St Patrick’s Father Noel Brown reports on the opening of St Martha’s Guest House, in St Mary Magdalen’s Parish, South Sudan.
Something very special took place on the 1st of January 2025 in the beautiful yet arid land of South Sudan. It was the opening of St Martha’s Guest House in the Parish of St Mary Magdalen, Riwoto. Even the trees were dressed for the occasion within the decorated compound. As the people arrived amid temperatures soaring well into the mid-thirties, with no sign of the longed for rains to soften the sun-baked thirsty ground, pride radiated from the local community. Excitement was in the air as the local leaders and invited guests and friends arrived to celebrate a momentous occasion. Music could be heard everywhere as the Toposa people assembled in traditional dress ready for celebration and dance. Probably a good quality guest house of this kind was not to be found within a radius of fifty miles. It is here that one’s thirst will be quenched, one’s hunger satisfied and a comfortable place to rest the weary body will be found.
St Martha’s Guest House was officially presented to the people on Wednesday 1st January 2025 by Fr Blessed Ejenavi and his assistant Fr Barnabas Kumasuun. The receptionist Lore Christine had already shown her professional standards and organisational ability through her input into the general style of the guest house and its surrounds. Jonathan, the young seminarian assigned to a pastoral programme at Riwoto supported all involved in making the event a success. Sr Mary Nkatha checked on every detail ensuring that all would be well. There was no doubt travellers would be sincerely welcomed, visitors highly appreciated and locals to be received with open arms. It was a fine achievement for the instigators and sponsors alike .It is now a haven of friendship in the middle of a free land which may be a bit harsh at times but is recovering slowly from the scars of a civil war.
St Mary Magdalen’s Parish is situated approximately after a five hour drive west from the Kenyan border over a rough road sometimes indefinable for those inexperienced wanderers on this somehow deserted and possibly inhospitable highway. However an explosion of hospitality awaits the lonely traveller. Security is assured once inside the fenced compound. At the opening ceremony the children danced and held their hands on high for something never seen or heard of before. It is a place of welcome, rest and care for the lonely sojourner .There is an atmosphere of warmth, renewal and refreshment to be experienced by all those ready to enter and enjoy.
Lore Christine along with Fr Blessed will be looking out expectantly for the dust rising on that lonely road and the one searching for a place of homeliness and rest. Before long the stove will be red hot and a fine tasty meal prepared for the visitor ensuring a complete and wholesome South Sudanese traditional welcome.