Sudan Blog

We can learn a great deal

2005-11-14T09:34:00.000-05:00

From Havrisko -
The Spirit moves so freely and so largely among the Christians in Sudan. Ken White preached the other day about "living with your hands open" - to share and pass along blessings - vs. "living with your hands closed" - to maintain the status quo. It is obvious that the Sudanese Christians live with both their hearts and hands open.
We in the church in the U.S. can learn a great deal from this, and it may be one of the great lessons of our partnership.
There is an abundance here in the mist of extreme poverty - it is heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. That seems to be the paradox that is Sudan; but then the Christian faith is full of paradox, isn't it? Jesus as fully human and fully divine; all of us sinners, but welcomed and forgiven....
I can't help but put in one of the delighful moments for us ladies: the other evening we were invited to a lovely dinner at Yousef and Aida's home. In the back room we ladies gathered to have our hands painted in the traditional henna dye. It is most striking and provided a source of laughter, giggles, and fellowship. Again, in the midst of a country where there is so much pain, the opportunities to rejoice are all the more precious.
Blessings,
Donna H

On our way home!

2005-11-11T10:54:00.000-05:00

We leave our hotel at 5pm (9am Pittsburgh time) for the trip home. Look forward to seeing you real soon.

Vic

November 10, 2005 Warm greetings from Khartoum

2005-11-11T10:50:00.000-05:00

November 10, 2005

Warm greetings from Khartoum

Not being able to sleep, I arose early, showered, and went to breakfast. In the dining room I met up with fellow teamate Donna. We had breakfast and shared stories together. It was a good start to what would be a busy day.

Following breakfast, I spent time catching up on my notes and reading my devotional provided by Rev. Janet. While sitting in the lobby one of our other teamates Sylvia reported the passing of John Jennings, a commisioned Lay Pastor who had Polio. We were informed he died in his sleep. I knew him from his supporting the IPPC retreats of which I was a committee member. I was also present at a Presbytery meeting when he received his commisioning. The Presbytery has lost a vital person. My sympathy and prayers go out to his family.

We were picked up at 10:00am (American Time.) We were taken to the Sudan National Mueseum for a tour. It was very interesting to see artifacts dating back 60,000 years. We also took photos of a 6,000 year old Mummy. There was also an Egyptian part of the mueseum that we went through and saw a statue of a king who is described in Isaiah(sp). Unfortunately, the Christian part of the museum was "closed for maintenance." In that part of the mueseum, there are artifacts that refer to Christianity from about 550 ad until about the 13th century. It was too bad we could not tour that part of the museum.

After the museum tour, we were taken to the home of the "Khalifa" a man who lived in the last part of the 1800's who was a hero to Sudan when the British were trying to take control. He fought in a great battle in the city of Ondrunum(sp). he was eventually captured and executed. There is a picture of him lying dead in the middle of the street having been shot in the chest. In his home we were taken to the place where he ate, slept, went to bathe, and went to toilet. In addition there were other things to see like some of the firearms used in that time as well as a 1902 horseless carriage. Following this tour, we were taken to our hotel for lunch.

Later we walked over to SPEC headquarters for our meeting. The meeting was to establish what the expectations are of both the SPEC(Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church) and the Presbytery of Redstone. It was a very detailed meeting but at the end both parties were in agreement on how the partnership will proceed. This information will be shortly shared with Redstone.

After the meeting, we were taken to the shores of the Nile River for a ninety minute cruise. There is a saying here that if you touch the waters of the Nile, you have to come back. Well I guess I will be comming back. It was a sunset cruise, the sun descending behind us as we made our way. We noted fisherman on the banks and on the water who waved friendly greetings to us. As I watched the sunset with the wind blowing through my hair, thoughts of home came forth in my mind and although I feel like we are not yet done here, we have a lot of work to do back home in getting churchs to support the partnership. I look forward to being with my family again, and also hope to take on a vital role in getting the message out that we need to support the church in Sudan.

After the cruise we went to the Hotel to change. A van picked us up as we went to dinner at the Egyption Coptic Club. Along the Way, we saw a Muslim Wedding party being photographed, the bride being very beautiful in her ornate wedding dress. The club was like an oasis in the middle of the desert. There was a real lawn. The food was exellent having Lamb ribs, Chicken, and Fish. There was a tomato plate with a rich cheese flaked over them, and homeade chips with a tangy mustard dip. The water was iced cold thank God, and soft drinks were served after. After dinner we made the presentation of our Presbytery Banner which was eagerly and gratefully accepted. We received a gift of a wooden carved clock with the background an outline of Sudan. I suggested that the clock be always kept at Sudan Time and some of the team members agreed.

After dinner and our goodbyes, were taken back to the hotel and had our final team meeting. Tomorrow, some of the team will be meeting with a womans group to explore their needs and how Presbytery can help them. The men are going to meet with a man who converted from Islam to Christianity and wanted to share his testimony with us. After that, we will have lunch and worship with the Khartoum congregation. We have to check out of the Hotel by 5pm and get to the airport for the trip home.

Please pray for the team as we get through this last day and also for traveling mercies as we make our way home.

I look forward to seeing you all soon, especially in church on Sunday. I have invited Donna to visit with us since she will not be going to her church on Sunday and she lives close to ours.

Blessings,

Vic

News from Khartoum

2005-11-09T01:49:00.000-05:00

The four women (two pastors and two elders) who remain in Khartoum visited two different IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps on Monday Nov. 7 .

At the first, an hour or more northwest of Khartoum, we visited a clinic that provides services for maternal and child care, that keeps a log of children's height and weight, TB services, a lab for testing, and a pharmacy to dispense medications. Children are weighed and measured to make sure that they are healthy. Up to two weeks ago, there was food available for malnourished children, but the funding for that has dried up.

The people who staff this clinic have made enormous headway in infection control, and in health education for the people who live here. We were impressed with the work that is being done here on waaay less than a shoestring. In fact, there has been no money for staff salaries for some time, but these dedicated people continue to serve the needs of the people.

At the second IDP camp, more than an hour south of Khartoum, we visited a church, where all of the congregation had gathered to welcome us. (This was not their regular service time!) These people are all originally from the south -- some are living in very temporary shelters, and others have built mud brick homes. The pastor of the church (a recent graduate of NTC) took the liberty of presenting us with a "wish list." I feel certain that more such lists will be forthcoming.

Everywhere we have gone, we have been welcomed with open arms -- and have been told "This church is your church!" We have taken many, many photos -- and look forward to sharing them with you when we return. We are being changed in ways that we can't even describe. Please continue to pray for us and for all these people. Pray also for the Nuba Mountains group's safe return.

Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 3:41 AM

2005-11-08T11:04:00.000-05:00

Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 3:41 AM Subject: Nuba Mountains
Hello,

All of a sudden we ARE going to the mountains! Thats the Sudanese dance for ya. Please let everyone on the Sudan Mission Team list know as this is the only e-mail going out. Make sure Doug Stevens gets this.

We will be back by Wednesday evening.

Love,

Vic

Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 12:28 AM

2005-11-08T11:03:00.000-05:00

Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 12:28 AM
Subject: Notes.
Hello,

We went to a church. We werer split up into two groups. The church I went to there were 629(Donna)people present. I have video of the three choirs. Men, Women, Sunday School. Again, we were treated like kings. After services, we went to a place that was walled on 4 sides, and had a big tree in it. It was dark. The Market was busy on the other side of the wall. We were introduced to a number of church elders and students from the nile theological college. It was a good time of fellowship.

After a time, we were invitedto the SPEC moderators home where we met his family, wife and 8 kids.

Today,we are going to a clinic, and maybe to another refugee camp.

I will talk to you later, time to go. One more thing. We are not going to the mountains.

Vic

What a day!

2005-11-08T11:00:00.000-05:00

Sent: Friday, November 04, 2005 6:47 AM

Hello everyone,Today after breakfast we met with our sponsors. They took us to the clinic for a tour and we met(the medical team) a Nurse midwife named Hoda, another Nurse, A general practitioner MD(a woman and an obstetrical Physician. We learned very much about medical issues that I am saving for the meetings we will have soon, but I will tell one startling fact. Most women here in Sudan are the parent of at least 10 to 20 children. This is mainly due to lack of birth control, but also to the fact the father usually wants lots of son's. The local Hospital ususually delivers 50 to 60 babies daily.After the conversations, Hoda invited us to do some work in the clinic and we did so by doing some general medical assessments. Then after a time I went to the Church headquarters and gave an extensive seminar on HIV/AIDS to a group of Pastor's wives. The women were very receptive to my teaching even in intimacy issues which surprised me completely. They asked great questions,(Ida Translated,) which told me they were getting it. We talked about a few other medical issues also. It was a great start to the trip. Ida and Betsy the Missionary with told me I did a great job and that even they learned a lot.Now it is just after lunch, 2:30pm my time, 6:30am your time. Later at 5 in the evening we go to the church headquarters (SPEC) to meet with students and pastors/educators for a time of worship, fellowship, and dinner. We are trying to be able to give the HIV AIDS seminar to the Pastors but in Sudan the men are less receptive to these issues than the women. A fact that does not surprise me at all. Tomorrow We go into the Nuba Mountains where we are going to the towns of El Alabid, and Quigly. It is a five day trip but I will try to write tomorrow before I go. I miss you all, look forward to seeing you soon.God's Peace,Vic

This evening

2005-11-08T10:59:00.000-05:00

This afternoon at 5pm we were picked up by our sponsors and taken once again to SPEC headquarters. There was a womens conference going on. There was Joyous singing as only Africans can do. Aida took me aside and told me this was the perfect opportunity to teach about health related issues. I really felt put on the spot because there were over a hundred men and women there, but with encouragement from the other nurses, I agreed. So for the next two hours we talked about health practices. From Hand washing to breastfeeding(thank God I paid attention in school.) I gave the same lecture on HIV/AIDS. The entire group was mesmerized and were very good at asking questions. They even debated me over why a person who has a fever should not be bathed.(they have a lot of old wive's tales here) One of the team members came to me and said she was very moved by the interaction I was having with the woman, how unafraid they were to ask me a man in their culture such questions. She said she did not understand the interaction sometimes but could see understanding in the face of these women. The men were very attentive too. Afterward there was a time of worship and song. I have more to tell as we went to a "Presbytery Meeting in which there were 5 seperate tribal congregations there, but I must get off the PC now due to time limitations. I will finish the story tomorrow.

Vic

From Vic Van Allen, November 5

2005-11-07T20:02:00.000-05:00

Today, we went to a youth meeting. there were over two hundred youth there. When I say youth, I mean ages 18 to 25. Even as Christians they follow the custom of seperating the men and women. While there, we talked with the pastor, Moses. He was telling us about how Christianity has been working here in Sudan. I am not gonna tell you now, as I have it on tape. The most important they are afrid of now is whether or not the peace agreement will hold together..Everyone is literally scared out of their pants. We need prayers from the congregation that these Sudanese minds be set at ease so that they can go about their business with no worry. Rev. Ken, Norma Small, & Rev. Jim gave a sermon on Stewardship. Not just of financial needs, but stewardship of the whole body. He talked about having an open hand, not a tight clinched fist. An open hand receives the gifts of God and then turns around and shares it with God as we are to do. A closed fisted hand is not receptive to God and therefore does not share. Crude, but very well done. Guess what!? I also have that on tape and can't wait for you to see it. Afterwards, we crossed the Nile again. We were told that where we were is where the confluence of the blue Nile and the White Nile Meet to form the Mighty Nile River. Just like the Burgh. There are crocadiles in the nile, and they build slanted walls with stones on them to keep them from getting into the streets. There are also hippos in the nile, and every once in a while one will tip a boat. We take a river cruise on the nile this comming thursday. I have also seen a few gazelle walking nervously along the nile on a tiny island.There is a saying here that if you dip your hand into the waters of the nile, you have to come back.This would be good stuff for the kids tomorrow. We went to the "MALL" seriously. More of the affluent Sudanese people were there, just like us. It was crowded. The difference is you have to walk through security that has a gaurd with an AK-47. There were a lot of young kids there about Zach's age. The girls were all dressed in their long flowing dresses(Sarongs?) but they were a little more sexy than older women. The boys were flirting under the watchful eye of their parents. It is also true that Sudanese women have large amounts of children. We wittnessed this today as woman after woman came through security surrounded by kids who were looking after each other. I counted one woman with 15 kids around her! I just think...how do they feed them? After shopping, we met with the SPEC Leadership again. This was a private welcome but we wopuld not let them get away without setting a time to meet to discuss issues relating to the partnership. That will take place on thursday. After the meeting we came to the hotel for early evening dinner, and a time to meet and discuss what happened today.

The evening meetings are a great way to off load all the emotions and excess baggage we took on during the day. It helps us to vent, and talk about how we as a team can be better than the day before.

One thing I want to share with you that we learned today, is that almost all marriages are still arranged. It usually happens like this. The parents of the groom arrange the wedding and pay the "Dowry" gift to the brides father. A man who has many daughters can get rich. The price of the gift is always set by the tribal leaders so that no one woman is set above another. The groom when the parents arent around, gets to pick the bride, but also has to pay the Gift. The problem always is that the groom cannot usually afford to pay for a bride himself until he is around thirty. He just doesent have the Money. When Pastor Moses Picked his bride, It cost him two cows and a pig. Today the going rate is 16 cows, and two pigs. That adds up to about 5,oooK. Most gifts are paid in Cash, but in the country, animals are the prefered way. So the groom is almost always at least ten years older than the bride. Moses told us he was 27 when he picked and payed for his 14 year old bride. Moses has ten kids, 6 boys/4 girls. There are many more kids planned says moses.

Tomorrow, Sunday, Ken, Jim Jack & I are going to the mens prison. Ken and Jim are Going to preach. They have asked for prayer tonight that they may be enboldend and have wisdom from the holy spirit to preach a message suitable to God...a message of HOPE. Sylvia, Donna, and the others are going to the refugee camp to preach there. they also need our prayers for wisdom in preaching. I kid you not, this is serious stuff.

For Lunch, I have been personally invited to the SPEC Moderators home. God dont let me screw this up. In the evening then we will be sharing worship with other congregations.

I hope you get this e-mail...how about sending some our way. The others would like to hear from their families. Some of us are getting through, others are not. Perhaps you can get Rev. DFoug to put something together quickly before we leave for the mountains.

From Sylvia Carlson to Stanley Bhasker

2005-11-07T15:10:00.000-05:00

Hi Stanley! We have been busy! On Friday half of the team went to theSPEC clinic -- and the other half went to the clinic and then to the GreiffBible school -- and to a streetboys hostel -- and then we got back togetherat SPEC headquarters to meet with the pastors' spouses. We have been onthe go ever since -- returning to the hotel for meals, except for Fridayevening, when we feasted with a large congregation, after a wonderfulservice. I preached in a congregation this evening == and Donna preached out at aresettlement camp this morning -- both were wonderful experiences. We werevery warmly welcomed! It is not clear if the Nuba Mt trip will take place -- since thebureaucracy was shut down for the three days of EID. WE will find outtonight, perhaps, what the status of that is. Ah, well. Peace to you! Sylvia

From Sylvia Carlson

2005-11-07T11:45:00.000-05:00

Warm greetings from Khartoum. We arrived safely around 6pm, have met withmembers of SPEC and have started the process. We are very tired and aregoing to sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow. look for the journal reportsometime tomorrow. Dear Everybody -- I am writing from Khartoum, Sudan -- we arrived here verysafely and were welcomed by a group from SPEC -- we appreciate yourcontinued prayers for a successful stay here as we meet a variety of peopleand discover ways in which we might partner with the Sudan PresbyterianEvangelical Church in the most meaningful manner. I am a sponge, soakingit all up! Grace and Peace, Sylvia Carlson

Victor Van Allen's Journal - November 2nd

2005-11-07T11:44:00.000-05:00

Nov. 2nd., 2005

Once again being on board an aircraft heading for Dubai.

Having arrived in New York uneventful, we had to take the air train to the international terminal. The terminal had a vague familiarity about it as we realized this is where the movie was made. We supped together while sharing nursing and pastoral care stories. I realized how amazing it is that the stories of caring transend occupational disciplines.

While sitting at the gate waiting to board the flight, several of us were laughing at the antics of three young men who I think were from Africa but definetly had just spent some time in Jamaica. Tall, handsome, very muscular, and very black, with beaded dreadlocks, strutting around having fun with their electronic devices, dancing and carrying on totally unaware their funny actions were being delightfully watched.

Upon boarding the aircraft, we realized it was going to be a crowded flight. Indeed every last seat had been taken and the babies were crying already. Having a long flight (12hrs) we settled down and tried to sleep.

Nov. 2nd., 2005...Upon landing in Dubai, and disembarking, we suddenly but not surprisingly realized we wern't in Kansas anymore. We got our first clue having been traveling through Lebanon, Syria, and Saudi Arabia, being careful to avoid Isreal on the right, and the Neutral Fly Zone of Iraq on the left while flying into Dubai. Some of the team reported they had experienced subtle but obvious animosity from some of the crew and neighboring passengers. Walking through the airport scattered with tall lighted palm trees and men in different arab clothing gave proof we were out of our enviorenment.

But Dubai is a transit oasis among three continents. People from Asia, India, Africa, all over the Middle East, and yes even the USA are here bumping shoulders on their way to our final destinations. We did not back in New York that the international terminal was also a transit station where even the Arab & the Jew sat next to each other awaiting their turn to leave.

Through our traverse of the long slim terminal that is Dubai International Airport, the team ran into a woman who like us was making her way to passport control. her name is Disa. Disa from Sacremento California. A tall blond woman, having just graduated from college, is beginning a seven week tour of several African Nations on a mission trip with several friends who own a small not for profit Charity organization.The team discovered her trip begins in Uganda then takes her to an orphanage in Southern Sudan before moving on to Ethiopa and beyond. We found out we were all staying at the same hotel so we promised to meet her there there for dinner and a time of fellowship.We became seperated from Disa at that time because of the mechanics of getting through Passport Control, then Customs. We eventually made it to our hotel and decided to break off for half an hour to freshen up for dinner. I am bunking with Jim. Later upon meeting in the lobby, we found Disa and went into the restaurant. Our waiter, "Meir

The conversation flowed freely but then settleed upon Disa and her wonderful God Makes it happen story of how she came to be with us. Disa traveling from California to Dallas on Oct. 31st, became delayed, not even knowing what the disposition of her baggage was. She did not know if she was going to be able to catch her flight to Dubai which was actually to leave before our flight. Feeling frustrated, Disa sat down next to these two black women who turned out to be traveling with the Southern Baptists. They immediatly picked up on Disa's frustration and encouraged her to talk. Disa told them her the situation and tha women right then & there prayed over her. A few minutes later, a man sat next to all of them. Joining in on the conversation, he heard of Disa's Dilemna. The man then said he wanted to help. His name is Nigel Page and he is the senior vice president for EMERITES AIRLINES! He made several phone calls, and gave her his card. She was to call someone upon arrival in New York and she wou

The fellowship lasted long into the nightbut eventually broke up as the showers and sleep was calling, but not before the promise of meeting for breakfast was made. Jim and I made our way to the room. By the time I came out of the shower Jim was already asleep. I got into the comfortable bed, turned out the light, sleep came quickly.

The team moves on to Sudan on Nov. 3rd. Stay tuned to these e-mails for more of our journey. Thanks for the continued prayers and support from us all.

Blessings,

Vic

Victor Van Allen's Journal - November 1st

2005-11-07T11:43:00.000-05:00

From Vic's Journal:
Nov. 1st..... After having a great breakfast with the family, we headed out to the airpoprt. We stopped ast the church to pick up Janet. Nearing the airport, a call came through from Dr. Dugan. He told me that Dad had Metastatic Ca.He asked me who we wanted for an Oncology Physician. I told him, and advised Dr. Dugan that we would take care of telling Mom & Dad the news. I thanked him and he wished me well ojn the trip. I immediatly told Donna, quietly as the boys were with us, and then when we got to the airport I took Janet aside and told her.

In the airport, everyone came together for checkin. there was a time of worship together, and song. We said our goodbyesand crossed the security gate without difficulty. Sitting in the waiting area, we shared family stories and had conversations. Close to the time of departure, we found out there was going to be a delay. We finally left Pittsburgh at 4:30pm after a 90 minute delay.As the Sun shines through the windows, I think of how soon I will be close to Andy who will be just a couple of hundred miles to the North of us when we are in Dubai.

November 2, 2005

2005-11-07T11:42:00.000-05:00

We have arrived in Dubai safe and sound. Will be moving on to Sudan on wednesday afternoon. Continued travel prayers are needed.

We met up with a young woman missionary who told us an incredible story of how she came to be with us. Stay tuned for her story tomorrow before we leave for Sudan. Donna, pass this around as we talked about.

You can send e-mails to my home e-mail address. I can get them and respond as needed. Pray for the team.

Blessings,
Vic Van Allen.