Today feels like a good day for a bit of rambling in the most thoughtful way possible when just letting ideas flow onto the page. So here goes.
Peace is a fragile thing. This weekend I had the unique opportunity to take part in a anti-war rally that involved many of students that I am working with. I had initial hesitation about getting involved, you know the whole being a foreigner and not wanting to stir the pot. It did not take long to get me excited though, as I saw hundreds of students taking part in at least what seemed to be free, democratic action. Wanting to encourage something in these youths, which I and from what I have seen many young people back home lack, I quickly jumped in, grabbed my camera and was on my way. The signs for the most part stated a desire for education and development and not for rebellion. While I did not know this at the time, a politician in South Sudan had gathered together a militia of sorts in Mundri East County and had begun training to march on Juba when some sort of fighting broke out and 2 people were killed. Peace is a fragile thing. This country not yet 6 months old already has people trying to bring it down. Hence this peace rally denouncing the actions of this man and staking a claim
in a desire for development and education, no more war. There has been far too much fighting and people are sick of it. That being said, earlier this week some sort of gun shot went off (non-violent intents is the information that I have gathered) and sent some of the children running near the school I was visiting. It blows my mind coming from Canada how fragile the peace is and how much of a toll fighting has on the people from around the world.
**Please pray for the government, and for the nation that they would find ways to not just sustain peace but actively strive for it.**
I think I saw a dung beetle today though. At least it was a beetle rolling a small ball of something.
I finally visited one of Mundri's secondary schools here, Mundri Secondary, and it was hauntingly beautiful. Speaking of war, this school had been bombed during the war and it has left this school compound empty shells of what used to be buildings. Then when money was supposed to come for reconstruction, that money somehow disappeared. Despite that, I walked up to the school compound to see children playing football, to hear laughter, to see trees surrounding, to find this place with a destructive path seem so peaceful and beautiful. Strange how God can redeem certain places; people too come to think of it.
I got to celebrate my first American Thanksgiving, five days early. Food can be so good and combine it with good company and a reminder of how thankful of all things I have, it has a healing quality. Based on my five fingers I am thankful for family, friends (all over the world), forgiveness, adventure (being here in Mundri), and wouldn't you know it: amazing food.
Language is a funny thing. Why does it take forever to learn. I want a Matrix program to teach me how to speak Arabic and Moru.
Speaking of patience, I have to wait until March for Mangoes.
I apparently have less to rant about than I thought when I sat down. This week is a busy one though so please pray. I have organized at this point three workshops, all the same but for different people and different days. Starting Friday I am giving all Primary 7 and 8's a workshop on study and exam prep tips. I will give this workshop two more times, once Monday at Motherland Secondary, and then finally on Tuesday at Mundri Secondary. I hope to also give it at Comprehensive Academy but I have yet to meet with their headmaster. Please pray, and also we are having a small budget for tea and snacks and handouts. Please support ACEM if you feel God tugging on your heart. We also hope to start building a permanent office, rather than just half my house, and start building a school in the new year. All of these things require money and we are praying and hoping that God will provide all we need in His timing (can I help if I hope His timing is sooner rather than later?)
Much love for all of you. And any Americans reading this, Happy Thanksgiving!!!
TK (Thomas Kanada) [a nickname George gave me before I explained Canada starts with a C not a K. I think TK still sounds better]
Peace is a fragile thing. This weekend I had the unique opportunity to take part in a anti-war rally that involved many of students that I am working with. I had initial hesitation about getting involved, you know the whole being a foreigner and not wanting to stir the pot. It did not take long to get me excited though, as I saw hundreds of students taking part in at least what seemed to be free, democratic action. Wanting to encourage something in these youths, which I and from what I have seen many young people back home lack, I quickly jumped in, grabbed my camera and was on my way. The signs for the most part stated a desire for education and development and not for rebellion. While I did not know this at the time, a politician in South Sudan had gathered together a militia of sorts in Mundri East County and had begun training to march on Juba when some sort of fighting broke out and 2 people were killed. Peace is a fragile thing. This country not yet 6 months old already has people trying to bring it down. Hence this peace rally denouncing the actions of this man and staking a claim
in a desire for development and education, no more war. There has been far too much fighting and people are sick of it. That being said, earlier this week some sort of gun shot went off (non-violent intents is the information that I have gathered) and sent some of the children running near the school I was visiting. It blows my mind coming from Canada how fragile the peace is and how much of a toll fighting has on the people from around the world.**Please pray for the government, and for the nation that they would find ways to not just sustain peace but actively strive for it.**
I think I saw a dung beetle today though. At least it was a beetle rolling a small ball of something.
I finally visited one of Mundri's secondary schools here, Mundri Secondary, and it was hauntingly beautiful. Speaking of war, this school had been bombed during the war and it has left this school compound empty shells of what used to be buildings. Then when money was supposed to come for reconstruction, that money somehow disappeared. Despite that, I walked up to the school compound to see children playing football, to hear laughter, to see trees surrounding, to find this place with a destructive path seem so peaceful and beautiful. Strange how God can redeem certain places; people too come to think of it.
I got to celebrate my first American Thanksgiving, five days early. Food can be so good and combine it with good company and a reminder of how thankful of all things I have, it has a healing quality. Based on my five fingers I am thankful for family, friends (all over the world), forgiveness, adventure (being here in Mundri), and wouldn't you know it: amazing food.
Language is a funny thing. Why does it take forever to learn. I want a Matrix program to teach me how to speak Arabic and Moru.
Speaking of patience, I have to wait until March for Mangoes.
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| Slightly glitchy photo of George, Caia, and Me |
Much love for all of you. And any Americans reading this, Happy Thanksgiving!!!
TK (Thomas Kanada) [a nickname George gave me before I explained Canada starts with a C not a K. I think TK still sounds better]
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