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Neighbors continue to come to our house or meet us on the street
and express their sadness and horror. Most of them are Arab Muslims
truly saddened by the events. Their support and concern has shown
us again that we are all God’s children and we need more
than ever to express that oneness in love.
In March 2001 we returned to Khartoum after our home assignment
in the U.S., where we had a good experience meeting friends and
supporters. We drove over 17,000 miles, from New Jersey to Colorado
and from New York to Florida and points in between. We spoke at
over 50 engagements and had to cancel several and refuse others
because of lack of time. There were wonderful times with family
and friends along the way. By the end, however, we were ready
for "home." Yet, once home, it didn’t take long
for the difficulties the churches face here to overwhelm us. These
were either of a financial nature or concerned a division among
church leaders. Many problems involved strong emotions. We were
getting visitors at all hours, each one wanting us to solve problems
deeply rooted in the history of the churches here. Some of the
stories and arguments were heart rendering!
It seemed like we were going from one "crisis" to another.
On top of all everything, there were daily cuts in electricity
while temperatures reached 140 and 150 degrees. For several days
in a stretch we had no water from the street and relied on a storage
tank, which also ran out once. It seemed like we were doing more
than the normal amount of struggling just to exist. We began to
question the purpose of our being here. Then in the midst of this
we are pulled back to the reality that God is in charge. Several
events contributed to this affirmation of faith.
First, Barry traveled to Ethiopia in June and saw many church
building-projects being completed. He visited with these congregations
and shared their joy. Members of several congregations had to
walk for days to get the building materials and then carry them
back on foot, there being no roads.
Second, Betsy started teaching again after almost a year. She
is working with the seniors in their counseling course and to
the junior pastoral students, she’s teaching introduction
to pastoral ministry. Nile Theological College (NTC) just had
a three-day workshop on gender awareness, which certainly challenged
a lot of the cultural thinking of our students! Also, NTC will
be celebrating its 10th anniversary on September 29.
Finally, a couple students from the college who are pastors of
congregations in Khartoum and the displaced camps have invited
us to worship with them. The power and the presence of the Spirit
there are too much for words. It was as if God was showing us
that, in spite of all of the difficulties, God is here and in
ultimate control. People worship with enthusiasm and joy even
in the midst of their sparse living conditions. In one congregation,
when Betsy started to preach the women got up and swarmed the
pulpit and started to sing and jump for joy, taking her hand and
having her jump with them. The joy on the faces of the people
with whom we worship lights up the simple structures we are in,
making them seem like fine cathedrals.
2 Corinthians 4: 7-16 is often repeated by Sudanese Christians,
speaking to us today in light of what is happening in Khartoum,
the U.S., and the rest of the world. "We are hard pressed
on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed
. . . so we do not lose heart!" These words bring comfort
not only to Betsy and Barry in Khartoum but to all Christians
throughout the world who need to hear the good news for today!
May God be with each of you and fill you with the sense of his
presence not only during times of struggle but always.
Your friends in Christ in Khartoum Sudan.
Betsy McCormick and Barry Almy
The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 49
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