Ben Tshin

Yesterday was a welcome change of plans. I went out for my first intervention to help in an Non-Food Item (NFI) distribution. On Friday, part of my WatSan ERT had been helping out, but they decided to rotate some people for the second day and I got to go. I was pretty excited to finally meet “the beneficiaries” and see the condition of these IDPs.

The distribution was targeted at households who had fled their town after fighting between soldiers broke out. From our estimates we served about 700 households. Multiplying that by an average household size of 4, that meant 2800 people. But the numbers are never accurate since some households had only one person and other households were ten or twelve. As expected with this discrepancy, there was fighting. There was fighting for food provided by WFP. Lots of fighting. There was also fighting for the NFI kits that we distributed. Almost every 15 minutes there would be a squabble large enough to summon the army, all toting loaded AKs, to help keep the peace.

Our team of four was outside in the wind and sun for five of the hottest hours of the day. I applied and re-applied plenty of 45SPF sunscreen and I still got a bit burnt. Three liters of water and no lunch were barely enough to keep me going. But we were successful in giving out all our mosquito nets, buckets (although some were broken), kitchen sets, blankets and tarpaulins.

It was a busy day, but some of the people were friendly saying “Salaam” or trying out their English “How are you?”. That gave me a chance to practise my 4-5 phrases of Arabic. But for the most part of the day it was just too busy giving out kits, opening packages, that there wasn’t even time to look up and greet people. I just took their card, marked a “K”, gave a pot or kitchen set and pointed them onward.

The toughest part was when we were finished distributing the kits and an old leprous lady with no fingers came over and begged for something. All I could say was sorry, “maalesh”. She was crying and there was nothing to be done for her. Some Sudanese staff helped her to get registered, but she had nothing and she received nothing yesterday. I felt sad for her, but strangely, it wasn’t heart rending.

Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season

Psalm 1:1-3

I read that Psalm today and I’m the tree that yields its fruit in season. I’m planted by water, but that doesn’t mean I’ll sprout fruit every day. There are the harvest seasons and I’m glad that God is in charge of that. I’m also glad that God is charge of any change of plans too!

I know this is probably late, but the lovey-dovey feelings of Valentine’s Day still hang in the air.

There wasn’t much Valentine cheer going around the Medair compound. Not enough love-struck people. But I was looking forward to my satellite phone call with Joeie in Hong Kong. It’s been three weeks since we’ve talked and our voices sounded strange to one another. It might have been the long time or maybe the satellite connection. Either way, communication is a big concern for this year apart. Not just with Joeie, but with family and friends back home and even the MCBC community. Already, I’m starting to feel as though the world at home kept on chugging along at its steady and fast pace after I jumped off.

I admit, Valentine’s Day without Joeie is lonely. There aren’t even roses, flowers or chocolate. Although, thankfully, Sudan also doesn’t have the Valentine’s Day hype either. There’s only a satellite phone. But at least there’s a satellite phone. Actually, I’m glad there’s more than one because CG forgot to charge his. Valentine’s Day without any of that would have been even more lonely and far away.

Pictures from Malakal including my first assessment.

My WatSan team is split into two teams, A and B. Actually, there aren’t any formal names, but “The A-Team” is a pretty swanky name. It sure beats “Alpha Team” and “Bravo Team”. Alas, I’m not on The A-Team.

The A-Team just departed downstream on the Nile to Melut and eventually onwards to do an assessment in Kaka. That’s right: Kaka. Despite it’s name, part of me wishes I could go with them. But I’ve already figured out that God’s timing is perfect. It’s easier to be faithful to God when you remember that He’s always faithful to us. I’ll be stationed in Malakal for the next week going over reports and reassessing old equipment.

Meanwhile, the secret is out that I’m a tech guy. Requests are already coming in to fix this computer, get rid of some virus, reducing the amount of internet usage, etc. It’s like I already have two jobs. As remote as Sudan is, I still can’t get rid of my past. I think God’s saying something here, but it’s a bit fuzzy on it.