Monday 7 November

We have said our goodbyes to the 2 households we have been staying at. We arrived early about 8.00am at the airport. There is no set time for the plane to depart. Last Friday the pilots had slept in and the first flight didn’t come in until 10.30am. Usually it is about 9am. Yesterday there were more people than the plane could fit. (15 people) Right now we have been bumped off the first flight today to accommodate them. We have a connecting flight from Juba to Nairobi at 3.15pm. Will we make it? I’m really hoping that a UN plane comes and takes some of their people who have been getting out of their 4 wheels drives. A big UN helicopter has just returned but it mostly takes workers out to outlying areas of Jonglei state.

The waiting is not boring. There are plenty of people to talk to and they are all friendly. A local man approached Greg for money to send his sick brother to Juba. Pastor John is here with us. He is a worker pastor who runs a medical clinic though he is not as highly trained as a doctor. The sick man seems to have a intestinal obstruction and urgently needs help. John talked to the airport manager who speaks wonderful American English. The airport manager just happens to be another cousin of Abrahams.

A way will be found for the man to get help. Everybody looks out for each other.

I hope next time we post we will be in Nairobi. Still no Vivacell mobile coverage. Maybe it is working on Juba. Thank God we have email.

2.30pm

Thirteen passengers got onto a 12 seat Cessna at 12.15pm. We are now checked in with a much bigger Air Kenya plane. We were sitting in Juba departure lounge and realised we didn’t have our exit stamped. So we asked how to  do that. We have 2 exits from South Sudan as Exit was stamped in error when we entered. Looking forward to a cup of coffee on the plane. Vivacell back on air.  Won’t be able to use up our credit as it won’t work when we are back in Kenya.

The countryside is beautiful from the air. As the wet season is just ending there is masses of water. The Nile is a fine looking river but at present it branches and pool into lakes. A lot of the conflict which still exists in Jonglei state is based on access to water and pasture for cattle in the dry season. The Minister of Defence and the governor have been touring Jonglei trying to help tribes work out how to cooperate. Last week when the minister was in Bor the place was awash with soldiers. We are quite used to guns around us though never saw a shot fired. Not a hint of violence.

11.15pm Nairobi

It has been a long day. I (Ruth) am sitting in bed with the light on and the laptop charging. I’ve had a hot shower. Buttered toast was a treat. We have been transported to another world although the relaxed friendliness and generosity of the South Sudanese more than compensated for the lack of creature comforts there. We loved our fortnight in Bor. When we deplaned in Nairobi, Warwick felt the pull of home so strongly he changed his ticket to fly home tonight. He will be boarding soon.

We thank God for the profitable time in South Sudan and for good health. Pray for Warwick, Abraham and Penny as they travel home over the next few days. Thank you for praying for us.

Goodnight!