It was about time to take a break from the Nuba Mountains after having arrived back from the Assembly in late May. The flight that we came in on fortunately was unsuccessfully shelled by the enemy as we landed. This then caused that airstrip to be closed for reasons of security. It had been two hours walking distance to our mission. The present airstrip which is in use is quite a distance from our home.

Myself and Fr. Solomon Ewot, the Apostle of Jesus I live with, left our compound on Tuesday afternoon 19 Oct. We walked three hours over a mountain and spent the night at Kauda mission with Fr. Abraham Aboud and Brother Isaac. Early the next morning at 5:30 we began our walk to the next mission Lumon, again over the mountains. It rained for several hours (fortunately we are not salt) and long stretches of black cotton soil. We arrived at Lumon 5:30 that evening. There were no villages along the way since only a year ago the people had been attacked and chased from the area. This is common and forces the people to relocate on top of the mountains.

We remained at Lumon for three days waiting to be informed when there was the possibility of a plane at the airstrip we were heading for. Actually this was good because it gave us a chance to rest and since there is no priest at Lumon we were able to meet with some of the catechists and to celebrate the Eucharist with them. Here also we met a young man from our parish who had recently had his left leg blown off by a landmine. He was being treated and hopefully in the future he can be flown to Kenya to be fitted with an artificial leg.

After being informed of a possible plane in a few days, we left Sunday morning again at 5:30. We passed by where the acting governor was staying to greet him and he gave us several more soldiers, in addition to the three who were already with us, to accompany us to the next camp. When we reached this camp we rested, bathed and enjoyed a meal. After two hours we were given five more soldiers to accompany us to where we would spend the night. At this point Solomon and I had eight weapons that made sure we were safe. We arrived at a village at 9:30 PM, thanks to a full moon, again exhausted but in good company. We stayed at the local chiefs homestead and were received well. Our last day on the trail began at 6:30 AM down another mountain and over a vast plain to more mountains. We arrived here at 2 PM and found that there were Catholics in the area. We were taken to the catechists home and welcomed to stay there for the night. A priest had never been to this area where there are already five centers where the Catholics gather for prayer. Needless to say many Christians came to greet us.

We were quite exhausted since several hours through the plains we were walking through water and mud, but the reception by the people gave us new strength. That night at 3 a.m. we were awakened by the sound of gunfire and blasts coming from a near-by mountain - maybe five kilometers from us. In the morning we still heard the shooting as they returned to the other side of the plains. It was the enemy raiding the villages for livestock and possibly to capture some of the people. We left again at 7:30 for the airstrip which was 40 minutes down the mountain on the other side of the plains. A plane arrived before 9 o'clock carrying seeds supplied by the Italian government. We were in the air by 9:15 and arrived at Lokichigio, Kenya by noon. We were met by our diocesan representative there and taken to the New Sudan Council of Churches compound where they insisted I shower, shave and change cloths before I could go for lunch. I think they were afraid I would embarrass them with the way I looked! Solomon and I were on a 4:30 commercial flight to Nairobi arriving by 6:30 and I made it to the Society house in time for the end of the sundowner. What different worlds we missioners have the honor and privilege to be a part of.

After our much needed rest in Nairobi, Fr. Solomon and I headed back to our mission in the Nuba Mountains. We left Lokichoggio, Kenya on Wednesday morning 24 November on a chartered aircraft carrying supplies purchased by the Diocese along with eighteen catechists who are studying at Blessed Bakhita Center in Kitale.

We arrived at the airstrip. It is closer to where we live than the. one are had departed from in October. By now the cargo had been given to the several hundred porters, who came to receive us, so we began our journey by. foot. After an hour we came to a crossing whereat those going the long way via Kauda Mission took one route and those risking going through an area occupied by the government (enemy) forces took another. I not being brave but lazy or maybe practical chose the later. I felt confident being in the company of at least seventy other people and soldiers to go with them. We traveled a head a bit and then rested and ate in the comfort of a dry riverbed. We then moved again. By 8:30 p.m. we had approached the area of the enemy. We were put into single file and warned not to speak. We then went fast through the harvested fields and plains. All the while a soldier was always near to me. We also were accompanied by a full moon.

After several hours we were through the bad area. We continued on for another hour and then we were allowed to rest. Everyone first collapsed where we were and fell off to sleep. After maybe two hours we all awoke and continued our journey. I arrived at our mission 5:30 p.m. It was maybe fifteen hours of walking - my feet were swollen due to my new Rockport shoes but I was most grateful to be at home once again.

Tom's Biography             Tom's Reflections             More about Tom's Ministry

Tom experiences the civil war first-hand

Sudan atrocity caught on film - BBC was there and interviews Tom

View the BBC video clip

Tom as Missioner of the Month

Read about Sudan's slave trade (dated 21 March 2001)

Maryknollers in Sudan