Thanks everyone

Our last post about our Sudan trip....

Two purposes;

1)To give you links to see some of our photos on Picassa

2)To say thanks;

To all of you who have encouraged us by showing interest in what we have been doing, ... we would love to show you more about the Sudanese work if you would like... contact Col.
To all of you who gave money toward the two projects ...Chris' new photocopier is purchased and working, and the printing work in Sudan is now happening. We were able to leave the remaining printer money with Rhys to continue getting the printing room set up (Moses the carpenter, has now put a roof on the print room with that money).
To all of you who have prayed for the work.. it was great to walk through Kenyan immigration without being charged duty on all the parts we were carrying... it was great to see that first Riso printer work so well ... it was great to see the shipping container so willingly pushed along on those logs to its cement pad... it is great for myself (Colin) to have been better health wise in Sudan than I am at home!
To have helped a little and learned a lot, we are grateful!

God bless,

Colin and Nathanael

Goodbye Yei!

Monday morning, about 10, we arrived back in Adelaide after flying from Yei on Sat morning, staying at Entebbe until evening (it's a nice airport) then on to Nairobi. We left 11ish, flew up the coast over the pirates of Somalia, across the Gulf of Aden, over Mumbai and across India. Across the bay of Bengal, over Burma and landed at Bangkok. The stop at Bangkok stretched out to about 1 ½  hours sitting on the plane before we took the relatively short flight over Vietnam, Laos and China to Hong Kong. Changing from Kenya Airways to Cathay Pacific we left on a direct flight to Adelaide just before midnight, flying directly over Darwin at dawn

 We were glad to get through customs without major problems, as we had to declare Nat not being well in the middle of the swine flue epidemic! Made to wear face masks and taken to the nurses station, we were checked for temperature, and sent on our way, all clear!

We had a great time in Sudan, we saw the Lord guide and provide in getting us there in the first place, we were able to achieve most of what we had gone there for and had been able to assist in other unexpected tasks. We come away with a new knowledge of the Sudanese people (and their sad history), new friends, and a new desire to help where we can.

 As I awoke, somewhere over the Bay of Bengal, an old song came back to my mind; "Follow me, follow me, hear the voice of the Saviour". I can't remember any more words, but those few have message enough… To say yes, whenever he calls, as those first disciples did, is our desire. Where will He take us? What will we do? we don't know those answers, but we do hope to be listening as He calls.

This trip has been a wonderful experience, and we thank our God for every friend we have made, every mile travelled, and everyone who has supported us!

 

God bless you all.

 

Colin and Nathanael Mills

Sunday

A big week has just started here at the Across base in Yei; Yesterday was the Graduation ceremony for 48 new teachers from the Across "Yei Teachers Training College", The South Sudan Minister of Education, The Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS- on whos land the whole Across complex stands), The Yei district Commisioner, The Yei country Education officer, The Across Director of Education Services, The Leader of the Student Body, Donor organisations ... and a few others, all made considerable speaches, most of which were quite interesting... and quite political. Speaches pointed out that teachers were concerened about employment now that their course was complete... How is it that vast numbers of teachers currently have no qualifications, but previous trained graduates have not been able to secure employment? How are teachers expected to stay at their schools when many are owed months of pay? etc... To his great credit the Minister for Education rose to the occasion, and gave credible answers to criticisms and hope for a better future.
We were treated to traditional Kakwa dancing, and a big feed for the hundreds of guests was provided... all that took from 10am until lunch was served after 4pm!!
Nathanael and Philliam were photographers for the event... Nat got quite dehydrated, being in the hot sun for so long and doesn't feel the best today, but Philliam seems fine. They still have found the energy to start to download the videos this afternoon. That will be a big job as all the video is on tape and so can only be transfered in real time... 6 hours worth!

Today we journeyed across town to the "Evangelical Presbyterian Church" which is a congregation of probably 400 (guessing), meeting in a traditional thatched Tukul. Nat and I really enjoyed the service... Good preaching, clear translation and not so noisey!!. There was the biggest group of westerners there that we have seen here, as a group of about 8 Dentists and some of their families had come from Texas, to provide free Dental Assistance here in Yei. The service had been cut short so that church staff were able to assist the dentists to attend  a group of 30 children coming in from an outlying orphanage.
Rhys and Rhondda have spoken well of the great generousity of this church, The Church has frequently arranged help like this from overseas, and assisting even other non aligned churches pastors and needy ones arround Yei.

Here at Across we are preparing for the Across staff Retreat in this coming week. People are driving, catching public transport, or flying in from Sudan and East Africa, for a week of meetings, to encourage and prepare for the future. We are looking forward to some good challenging preaching in the meetings, and some great time with other staff.

Still there is work for us to do in this last week... Nat has just been given sketches for 4 new building projects which need his skills, to draw them up on the computer. I have not been able to get the second old Riso printer to work properly... it will print ok, but master making is unsatisfactory. Also there is 2 copying machines at other NGO's which I still have not got to.

--
Colin Mills

Friday 17th

Printing has commenced on one Riso machine, the first two booklets are finish printed, one 100, 40 page classroom teaching aid booklets, the other is an order for 200, 80 page Bible study booklets for another organisation. Today I have been training 2 of the young women from the Sudan Literature Centre (a division of ACROSS) on how to operate the machines , plan the page layout, and assemble the finished product. They have in turn, been teaching others, and begun the assembly of the 80 page booklet by themselves, so I am very pleased with their work.
Also James has been learning about Riso machine maintenance... we had so much black ink on us as we delved into the middle of the inky drum to replace the ink pump and outer screens (all with parts brought from Menigie S.Aust old machine), we have been training as required... wait for a problem, and then fix it!, and so far James has had a very good look throughout the machine. James is the man who will have to fix it when Nat and I are gone, so he is paying careful attention!

This morning I read:Exo 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
"carried on Eagles wings" of the Almighty... that certainly seems to have been our situation... Provision of the machine for spare parts, provision of finances for Christina's copier and the Riso project, safe travel here, Having the machines Both working, Having staff rapidly come to an understanding of the work... Yes, Our God has carried us along!

Good Friday Evening

Lead me to Calvary-South Sudan Arabic:
Sultaan Yesu Kristo juru
Fikiraat' na kulu;
Kelii mashi hak sa kulu,
Sufu al Kalvaari

King of my life, I crown thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.

Worri ana Getaseemani,
Worri ana al Kalvaari;
Hibu bitaak yauu bi timu,
Mahaal al Kalvaari.

Lest I forget Gethsemane;
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary

How nice it has been to fellowship with other believers today, Good Friday.
Murray and Anne have arrived from Melbourne, for the weekend, so we all went together to the 9am service at the Cathedral this morning... unfortunately, due to a mix up, the English service was over and this was the Bari service, so we left again, so as to not hinder their service by obliging them to use a translator just for us.
On walking home, we decide to have our own sing and fellowship under Rhys and Rhondda's back yard Mangoe tree. We sang dozens of songs together, many accompanied by Rhondda on her adungu, (Sudanese stringed instrument... pictured above) and read from Isaiah 53 and other passages together.
Later this afternoon some of us went up to the Africa Inland Church, for a small meeting meeting there.
Nat has gone out with some of the UN people (some of them rent accomodation here at ACROSS) to see the sites of the town...and got a feed of Nepalese food at the UN Barracks!  They went down the road that goes toward the Congo, past where the most recent LRA activity has been, just for a look. (LRA has gone now)
The plaque in the photo is from in front of a big hole in the ground, only 500 meters from here, near the Anglican Cathedral, The hole was an ammunition dump during the war, being left open as a reminder of the terrible suffering of these people.

Thursday night

Moses the carpenter is a most helpful man, here he is cutting solid Mahogony shelving for the little storage room adjacent to our "long drop" loo.
The second Riso is now going!! We here are all very thankful for the provision of the spare parts from the Meningie printer. Our God has provided, and nearly all the parts we brought here are now used . There are still many checks and adjustments to be made, but they both now work!
Today was the day for moving our shipping container onto its cement slab, ready for it being made into a room for the Printing equipment.... Lots of Africans came from the Yei Teachers College to push, and some nice logs for rollers (borrowed from the Teachers College who are building a new log and bamboo fence along side us) a high lift jack from one of the 4 wheel drives, and thank God, it is now in place on it's slab and there were no injuries. (apart from dehydration on my part!)
Nat is typing a dicipleship publication in the local language, Nuer, again... he seems to be pretty good at it.

AIC Church Yei

    Yesterday we walked about 20 minutes to get to the AIC church (Africa Inland Church)... So many little children!... It is held in a relatively new  brick and cement  building situated amongst the mud huts on the south of Yei. There is no glass in the windows, but behind the security bars are nice wooden shutter doors. Many rows of close spaced teak topped long stools are provided for the seating. (teak is used for everything here... roof trusses, fencing rails, furniture)
     Scheduled to start at 9am... we arrived at about 9:30 and the preliminry singing was well under way. A petrol generator out the back powers the Amplifier and Yamaha piano... we were very glad the speakers were not any larger... "evangelism by amplification" seems to be there ear shattering method!!
The children sung and danced as the Africans love to do, and we sang quite a number of Arabic songs, to the same old familiar tunes  from home. The preaching was good... Peace with God through Jesus Christ... Spoken in Arabic, translated to English. Other parts of the service were spoken in English and translated to Arabic.... More loud music to accompany another Sunday School item, and we were on our way out, shaking hands with EVERYONE in a long line which doubles back on itself. The people are very friendly and welcoming... we 4 were the only whites there out of about what ended up being a capacity crown of probably 150. The little children seemed to take in turns to come and sit alongside us, whilst the slightly older ones nursed the babies throughout the crowd.
    The primary translater was Walter, a well educated man, who works here in the Radio project, and lectures at the Teachers college next door.
They will have another service on Good Friday at 3pm, I'll try to get there as I feel more at home there than at the "Cathedral"
    Sunday afternoon was a bit of a sharing time with other non Sudanese folk from Reconcile, Samaritan's Purse etc.... it was good to be able to sing in Engish for a while!..
The picture is of a toprate kitchen which actualy has an oven... heated by charcoal, at the house of John and Poppy, here the pm meeting was.
    Today, Monday, it was back to the more damaged of the Riso printers. I completed the repair of the ribbon cable, and fitted up quite a few bits.. still some more cable repairs for tomorrow, and then it will be about ready to power up... how many error codes will I get?... you might pray that we will not only get these machines working properly, but that they will be reliable for the future... it's a long way to come back!
    Nat has been back to hoeing Rhondda's garden...(more blisters on his blisters!) and typing in local languages again, for the Sudan Literature Centre... Quite impressive how he and the team do it... Touch typing on a modified keyboard in a language they don't know!
    This afternoon he went off to Arabic class, and came back with some words so that he can now go shopping!
I only know one word... Salaam (hello), and then I can't remember it at the times I need it!

Till next time... Colin and Nathanael


--
Colin Mills

Wednesday

    Its Wednesday evening here in Sudan, there are thick grey clouds covering the sky, bringing relief from the higher temperatures.Yesterday it rained for half an hour, adding water to the gigantic holes in the dirt roads. I watched an old 6 wheel drive Mercedes truck crawling through and around the holes, snaking this way and that as the driver tries to keep most of his wheels contacting the ground. By the looks of his tyres, he was way overload... maybe that assists the traction? A little further on we passed a Toyota Troup Wagon stuck in the very middle, deepest part of the road... he had lost his whole Right hand front wheel assembly.. Just the big ball on the end of the front diff was left!
     The office equipment suffers similarly... we are now up to 5 machines with rat eaten internal wiring. Unfortunately for the owner of 2 of these machines, of the dozen or more cut wires.. they are all the same colour... Black!... I have no workshop manuals either, so they will need to send these machines all the way to Kampala, and hope they are able to get the wiring replaced.
     Internet is bad today... Satelite services don't work well with heavy cloud, plus we only have one point for everybody to share, and it is borrowed from "Samaritans Purse", the NGO next door who naturally has first dibs on it!... I've been at the Danish Refugee Council today, and their satelite is completely down today, along with their older Canon copier... too bad I didn't bring all the manuals with me!
    We have been enjoying our time with the people here at ACROSS, Africans from Sudan, Uganda and Kenya mainly, they are all very friendly, and excuse us readily for our non African ways.
Every morning we meet under one of the huge mangoe trees (nearly ripe!)  to sing, read the scriptures and pray together. English is the common denominator language, most people even in the town, have some understanding of it, but for the sake of better comprehension, an interpreter helps out. Some of the songs are in English and some in simple Arabic. Thankfully, their is only one sound for each vowel, so pronouncing the words is not too bad.
    English is a common language, but the real commonality of the folk here is their love for the Lord, and for the people of the area. They work hard to bring help and hope over the radio, in the classroom, in health clinics and anyhere else they can. A number of the staff have families further South, and stay here in Yei, to be part of this ministry, only returning home on  odd ocassions.
Nat, in addition to typing out Discipleship training booklets in a language called Nuer, has been making a new accurate CAD map of the compound, to locate all the underground wiring, to assist with future building works.
    This morning Rhondda and I walked the 2 km into the centre of Yei, to purchase a few things. Rhondda was after more fruit and I was in need of double sided tape (I had left my roll home due to being overload with machine parts). The fruit was easy, there is an abundance of local food... but of 3 stationary shops, no one had even heard of sellotape with sticky on both sides!... I settled on a second hand pair of long trousers (I had only brought 1 pair and Africans don't like to be seen wearing shorts), and a small can of grey paint, which I hope will hide the rat damage in the second Riso printer.
    There seems to be lizards everywhere, inside and out, so Nat has taken lots of photos. The one pictured is about 300mm long. It comes out onto the warm walls in the evenings.... Sorry we dont have many photos of people... they don't like being photographed !

Monday Morning

I went to "Reconcile"(a group who trains locals to deal with the many traumatised adults andchildren here)  this morning to look at their photocopier... needs a drum as we thought... Bibek, the Indian/US computer tech, is staying an extra 2 weeks now, so hopefully we can get the parts before he goes.
The Riso machines are coming on slowly... many faults simultaneously, and its been a long time since I last worked on them. The older one now has the best of the parts and seems to be performing most functions. I wil go and get some paper so I can try the feed section now. I have only just got it to load a master half an hour ago.
Just had a big UN helicopter go over... first one I have seen. Some of the UN people rent accomodation here at Across.
Sunday was great... went to local english service at the evangelical anglican "cathedral"... aprox 1000 people there at 7:30 am! (full up)
2 more services followed!

--
Colin Mills

Arrived Alive!

Chris recieved her BRAND NEW Canon 2018 copier about 7:30 last night, we only ordered it about 3 or 4 hours before, so I ran it up in her lounge room and then we carried it up the stairs and installed it to her computer and taught her how to do a few things.. before getting to bed late again,
We were up at 5:15 to be driven into the city bus terminal by Chris' offsider at Solidarity Child Rescue Centre, Isaac, who got us to the bus easily, and kindly waited with us until we were on it.
What a drive,,, an amazing trip, Mad Mouse style driving with bus drivers who are determined to be on time, through heavy traffic we weaved this side of the road and that, passing on the left or on the right, crashing on and off the road shoulder dodging huge potholes, pedestrians, broken down vehicles, even taking a dirt track, around the back of a little town in Uganda to dodge the road works. (there was no need to dodge roadworks in Kenya,,, they don't do them!!)
Scenery was amazing, the views across the Rift Valley in Kenya, wild animals, towns , roadside markets, building projects, everything is so different here!
Finally found the AIM Matoke Inn (our cab driver got lost) and have enjoyed the company of our hosts Nigel and Rowena, enjoyed a great meal, and a hot shower

--
Colin Mills

23rd March

Its Monday morning morning here, early, I've been up since daybreak,... but still had the best sleep of the trip so far. This long haul flying does awful things to my inbuilt clock!

Nairobi has to be driven in to be believed... I have no idea how anyone gets anywhere in this city without bad things happening.

Yesterday We saw a big group of onlookers gathered on the opposite lanes of a nearby road... around what appeared to be an unlucky pedestrians body... the day before, someone actually stopped for us at a pedestrian crossing!... only to have another car tail end him for obeying the road rules. The little Hiace buses and their larger light truck cousins rule the roads... they drive flat out on the footpath, or the wrong side of the road, or stop mid roundabout to let off a passenger

Security is a huge issue, Chris has a steel gate on entrance porch with padlocks, steel grates over ever window, a huge solid fence with steel gates and 2 padlocks and a security guard on a gate up the road protecting this group of houses.

In many places we have to wind up the car windows, as Chris has had her bag stolen several times wile driving... look out when you walk downtown with no car for protection!

Church yesterday at the Solidarity Child Rescue Centre was the highlight of the trip so far,... so many joyful young people, music and singing was amazing!... Unfortunately the Pastor got caught up with people problems on the Saturday when he was to be studying... so called Chris Saturday evening to see if the visitors were able to preach for him... I was glad that I had copied some of my old sermon notes, and was able to adapt them...We had a look at Epaphroditus, in Philipians 2.

We have been unable even to send emails for some time. I installed a bubble jet printer to Chris' Vista laptop, which still wont work properly and mucked up the USB connections... one of which goes to a mobile phone for email, and we still haven't got it to work again!!.... Life in Kenya has some huge frustrations!

Today we desperately need to get the emails going again, and are going to pick out Chris' new photocopier... another trip on those roads! But, we do look forward to whatever comes our way for the day!

Till next time

Col

Our Itinery

Here is the detail of what we are up to and when:

 

Fri 20 March

    depart Adel 1215 to Sydney to Bangkok to Naiobi, Kenya

Sat 21 March

    arrive Nairobi 0610, Chris will pick us up at the airport

Mon 23 March

    Assist Chris Eglinton to purchase a good copier

Tues 24 March

    depart Nairobi 7am by bus

    arrive Kampala, Uganda aprox 8pm... Stay at AIM guesthouse

Wed 25 March

    Orientation with AIM,

    pick up supplies in Kampala

Thurs 26 March

    Depart Uganda from Entebbe 1215

    arrive Yei, South Sudan 1345

    Stay with Rhys and Rhondda Hall, ACROSS,

    

    Colin's work: Complete Rebuild of 2 printing machines and training of staff

    Nathanael's Work: CAD Drawings for new building work, assist with printing machines

 

Sat 2 May

    1115 Depart South Sudan for Entebbe Uganda 1245

    1950 Depart Uganda to Nairobi to Hong Kong to Adelaide

Mon 4 May

    0940 arrive Adelaide

 

Lakelander Community Newspaper donate printer for Sudan

Col has just picked up a printer identical to those he and Nat are going to repair in Sudan

The local newspaper at Meningie S. Aust. have given theit old printer as spare parts for the Sudan machines.

Without their generous gift this project would be much more difficult and would probably mean that only one machine could be salvaged from the rats!

Now we hope to get both going again.

 

I received emails from Rhys at Yei this morning,... They have taken the Riso machines out of storage, removed the covers and have taken lots of photos for us. Unfortunately, there is very severe rat damage to both machines. Lots of wires have been eaten and there is substantial rat urine damage. It will be a big job to recover either machine.

I then read from Spurgeons morning devotional the following…

Ezek 36: ³⁷Thus saith the Lord GOD; “I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them;”

And so spent my trip to work praying and thinking about the issues. An hour or two later , when I had a free moment, I called a lady I know from the little local newsletter group at Meningie, South Australia. I knew they had a disused Riso, same model as we are goping to repair in Africa, so I asked if they still had it and would consider donating it to a good cause …. She told me “ Last night, we had a meeting , and discussed what we should do with the old Riso, and decided to give it away to anyone who had a need for it,... it's yours”!!

My prayer was answered before it was asked!!

We now have a complete wiring loom to replace what the rats ate, and any other spare parts we can fit into our 20kg baggage limit!

Praise be to God!

Prayer points:
I recently located the Kampala Riso machine dealer, and emailed him re spare parts availability, He has promptly replied, saying that the machines are now obsolete and they have little in stock, but his supplier still has some parts. We have only a short time in Yei and are unable to order yet as I have not seen the machines.., please pray that we will be able to get what we need and quickly!

Also, I have ordered some light common parts from Sydney., Please pray that they will get here on time!

Praise.... 1) Salem Baptist (Nat's Church) have got right behind us and have collected over $500 in one week toward the printer parts
2) Aim Aust. has organised our stay in Kampala at Matoke Inn (AIM Guesthouse)
3) Rhys and Rhondda have been able to organise our Sudan travel permits

Our Goals

Last year I recieved an email from our friends in Yei, with an urgent call for someone to help with technical things on the ACROSS base. They need to re establish the printing department, which requires the refurbishment of the two old Risograph printing machines (which have been in storage for years since they were last used in Nairobi) to enable local printing.Currently, mission staff are having to personaly take any print jobs all the way back down to Kampala in Uganda (4 day 1400 km bus trip on very bad roads) to get the job done correctly.

The machines will be used by ACROSS (Association of Christian Resource Organisations Southern Sudan) to publish educational and church materials essential in the work of strengthening the Christian church and in reaching out to the people of this poor country. A whole generation has been devestated by a long and brutal war, their once meager facilities have largely been destroyed and the church along with the people, suffers from poor literacy and teaching. Currently there is peace, and so a door has been opened for us to help them.

Now just why was it that all those years ago I was trained in repairing this exact model printer?? Could it be that God had a hand in it?!

Nathanael is hoping to be able to do some CAD drawings (that is his trade) for their proposed new radio building, and anything else he finds to do.

I'm assured that there is no shortage of work to do... generators are broken down, there is faulty wiring to be repaired, plumbing issues, motorcycles need help etc!

If you would like to help in Sudan: We are collecting some money to go towards spare parts for the repair of two old printing machines (not for our own needs... we have already paid for our airfares etc.) You can contact us on colalimills@gmail.com

Picture: A same model Riso printer, looking brand new!

We are leaving on 20^th March and expect to be home 4^th May.

Your prayers are of great value!

The time is short, (we wish to achieve something useful, not just to be tourists)

The trip is potentially dangerous (security, illness, travel)

Things may not go smoothly (spare parts availability? etc, etc)

Thanks for being part of this with us,

Countdown for Africa

Hi Folks, from Col & Alison and eldest son Nat.

Preparations are well under way for Nat and I to leave for Sudan on March 20. Alison will be holding the ropes at home, while we travel to Sudan to assist our friends in their mission work.

We've had our jabs at the Travel Doctor, bought a rucksack each, and started filling them..Tools, medication, information...The 20kg limit is aproaching rapidly!












Africa Inland Mission (AIM int.) will help us on our way to the ACROSS base in Southern Sudan, just above the border junction of D.R. Congo and
Uganda, at a town called Yei.






We fly from Adelaide to Sydney, then via Bangkok to Nairobi (Kenya), where we hope to catch up with a friend, before taking a bus to Kampala (Uganda) where we hope to stay with AIM for a day or to before continuing north and over the Sudan border to Yei.

We have not yet decided on whether to fly Kampala to Yei, which is hits our budget hard, or whether to bus it again. The bus is cheap, uncomfortable, insecure.... but crosses the Nile twice, and lets us experience the real Africa, how the locals live. Our friends in Yei have used the bus and don't seem to bothered by its problems...only warning that if the wet season has started by then we may well be bogged for a night, and on the other hand, if it's dry ... we had better be prepared for breathing a lot of dust!

On the way home, we get back to Kampala then fly Nairobi, Hongkong, Adelaide