears from her. There's an older sister 30 miles away, which might as well be 200. He lives with two friends his age in a small tukel provided by the older brother of one of these friends.
With no encouragement from anyone - just his own motivation to succeed - Barnabas is a top student in his class. After completing secondary school, he would like to attend university and study engineering.
And I finally have an egg! After leaving Barnabas in his community of Akuac, Justin drove to a series of tukels where chickens were in abundance. One egg had been found so far today, and I bought it for 5 South Sudanese pounds. There'll be a boiled egg for breakfast tomorrow - Yippee!
Blessings!
Ellen
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