Much of what I am to say revolves around two people Yonatan and myself are working with here, Pastor Habtom and Evangelist Kahsay.

We made a long and tedious bus trip together from Khartoum to La Gedarif – not too far from the Ethiopian border. It’s a giant dusty town where Yonatan was homeless as a 16-year-old for three months after fleeing a violently anti-Christian communist regime in Ethiopia. He and I walked the streets together on Friday evening as he showed me places where he slept in various stair-well, right on the street. It was quite emotional for him. This is the first time he’s visited this place in 30+ years! So much more to say about that!

On Saturday we drove to the UN refugee camp at Um Rakuba. It turns out I was a handicap there. Even though we had obtained legal permission to enter the camp, the people in charge there were very nervous about a white man going into the main camp, fearful that I might produce a negative report about the camp. So Yonatan and Habtom “hid me in the taxi” while they carried on negotiations with several key camp members. They still didn’t let us in. However they agreed to provide detailed information (including pictures) to Haptom. Disappointing but we did get to take some photos nonetheless. The population of this camp ballooned from about 15,000 people to 30,000 people because of the recent war in Ethiopia. The UN provides $25 worth of food per individual per month. The camp is in the middle of nowhere.

On Sunday we visited another UN camp that houses elderly people that have no one to care for them. Kahsay has a huge heart for them because he was born in that village. All are frail, most are blind and unless someone provides for them, they find their way to the Orthodox church where they beg. We rented the most worn out van you could imagine, pushed our way into a narrow alley at the open market where we purchased bags of: onions, rice, lentils plus cooking oil and other basics that will provide for them for one month. It was most touching to see Yonatan bending down, talking/interviewing each one by turn.

We took an even more crowded bus, 7 hours back to Khartoum. It was 9 or 9:30 and I thought, I am so ready for bed! However, we ended up at Habtom’s house where his wife had prepared a meal. Their five kids were eager to stay up because we were coming. He had brought his family to meet Yonatan and I after our Thursday sessions. That evening I asked the kids to tell us the most crazy things their dad had ever done. They were so funny!! Cracking up as they told us.

But on Sunday evening the two girls brought a big basin of water and washed mine and Yonatan’s feet. I have never experienced this previously other than in “spiritual settings”. They discovered I was ticklish and began to tickle my feet on purpose! Had a great time with them!

Today, Monday we were tourists. We visited the point where the White and Blue Niles meet, right at Khartoum and then the two rivers flow together through Egypt and on to the Mediterranean. We walked along the Nile and visited a gigantic open market.

A group of five from Calgary are in the process of sponsoring Habtom and his family (they are also refugees) to immigrate to Canada. I can tell you, if they come to Canada, it will be Canada’s gain!

Tomorrow we are headed to Ethiopia.

Thank you for praying!!!

Pictures