NEWSLETTER March 2014 Rev JOSEPH MAMER’S FLYING VISIT Joseph and his wife Clarice are good friends of the PooleWau Partnership and were very welcoming and helpful during our visit to Wau a year ago. Joseph was due to visit Poole for two days this month en route to Belfast for training to help in the running of St John’s College. However, delays in issuing his visa meant that the visit to Poole had to be cancelled. We were, however, able to collect Joseph from Heathrow on Saturday 22nd and take him to Southampton Airport via Salisbury for his onward flight.
Take-off for Belfast
There was just time for a brief visit to Salisbury Cathedral en route. Permission was given so late that there was no chance to arrange any meetings in Salisbury.
Joseph’s visit to the UK was almost cancelled, but –-praise God– following both prayer and very effective action by our MP Annette Brooke, his visa was issued at the last possible moment.
Fighting started on 15�� December between different factions of the Presidential Guard and quickly took on an Inter-tribal character between the Nuer and Dinka tribes and different parts of the army. There were cruel massacres on both sides in Juba and other places, and fighting is still going on, even though a Ceasefire Agreement was signed in Ethiopia on 23�� January. Bor, Bentiu and Malakal–-all towns along or near the Nile–- are the focus of fighting, but Juba, where it started, is reported to be quiet. Many thousands of people have been killed and nearly a million have fled from their homes, creating widespread disruption. For many, planting of next year’s crops is at risk.
Destruction in Bor town, capital of Jonglei State. Bor has changed hands 4 times, and each time saw more destruction — of homes, businesses, and lives…… More than 2500 people were killed here.
Please pray for…. All Christian leaders and people. Archbishop Deng, Bishop Moses and his fellow Bishops An end to hostilities at all levels, and turning away from inter-ethnic violence. A spirit of Reconciliation rather than power-seeking and trust in fighting Refugees and displaced people; humanitarian aid, the UN, aid workers Leadership with integrity & compassion. The leaders on all sides. Those struggling to offer “pockets of hope and goodwill” in different places Support from Christians around the world, now and in the future More detailed information is available on request
“Instead of celebrating the birth of Jesus we were confronted with violence. It was shocking how quickly violence spread from Juba through South Sudan. It was also shocking to realise how quickly people were ready to kill one another because of their ethnic or tribal background. Terrible things have happened on our soil which I thought would never happen again. Truly I have never felt so sad….but as Christians, we must be ready for peace when it comes––our faith is the greatest tool we have to build a better future…” “Even as the fighting seemed to divide people along ethnic lines, there have been as some Nuer and Dinka struggle to protect their neighbours and friends. For example, there is a large number of Nuer who have sought refuge in Twic County in Warrap state. They have been taken in and no harm will come to them from any Dinka” “In Malakal, more than 2000 people from various tribes took refuge at the Presbyterian Church compound. Rev Peter Gai stood at the gate as people came with guns and refused them entrance…”
Joseph and his family At the time of our visit to Wau last February, Joseph was Principal of St John’s College. He still teaches there but now also works in Aweil. Joseph’s wife Clarice is the Wau Diocesan Secretary and assistant to Bishop Moses. They have two children, a girl and a boy. Their son was suffering from malaria when we visited Wau but is now recovered.
The Northern Ireland Connection
Photo above–Joseph (centre), Clarice (right)
Joseph’s visit to Belfast was organized on behalf of Photo right–Bishop Moses by Canon Kenneth Hearn who holds Kenneth Hearn the post of Bishop’s UK Commissary (Representative) and has long been a great friend of Wau. He was appointed to the post by a former bishop of Wau and continues to work tirelessly on behalf of Wau Diocese. In Belfast he is aided by the Wau–South Sudan Support Group which supports his work and raises money for Wau. Also in Northern Ireland, Milisle & Carrodore parishes are officially linked to Wau.
POOLE-WAU PARTNERSHIP CONTACTS Chair Jeff Neagle jefferyneagle@btinternet.com 01202—621386 Secretary Liz McMillan lzmcmillan@googlemail.com 01202—722870 Prayer Secretary Val Wilson wilsonweb72@gmail.com 01202—747712 Newsletter Richard Tazewell lamorna25@googlemail.com 01202-–632967 Or write to us c/o St Dunstan’s Church Office, Poole Rd., Upton, Poole, Dorset BH16 5JA
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