Sudan Mission Update
Over the past two years, All Saints Episcopal Church has become increasingly involved with mission efforts to the Sudan and with Sudanese refugees in America. What follows are periodic updates from our missionary to the Sudan, Deacon Robin McNutt. She has traveled to Nairobi Kenya and will soon be in the Maar Region of southern Sudan working with health ministries and to help host mission teams from America. Updates will be random when she has internet access; so check back often for new information.
March 10th, 2007: Letter
This letter is going to all the wonderful people that donated funding for my November 2007 mission trip to South Sudan and Kenya. The update is overdue, as my journey took unforeseen paths.
On December 14, 2007, I returned from Africa, due to warfare taking place in South Sudan and Kenya. My original plans called for me to be in Africa until June 2008. This is what happened.
I arrived in Nairobi November 3 and went to Boma, South Sudan for one week with a short-term mission team of five others from Omaha and Kansas City. The last day we were in Boma, we were detained by a warring Sudanese tribe that has consistently brought warfare to the Dinka of South Sudan. One week after our departure, this tribe raided the Boma area, killing the Dinka, raiding cattle and stealing children. Our own priest from the area had to flee and has not been able to return.
I then went to Nairobi, Kenya for what I thought would be a short rest. I ended up residing there for five weeks as the warfare continued throughout South Sudan, including the Maar area where I was last year and was to return for the remainder of my trip. Over 100 people in that area were killed. My sponsor from Maar was guarded in taking me back, so I waited in Nairobi, mostly in solitary confinement.
I had much time to pray and reflect. Though being alone in a strange environment can be unsettling, I considered my time of discernment with God a precious gift.
While in Nairobi, small disturbances were occurring due to the upcoming December 27 presidential elections. It was rumored that no matter what the outcome, riots would take place. With the guidance of my Sudan sponsor, All Saints priests and Outreach Committee, it was determined I return home. Within days riots broke out and to date over 1000 people have been killed.
I hoped to return in March but the ongoing struggles taking place in both countries necessitated I cancel. This was a painful decision and I still wake up every night grieving the loss. I began full time, permanent employment with the University of Nebraska at Omaha in late January. I have been living with two very generous friends and will be moving to Citadel Apartments in May timeframe.
I am blessed you assisted me financially and I am continuing to assist the people of South Sudan from home. The unexpended portion of the money donated will be held by All Saints under the watchful stewardship of the Christian Outreach Team until such time as it may to used to assist the people of Africa. If you have any questions I am happy to discuss this with you. My e-mail is robin@cor.omhcoxmail.com
I am deeply touched by your heartfelt concern. I hope you and all those you love are well.
Rev. Robin L. McNutt
Deacon/Missioner
All Saints Episcopal Church
We acknowledge the unexpended funds collected by Deacon Robin McNutt in support of her 2007-2008 Mission to South Sudan and Kenya have been accounted for and returned to All Saints Episcopal Church, are deposited in an account maintained by the church and will be held until such time as they may be expended for the purpose of assistance to the people of Africa as directed by Deacon Robin McNutt and approved by the All Saints Christian Outreach Mission Team.
Rev. Jason Emerson Melissa Peeler Don Peeler
Associate Rector Co-Chair Outreach Mission Team Vestry
All Saints Episcopal Church
December 17th, 2007: Dn. Robin returns home.
Violence in southern Sudan has become increasingly wide spread and frequently. It became apparent that Dn. Robin would not be able to get into Maar anytime soon; so she has decided to return to the U.S. and attempt to return to the Sudan hopefully in March. We look forward to Dn. Robin being with us for Christmas services.
December 9, 2007: Robin's Mission Trip to Maar, So. Sudan is Postponed
This message goes to the All Saints Church So. Sudan mission trip supporters. I would prefer to share this with you in person, but time and distance prevents me from doing so.
Upon completion of the November 5-11 mission trip to Boma, So. Sudan, I returned to Nairobi, Kenya for a short rest prior to my long-term mission trip to Maar, So. Sudan. Four weeks later, I am still in Nairobi. Due to Maar's excessive rains, extensive flooding, and tribal wars, I am uncertain when I will be given permission for re-entry.
Though I was not expecting this delay, I believe I was given this gift of time to reflect, journal, and pray on the next step of my journey. Over the past week, I turned to God at my deepest possible level. Through His message and the valued feedback of Rev. Tom O'Dell, Archdeacon Bol Deng and supporters, I conclude I can currently do more to assist the people of Maar from Omaha through research, presentations, and fundraisers. I will be back in Omaha on December 14. I hope to return to Maar in the March-April timeframe.
I originally considered my return home a failure. But through the discerning process, I have come to realize that everything we do is just a fraction in the entirety of God's universal experience. If I am delayed in returning to So. Sudan, I have still loved and served God to the best of my ability.
Thank you for all the continued support. I hope to visit with you upon my return.
Blessings.
December 2nd, 2007
The Lord be with You...
It is December 2, the first Sunday in Advent and I have just concluded the designated Bible readings for this day. It is raining and I think of you in US Midwestern cities embraced in blankets of soft, white snow. I find comfort in knowing we share the same verses.
Yesterday, I sent an e-mail to you advising of the Murle Tribe's cattle raids, killings and child stealing, primarily in the Bor villages of So. Sudan. The devastation continues to worsen with deaths increasing by the day. Though I am enraged by the acts of the Murle when the South should be unified in rebuilding their war-torn nation, this is yet another reminder of how war not only turns North against South, but Southern tribe against Southern tribe in an attempt to survive and gain power. My heart aches as people I love continue in harms way...
but as always the case, God's message reminds me that their is hope, even in the most desolite of situations.
Isaiah 2:2
"It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be established as the highest of the mountains and shall be lifted up above the hills,
and all the nations shall flow to it." (2)
I cannot help but equate today's Old Testament Reading to the exhilerating experience of the Boma Mission Team as we climbed "the mountain" to witness the construction of Father Daniel Deng Kuot's Boma Compound. Not knowing what to expect as we stumbled up the weeded path, holding on to one another for security from falling, we entered a wide-open paradise, there on top of "the mountain". It reminded me of "The Sound of Music" when Julie Andrews climbed "the mountain", spread her arms, twirled in circles, head back, smiling, laughing, singing in the spaciouness of God's natural creation..."The Hills are ALIVE!. Awe, this is what I felt, this is what WE felt. There, in front of us, on this luscious green land was a partically constructed compound, surrounded by glorious mountains filled with abundance of wildlife; reaching, reaching, reaching, higher and higher towards the heavens. Could the Garden of Eden been any more inviting welcoming!
Isaiah 2: 4
"He shall judge between nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples...
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."
This compound, this glorious compound, will serve many South Sudanese tribes; two being the Dinka and the Murle. We knew when we visited "the mountain" the Murle people were a challenge to all other tribes. We still held hope that through the existence of God's all encompassing love, they would join the fraternal order of His family. Now, the fear of discent grows stronger, leaving us to question the outcome.
Isaiah 2:3
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord...that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His path"...
I am renewed with faith that God will guide us towards a reconciliation that continues to strive for the unity of His Nations. Though there is loss associated with a fractured society, their is reward in serving as disciples of Christ's love, teaching his words, while demonstrating actions that secure forgiveness and cohesiveness to the Boma tribes.
Isaiah 2:5
"O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord."
Just as we dare to dream, so must we embrace reality. Just as we question God's absence, so must we trust in his presence. Just as the Boma Compound is unfinished, so is our work. But if we continue to "walk in the light of the Lord", his wisdom brings hope that all things are possible.
Blessings and love. Robin
Nov. 25th 2007 Nairobi KenyaFor the past two weeks, I have spent the majority of my time in quiet solitude, with much time to pray, reflect, read, journal and discern. The first week was at the Methodist Guest House in Nairobi. I remained in my room the majority of the time, coming out only for food, drink and e-mail. I was OK with the silence, but a little frightful of what it was all about and why it was happening. I was well cared for by the MGH staff who knew I was there and had been asked by the US Boma team to watch after me in their absence. They did an excellent job.
This past week, I have been housed at Archdeacon Bol Deng's residence/business. It is a beautiful facility where two staff people have attended my every need between 8:00-3:00, M-F. Bol has been very busy with his business transactions in Juba and managing Maar trips and construction. His agenda continues to grow as both the business and church world value his intelligence and call to serve those in So. Sudan during this time of challenge and change. He is now in Juba and plans to return to Nairobi in about three days.
During this past week, I have had ample time to write e-mails and have enjoyed taking advantage of the situation, since I anticipate it will come to an end soon. So thank you for receiving my word and responding. It has lessened the anxieties associated with an expected long stay away from home.
I am assisting Bol with his late January/early March trip to the US. Plans are proceeding well and let's all pray that he is not faced with visa restrictions this time! The Project Education Sudan (PES) team will be in So. Sudan the end of December through late January and I was able to familiarize myself with them yesterday when I had an opportunity to glance at their passport photos. I am excited to meet them in person. What a wonderful asset they continue to be to the growth and welfare of So. Sudan. I am blessed to be working along side them.