We arrived in Juba this morning and have had a full day. I won’t bore you with the details of the trip that started on Monday morning at Dulles Airport near DC but we did spend more than 15 hours in the air, took 4 flights in 3 days and in one of the 4 airports I went through security FOUR times. In terms of security we were most concerned with Juba but our time there was uneventful. Of course, the Juba airport was a zoo but that is to be expected.
We are staying at Pan Door, the Catholic Compound in Rumbek. It is a busy yet serene place with the sounds of doves, cows, and chickens. The food is monotonous but nutritious, just a little short on vegetables and fruit and plentiful in starch. There is a conference here so most of the rooms are occupied and the dining area is more full than usual. The student leaders walked from school to the airport to meet us but they were a bit late so then walked to Pan Door to meet us there (and then back to school). There is a decorum about them that exemplifies their respect and gratitude. It is beautiful and humbling.
We visited the school immediately and found it to be in excellent order. Teachers and students present and learning. I spoke to each of the 6 classes to explain our goals. We also toured Director Justin’s new office and the room that will be sued for the internet café. It was full of medical supplies as the building has been used by the Health Department. But they assured us the room will be emptied tomorrow.
We spent quite a while at the market. I got a sim card and minutes for my phone. We greeted students and others in the community who were also at the market. I am always amazed how many people remember me - I haven’t been here for a year. We also toured Justin’s home. He now has within his fence a bedroom, sitting room, and kitchen. There is a latrine under way and a space for bathing (think sponge bath) is in the corner of his fenced area. His big addition is electricity and a satellite dish. The last night I was here he had a refugee family living in his sitting area. Now his cousins are living there. He said that when conflict breaks out, he invites the people around him to come inside the fence where they will be more secure. Justin is incredibly compassionate and committed to the well-being of his nation. We are so blessed to have him as our director.
We spent about an hour in the town square. It is a large area with a full-size soccer (football) field where a game was being played. There is a half-size concrete basketball court. Nearly everyone is over 6 feet tall and some over 7 so it is quite amazing to watch them play. In another area there was a live band and people dancing. Spectators were watching the soccer game and just hanging out. Because this space is across the street from the market, people tend to go there where the market closes around 5 or 6 pm. It is encouraging to see people who live in such poverty, have a place to go and be with friends and enjoy their time together.
Dinner at Pan Door was rice, beans, beef, greens, spaghetti around 7:30. We showered and were in bed by 9 – still recovering from jet lag.
-Marg
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