We have had a very eventful entry into RSS, with disruption of our plans to begin to PiBor from hostilities not involving our immediate groups in the Peace Initiative, but strife between Nuer from the North near Akobo and the Murle who have fled PiBor to the bush. Yes, even Rev. Oruzuz is in exile in Juba and we spoke with him there.

We had diverted to Bor and begun by going to the Leprosy Village in Malek where in an almost Biblical scene on the New Years Day we dressed the wounds of lepers and have trained two leprosy dressers in the three visits since.

We went to Werkok to work very hard to salvage both the forty foot container’s trashed surgical supplies, clean, sort and label it all in new boxes and store it in a secure container and take along with us the equipment we would need for a makeshift operating room which will mark the high point of the mission.

I have done a lot of Medical Diplomacy with the strong support of the Minister of Health who has been wonderful.  I have met with the Governor of Jonglei Province and the Deputy Governor whose response to our Mission to Heal you will see attached, particularly in 12-Jan-A-9

But the high point for the whole team was our four day mission to Malek, where we inaugurated a clinic and set up a makeshift OR with the marvelous contributions of each of our superb participants.  In these four days we operated on 26 patients mainly with spinal anesthesia with the equipment salvaged form the container, and also treated scores more patients with many tropical medial conditions on the banks of the Nile.  I will attempt to send a journal outline, but you will also see a myriad of photos and videos for your review.

We are well–trying to be productive despite many obstacles, some of them contrived, but we have also got many good supporters. The whole team is over the moon about all that has been accomplished despite frustrations.

We are happy in Team A with three more days and then Team B arrives to start up our Chad and CAR missions!

The team is superb!

This is the first public holiday RSS History, the anniversary of the referendum that determined secession.  We will wish you form here a very Happy 2012!

GWG