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August 01, 2005
Dr John's Passing
Dear Friends,
As North America wakes up and hears the news, we wanted you to hear it from here as well. The political figurehead and hero of the southern Sudanese, John Garang, has died in a helicopter crash. He was traveling from a meeting in Uganda. So far it looks like an accident, and everyone here in Kurmuk is calm but very, very sad.
The Sudanese tend to be very stoic people, but they are very, very sad to hear this news, and emotions are running a little bit high. One nurse in the hospital was transparent enough with Bev to share how sad he is. My friend Daniel came to meet with me today but did not answer when I asked how he felt.
There has been no violence, no outbreaks, and no fighting that we've heard of. Kurmuk lies under a heavy quietness. Just in case we all packed a travel bag and loaded water and food into a vehicle. We are alert even though life continues to go on as normal here. Kurmuk is politically right on the line between the Khartoum government and the SPLA (southern Sudanese), of which Garang was the leader. The army had a quiet meeting right across the street from us, and the governor urged everyone that we don't know a lot right now and that it is a national day of mourning.
All our staff was given the day off to go home, and we are just doing office things today.
It is a bad day for the peace process in South Sudan. Dr John Garang had just been sworn in as a full vice-president of Sudan, and the peace process is working itself out. Millions of displaced Sudanese all over the world as well as all of east Africa are praying and hoping for lasting peace. This should be our prayer as well.
Please pray that the coolest heads in both governments prevail. Pray that Garang's successor would lead a unified southern Sudan forward toward peace. And pray that no one decides to assume it was not an accident. That would be the worst case.
In the meantime, we are safe and well and trying to encourage our Sudanese friends.
With love in Christ,
Chris and Beverly
Published at August 1, 2005 07:39 AM
