Thanksgiving

Today on Thanksgiving I am especially grateful for all of you who support and encourage me in the mission in Sudan. You will be remembered in prayer today with sincere affection and heartfelt gratitude.

Different Ways of Expressing Gratitude

When we were returning from Loa and Nimule last Monday, we carried two priests with us who wanted to travel to Torit. We three priests were sitting in the front (I was driving), discussing various things as we made our way. At one point the conversation turned to the differences in the way Africans express themselves in English as compared to Americans or Europeans. For example, when Africans want to ask for something, they usually express it as an imperative without using the word "please" or phrasing the request as a question (For example: "You give me a ride."). This reflects the usage of their tribal languages and can be a little off putting to foreigners until you get used to it.

On the reverse side, if an African is hungry and you ask him or her, "Would you like something to eat?" they will regard it as an insult because since they are hungry, of course they would like something to eat. To phrase it in that way can appear as if the person asking is mocking the other.

When it comes to expressing gratitude, apparently some tribal languages either don't have words to express that directly or else they are seldom used. Instead, an African will express gratitude by speaking well of someone, responding positively to a gesture and reciprocating with kindness in the future. They may also do a symbolic gesture such as touching the earth (the source of life and sustenance) and then touching their heart to show that you have given them life in some way.

Catholic Relief Services African Peace Building Team

Yesterday Bishop Akio Johnson received a visit from the Catholic Relief Services (the international relief agency of the United States Catholic Bishops) Africa Peace Building Team. The visit was coordinated by Tom Purekal, a good friend from my days in Honduras, where he also served as a volunteer in an orphanage. Tom is the manager of the CRS Peace Building Program in South Sudan. It was good to be able to connect with the representatives of the Church in the United States who are trying to preserve and solidify peace during this time of heightened political and tribal tension.

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