SUCCESSFUL RETURN TO BOMA

SEAP team ready to leave Wilson Airport for Boma.

At 0700 hours, Aimair's 5YPCS caravan left Wilson Airport, Nairobi, for Boma,South Sudan. On board were SEA Partners team of five men and supplies for the reconstruction of their facilities which, like those of other humanitarian organizations, were destroyed and vandalized during the Yau Yau uprising in Jonglei State in May 2013. Having made two stopovers - first in Lokichogio for aditional supplies and in Kapoeta for visas, we  eventually landed at Boma airstrip at 1300 hours.

Offloading supplies at Boma Airstrip.

The reception accorded to us by the new and friendly Civilian Authority was exceptionally warm. We were given South Sudanese food and drinks and accommodated in the Executive Director's premises for our overnight stay in lower Boma. Also, we were given facilities for the safe storage of our supplies. On the morrow, we made our way up the mountain to a historic welcome by the commander of the battalion occupying our compound. South Sudanese food for our supper, a ram to slaughter at our own pleasure, and assurances of protection and cooperation with our staff were all signs of a rare gesture of hospitality.

Faith Learning Center will need extensive repair of damaged classrooms and replacement of all

Porters rest on the way to upper Boma

furniture as well as teaching and learning resources. We urgently need to fence the compound, restart the school and agriculture and repair the water wells. There is need to get supplies for classroom repairs on the ground before the onset of heavy rain.

We thank you for being instrumental in enabling the re-engagement with the Boma community through your prayers end generous contribution. God bless you all!

HENRY OKUMU
African Director,
SEA Partners.

Boma Pictures from March 15, 2014

Meeting with the Boma government officials.

Unloading supplies in Boma for the compound and school.

Henry is overseeing the unloading process.

The supplies are being taken to Upper Boma (8 miles) by local women. They are very strong and robust. Everyone of them beat me up this hill carrying their loads. 

This classroom building is intact and can be used immediately for classes.

These classrooms could be used in an emergency, but it would be challenging. There are four classrooms like these that will need repair.

Our SEA Partners Staff: Left to Right-Donnie, Ken, Vincent, Henry, and Robert

This pic includes two of our Sudanese staffers: Simon (red) and Johnson (brown stripes)

The road to upper Boma is the best I have ever seen! No Kidding. My guide, James Oleo, is standing above a spot that was previously a rut in the road. Now it has been filled in by the military.

All along the road to upper Boma, there are piles of rocks removed from the road and organized to be placed in potholes and ruts. 

A Visit to Naomi's Village

On my first day in Kenya, Henry Okumu and I headed off to the Rift Valley to visit a ministry to orphans. Naomi's Village is located just outside Maai Mahiu and is home to 50 orphans and underprivileged children. We spent two hours touring the facility and listening to the vision of the ministry through the founders, Bob and Julie Mendonsa. I had met the Mendonsa's a time or two at Coram Deo Academy when I was the Athletic Director there. I found out later that we attended church together at the Village Church.

Bob and Julie Mendonsa (In the middle is their daughter-Emily)

Hearing the stories they told of rescued children was amazing and I could only imagine what God has planned for those children. The Mendonsa's believe these children can be future leaders in Kenya and their hope is that they grow up to serve the Lord and to have an impact on other orphans by fighting the battle to eliminate poverty in rural Kenya.  It is a lofty undertaking, but as Bob told me "It's not about winning, it's about the fight. The fight to eradicate poverty may never be won, but it is worth all our energy to try". If you would like to learn more about this fantastic ministry please check out their website at http://naomisvillage.org/. You will not regret the time spent reading about God's work at Naomi's Village.

May God bless Mendonsa's and their faithful staff for their service to the Lord.

Onward for Christ,

Donnie Brake
President

Boma Report: March 5, 2014

SNATCHED FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH

The girls in their new found home. Back row, standing from left to right: Kaka, Salome (foster mother), Vincent (Boma Project co-coordinator), Bakhita (in black T-shirt). Front row from left to fight: Nabolo, (squatting), and Alima (in red Blouse).

Having had several first-hand experiences, in the past, of what the consequences of conflict and violence can be, Alima, Bakhita, Kaka, and Nabolo would not procrastinate on what to do when violence recently broke out in South Sudan. In February last year, they witnessed three of their classmates at Faith Learning Centre, shot and killed by a lone gunman. During the Yau Yau rebellion in May last year, several people in their village were killed; in fact Kaka witnessed the shooting and killing of her brother by armed men. These are just but a few of the many such traumatizing experiences they have gone through, young as they are.

It is not surprising, then, that when violence recently broke out in their country they trekked hundreds of kilometers without food and water in the wild jungle between Boma and Kapoeta. Miraculous! Like everybody else they had to run for their dear lives and in the process getting separated from their families, and becoming part of the large number of South Sudanese from Jonglei State seeking refuge in Kenya. At Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, they came face-to-face with the very enemy they were fleeing from: death – but this time round, not by the bullet but by hunger, starvation and ill health. Lile Machi, who, like the girls, was also fleeing the violence, informed me about the hungry and sick young girls in the refugee camp.

At the time of their rescue in late January, they were in a seriously bad state of health; also, their physical and emotional wellbeing was wanting.  They have since been given adequate medical care and regained good health. The love and care from their foster parents have healed them both spiritually and emotionally. They are now a settled and happy lot. We give thanks and all glory to the Lord God, Almighty for the supporters of SEA Partners who have been instrumental in saving and transforming lives through their generous donations and prayers.

Be aware that your prayers, financial donation and or contribution in whatever manner has made and continues to make a huge difference and will surely be rewarded in eternity. May the Almighty God make you exceedingly fruitful even as you are a blessing others.

HENRY OKUMU

African Director,

SEAPartners

PS. The cost of supporting each girl is $70 per month. Please consider an online gift to provide food, clothing, healthcare and an education for these young ladies.