(Based on the article “Memoirs of South Sudan” by Carolyn Figlioli)
In 2016, serious circumstances began taking place in South Sudan. In a town called Yei, our Iris missionary, Carolyn Filglioli, was overseeing our Iris South Sudan base which was home to about 100 children. Over the course of the year, there was news of unrest between Sudanese tribes. Around August, the battling of two tribes started to become too close for comfort for Carolyn and everyone who lived at the base. The government was splitting and fighting all around them became a normal thing. Gunfire in the night became too common.
Stores began to shut down, roads were being closed off, and travel was prohibited. The rebels were shutting off supplies for everyone living in Yei. They waited as people traveled in or out, ready to steal from them or kill them. The stores were running out of food and supplies forcing them to shut down, and inflation rose ridiculously. “We are very close to becoming prisoners of war although not held at gunpoint, just imprisoned on our compound or in our homes because we are restricted in any movement,” Carolyn mentioned in an email as she asked for prayer and support.
In all of it, Carolyn and the staff remained there and continued to support the kids to the best of their ability. She wrote, “…we continue to make the lives of our children as normal as possible without them being too aware of all these problems. We strive to maintain a routine for the kids and find that this alone is the best way to keep them at peace when everything else is falling apart. It also helps adults to stay busy and "kid-focused” (pg. 27). The children and Jesus were always the focus.
It was difficult to come up with a plan at first, as there were many children to care for, but they realized they needed to get the children out of the country to a safe location. How were they going to safely transport the children to a sheltered place? The rebels and looters were moving in and the cost of moving everyone would be great. They decided the goal was to get all the kids into boarding school in Uganda. When Carolyn was able to make it to a nearby city, the Lord connected her with people in high places. She had favor with the Governor and even the President of South Sudan himself. After constant ups and downs, what seemed like failures and successes, and spiritual attacks that had physical manifestations, they were all able to board a plane bound for Uganda.
The support system she had was so vital during this time, financially and spiritually. Carolyn wrote, “I praise God so much for that and for all who have stepped up and pitched in. There are many. Thank you so very much. I praise God for all of the churches who help us monthly and all the individuals who sponsor our other kids monthly and for our big Iris family all around the world” (pg. 29).
Our kids are doing well, and are still in need of sponsorship and support. They are now living in Luwero, Uganda, and are safe and healthy. They are continuing education and healing from the trauma. Sponsorship will be able to help them continue on this road of learning and growth.