NBC News has posted this look at a “U.S. missionary family’s dilemma” in South Sudan. A husband and wife from Omaha, Neb., along with their two daughters, ages 16 and 23, are currently refusing to evacuate South Sudan and leave behind 10 orphans that they care for, as the country descends into violence. Last year, the family sold all of their possessions and moved to the young country with two other volunteers, and now care for the orphans. Though they have been offered the opportunity to evacuate, it is not clear if the orphans would also be allowed to leave the country.
The Campbells told APTN, “We were put on an evacuation list, so they are doing what they can do. I understand they have procedures but I would think in a time of war somebody could do something. If you’re trying to protect the children then this isn’t the place to do it.” More than 180,000 people in the country have been displaced as ethnic violence and political violence has gripped the country for the last several weeks. For the Campbells, the situation is also growing increasingly dire. The president of Keeping Hope Alive ministry, who has been in touch with the family, told The Charlotte Observer, “As American citizens, [the Campbells] can get out, but they don’t want to leave the [orphaned] children behind. And they have only a short window of time because they’re running out of food” …
