Farewell Ibba
The team members visiting Ibba Diocese in South Sudan with CMSI have safely returned to Moira…and Doagh. A little later than intended (due to the vagaries of international text messaging), Olwen shares the final update…
Four of the team were asked to preach on forgiveness, the theme for January in Ibba Diocese. Joanne, Carole and Linda went to the church in Wow wow (no prizes for guessing that Joanne preached there!). Nigel, David and Joan went to Atodigi where Nigel preached. Both of these churches were a short walk away from Ibba. Jenny stayed to preach in the cathedral in Ibba, while Diane and I travelled by ‘bona boda’ to Iggi which is about three miles away.
Boda boda is a most interesting, sometimes exhilarating and sometimes terrifying way to travel. Basically it is a lift on the back of a motor bike. Picture Diane and me, skirts to our ankles, both sitting on the back of a motorbike holding on for all we’re worth! Pastor Seth brought us safely there and safely back again. I am sure we were quite a sight to behold as we weaved around the potholes on the road.
In Iggy, we were able to visit one of the boreholes that was installed as a result of the fundraising undertaken in our parish. The impact that this has had on this place cannot be underestimated – before there was a borehole people had to draw water from the local river. As you know we are here in the dry season. The nearby river is little more than a muddy stream and the people here have no choice but to use this water to cook, clean and also drink. I cannot find the words to explain the impact that the borehole has had on their lives.
Before leaving Iggi, Diane and I had a beautiful meal which included what I can only describe as the most incredibly, wonderfully, amazing tasting pineapple grown by Pastor Wilson – we were still talking about it when we returned to Ibba!
The afternoon we spent preparing to leave. Some of us were able to get a brief access to wifi. This was a wonderful opportunity to connect with people at home – but the stark imagery of four of us standing side by side not speaking but each of us focusing completely on tiny screens was in complete contrast to how we have been living here – spending time engaging completely with those around us and them with us. Something for all of us to ponder?
On Sunday evening, Bishop Wilson hosted a farewell reception for us. The representatives across the community had been invited and many people joined with the people of Ibba Diocese to thank us for our visit. Many senior representatives from the surrounding area made speeches and we were presented with gifts from Ibba from the diocese. Jenny and Linda also spoke, emphasizing the importance of the links and relationships that have been established. What a wonderful meal we enjoyed together – the ladies who have been cooking and caring for us since we arrived must have been exhausted by their efforts!
This was also an opportunity to say goodbye to many of those with whom we have spent time. It would be fair to say that it was another late night – torches at the ready for all our showers!!
Monday morning saw us up and breakfasted early. Our flight from Ibba to Juba was 9am. Such is the way of people here that many of those who base us farewell last night came back to say farewell that morning also. The bishop borrowed a vehicle once again to transport us to the airstrip (reportedly the best airstrip outside Juba!). We hope that this may be one of the last occasions when that might be necessary (when the Bishop’s vehicle is in action).
The MAF flights have been wonderful – how great it is when your pilot prays for the work that a team had been doing and for safe travel before he flies!
Leaving Ibba was emotional for all of us. We pray that the time that we spent there will have been fruitful both in the lives of those we met but also in our lives as we return home.
Olwen