Arrived in Kajo Keji, Sudan

Yesterday we arrived at St. Bartholomew’s Orphanage in Kajo Keji, Sudan in a small pickup truck carrying nine or sometimes ten people, five 200-lb bags of maize meal and beans, three boxes of washing soap, thirty small containers of petroleum jelly, five backpacks, assorted laptop bags and purses, and a partridge in a pear tree! In this picture, it looks like we might be just posing on top of our things, but that’s how we rode the three or so hours to Kajo Keji from Adjumani over bumpy roads.

Our time in Adjumani was great. As I mentioned previously, we had tea with the Thiesens and Jackie and Erin, and spent the next several days handing out school supplies and candy and soap and singing with the children in the evenings. The children at Amazing Grace Orphanage are all school aged, so during the days we planned Bible and health lessons and spent some time relaxing, getting to know the staff, and playing with the kids who had half days.

Now that we’ve arrived at St. Bartholomew’s Orphanage, the dynamics change dramatically. Our living conditions are similar, but the number of children is roughly 3-4 times greater, and they are, on average, much younger. Charlotte Babies’ Home for children aged 0-4 is here, and they have a nursery school on site for the pre-school aged kids. There are also many more staff members, as IWASSRU’s key personnel are mostly located here.

Jose Nunez, who has been living and working here for the past year, will leave today for Kampala, from where he’ll leave for the States on November 4^th. Last night they had a bit of a welcoming ceremony for us at the same time that they were saying goodbye to their father and brother, Jose. He’s been such a blessing to the staff and children here, and it was really touching to be on hand as they said their goodbyes.

Photo courtesy of Teresa Risner, who wants to be sure to send her greetings to the ladies at Shepherd’s Door who are following her trip!