« We Get the Boot. . . Almost | News Index | Storytelling »
January 31, 2006
The Unmove
Hello all,
We have missed writing to you, but we've had some big surprises recently. You see, about two weeks ago we were told to move from our nice compound in seven days. Ultimately we were allowed to stay here until the new compound is built, but it's been a time of great upheaval.
_History of the Surprise_
The order to move was a very big surprise. The Kurmuk county commissioner had been talking about relocating all the NGO's but had never given any ultimatums before. Samaritan's Purse was offered a chance to pick some land, which we declined because moving our compound would be expensive, difficult, and would take much-needed energy away from our ministries.
When the ultimatum came, SP was even ordered to vacate the community center which is our main location for ministry. Where were we supposed to have a pastor's conference on February 17th? And what about the preschool? Not to mention the 130 students that are learning there.
But when told "seven days" with a pointed finger, what could our leadership do but comply?
_Preparing to Move - Sudanese Style_
The next week was a taxing one. We put our few belonging in trunks, taped old boxes together to make serviceable ones, and dumped truck parts and boxes of nails into a back room at the hospital.
Brian and two other guys had ripped out 3 separate solar battery systems in anticipation of the move (solar panels, batteries, controllers, lights).
Beverly and Jen boxed and moved a huge storeroom, kitchen, and our office. Brian organized, cleaned, and boxed a huge filing system and all the financial records on site. Omar somehow cleaned out the workshop in one day.
Then, with confused emotions we took a last look at our home.
_Don't Move_
Just as we were beginning to move boxes, into the gate walked an SPLA
Brigadier General, the acting commissioner, and some other officials. They showed us a text message on the satellite phone from the former governor ordering us to stop moving. We could stay here and be given adequate time to build a new compound. I thought I saw a little sheepish embarrassment on their faces.
To summarize, it was two weeks of mystifying jurisdictions, unclear land ownership, officials who change directions like the wind, and wasted effort on our part.
_Post-Move_
After sitting around dazed for a while we got up and started moving again. How did we cope with the chaos? We ate! We killed and devoured every chicken (5!) on the compound. We sent guys over the Ethiopian border for expensive cases of bottled Pepsi. We prayed like crazy. We realized who we are in Christ and that our battle is not in vain. We told each other that we should not quit just because a few officials were acting poorly.
God sent some encouragements. I showed the Ee-taow video to some guys in my Bible study and got their agreement to go full-scale with this chronological Bible storytelling program. And we took a two-day jaunt down to Yabus to walk the old SIM compound which we propose to make into Southern Blue Nile Academy, the only secondary school serving 1 million people. [more on that later!]
In my devotion yesterday, I felt the Lord telling me about "servants". So, I studied and looked at the subject in Matthew and Mark. The bottom line is that we are servants of Jesus Christ, and he has sent us here to work with the people of Sudan. We are trying to showing them that the gospel applies to every part of their lives as we try to meet their physical needs also.
Thank you for your prayers. We are fine and are moving ahead. All our training has prepared us to deal with and expect disappointments when they come. Still, there comes a moment when Beverly and I have said, "OK Lord, we trust you. We are your servants. Please send your strength because we need it now."
_Normalacy_
As I write things are returning to Normal. I have Bible study tonight. Bev will return from morning rounds, and we will have lunch - a soup of Sudanese peas with a bit of meat. I'll go looking for a pastor friend to try and set up a meeting. Every day is filled with a bit of high drama, but for us that is Normal.
We love you all and miss you terribly,
Chris and Beverly Crowder
Published at January 31, 2006 09:44 AM
