This past friday, May 16th, I had an chorus of gun fire on my run as the day was declared a national holiday for Southern Sudan and everyone gathered to celebrate the SLPA final victory over pushing the Arabs out of Southern Sudan. John Garang was the general of the SPLA who was celebrated this day, although, he died in a suspected sabotage airplane crash a couple years back. Never the less, in Ikotos, people gathered in Freedom Square (the bus park in Ikotos and also where all relief donations are distributed) for speeches (which could not be heard as the megaphone did not have batteries), singing, marches, and some tribal dancing. Schools everywhere and everything in the market was closed for the day!
In the arena of school and teaching, God answered prayer by having school start up again on the day it was designated on May 5th. Therefore, exams were successfully administered and finished that week; although not all the students were present to take them. So what happens to those students? Well they just get a failing mark for the term, which is alot of students! It is hard being a teacher and having to fail so many students. But apparently, the only term grades that matter are the 3rd Term (which is September-November). Those exams encompass the whole year so it is generally a good idea to attend school throughout the year, but if one fails the first two terms one can still go on to the next grade if one passes the 3rd Term!
Upon reflecting at our time at the secondary school here in Ikotos, Meghan and I have been discussing with the AIC Church pastors and the headmaster what is especially needed at the school. The school does have many teachers, but most of them are poorly trained (only having finished secondary school themselves) and also lack clear vision and purpose for the school and as well as for the students. Sadly enough, many of them are more concerned with collecting money from the school than teaching the students, and believe me the school has no money in it - especially as it is a church school! Consequently, one solution Meghan came up with was to have AIM send a short term group of school administrators and educators to hold a workshop for the teachers, having them reflect on what is the purpose and goal of the school. If you are interested in reading more about this idea for AIC Luther Secondary School, or feel that you have the qualifications and interest in participating in such a workshop, please visit Meghan's blogsite at
www.sendmeghantoafrica.blogspot.com. She has written up her ideas more specifically and outlined what the school needs. We also have been working on sending letters to respective seminaries in Kenya and Uganda requesting strong Christian graduates who are interesting in teaching in Sudan. Because we both believe what the school truely needs are teachers with a growing Christian testimony who are at the school to serve. Such African missionaries would also be a huge ministry to Job, the Kenyan Christian headmaster, who is left at the school now with little support and backing against the onslaught of the teachers at times. As a going away present, Meghan and I wrote some encouraging Psalms and Proverbs on some index cards for him to read everyday as he may feel alone or beaten without the support that especially Meghan has been to him over the past year.
Upcoming this week are my last few days in Ikotos! On Thursday the 22nd I will be flying to Kampala and then the following week back to the US. I can hardly believe the time is up, but I also feel that I have been here forever! Meghan will also be flying out to Kenya that same day. This week will be tough as we close out our ministries here in Sudan for the time being and say good-bye to the relationships we have made. This past friday we hosted a church fellowship at our compound and made popcorn to say good-bye. The popcorn was a big hit! We also have been participating in the church youth choir (It takes alot of coordination to clap, copy their dance moves, and act like you know what your singing all at once!) which we did for the last time this Sunday. But one thing we both are looking forward to are some good meals as we haven't had anything fresh in weeks and our food supply is running pretty low!
Prayer Requests1. Pray for Meghan and I as we say good-bye this week to all our friends and relationships. It is hard to not feel like you are abandoning your new-found friends and ministries.
2. Pray for the headmaster Job, that he will find some Christian support and fellowship, and God would sustain him at the school.
3. Please pray for the school that godly leadership and direction will be provided so that these students can get the best education possible.
4. Pray for the Church in Sudan to remain strong and growing, and that good educated pastors and leaders will also come to the Church as the teaching is often very limited. Yet praise God that the people are passionate about Him and they also send their greetings to the Church in the US.
5. Pray that Meghan catches a flight out of Ikotos on the same day as me (not the day before) so that I am not left alone with very little supplies (as everything will be packed up and locked up before she goes) for a night.
