Plumb Lines

This is a brief autobiography, from my friend Okot Emmanuel Taban - who we affectionately call "Emma". Emma is a "Child of Fallen Heroes", a war orphan of the SPLA struggle against the north. He has been a great help to the mission here at Borongole since joining the staff last year. I was going to edit his testimony, but since he aspires to be a lawyer journalist and I want to be authentic, I decided to share largely his own words. It is good practice for him, and it gives you a good sense of how the English language  is expressed here.  RK
EMMA - My Story
I am Okot Emmanuel Taban I am a KAKWA  by tribe, born in Torit, Eastern Equatorial  State on 26\11\1991 on a Saturday. I am a Sudanese by nationality. When I was 6 I lost my Dad during the 21 year South Sudanese liberation struggle. When I was 10  my Mum was also killed brutally by the Muslims. I personally witnessed this tragedy and many atrocities of the devastating catastrophic war of the Muslim Sudan government against south Sudanese Christians. My sister, aged 13, and I struggled not to starve after that. Many of our relatives and friends perished during that period of time. This was what the Muslims called the jihad war, which mean "spiritual war" that is still in prevalence up to this date. This war poisoned the mind of this young patriotic nationalist. My father was an officer in the SPLA. He was assassinated in Narus after liberating Kyalas, Narus, Kapoeta, and part of eastern equatorial region. The assassination of my father by fellow countrymen stab me in the back and gave a heavy blow on my face. I immediately died inside and lost respect for any government institution and gave me strong hatred for the Arab race or anyone colonial tendencies. I  studied primary school in this country. But I finished in Uganda because of the aerial  bombardment by jet and antinov bombers on my school and village.  I went to Comboni College and Gulu central high school. But later I had limited chance of advancement because I had been supported by a missionary friend whose funds ran low. This interupted my dream of becoming a lawyer or journalist, but all in all I am giving my gratitude to all the fallen heroes, widows, orphan, wounded heroes, liberation fighters, and international friends. This includes my beloved late dad, Mr. Taban Noah lukudu,  who had served as an operation commander in the liberating zone, and  beloved mum Joyce akio dudu, who was also terribly killed. They all worked hard to see that we are free at last from the chain of oppression and prolonged marginalization. My generation now has a future to make.  I thank God He has softened my heart toward all people, including those considered enemies. He gave me restored respect for the government and showed that the principles my dad and mum fought for were not in vain. I forgive the Muslims who killed my parents and tried to force us to forsake our Jesus. May Almighty God forgive them. I am happy that the gospel of Christ is not overshadowed by the jihad.
So, I Emma, still live by God's grace. By His hand I survived from many dead at the hands of Muslim fighters. I never thought I would go to school, but God touched the heart of an American friend, who saw to it that I would graduate high school. I believe the same God  will provide a way forward for my continued education.  
To my beloved comrade countrymen and future flag bearers  of our newly born country I say what is of paramount importnce  is looking forward rather than looking behind. There is no future in the bitternesses of what is past. We should start doing work rather than we expecting it done for us. The future belong to those who do their home work, not to those who waste their lives, allowing their hair to turn grey just sitting in the moonlight.
Corruption, greed and  laziness can become pandemic crops in our nation We nationalist youth share in the destiny of the land our fathers fought for.  Let us cease from the undying hunger and greed for something better. It causes us to worship idols and brings only strife amongst us. Eenough is enough for war and tribal division. My tears run and flows like a stream, when I see a crawling baby in anguish and hunger. That is more important than whatever else we may want. Anyway may the almighty GOD rescue us and bless us, I say all this for GOD  and my South Sudan.
Amen