the week-long Referendum voting ended on Sunday. the people of South Sudan were voting to determine this region's secession or continued unity with the North. results are not out but i am sure, from conversations over the last few months, that the people voted overwhelmingly for secession. it was such a privilege to be here during this time. this is a history-making time; a new nation may be created in the next few months, and i am here to see it! it was 2004 that the Lord broke my heart for Sudan (because of the genocide in Darfur). i wanted to go to the worst place, where people were really suffering. i wanted to stand with them, to show them that they were not alone, that God cared and Christians from around the world cared. i wanted to weep when they wept and rejoice when they rejoiced, to be embraced as one of them and as part of their lives. i've been here for a year now, getting to know the people, listening to their stories, showing them that they matter and their sufferings are not in vain. i came not knowing that i would be here for this historic event, witnessing one of the most important political phenomenons of our time.
the vote began on January 9th, my birthday. my name means peace. that's exactly what marked this week - peaceful. it was like being in Sudan on any other normal day. no tension, no violence. (there were some skirmishes along the North-South border, but these were very small and few, and nothing like that happened in Yei). most importantly, i witnessed the countenances of the people as they voted. there was joy and dignity on their faces. they were proud to be Sudanese. after decades of being treated like slaves, dehumanized, they were finally able to express their views, to make a decision for themselves, to express what they thought was best and what they wanted. they were human again, free. i stood with them as they rejoiced. i feel honored, grateful.
results will be announced February 14th. please pray that the will of the people would be respected and enacted. i am gearing up for the biggest celebration i have ever seen.
