Monica-dit: Woman of Courage
‘Dit’ (pronounced deet) is a term of endearment used in the Dinka Rek language to insinuate affectionate respect toward an older woman.
I first met Monica-dit last year when one of our supply trucks got stuck in the river. James and I rushed to the river where we worked to unload the truck, carrying the cement and other building supplies to the riverbank to lighten the load and hopefully free the truck.
As we labored, other supply trucks from the North passed us. These trucks were full of sorghum, maize and other food that the Southerners stopped growing because every time they tried, the Islamic Militia came and burned their crops just before harvest. So, now they buy their food from the Islamic North.
Often, these open lorries are full to the top with 50 kg bags of food. Slaves who have escaped the North will walk days in the desert before catching up with one of these trucks. If they have managed to furrow away a bit of cash, they can buy passage to sit on top of the grain bags until they reach Nyamlel, the first major town in the South.
At times, I took a welcome break from the loading and unloading to speak with some of the “Returnees”, as they are called here. It was there, at the river Nyamlel, where I first met Monica-dit. Slight in size, her spirit was strong even after such an arduous journey. She had a small boy of maybe 18 months or two years at her side.
I learned the small child was her only living relative - her grandson, Christopher Deng. When her village was attacked, her son was immediately gunned down. While she was being beaten, she could see her daughter-in-law being raped by many men. She dropped her newborn son at her side where he laid crying on the ground.
One man seemed to be particularly angry with Monica. He cut her chest. Then he began pounding his fist into her mouth until all but one of her front teeth fell out. He then made Monica pick up her teeth and swallow them. All the while, he laughed and cried out victory for Allah.
Monica thinks that at some point she must have passed out because she can’t remember the evil men leaving. She just remembers waking up and seeing her son was dead, her daughter-in-law had been speared in the neck at some point during or after the rapes, and her newborn grandson laid on the ground motionless. At first she thought he, too, was dead.
Monica-dit picked Christopher up, crying while she pulled him to her cut chest. He began to stir. He was weak but alive. Monica-dit was thankful he was alive! She prayed she would be able to take care of him.
There was nothing to feed Christopher so even though she was an old woman and had not had a baby in many years, she prayed God would give her breast milk to feed him. God provided. Monica-dit, an old woman, put her newborn grandson to her breasts where milk flowed abundantly for him.
Now one year later, I have to admit I had a strange mixture of joy and sadness when I first saw Monica-dit pushing a wheelbarrow around our compound with Christopher, now about three years old, trailing behind. I am touched at how grateful she is to have a job and food for herself and Christopher. She sings to him as she works. Yet, I think surely there must be easier work for her.
James told me she asked for the job of compound cleaner as it is what she knows and is therefore comfortable doing. So, Monica sweeps debris with a few scraps of 12 to 14 inch straw which she tied together with rope she made from vines. She then scoops the debris into a wheelbarrow and carries it away, offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving as she goes.
Thanks to the funds coming in for our slave repatriation ministry, this year we will build a tukel (straw hut) for Monica-dit and her grandson. They have slept alone in the bush long enough! When her grandson is old enough, he will have a place in our New Life Ministry school.
-Kimberly Smith,
President
Through the Make
Way Partners Slave Repatriation Ministry, we provide loving
care, discipleship, food, jobs and a home. It costs about
$1,000 per former slave to provide this care including building
them a home. Please consider sponsoring a former slave or
widow or find partners to share in the support with you.
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