After some time away in April, things are getting back into
full swing for me here in Tonj! Some of our CHE trainers (Joseph, Jude,
Pasquale, David, & Santino) have been on a very special assignment while I
was away. They’ve been selecting individuals from other villages where we are
starting CHE this month!
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| Spending some time with trainers Jude (left) and Pasquale (right) on a recent visit to Kullo |
On March 27th we will begin CHE TOT 1 for an
entirely new group of trainers from five different communities! It is really
exciting to see this program growing and so quickly, too. With this training,
we also have an opportunity to minister to the Luo community in the area; 3
villages are Dinka villages and 2 are Luo. I think the trainers will also enjoy
being able to work with those from another tribe – during our last STS training
here at IDAT they loved demonstrating their different tribal dances to one
another, and it was certainly a lot of fun for us, the facilitators.
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| Here some Luo participants share a tribal dance at a recent STS training |
Now, some of the new trainers have been selected, but the
process is still ongoing. Would you commit to praying for the selection of the
trainers for this upcoming new
beginning? These people are the ones who will really present CHE to
their villages, motivate people to get involved, generate community ownership, and
help the program really come alive. Without the right kind of people to be
trainers, there really is no CHE. So this part of the process is extremely important.
We need to cover each new village with prayer. Will you pray
for one of these villages?
Warrak
Timthok
Bobie**Luo
Village
Robobie**Luo
Village
Werkok*
this village is actually in Jongelei state, and a partner ministry there is
sending a team to be trained.
Our current trainers are still moving forward with CHE in
their communities. Many are finishing up their committee trainings and
preparing to start the selection of CHEs to begin home visits. This is when it
gets really exciting, and I look forward to sharing about all that is happening
when that time comes!
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| Augustino helps to train the Guaria committee where they meet at his home |
Another new
beginning is that the rains have started! Now it’s time to plant!
Santino Bak, our pastor in Malony, is preparing his garden Farming God’s Way
style! Now, this is no easy transition for most South Sudanese for many
reasons, but the most important is that for many, farming is their livelihood.
If they didn’t farm their children would go hungry. So trying a new technique
is a bit risky. What if it doesn’t work? How can I be sure I’m doing this the
right way? What if something goes wrong? That would mean a disaster for that
family. Santino, being a single guy, is willing to take that risk and hopefully
serve as an example for his community. Perhaps in the future he can then teach
others about the benefits they can see from his garden, both for the farmer and
the land.
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| Here's the harvest of peanuts from our demonstration garden. Traditional methods is on the right and Farming God's Way is on the left. |
