Greg Force's Notes from February 2016 Trip

In February 2016 I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to South Sudan. The members of Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church have generously supported this ministry and have funded humanitarian aid for the many who are starving and peace initiatives in response to the horrific actions taken against the citizens of South Sudan by their current government officials.

Unfortunately fighting between the South Sudanese Army and the opposition forces continues to spread. Four members of the mission team were scheduled to return to Pibor this year to continue our water and sanitation projects and theological training, however, our plans had to be changed less than a week before our departure due to a deteriorating political situation within the newly created Boma State. Fortunately, we were able to modify our plans and accompany two of our team members who had already made arrangements to visit South and North Pochalla Counties and evaluate needs of the Anayaak tribe located adjacent to the Ethiopian border.

The tense situation in Pibor worsened and the South Sudanese Army attacked the opposition on February 23rd, which resulted in the burning of the town, destruction of NGO compounds, evacuations of all aid workers and local residence fleeing to the bush to prevent being one of the many killed or wounded. I am thankful that the friends we met and worked with last year escaped safely but their future plans will remain uncertain until real peace can be made between these groups.

Our trip to Pochalla turned out to be very successful! We evaluated the medical needs, assisted the limited medical staff and brought desperately needed medical supplies. We distributed more than 200 Talking Bibles. The team provided training for church leaders from five local denominations and assisted with establishing Bible study groups to maximize access to the Talking Bibles. The hunger for the Gospel that the villagers exhibited was overwhelming.The church leaders from the five denominations did an incredible job of supporting this theological training in the short amount of notice that they had.

As a geologist, I specialize in environmental consulting and water resource projects. This trip gave me the opportunity to identify and evaluate the water and sanitation needs. There is an ample supply of surface water during the majority of the year because the village of Pochalla is located on the Akobo River, which borders Ethiopia. There are a total of 14 water supply wells producing from three aquifers. The wells are equipped with hand pumps that are maintained by three pump mechanics. Unfortunately, the mechanics do not possess the proper tools to perform the routine maintenance or the parts required for repairing pumps that are broken.

In South Pochalla County I visited six villages located near the Akobo River and the Gilo River. The first two villages have access to water supply wells but the pumps need maintenance. The third village had a well but it has collapsed and needs to be replaced. The pump on the well in the fourth village has been broken for approximately six months, so water is being collected from a hole dug into the bottom of the dry river bed. The fifth village also has a broken well pump and the people have been relying on water from the river for the past three months. The last village is located on the banks of the Gilo River and is so remote that we had to cross the river in a dug out canoe.

The 280 families who live in the village rely on the river as their only source of water. I also traveled to two villages in North Pochalla County where one village has only one well and the people in the other village with over 250 families must walk over an hour to get water from the Akobo River.

The Anayaa are very peaceful and productive with a sustainable lifestyle of growing crops andraising livestock and animals plus fishing and hunting game. We had an opportunity to meet with the governors and their staff from the two counties, two Kings and a Queen (mayors) and numerous church leaders to learn what are their most pressing needs.

Each village either has or is in close proximity to a health clinic and a school; however, they are in desperate need of qualified teachers (approximately 40) and health professionals. We met two young South Sudanese men, a nurse and a teacher, who are full time volunteers trying to keep the Pochalla health clinic and school system operating. We also met some very dedicated local government employees and church leaders who are trying to make significant, long term improvements for the Anayaa people.

There is a great need for additional wells or surface water filtration systems to provide clean water and sanitation. There is also a need for an ordained minister to perform the Sacraments, additional theological training for the church leaders and members (adults and youth) and more Talking Bibles.

Please continue to pray.