Meanwhile, all kinds of other things are under way. We have estimates for the many expenses related to the grinding mill for which we have a UTO grant, and we are working on putting together a comprehensive proforma invoice. The hope is that our friend Stephen Dokolo can shepherd it to Kediba next month. We are watching developments on many political fronts. Spring walks and bicycle rides to raise money for Lui are in the planning stages. And the most recent set of missioners are accepting invitations to speak in parishes or other venues to anyone interested in hearing about the trip, Lui, and South Sudan. To arrange for a speaker, you can email me and I'll try to help you set something up.Tammy and I loved this sign we saw in Juba. We fully concur with the hopes of GOSS as portrayed here.
Here are some more photos from the recent trip. Imagine IDPs (internally displaced persons) from Mundri Diocese and beyond inserted along the margins and in the centers of all of them, because since our team was in Lui, the Ugandan rebel group that calls itself the Lord's Resistance Army has advanced on Moruland and wrecked havoc in the villages of Mundri Diocese, causing IDPs to pour into the Lui Diocese. We hardly recognized Lui on the recent trip because of the extensive development; we might not recognize it now because of the state of emergency. If you want to read about that, check out the Salisbury Link's very up-to-date news. And, apropos of nothing, if you want to read an overview of the current state of Sudan with regard to the CPA (comprehensive peace agreement signed in January 2005 by the government and the southern leadership to end the civil war), Chatham House, a British NGO, has a very impressive and helpful report. By the way, if you didn't see the faithful, generous coverage Episcopal Life Online gave our mission, check out reporter Joe Bjordal's story. We are supposed to be featured in the print edition of Episcopal Life in March.
Photos from December/January 2008-9
We go to church a lot in Lui, and never more than in the Christmas season. Here on the left is Bishop Bullen, seated, and Chancellor Nathaniel, standing, with the ordinands facing them. The chancellor had the responsibility of reading anything pertaining to canon law (we think!) during the ordination. At right, the choir prepares before the ordination. Both photos were taken in Frazer Memorial Cathedral in Lui on December 26, 2008. Below, a look at the state of the drums they're using... and check out the close-up of cathedral pews.
We wrote about the wonderful bread we ate most mornings, and we think it came from this bakery (center), which was the project of CHF International (an NGO) with funding from USAID, as you can see. At left, a more famous NGO (Oxfam) supported the development of a restaurant in Lui market, and at right, chicks cluster around a feeder in the chicken house UTO funded for the Lui Diocese Mothers' Union. Both CHF and Oxfam have moved their operations out of Lui Diocese. We wonder why. If you're interested in NGOs and their work in South Sudan, and you are in or can come to the St. Louis area, be sure to catch Dr. Nancy Kinney's lecture on her research in this area at UMSL February 5th, 2009. Some of that research happened on our December/January trip!
Of course there's also private enterprise. At left, Joe watches the carpenter at the shop down the road from Lunjini School. Center: Someone must own these goats that rove the compound. They are tasty. Right: Bundling grass or firewood for sale will bring in a few pounds. 
Finally, who can resist kid photos? The children of Lui are as adorable as any you'll see around the globe. Here are a few of them. Left: Like adults, kids congregate near the well. Top right: Deb with baby Most. Center and bottom right: Aunts and cousins with baby Harriet (I think).
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