Khawajas

In South Sudan Khawajas are white people.

White people are a novelty here. As Lydia, Jan and I walk the dusty, well worn path to school each

morning and evening, the path winds through small clusters of huts. The children seem to see us
coming from a long ways away. They start shouting "Khawaja, Khawaja, Khawaja" as they run to greet us.

The are often naked, toting another little one on one hip and very dirty, yet always wearing a big smile with their bright white teeth.

They always stretch  out a hand (Hopefully the right one, it may be a bit cleaner) seeking a handshake or a high five. The excitement is palpable, they got to touch a Khawaja today.

We greet them and smile as we make our way to another world.

I suppose that the Dinka may see white people as those who offer hope and support in this difficult region. Yet we know that only Jesus provides true hope and support for life. We are here as fellow humans with Good News and a desire to help our Christian brothers and sisters who are living in economic poverty, while learning from their example ourselves. As Brian Fikkert said, it is important to remember we are all poor, just in different ways. I am here as a teacher, yet I know that I have things to humbly learn from the Dinka too.

Many of the men and woman at the Parot Community Church provide services here at
Cush4Christ. Some serve as watch men guarding the compound. Woman have a rotating schedule preparing the lunch meal at school. Several woman worked to clean the classrooms before school opened.

Each occupied house in the compound has a woman that is assigned to fetch water for that house 

and do the laundry. During my time here, Abouk delivers water to my home 3 times a week on 

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. If I am not going to be home I leave my Jerry cans outside the front door. When I return they are full and waiting for me. They are very heavy.

On Saturday, Abouk fills the 3 cans and uses 2 of them to hand wash and hang my laundry to dry. Afterwards we are suppose to have tea together, but this past Saturday I had other plans so I left the

tea, peanut paste and bread for her to enjoy by herself. I look forward to the next time she comes.

I pay her 30 South Sudanese Pounds for each Jerry can of water and 100 pounds* for doing the laundry (That is a steal). The tea is our way of tipping her.

Abouk only speaks Dinka, which is true for most of the women. She is currently having some

challenges with her husband so I am happy that I am here and can provide her with some much 

needed income.

I did not want to ask Abouk if I could take her picture doing laundry so I took the pictures from the house. I hope to be able to share a much better picture of this beautiful Christian woman in the future as we get to know each other better.

Abouk did use the wheel barrow from the compound to fetch the water so she did not have to make 3 trips. But it is still a very time consuming and heavy task. I thank God for her faithful service that allows me to also serve.

* 100 pounds is about $.30