06 | The Extra Mile

“Walking the extra mile” is a well-known saying and idea, which often involves putting in additional effort to achieve a goal or to help someone else. On the last trip to one of the more remote field locations, I might have understood just a little more what that’s all about. 

Let me tell you about Dindin. (Photos: Click here!) 

Starting from Juba, a mid-sized airplane first took us to Rumbek. A few men trying to sell pipes and local honey awaited us when we got off the plane, trying to make a little bit of money. The journey continues on a helicopter (— try to imagine a big military helicopter, but in white, that should do for now). Another hour up in the air, looking down on the vast stretches of swamp and water, thinking about how much tragedy this land must have seen. It looks so peaceful and calm from up here. 

When we landed in Leer, I understood why people use the word “airstrip” instead of “airport”. Because that’s all it is. A piece of land for small airplanes and helicopters to take off and land. “Airport” would simply be an exaggeration in every way. “Welcome to Leer'', says the pilot in a friendly tone with an undeniably Russian accent. 

We grab our luggage and get off the helicopter. A Landcruiser is already waiting to pick us up. 

In Leer, we stayed at a small Tukul* for a few nights. 

Thursday morning: off to Dindin. 

Light or heavy shoes? One or two bottles of water? Equipped with a quick-run bag**, sunscreen, and my camera we headed out. Half an hour in the car, but on dirt roads of South Sudan you don’t get very far. Just before the “road” turned into a muddy swamp, the car stopped and we continued our journey on foot. The water reaches just above the knees, as we keep wading through the lukewarm brown sludge. 

Every time one of us got tired, Galla kept reminding us that this is the extra mile, and we cannot stop just because we are tired. I was silently wondering how many extra miles there are. 

Dindin is a small place somewhere in the “Sudd”, one of the world's largest wetlands. Over the years, a small clinic in Dindin was established to provide basic medical services. After about 1.5 hours we reached the clinic. Taking the light shoes was a good decision, only bringing one bottle of water, not so much. 

We were welcomed by what seemed to be the entire team working at the clinic. The head of the clinic is showing us around, explaining where people can get which kind of treatment and what the different tents are for. As I take notes and sketch the layout of the clinic, I am trying not to pass out from the heat, exhaustion and dehydration. 

After only about one hour, we already had to get ready to walk back. The sun sets early in South Sudan, and because anything could happen at all times, it’s smart to factor in some extra hours. 

Walking the extra mile is hard work and dedication, and it takes love, courage and persistence. It’s usually not fun, but tiring, and possibly painful. But we don’t have to rely solely on our own strength. If Jesus told us to walk the extra mile***, He will equip us with whatever is needed to keep walking. 

Additional thoughts on the extra mile: 

I think many people working in the humanitarian sector are genuinely trying to walk the extra mile. It depends on one's personality, position and location what that looks like. But I cannot emphasize enough how much I admire and appreciate people who work in places such as Dindin. 

Whenever I talk to friends and family back home, I am the one who receives praise for working in a difficult and extreme environment. And to some extent, that’s fair because Juba is not exactly anywhere near what most people would describe as a beautiful place to live. South Sudan is a tough place. But most of the people who walk through the mud for hours or sit in canoes for days, never travel to Europe and get told how strong and brave they are. 

Cheers, Markus