"A" Names Abound

Virtually all Dinka women's names start with the letter "a." There are very few exceptions. And there are many names that are very common. The Dinka don't try to be original with their children's names. They're all named for a relative or perhaps a close friend, so often there are several people with the same name in one family.

For example, one of our neighbours has eight or nine wives (yes, polygamy is very common here)--or it may be ten by now, as he just married another one! The first girl of each of his wives is named Alek, which I think is the name of this man's grandmother. Since the girls all have the same paternal name, they are often distinguished by using the name of their mother as their second name. So the girls are known as Alek Atap, Alek Ajuong, Alek Atong, etc.

These are the wonderful ladies of the Parot Church Health Group that I have been teaching, minus one lady who was absent. (In case you're wondering, the photo was taken just before Christmas and they're holding pitchers that I gave them for pouring water to wash hands, or any other use.) These women's names are:  Front row: Akec, Agau, Aluel   Back row: Awek, Acol, Anon  Missing: Aluel

And for the record, my Dinka name is Agop. :-)

Brackenhurst Beauty

I spent Christmas and New Year's in Kenya at the Brackenhurst Conference Centre. What a beautiful place! Coming from the dry season brown of my area of South Sudan, it was such a treat for the eyes and soul. And weather was cool and refreshing.

I'd like to share some of Brackenhurst's lush colours with you, thinking particularly of those who live in places that have already had lots of snow so far this winter.

 

The flower beds and shrubs at Brackenhurst are magnificent. Such a variety of colours, shapes and sizes, all a wonderful testimony to our amazingly creative Creator.







 I really liked these funky fuzzy purple flowers, and the striking simplicity of the calla lilies, pure white against the green.

 

 

Brackenhurst New Year's Conference 2012-13 Group Photo

From Dec. 28-Jan. 1, I attended the Brackenhurst New Year's Conference, an annual event that has been taking place for decades. There were 150 participants of at least 10 nationalities, fellow Christians serving in various countries in this part of Africa. I met some wonderful people, and the Bible teaching by the Kenyan pastor who was the speaker was fantastic, a real feast for the soul. My body was well fed, too--the Brackenhurst buffets are SO good! 

Happy New Year!!