101 Days to Pray

Yesterday we marched – and marched. The normal ‘Murphy’s Law’ states that ‘Anything that can go wrong will go wrong’. There are two Sudanese variations: ‘Anything that can be delayed will be delayed’ and ‘Anything that can be changed will be changed.’ Both variations applied today. In Church on Sunday, one announcement said that our walk to launch the 101 Days of Prayer Towards a Peaceful Referendum would start at 8:00am, the other said 8:30am. We opted for 8:30am and prudently did not turn up until 8:50am. Actually we weren’t prudent enough as the walk did not actually begin until 9:30am – but I’m not really complaining as everyone was in good spirits and the cloud cover kept the temperature at a pleasant level.

The marchers walked happily and many onlookers came out to watch. The police band beat out a lively rhythm and after about half an hour the leaders turned at the designated spot to head for the so-called ‘Peace Square’ where there would be speeches. But suddenly we came to a halt and the parade was directed back to the road we had just left. The people marching from the other end of town had not arrived. So the sudden decision was made that we would walk on towards them. Inevitably the two walking groups met head on not far from the main market near the centre of town. Both groups stopped. Small problem there of where to go now! Eventually the other group wheeled around, the police band moved forward, the other [...]