The following are the events as we have been allowed to share. Skip to the bottom to see the latest update.

UPDATE 1

Overview/History of Henrick’s situation:
Henrik was doing church work in Upper Nile state, South Sudan. He was travelling with three other church workers (1 Sudanese pastor and 2 Sudanese elders). They were visiting the Atar area in Jonglei along with the other Sudanese church members:
1) Simon Minyang Bol (a Presbyterian pastor)
2) Isaac Chol Chuang (elder of the church)
3) Abraham Tuong (elder on the SIC church in Atar)

They were in the church in Khorwatch (spelling?) on Sunday September 19th and after worship services they went to the SPLA barracks to inform them that they are around. At this point they were all detained and we are told they spent the night outside. They were then escorted back to Atar to the SIM compound and held there under house arrest. When SIM leadership was notified, we sent messages to our SIM representative in Malakal, Mike Koski. Pastor Thomas Khodok (Sudanese member of Sudan Interior Aid) was also contacted. He obtained an SRRC travel permit and traveled to Atar to see the situation. They met up with Henrik and the other church members and were told that they should go to Canal to get their release. They travelled to Canal on September 21, 2010. When they arrived Pastor Thomas stayed at the deputy commissioner’s residence and the other four (Henrik with the 3 church leaders) stayed with the military. They were told that the military was waiting for the senior person to show to hear their case. On Wed, 22 Sept we learned that Pastor Thomas Khodok was also detained by the SPLA.

Our Efforts
Henrik’s love for the Sudanese people has resulted in a large effort by pastors and friends in Malakal to secure his release. They are visiting many officials on his behalf. Pastor Daniel Yhor here in Nairobi is working with the SPLM office here. SIC and Sudan Council of Churches leaders are engaged and working through their own contacts. We are also in touch with UN Security personnel offices in both Malakal and Juba.

Please join us in praying for his release soon. Acts 12:5 “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”

Chris for the SIM Sudan team

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UPDATE 2

24 September, Friday
In Canal, three of the five men were released. However, Henrik and Thomas Khodok remained in detention.

25 September, Saturday
Very heavy rain overnight and during the day ensured that not much could happen. In the afternoon there was a meeting at the military security office in Malakal. Pastor Kur Deng (SIC), Mike Koski, and others were there to negotiate and give information. The men are to be released tomorrow and brought by military escort to Malakal tomorrow. Henrik himself called me at 3:56pm and sounded like his normal upbeat self. His case of malaria which presented on 23 Sept is much better. He self-treated using Coartem.

Thanks to Pastor Kur Deng, Thomas Khodok’s brother, Pastor Mum’s brother, Mike Koski and others for their tireless efforts. When the men arrive in Malakal, we will let you know. Thank you for your prayers.

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UPDATE 3 (27 September, Monday)
Henrik and Thomas Khodok left Canal today and arrived in Malakal. They were escorted by security forces were kept for a time at the Security Base in Malakal. Isaac, an elder from the Atar church is with them.

Around 330pm, Isaac, Thomas, and Henrik were brought to the SIC Compound which SIM Sudan uses for a base. They were told they were restricted to stay at the compound. They are is fine health and good spirits. I was able to speak to Henrik personally and assured him of our support.

Charges against the men are being brought by army intelligence against Henrik and Thomas. The charges are for spying and trespassing. It is possible that there are charges against Isaac also.

Because the men were there on for spiritual reasons, we are certain they will be exonerated, however there are certain procedures that must be followed. For those procedures, Thomas and Henrik (and possibly Isaac) will need to travel with a military escort to Juba.

UN Security in Malakal states the matter is out of their hands. Apparently the whole process has become high level they are not able to influence the situation.

Only two of the original group of four are being charged.

Note that Thomas Khodok is a pastor of SIC and is currently assigned to the work with Sudan Interior Aid, the aid wing of the Sudan Interior Church (SIC).

Pastor Daniel Yhor Akec (SIC and Director of Sudan Interior Aid) and Chris Crowder (SIM Sudan Director) will travel to Juba tomorrow (28 Sept) to assist with the situation. We are also told that Rev Ramadan Chan (SIC) and General Secretary of the Sudan Council of Churches is in Juba as well.

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UPDATE 4 (29 September, Wednesday)
Pastor Daniel Yhor Akec (SIC and Director of Sudan Interior Aid) and Chris Crowder (SIM Sudan Director) made it to Juba/Sudan on the 28th September 2010. Henrik Ermlich, Thomas Khodok and Isaak Chol Chuang needed to be transferred to Juba as well by the military (using a commercial airline). Before they left Malakal they were given back the money which was taken away from them, finding that it was less 1104SDG (approx. 480USD). Georg Sieg (German Embassy in Juba) was there in Juba to meet Henrik, Thomas and Isaak when they arrived.

Chris Crowder also had a meeting with Georg Sieg at around 12:30pm to talk over what the further procedure could be. Georg was of great help in the negotiations with the Vice Presidents office on the 28th September 2010. The church delegates were also meeting that same afternoon to discuss this issue.

Henrik is doing good so far. The military treated him fair most of the time. We are thankful that he was not beaten or mistreated physically. But we can still say that he has gone through a tough time.

Currently it looks like a release could be possible today, according to a short statement of a lieutenant yesterday evening. They are waiting on the military base right now (10am) for their case to be attended. We are prepared to receive Henrik in Nairobi. The CMT has decided after the consultation with the member care personnel that he should come out for a debrief and a period of rest. Henrik has accepted this offer.

Thomas Khodok and Isaak Chol Chuang will fly back to Malakal. If the military will not come up for the cost of their repatriation flight back to Malakal, than SIM is willing to pay for that cost. We appreciate their help and that they were ministering with us.

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UPDATE 5 (29 September, Wednesday)
HENRIK, THOMAS AND ISAAK ARE FREE!!!

After they had been waiting at the military base for some time this morning they were finally attended by a lieutenant. The release was uncomplicated. Chris Crowder and Co. appreciated the lieutenant for his help and left the office.

Henrik Ermlich and Chris Crowder will be arriving in Nairobi (JKIA) today, on 29th September 2010, at 4:30pm. Me, Heinrich Klassen, will meet them at the airport. Daniel Yhor will fly to Nairobi the following day (30th September 2010) in the morning. Thomas Khodok and Isaac Chol Chuang are in the process of purchasing their tickets to Malakal. Their arrival will probably be in Malakal on the 30th September 2010.

Just finished up an interesting Swahili lesson. We were doing a review of verbs, tenses, etc by making up sentences. I made up a sentence about how my learning is coming along slowly but surely. This reminded my teacher of some parables that reflect how Kenyans view/value time.
“Mwenda pole jajiwai”, roughly translated to mean that the person who is slow does not stumble.
“Haraka haraka haina baraka”, hurry hurry has no blessing.
It was a bit of encouragement as we adjust from the values of a fast-paced culture to a culture that values relationships over time.

Reprinted from a fellow SIM missionary serving in Doro, Sudan.

FLOODING…AGAIN!!

September 17, 2010

Due to heavy rains here and in the mountains of Ethiopia, Upper Nile State is again under water! Our benchmark has always been the “Flood of 2008”, but this is even worse and came more suddenly so caught farmers unaware. Last night when we went to bed, the river was overflowing its banks some, but this morning we awoke to a lake covering the 2 kilometers field between the SIM compound and the river. The water is flowing across the only road to the Bunj market at waist-deep level and with such a swift current that people must walk together to keep from losing their balance.

At our compound, the water rose halfway up the new fence and metal gate…and into our compound. Tabita, our cook, neighbor, and friend, like most of the Mabaan, lost all her corn and pumpkin crops in the flooding. The fields are all under water, ruined.

What this means for the Mabaan:

- No crop means another year of no food for these people
- No seed to plant next year
- More malnourished children and adults
- Many displaced people who have no homes
- No grass to rebuild their homes
- Possible food shortages in the market if the bridge washes out
- Likelihood of more disease from standing water, such as more malaria
- Dangerousness of crossing river to get to clinic or market

Please pray for the Mabaan people here in Upper Nile State

- For God’s mercy and provision
- That the waters recede quickly
- That the Mabaan would draw closer to and trust the One, true God
- That this terrible situation would not cause frustration and strife as the Referendum vote draws near
- That the Mabaan would open their hearts to know the salvation that only comes as a gift from God through the blood of Jesus
- That we as missionaries here would shine like stars in the universe…ambassadors of God.
- That the flooding would not prevent the delivery of Plumpy Nut by plane on Monday

Thank you for your prayers and support,

In the service of the King of Glory,

Grace

Grace distributing prenatal medication.

The Doro team.

You can learn so much about a culture through the language. Recently I was trying to memorize some new vocal for Swahili and came across the many different words for the days to come. Way more than just tomorrow, but the day after tomorrow, the day after the day after tomorrow, and it went on. This was a stark difference from the Arabic we were learning in Malakal. Things for the future were just mentioned to be happening tomorrow. That might mean the actual next day, or could be the next week or month.
The difference made me think about how Southern Sudanese are still undergoing the change of surviving to living and thinking about the future. Here in Kenya, without civil war or the threat of civil war, there is more focus on future planning.
Just wanted to share an insight into my random thoughts with my small insight into these cultures we have been fortunate enough to get to live in.

An introduction to the trip we’ll be taking in October to film SIM’s work in Burkina Faso with the mentally and physically handicapped.