Turning Swords into Plough Shares
A Word from the Diocesan Bishop of Wau By Rt, Rev, Moses Deng. Sowing a Seed Sowing a Seed Not so long ago on July 9th I attended the Independence Day celebrations with Governor Nyandeng Malek in Freedom Square Kuajok. I was very pleased because I had also just attended a peace conference between the Apuk and Aguok communities where I was given a chance to speak for peace. It was a meaningful time because people were not doing the usual things they do to earn a living or pass the time. The conflict had stopped that, so when I spoke there was really a chance that without any distractions they might listen and understand. Jesus tells us a parable about a sower that sows his seeds and the way that they grow toward harvest. You can read about it in Mathew Chapter 13 verses 3 to 10. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Many of the seeds do not get on well and produce no harvest. Here in South Sudan we are a people that really are starving because of weak farming habits and poor harvests, not to mention disasters and tribal fighting so I know this has much meaning for us. But Jesus was not really talking of plants and food he was talking about people, as he makes most clear. 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was
Index A Word From The Bishop ....................................2 Independence Day 2015.......................................5 Community Bank...................................................8 CNHPR Update......................................................9 Third Fundraising Event in France.......................10 Peace in Warrap State.........................................11 A Statement from Kigali......................................12 Diocesan Guesthouse Update.............................15 Captain Paul Lueth Church Army Africa..............17 CNHPR Meets in Warrap.....................................18 Stigma and Discrimination..................................19 Wheel-Chairs for Disabled Students...................21 St Mary’s Secondary Girlschool...........................23 St Mary’s Cathedral Wall.....................................24 Ox Plough Training..............................................26 St Joseph’s Primary School, Aweil.......................28 Development Project Summaries......................28 Contact Us ........................................................29 Please Pray with us ...........................................30
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sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.�
really understand they work together as one. At Pentecost we have celebrated the coming of the last of these to the Apostles that founded the whole Christian Church. This is an amazing thought that every Christian in Wau Diocese and South Sudan (not just Anglicans) is a Christian because of the efforts made by the people in that room when the Holy Spirit came. Take some time to read this story through, you can find it in chapter 2 of the book of Acts, it is quite amazing and changed a group of confused frightened people in to bold hard working preachers.
So it is obvious that sometimes the words I say fall on ears that are deafened by the world we live in and the lives we lead. Truly that makes me sad.
Here I can tell you about a service in which we invite all the Parishes around Wau town to a joint Sunday service in the Cathedral. In this service we ask each tribe to sing worship songs in their mother tongue and the rest of the tribes to join them in the singing and dancing.
It makes me sad also that in the four years since we gained the freedom we have from Sudan and looked to end forever the fighting that was destroying us we have done little else as a country but fight one another. I really give thanks to God that in Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazel there has not been the terrible killing and destruction that many other parts of South Sudan have seen. But we have not been unaffected, refugees come to us for shelter and aid. We have so little but I am really very proud that people of my diocese have worked hard to provide for people that are our brothers and sisters in need. With the help of kind donations they have proved to be good neighbours, which Jesus always told us was important, you can read about what Jesus means in the story of the good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke Chapter 10 verses25 to 37. But I would like to ask a question, when we are still fighting are we really free? And if we cannot feed or educate ourselves because of tribally based fighting are we truly independent? We are in a part of the church year called Trinity and it is a very long part that lasts from Pentecost all the way to Advent, in time it is nearly a third of a year. In the season of Trinity we celebrate all things to do with God the Father, Jesus and The Holy Spirit and we celebrate the fact that that in ways we do not
We are calling this the Pentecost Celebration Sunday because we are united in many tongues and we hope that the Holy Spirit will come to us just as it did two thousand years ago. When we did it in July there was a strong sense of joy and unity among different tribes including Dinka, Nuer,Bagari, Lou, Balanda, Moroe Kresh etc. Everyone who attended the service recommended that it should be done frequently since it fostered peace and unity among all South Sudanese. So truly Trinity can be a time to inspire us in our everyday lives, if only we will listen. But sadly for many just like the sowers seeds they will be busy, distracted, confused, and led astray. Really what can we do about this? The very first thing that I suggest is that you pray. Yes my friend this starts with you, but not only you, everyone can pray and we can pray together. Remember that in the Gospel of Mathew Chapter 18 verse 20 Jesus told us: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them�.
The God that loves us sent us his only Son to teach us and gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us so we can pray to each and ask for help. Then
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we need to work together, because together we are stronger than alone. In the peace of God, just as with the Trinity, we can work together to meet people where they are and tell them in ways that they can understand about the God that loves them. By this I don’t simply mean going to meet people in the street or in the field. I mean understanding the person who does not know God so that you can help them find God. Really this is the job of the church, sometimes you may hear it called the great commission, it is the work Jesus started. Many persons may be affected or widowed by fighting or abused when they were young. They may have been forced to grow up as orphans with a hard life or become an alcoholic or prostitute. Whoever they are God has a place for them and there is forgiveness for them if they will accept Jesus. We must really make sure that they have the chance to come to him. So it is true, together we can work with God and make someone free in life. That is an independence worth having. But there is more I want to say, because truly what I find most amazing is that similar things can be said of our country and the future it has. Some people in our country still believe they are free and do not need to work so long as they have a gun. Some people believe that Western governments will help us forever providing food and clothing, and some people believe that South Sudan really is fine just as it is and they only need to triumph in their tribal fighting. It reminds me so much of the seeds in the story of the sower. All of these produced no harvest and all of these will bring no stable future for the country we love. We must have peace in South Sudan and development. Just like the Holy Trinity works together all the leaders of faith in this country agree on this idea. They are united and working hard to find ways to bring peace. I believe that our best hope lies with the IGAD talks in Addis Ababa, the Committee for National Healing Peace and Reconciliation here in South Sudan, and the way that it intends to reach out with its message. This is why I am so proud to be involved as a leader of CNHPR in my part of
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South Sudan. The key strategy is to meet people where they are and teach them about peace and reconciliation. Just as with the idea of preaching but in a slightly different way. So the people who have status in life can bring teaching about peace and reconciliation to the leaders of our country. People that have local status such as Archdeacons can bring teaching about peace and reconciliation to local authorities and people who lead in positions of ordinary life such as Pastors can bring teachings of peace and reconciliation to ordinary people. So in this way everybody can be reached. Three in one together, working for one cause, where have we heard of this before? Truly we can work together toward peace and stop the damage that fighting is doing to our country. In a peaceful country we can expand our education. This is a very high priority in my thinking, it is the foundation on which all future developments rely. Not just schooling for children but education for all ages and in all areas. Really the future of our country will depend on educating people. Our country needs educated people to perform all the tasks that a modern society needs. Our school children must grow with education and this education must include understanding peace. Truly our farmers need educating in better techniques to improve harvest so that when they sow seeds the seed can be most effective and yield the biggest harvest. But what of the seeds? And truly we are all the seeds in the parable Jesus tells us. We can accept help and avoid the weeds that will choke us, the birds that will steal us away and thin soil that does not nurture. We can grow in the Holy Spirit that God gives us when we pray and with the education left for us by Jesus we may produce a harvest of thirty times, sixty times or even a hundred times greater. Please read these words from the book of Thessalonians Chapter 5 verses 14 to 22: “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays
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anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ...”
So I would like to say that really our freedom is not just a freedom from fighting but the way we treat each other in life and that our harvest as people of South Sudan will be the independence
that earn through working together in peace that we should truly celebrate. So my friend now please let me ask, do you have ears and what will your harvest be?
Every blessing
+Moses
Independence Day 2015 By Rev Samuel Mabith His Lordship & CNHPR State Chairman of Warrap and the Diocesan Bishop of the ECSS Diocese of Wau Rt. Rev. Moses Deng Bol educates citizens about God’s Will during 4th Independent Anniversary in Kuajok Freedom Square.
The Biblical message to the people of the Republic of South Sudan during the fourth independence anniversary on 9th July 2015 in Freedom square Kuajok, Warrap State is from the book of Psalm 33: 10-12 by The Rt. Rev. Moses Deng Bol on the theme of “God has a plan for us and our nation”
Message “The Lord frustrates the purpose of the nations, he keeps them from carrying out their plans. But his plans endure forever, his purpose last eternally. Happy is the nations whose God is the Lord” To us, the great nations in the world seem very
powerful, but this is not how they appear to God. They may have plans and purpose (Psalm 33: 10), but the plans and purpose of the Lord are far greater (Psalm 33: 11). He brings their plans to nothing, but his own plans stand firm forever. History has often shown that nations that seem invincible are not so it was with Egypt the days of Moses (Exodus 715), and with Assyria and Babylon (Modern Bagdad) in
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later generations (Isaiah 37 & 47). As a nation, we should realize that there are more important things than economic, wealth and military power. We need to get closer to God. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord (Psalm 33: 12) Proverbs 19: 21, Jeremiah 29: 11- 13 and 1ST John 2: 15-17 also speaks of the plans and the will of God for our human lives. God has plans for us individually, communally and nationally. Our role therefore is to be obedient to God and follow his plans and his will for ourselves, our community and our nation.
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who led the marching toward the Freedom Square where the celebration was conducted. We were very grateful to enjoy different traditional dancing and experienced a lot of different dancing styles in the playing ground. Every one of the people who were in a marching group has been very much intended to do so as well as to become the best of all in the marching groups.
The school children were also successful and serious to imitate how best the organized forces organize their marching rows and perform. The students tried to copy as best they can be so that
Bishop Moses concluded his speeches and we were very grateful to hear this meaningful message from him, It was actually a very great joyous and pleasant day for all South Sudanese communities that they have celebrated the forth independent Anniversary on 9th July 2015. It is this which made it possible for all South Sudanese people to show their happiness. It is a day for all of us that we may praise God for this great gift and blessing achievement to the people of South Sudan to have such an important event in the new country so that they governed themselves as now it is, although the country is back to war since mid-December 2013. The marching was done according to the systematic arrangement of the organized forces
they may step on like we have seen now. Every one of them has moved in the marching rows with a full body movement control as if it has happened when the organized forces has led them. Every attendee who has noted these activities looked at each other to see whether they have all noted such attempted marching organized by the school children. Everyone in the Freedom Square was smiling and nodding because it is difficult to control yourselves when you are looking at the dancers or players in the playing ground.
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our new country. We all hope that God always takes our side and gets an immediate solution to those who truly need a lasting peace in our country.
Our target point, as we are part of this community, is to educate civilians so that they may know their role in the country in order to oppose what is not in the national constitution and know the difference between the different choices. This is why the Rt. Rev. Bishop Moses Deng Bol Akoon, who is the chairman of the NPHRC and Diocesan bishop of Wau put education at the top of his list of Diocesan work We celebrated the forth independent anniversary very happily but recall back to disappointing feeling for the loss of innocent children and aging people in our new country in vain, but we comforted ourselves with the message from the Rt. Rev Bishop Moses Deng Bol, Diocesan bishop of Wau and CNHPR chairperson of Warrap state. Let us mobilize ourselves to call for lasting peace in the country. Though we have unfortunately experienced a lot of hatred and tribalism violence within the other parts of our new country and within the government itself, ( as happened on midDecember 2013 in Juba Capital city of the Republic of South Sudan) we still keep on strongly shouting the for the lasting peace in
plans. More changes will be taking place and coming in soon when we cooperate with ourselves and work as a team to educate our community as we want to have a better future, better than now. Let us learn more and equip ourselves for the next years to come in order to avoid any future confusion.
The politicians are usually quick to divide the community but later on fail to unite them. This is how they behave and we don’t want our community to remain the
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same. Some of the politicians cause the war for personal interest, to gain the wealth and top position in the government or something else but a seat doesn’t change personal behaviors even if it is given to you. But the best thing of all is to defend your attitudes. You can work in your community and do much more than the one in the chair if you are a good citizen that loves your country and people. It is also more valuable for you to be nominated or elected official by your
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community for a certain post or position rather than attempting to get it by force. Let us work together and consult one another for the better governing of our new nation in all levels. Thank you very much for listening and God may bless you all. God bless South Sudan.
Bishop Moses Attends Community Bank Hand Over By Rev Samuel Mabith Bishop Moses Deng Bol was invited to witness the opening and handing over of the South Sudan Community Bank (SSCB) from World Concern in Warrap State Kuajok on 9th June 2015. This shows that our Diocese is cooperating with the community and Government. You can see Bishop Moses and the Five Talents President called Sonia H. Patterson, the Governor’s representative the Hon. Aguer Arik the Minister of Finance and the Chairperson of the (SSCB) standing on the right side of the Bishop. This was a very important occasion that everyone was pleased to attend.
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CNHPR Has Conducted Community Consultations in 39 Payams of Warrap State Seven weeks after the launching of grassroots consultation in Juba on the 19th May 2015, The Committee for National Healing, has now conducted 39 Payam Consultations in Warrap State. The grassroots consultations were facilitated by the 55 Peace Mobilizers CNHPR trained in Kuacjok from late April to early May, 2015. Supervised by six Lead Peace Mobilizers, the 55 Peace Mobilizers (also known as Peace Ambassadors) were grouped to thirteen teams composing of four to five peace mobilizers per team. Each team was given a task of facilitating one Payam consultation per week, and thus for the thirteen teams have covered 39 Payams in three weeks. Warrap State is comprised of 42 Payams which will all be covered by the ongoing process. Kuacjok which is the State Head Quarters has also been considered for consultations, making a total of 43 consultations. The remaining 4 consultations will be covered in a week to conclude the process of Payam consultations in Warrap State. During the consultations at Payam levels that were attended by women, youth, chiefs, elders and religious leaders, communities were asked to voice out their internal and external grievances that present their community with obstacles to peace and harmony among themselves and with others. The issues presented by the communities have been documented by the Peace Mobilizers into reports that the Committee for National Healing Peace and Reconciliation will use in developing a national agenda for healing, peace and reconciliation
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Following the Payam consultations CNHPR plans to hold county conferences. Within Warrap State there are six Counties namely Gogrial West, Gogrial East, Twic, Tonj South, Tonj East and Tonj North. CNHPR will conduct peace and reconciliation conferences in all those counties attended by delegates who have been nominated by their Payams during the consultations. Representatives from different Payams and communities will discuss community issues (raised at the Payam consultations) at the county conferences. A similar process will be conducted from the county level and presented at one large Warrap State conference. Similar consultation will be done in all the ten states and Abyei Administrative Area throughout 2015 to 2016. Warrap is the pilot state of the CNHPR’s three-year vision of collecting a narrative from the people of South Sudan at the grassroots level to ensure that South Sudan’s reconciliation journey is driven and shaped by its citizens’ rich experiences, knowledge, and needs. Following the completion of consultations and conferences in all ten states and Abyei, CNHPR will present this people-driven reconciliation agenda in 2016.
For more information, including interview enquiries, please contact:
photos
and
CNHPRs Communications Manager Peter Kuot on +211955067077 or peterkuot@yahoo.co.uk www.ReconciliationSouthSudan.org http://www.twitter.com/cnhpr www.facebook.com/CNHPR%20
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Third Fund-raising Event in France for Educational Program By Dr Sebastien Fath We want our Bahr-elGhazal brothers and sisters to know that the French do not forget you and are happy to be connected with you. Jesus's Grace made us family ! In France, there is a popular saying which is : "never two without three". It means that when a good thing is started, it is nice and rewarding to continue it. Thanks to Mrs Naomi Baki's faithfulness, this proverb revealed itself true once more. A first French fundraising event for the educational program of the WAU Episcopal Church happened in France Chauny Baptist Church in 2012, raising the equivalent of more than 500 dollars. This was reported in Renewal magazine, march 2013 (p.17-18). Then a second fund-raising happened in another French baptist Church located in Compiègne. After listening to Naomi Baki's testimony and plea for her Wau brothers and sisters, the congregation collected the equivalent of around 2,200 dollars. This was reported in Renewal magazine, june 2013 (p.13-14). We are happy to report to our dear brothers and sisters of Wau and Bahr el Ghazal that a third fund-raising has been conducted in France in December 2014, with good results. This third event has occurred in two parts : first, in Soissons Baptist Church, which is Naomi Baki's home-church in France. After listening to Naomi, brothers and sisters gave generously for the Educational program of ECS in Wau. Naomi Baki found in this church a very good spiritual nest, and the elders (see picture) support her vision with no hesitation ! Then, the appeal was also made through internet, via a French-speaking website
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dedicated to promote friendship between France and South Sudan (http://francesudsoudan.blogspot.fr/). The cumulated amount of these two coordinated initiatives reached the equivalent of almost 1400 dollars. We thank God ! Let us say that the current situation in South Sudan is difficult to understand for the French. It is painful to see part of South Sudan back to war. But with explanations and commitment, people understand that there are many good churches and people in South Sudan trying very hard to glorify Jesus in the lives of the poor and needy. Mrs Naomi Baki, born in Raja (Western Bahr el Ghazal) has strongly settled in France and published in 2013 a book which got very positive feed-back from the French media. Its title is "I am still alive" (Je suis encore vivante). It reports her journey from war and bondage, to freedom (see picture of the front-cover). This powerful testimony, along with Naomi's speeches and interviews, has increased awareness about South Sudan in France and let's say Naomi and her team are committed to develop a healthy and long-term relationship between the two countries.
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brothers and sisters, and with the guidance of the Lord, we can pray for each other, communicate and meet. In Autumn 2013, I have been honored enough to meet Bishop Moses Deng in person during a research stay in Juba. Then I could meet a part of his team, including Diocese's treasurer Mrs Clarice Achieng. How good it was to receive firsthand information and prayer topics ! This did not happen by accident. We thank God for feeding the connection between France and Wau, South Sudan. And we thank God also for the remarkable Renewal magazine, which is a priceless informing tool for us and the world-wide community. Keep publishing it regularly, we enjoy everything of it, including the very solid spiritual food we find in several articles ! God bless you all !
Above all, we thank our God Almighty for the blessing to be able to connect regularly between Christians of France and South Sudan. In spite of the distance, we are One in God's hand. We are
Peace in Warrap By Rev Samuel Mabith Congratulations to Apuk and Aguok for the accepting the peace to reconcile between themselves as one community. And congratulations to Hon. Nyandeng Malek Delic the Governor of Warrap State and Rt. Rev: Moses Deng Bol the Bishop of the Diocese of Wau. Congratulations to
all protocol observers to attended this meeting. Hon. Nyandeng read out rule regulations to the community leaders between Apuk and Aguok that the death of innocent people are in your hands. Bishop Moses pray for the peace and he said no revenge again.
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A Statement From Kigali SUDAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES CHURCH LEADERS' RETREAT STATEMENT OF INTENT KIGALI, RWANDA, 1ST – 7TH JUNE 2015
The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows, 'Son of man, I have appointed you as watchman for the House of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, warn them from me. If I say to someone wicked, "You will die," and you do not warn this person; if you do not speak to warn someone wicked to renounce evil and so save his life, it is the wicked person who will die for the guilt, but I shall hold you responsible for that death. If, however, you do warn someone wicked who then fails to renounce wickedness and evil ways, the wicked person will die for the guilt, but you yourself will have saved your life' (Ezekiel 3:16-19) Preamble We, twenty five leaders and representatives from the member churches of the South Sudan Council of Churches, gathered in Kigali, Rwanda for a retreat from 1st to 7th June 2015 along with lay members and partners, issue this solemn statement of our intent to achieve peace and reconciliation for our beloved nation. We speak with one voice as the united Church of South Sudan. We have listened to the voices of our Rwandan brothers and sisters.We thank them for sharing with us, and we particularly thank the Church of Rwanda for welcoming us and offering to walk with us on this journey. We have seen how they developed their country after the genocide of 1994, and how they addressed the pain, anger and bitterness of those terrible events. We have visited their genocide memorials; such inhuman acts, whether in Rwanda or South Sudan, must never be forgotten; we must know, learn from and take responsibility for our history. We have
learned many things from them: the need for reconciliation, forgiveness, humility, unity and leadership. We have seen how important forgiveness is: the person who does not forgive remains a prisoner of their own bitterness, and only he or she holds the key to that prison. To free another person is to free yourself; reconciliation must begin with yourself; only if you heal yourself can you hope to heal others. We have been challenged to examine ourselves, to question whether we have colluded in the conflict either by omission or commission, and to begin to transform ourselves. We confess and repent of our own wrongdoing. Forgiveness seems foolish in the world of politics and militarism, but for the Church of the Crucified Christ who, even as he was dying, said, “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34), forgiveness is the only way. In a world which correctly focuses on human rights, it is often forgotten that we can at times choose to sacrifice some of our rights for the common good. To choose forgiveness and sacrifice is to choose greatness. But forgiveness is not the same as impunity; accountability, particularly through restorative justice, can still be pursued. A heavy burden is upon all of us to create a positive future for our young people, for our children and for future generations. We came to Rwanda to learn because we must prevent such a terrible atrocity from happening in our own country: “Never again!” Prophetic Voice Just as the Prophet Ezekiel was appointed watchman by the Lord, we too are appointed watchmen and women by divine authority. At the 2010 meeting between Church and Government in Juba (Kajiko 2), a South African bishop advised us that we could be like ‘watch dogs’ or ‘guide dogs’. A watch dog barks when there is trouble,
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but a guide dog leads you away from trouble in the first place. We have tried to be like guide dogs. We have consistently tried to help our nation to move in the right direction by offering guidance to our leaders. We spoke powerfully at the Nyakuron meeting in December 2013, urging the SPLM leadership to resolve their differences peacefully. After the current conflict began, we issued our first statement within 48 hours, on 17th December 2013. Since then the SSCC and member churches have issued numerous statements, culminating in the SSCC statement on 26th May 2015 and an ECSSS statement on 31st May 2015. All our guidance has been ignored. To fulfil the mandate given to us by the Lord, we must cease to be like ‘guide dogs’ and become like ‘watch dogs’. Not only will we warn our leaders and our people to renounce wickedness and evil ways, we will take action to bring peace and to begin reconciliation. All of this we do out of love, not anger. The leaders of this nation are our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, our parishioners and congregants; we are their pastors and shepherds.
The Church's Position on the War We have repeatedly stated that this is a senseless war which must stop immediately. There is no moral justification to continue killing ourselves, regardless of any legitimate political issues with government or opposition. A cessation of hostilities must be implemented before any detailed negotiations for the future; it is unacceptable to negotiate posts and positions while people are killing and being killed. Negotiations are about to begin again while innocents continue to suffer. What will be different this time? The needs of the people must be met, not the needs of political and military elites. It appears that pride, power and politics have become a greater priority than peace. As we analyse our conflict, we see many root causes. We see a power struggle between leaders surrounded by an immediate circle of advisors, aides, politicians, generals, hangers-on, and spoilers. We see ethnic communities
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following their leaders, while grassroots communities and armed youth are caught up in cycles of revenge killing. We see military commanders, each with their own agendas, not necessarily under the control of the principals. We see communities which have not yet taken sides in the conflict put under increasing pressure by a lack of effective governance, the failure of the rule of law, and by direct provocation from government or opposition forces. We also see the terrible effects of the recent upsurge of fighting; a rapidly deteriorating economic situation leading to hardship for ordinary citizens; national assets destroyed; human rights abused at every level; people killed and tortured; women raped; children recruited into armed groups; looting; arrests for no reason; security organs acting as if they are above the law; a shrinking space for citizens and civil society to speak out; a deteriorating humanitarian situation; increasing militarisation of society; new armed groups springing up; and increased conflict between and within communities. Much of the country is lawless, and so people take the law into their own hands. There is an increase in crime with no action taken, and people are afraid of the authorities who should protect them. Peace Processes We acknowledge all the peace negotiations, whether in Addis Ababa or Arusha, and we hope that the steps taken to implement the Arusha agreement indicate a new commitment, but overall there appears to be little real progress. There is a complete lack of trust between the parties. They are not ready to make peace; both still see advantages to armed conflict. They talk about talks rather than talking about peace. There is no political will for peace. Furthermore, we believe that they have no idea how to make peace. They have no exit strategy; they are unable to find a face-saving compromise that will convince their followers they have gained something. If the two principals sign an agreement, there is no guarantee that their commanders and other followers will actually
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agree to implement it. People are completely polarised. The Church must play a significant role and the process must be owned by South Sudanese stakeholders. Church Action The Church has historically played a significant role in peace making. This includes the People to People Peace Process, the Entebbe Process which shadowed the IGAD negotiations in Naivasha, our paper ‘Let My People Choose’ which put the right to self-determination at the centre of the CPA, and our advocacy to bring about the referendum. We wish to inform our leaders, our people and the regional and international community that the Church is now taking serious steps to bring about a home grown solution for peace and reconciliation. Advocacy Starting in South Sudan and reaching out to the region, the rest of Africa and beyond, we will embark on a process of advocacy. We appreciate the role of regional states and express our gratitude for their efforts to bring peace. However we are also aware of their own political, military and economic interests in South Sudan which might cause difficulties and suspicions; there are elements of a proxy war. We will go to regional church bodies, national councils of churches and individual churches and, through them we will reach out to key regional leaders. We also appreciate the role of the international community, and will reach out to them. Neutral Forum We will find ways to bring stakeholders together in a less politically charged atmosphere and to build bridges between them to overcome mistrust and disagreements. Any successes in this process will feed back into the IGAD negotiations. Reconciliation A political settlement is a necessary first step, but reconciliation at all levels, vertically and horizontally, is essential. Only the Church can bring about true forgiveness and reconciliation.
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We will spearhead reconciliation, where necessary incorporating existing mechanisms so as not to lose what has already begun on the ground. We must transform ourselves, transform our people and transform our nation. We are wounded, but we must become wounded healers. We commit ourselves to modelling reconciliation and forgiveness in our words and actions. Throughout our country, and amongst our people in the Diaspora, we will call for prayer and fasting to change the hearts of ourselves, our leaders and our people. Only through forgiveness and reconciliation can we live as one nation, and only through God's help can we forgive and reconcile. Message of Hope and Forgiveness We ask forgiveness for anything we may have done to divide our nation, and for all the times we have failed to speak and act in love to heal our nation. We bring you a message of hope. We have been inspired by the spirit of love and forgiveness we have seen in our brothers and sisters in Rwanda. Their testimonies have shown us that forgiveness is not just a theory, but that it actually works. The past does not need to control us any more! In our struggle for liberation we had a strong spirit of unity; let us once again accept ourselves as one united people. The Grace and Power of God will prevail. We love you, we bless you and we forgive you all. Given this day, 7th June 2015, in Kigali, Rwanda.
Signatories
Rt Rev Peter Gail Lual Marrow Chairman South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC)
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His Grace Paolino Lukudu Loro
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Metropolitan Archbishop of Juba
Rt Rev Jame Par Tap Hon
Catholic Church
Moderator
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Presbyterian Evangelical Church of South Sudan (PECoSS)
Rt Rev Dr Daniel Deng Bul Archbshop and Primate Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSSS)
_____________________________________ Rev James Kuong Ninrew Moderator
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Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PcoSS)
Rt Rev Dr Archangelo Lemi Wani
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Presiding Bishop
Fr James Oyet Latansio
African Inland Church (AIC)
General Secretary
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South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC)
Rt Rev Dr Isaiah Majok Dau General Overseer Sudan Pentecostal Church (SPS)
Wau Diocesan Guest House By Mr Richard Tazewell The Poole Wau Partnership (PWP) is a link between Wau Diocese and the Anglican churches of Poole Deanery in the south of England. Poole is a town about the same size as Wau town but is on the sea coast about 100 miles from London. There are 22 churches in the Deanery. Mr Jeff Neagle from PWP visited Wau in 2011 and later a group of seven people visited in early 2013. The partnership sprang from Bishop Moses’ visits to the
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UK in 2010 and 2011 and is based on his vision of a link based on Acts 2 vv 42 to 47 in which the partners:-• Strengthen each other spiritually • Share talents and gifts • Share resources When we asked Bishop Moses whether there were any projects we could get involved with he suggested that an old colonial house close to the Cathedral could be turned into a guesthouse. This would be able to provide accommodation for both international and South Sudanese visitors and at the same time earn money for Wau Diocese. There are hotels and guesthouses in Wau but they are either very expensive or not in a good position, so this seemed a very good idea. The house was in a very poor state, with leaks to the concrete roof and rotting doors and windows, a veranda that was falling apart, no water supply which a guest house would need, and no electricity.
It has taken a long time to raise enough money to start the project, but work began in early 2015 and has gone very well. The guest house is now 90% complete, and while we don't have a definite opening date yet, we hope the building will be ready for use early in 2016. At the time of writing, some work still needs to be done on the new block of guest rooms, plus some tiling and other odd pieces of work, and money for furniture needs to be found. The total sent to Wau so far is $30,000 which was raised in Poole by gifts from individual Anglican churches, and fundraising events. One of the serious problems that Wau Diocese faces is the lack of practical knowledge in such things as computing, office management, finance, teaching methods in schools, and theological expertise for St John’s College. As well as accommodating short stay visitors, Bishop Moses hopes that the guesthouse will allow international visitors, such as teachers and other professional people, to stay for longer periods and offer training in these and other areas. This kind of approach has proved very helpful to Wau Teaching Hospital in its link with Poole Hospital.
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The plans for the Guest House have changed a bit with time but the basic scheme is made up of the rebuilt colonial house plus a new block of six guest rooms each with their own shower and WC. There will be a water supply from a tank and a basic electricity supply powered by generator. The location of the Guest House is ideal as it is right beside the Cathedral compound and close to the centre of Wau. Until recently it has been very difficult to transfer funds to Wau, but we now have a reliable way to do this. All the finance for the project goes
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directly to the Wau Diocesan account and is scrutinised by Bishop Moses. We knew from the start that there might be problems with the fluctuations in the exchange rate between the dollar and the South Sudanese Pound, but this has been the only problem financially. The Diocese has selected a very reliable contractor and we are pleased with how the project has gone so far. Soon the time will come for the Guest House to open for business and producing money for Wau Diocese and providing good facilities which will enable visitors to spend time in Wau.
Captain Rev Paul Lueth – First of his Kind By Capt Rev Paul Lueth Kat Deng – African Church Army Officer, Wau Diocese Evangelism Coordinator
In 2012, bishop Moses Deng sent me for studies in a mission theological school , because in his diocese more pastors were not training for theology, Bishop Moses decided to send me and my wife, Regina. My wife has taken a bachelors degree of Divinity in Theology at St. Pauls university and I have taken a degree for mission. I went to study Mission Diploma because of my background. Since I am born again I prayed to God that my dear God will use me to be a missionary to go out and preach the Gospel effectively to the people who hunger for the Word of God. In 2006 I heard the call that you go now, it repeated two times, you go now! I remembered it. This is a response from God that I must go to preach the Gospel. I went and prayed, fasted for two days I ask Jesus, is this my call to Go out to preaching the Gospel? again I question myself that I have a problem because
my education is not strong, because we are children who were born in war and grew in War.
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We tried to go to school but the SPLA recruited us. My education is not sustained well just I attended a course to improve my education. To know the answer from Jesus in 2007 I entered the missionary work, New Life Ministry called me to attend a course for two years for Great Commission training to train us to go out to preach the Gospel. I went to Khartoum Sudan for that training for two years. After we finished our training I was sent to Darfur Sudan for mission with a team. We went for evangelism, we went state to state for evangelism showing the Jesus film and training people in discipleship. More souls were saved in 2008, you know the Darfur region was dominated by Islamic influences so our work there in Darfur was dangerous because Islamic culture does not want the word of God for Muslim believers. But our Lord Jesus Christ was revealed in the Darfur region and many souls have been saved. After I finished mission in Darfur Sudan in 2009 my director of New Life Ministry, told me to go to South Sudan especially Abyei and Warrrap State to be a missionary there, as I take position (MPTA) Million Population Targeted Areas. I was to work full time to work with churches training them for the word of God and training them how to disciple others and mission in their community churches and primary schools. I was accepted to take that position and I came to South Sudan. As I am priest in the Anglican Church it is good for me to help churches a lot. I did a lot of work and went preaching the Gospel, training them, showing the Jesus film, the word of God rose in the hearts of people. In 2010 the bishop of Wau appointed me as Diocesan Evangelism and Mission coordinator in the Diocese of Wau. I like it because it is my work and my gift from Jesus. Bishop Moses sent me to the Anglican Mission School in Nairobi, at Carlile College Church Army Africa. The Church Army in Africa was found in 1956 in Nairobi, Kenya to train
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Evangelists effectively to go to the whole of Africa to preach the Gospel. We were trained in a group of about 50 people from different countries in Africa. We were from 13 different African countries all trained as an evangelist for three years. We graduated on May 23 2015 and each received a Church Army Africa commission, as a Church Army Africa Captain on 29th May 2015. To go out in Africa to preaches the Gospel as Anglican Missionary, I was trained and commissioned and I think I am the first missionary Church Army Captain officer in the Bahr El Ghazel Region. In 2014 I founded a Christian organization for mission called TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD IN CHRIST (TWIC). To train pastors and reach out to the souls who were not saved. I am appealing to the world of missionaries to support us for funding this organization (TWIC). Please do your best, your support for us will be blessed and appreciated our aim is to train Evangelists and pastors in South Sudan and Sudan to preach the Gospel clearly to the people who are hungry for the word of God. Go to our website read more about us www. twicssudan.org. My Challenge I am qualified to take the Gospel out for Evangelism but my challenge is that I don’t have materials like a Sound system for evangelism to preach in the open air. I don’t have support for finance. Kindly pray for me to get a Sound system for evangelism and a car to carry evangelism materials and that someone will support me. My planning in this year in OCT 2015 is that I want to target the Islamic areas like Raja in Western Bahr El Ghazel and other areas in Bahr el Ghazel region. God bless you
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Stigma and Discrimination for People Living with HIV and Aids in Wau Diocese By Rev Andrea Ngong Deng HIV/AIDS Coordinator for Wau Diocese and Chair of the Emmanuel Group According to worldwide emphasis the age groups most infected with HIV are 15-49 years old. Those are the target age population who are sexually active and share traditional norms like cutting the skin, removal of the lower teeth by the some ethnic age groups in Africa. In Warrap state some males and females are at risk of HIV infection through their ignorance by lack of HIV education activities in the state. This leads the youth to create the wrong mentality in refusing that there is no kind of disease called HIV and AIDS. This is really pointing out that 95 percent have no knowledge of this burden which targets the human ‘s lives and can be transmitted in any way that involves fluids. Others spread false information that HIV is coming to the person through prostitution only and that causes some people Living with HIV and AIDS to have feelings of Stigma and discrimination. Some reflected on this and have decided not to tell their family and give up contributing for family support and not taking his or her treatment any more. These people say to themselves lf that this is the end of the World for me and it’s better to die quickly from AIDS or suicide. There are a lot of challenges for us in this state as people Living with the HIV Virus but I want to point out two histories which show our suffering from stigma and discrimination. 1. In 2013, there was a lady who was diagnosed HIV-positive in Kuajok hospital and she left for home after she finished with the doctor and
when she arrived at home, she picked up a phone to let her husband know what was happening because the man was on his journey. But the response was worse from him, saying to his wife that, please if that is true you leave my house before my coming back. Therefore the lady felt very confused and left her two months old baby and committed suicide by throwing herself into the deep well in the town and died. 2. In 2012 I was opening up my HIV-positive status and the director for department for HIV encouraged me to be involved in the outreach program with his staff on HIV-education awareness in the town of Kuajok. He visited many schools and denominations of churches where the youths gathered and every Sunday evening I went to the Radio talk show to speak out on how the disease should be prevented. I encouraged those living with HIV to adhere to treatment. When all the people in the state heard that I was HIV positive, they were shocked and the other day the head master at the village school ordered my children to visit him after parade period to see him. When the children reported to him in his office, he gave the school fees back that had been paid, and said to my two children please, go back home until we call you. The children asked to know what was happening, the answer to them was that it is a none of our business to allow you to be among this community of children. When I heard that very wrong narrative from the head
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teacher I really discovered that my HIV disclosure to save community is becoming a risk to destroy the future of my family. I read the Bible Gospel according to John 3: 16. I realized that if no Jesus no life, we cannot be judging ourselves except God Almighty who created us, I said to my wife there can be no coming back to silence till the end of my life. Vision Our vision in fighting this disease is to cross the bridge to the World global commitment of Zero new HIV infections, Zero stigma and discrimination, and Zero HIV related to death by 2020-2030. With the hope of what Christ, the son of God commanded in the Bible that “come to me all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads and I will give you rest because the loads I want to put on you is light”. His struggled healing power for those who had fever, leprosy, paralysis and blindness improving God great kindly love and compassion to us and His true mission to saved vulnerable people same like this time of incurable disease called HIV and AIDS (Matthew 11:28). This year, in Warrap state- Kuajok the hospital of voluntary, Counseling and testing[ VCT] has HIV drugs (Antiretroviral therapy) not like other years when we used public transport to collect the drugs in Wau VCT, the western Bhar El Gazal state which was 120 miles but we thank our God for this miracle development. My real thanks are going to the Strategies for Hope Trust in the United Kingdom for developing the called to care toolkit to encourage me in coming out to fight for the sake of our people from getting new HIV infections, stigma and discrimination. My gratitude also goes to The Rt. Rev. Moses Deng, the bishop of
the Diocese of Wau who gives me great freedom on this work and his support to my family.
BIBLICAL REFLECTION, Faith Strengths. The prophet Isaiah, commanded the voice of God to the Israelite people that “when you pass through the deep waters, I will be with you and even also if you pass through fire, you will not be burning, for Iam the Lord God of Israel, who saves you”. (Isaiah 43: 2-3). GNB, the Bible of today’s English version
Rev Andrea also runs a Facebook page for the Emmanuel Group which is open for anyone to participate with. Please find it on the internet at: Http://www.facebook.com/emmanuelgroupwarrap
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Wheelchairs for disabled Students By Mr Jon Bol Angui – Gogrial Area Diocese Information Officer Gogrial Area diocese’s Administration under Wau Diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSSS) has planned to purchase some wheel-chairs for disabled students/pupils in all the schools to push themselves to the school by themselves on wheel-chairs. Gogrial Area Diocese’s administration is potentially planning for an education system of all levels and hoping that this program will promote social relationships within the community of Warrap State and play a great role to the community as well as bring some administration changes to young people when they understand the Words of God and their given tasks as expected through education in the community. Let us commit ourselves to help educate the community with the words of God, some educational skills and abilities of understanding that meet all the learners’ abilities to understand what they have received from the teachers so that they may focus of their studies. Education is for everybody all adults and children all males and females which requires everyone to participate and make use of the little knowledge he or she manages to acquire. It is also an unlimited duty that everyone can experience and pass through, but nevertheless, it is also an endless process and necessary duty for all and each individuals whether a disabled person or physically fit person. The mind of a child remains the same and the ability also remains the same as God created him/her, though he/she is disabled or someone with body deformed. The ability of good quality personal behaviour is not determined by physical fitness or appearance. One can work according to the talent given by God.
The area administration of the Episcopal Church of the South Sudan & Sudan decided to mobilize the funds to purchase enough wheel-chairs for disabled students in the schools so that they can be able to push themselves in order to complete their schooling. It is actually right and a need for all children to receive a good education, care and building of a personal relationship with each other through educational experiences within both informal and formal education. This program of education is very important because psychological challenges for the young people are strictly starting from their early characteristics, which also depends on the nature and severity of the difficulties that children are facing. Some might have low selfesteem and shy away from social situations, whilst others can be extroverted and aggressive. Some may behave in a threatening manner or swear excessively. They could find concentrating at school difficult and be unwilling to take instructions or complete work without supervision. Some of the children in the middle ages before their teenage years will turn to self-destructive coping mechanisms,
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including substance misuse or self-harming in an attempt to ‘numb’ their emotional turmoil. But a child’s informal education at home and formal education at the school are the foundations from which he/she will be able to go forth out into the world and build a life. School plays a major role in this endeavor, Child’s thinking develops from their interaction with people, events and objects in their environment. Through many and varied experiences they learn to make sense of the world around them. The more numerous and more varied the experiences, the greater is the child’s learning potential. The kind and amount of experiences appear to account for individual differences in thinking abilities. This provides us with a central evidence that we are eager to manage, contributing anything in primary school teaching to bring the minds of children back to or establish them in the future leadership or successful management. This process of many experiences continues until the children have become an access of using a good approach in social relationships. We also consider the childrens behavior and try to build their ability according to their talents. As a boy child owns cars or any other object they have learned from their immediate environment and dolls as their babies usually practiced by female children. The children are very serious to protect their available objects that they use in their playing ground and self-estimation. The behavior of a young person with such challenges can often challenge parents, teachers and careers outside appropriate, ‘normal’ social boundaries. As such, a child may find forming relationships with peers and authority figures difficult and will often face barriers in their social and educational development.
The learning process of comprehensive understanding of a child depends on his/her ability or nature but not on physical fitness or something else. He/she may understand how to plan and organize his/her future leadership through adoption and influence of current situations from their entire environmental area. This is why the church wants to help the community with education so that every child may go to school and learn both the Words of God and how to behave in the community through Christian lives and behaviors now and in the future. Therefore Gogrial Area Diocese wants to educate the children with the Words of God and also to teach the children according to their different abilities and skills so that each one can do their best and use his/her gifts to meet God‘s expectations and family expectations when he/she becomes a responsible adult. We convey this message to you all and those who are willing to join hands with us for implementing this program so that we will team up with you as usual if you would like to support our programs. Thank you for your time and your willingness
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St Mary’s Girls Secondary School By Rev Joseph Mamer - Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan-Diocese of Aweil, In many parts of South Sudan, there is a high education disparity between boys and girls in terms of accessibility to education, this is largely caused by cultural, traditional beliefs as well as economic factors. Culturally and traditionally girls are not prohibited from going to school but they are bound to do domestic work such as taking care of young kids, fetching water with their mothers, assisting their mothers to prepare meals for family members. Girls are also considered and valued as sources of wealth and income for a family. In fact in most parts of South Sudan a girl is not just a wealth and income only to her biological family but the entire community, distant uncles, aunts and many others both distant and close relatives. They are prepared to be married off for many animals, sometimes marriages are organised without the girl’s consent as long as the bridegroom has paid all the demands and other
customary requirements of parents. The Girl cannot refuse but accepts whatever decision is made by her parents, this is considered as a respect to her parents. In recent years many girls have bravely emerged and begun going to school but still this education disparity and cultural hindrances remains a great challenge to their quest for education. There are enormous social and cultural challenges’ such as forced marriages still being practiced in some parts of the country.
Girls are prone to risk and vulnerable to any risk of life as those who marry at a very early age are becoming even more irresponsible making it even harder for young girls as they take double responsibility of an entire family with no formal education. Therefore, the Diocese of Aweil ECSS Girls High School is responding to such a huge need to educate girls and improve their lives. St Mary’s will accommodate about 240-300 first year students each year. It was planned to have an accommodation rooms but due to financial constraints given the current national crisis, St Mary’s will begin as a day school but remains so determined please pray for more funding to construct a girls dormitory so that girls have a conducive environment for studies. Girls have so many social, cultural and economic issues that have made it difficult for them to go to school or even those who got a chance to go to school do not finish their high school due to early marriages for economics purposes. Our culture does not promote Girls child education, boys do disturb girls in boy-girl shared schools hence the environment sometimes become unfavorable and unconducive for their learning. Aweil Diocese is responding to such a huge need by constructing this vibrant school dorm in the community as its commitment and dedication to a holistic ministry to bring development that promotes human needs. Aweil Diocese and the School administration is currently raising funds to complete the girls’ Dormitory within the next 2 years. To complete this we need $80,000 of which $20,000 has been raised so far. The Bill of quantity ( BOQ) is available should any partner or interested friend
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need it, please let us know through the contacts provided and we will be able to provide you with everything that you need about St. Mary’s Girls School. St Mary’s School has a Parent Teachers Association (PTA) to oversee and provide support to both teachers and parents of those children who are going to join St Mary’s next year in January 2016. We have also formed a Board of Directors which includes community leaders, church councils.
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We have implementing staff members comprising of church ministers, Development and Executive Director, Programme Managers and teachers. These groups are working hard to ensure that St Mary’s is fully in operational and to ensure that whatever contribution we receive is used on Schooling and transparently accounted for. Currently, there are 4 class rooms and administration blocks; windows, doors and main gate are fixed and security guards are have been provided.
St.Mary Cathedral Wall Construction Started Samaritan’s purse has offered great support to the churches which had been destroyed in South Sudan during the Sudanese civil war between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan’s People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). Samaritan’s purse built many churches all over the area of the South Sudan province in accordance to the sizes of their choice as planned, which depends on the congregations or populations in a certain area. Their scheduled building sizes were usually from 14.5m by 8.5m up to 24.5m by 8.5m and one additional size was 28.5m by 20.5m for the cathedral when requested by the Diocesan Bishop. Samaritan‘s purse had required the congregations to take part in the work activities, especially providing of locally available materials and labour in the building processes. They provided the others building materials which are
not easily available, pay for the skilled personnel and transport of materials to the working destinations. The erecting on a metallic stand of St Mary ECSS Cathedral in Kuajok was started on 17/April/2012 to 28/May of the same year and the building was based on laying the foundation, the metal pillars, metal roofing rafters and covered with iron sheets.
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Samaritan’s purse provided the seats and the Pulpit which are all metal made. They left the building of the walls for the congregation to complete because it was not in their program or work plan to build a complete cathedral. It had happened that they built two cathedrals in Wau Diocese, one in each state town of Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal, Kuajok and Wau itself. You must remember that Wau is the largest Diocese in the South Sudanese part of the province that actually covers two states: Western Bahr El Ghazal and Warrap.
The commitment of the Diocesan Bishop Moses Deng Bol has strengthened his Diocesan staff within and outside the Diocese so that they might contribute their best efforts of their abilities toward the development of the churches in every area under this Diocesan administrative area and spread the Gospel all over the areas covered by these two states where each of them has been assigned. Therefore, the administrator of the Gogrial area Diocese Rev. Peter Angui Akook has
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introduced/initiated the new contribution method which will facilitate a progress of the complete building of the walls of St Mary’s Cathedral Kuajok. The contribution of the building is dependant on what someone likes to contribute according to what they can afford. A new method which I have put depends on personal will and also required someone to buy his/her own red bricks and transport them to the Cathedral if he/she is willing to do so, or if they would rather pay cash so that the administration of the cathedral will implement the work. One trip of red bricks is 1450 SSP including its transportation expenses to a
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working place. We have received some trips of red bricks from those who were willing to buy their own for completion of the Cathedral in Gogrial Area/Kuajok for ECSS denomination. We also had some financial support which made it possible for us to start the building process. Diocesan Bishop Moses Deng Bol Akoon had talked with Rev. Peter Angui Akook, Administrator of Gogrial Area under Wau Diocese and Rev. Andrea Ngong Deng, Dean of the Cathedral about the building progress and told them to start the building very soon with the available bricks so that it may motivate our colleagues, friends and other people who are willing to continue with the program of contribution so that we may complete a building soon as we can. The building is now reaching the beam level and we are stopping there for a while to mobilize the funds for completion within these few months of rainy season. As well as this we have been putting in the movement plan by area administrator to mobilize the local churches for this issue so that they may raise some funds from their local resources. But we are eager to complete the beam if we get some funds very
Ox Plough Training
By Rev Samuel Mabith This is the training for Ox's plough in the Eastern Bank and it is funded by Cord Aid to help the community. They are now ready for cultivation as you see the Bishop prayed for them to allow everyone to go to his or her field (garden). By next year I believe if all these farmers commit themselves there will be no huger anymore.
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soon because the rain will spoil the wall if we are not putting on the beam soon. It is our pleasure to show the progress of the building of St Mary’s Cathedral in Gogrial area/ Kuajok to all our colleagues, members, friends of Wau Diocese and all the community within and outside. Especially our partners of Wau Diocese and those who contributed some funds for this building whether from the group of people or from an individual so that they know how well they have done and access the level of the work remaining to be done. We are still requesting more to complete the work. Thank you all for that you have done and we are requesting you once more to continue supporting our work activities so that we will complete the building through your supports by praying and joining hands with us as usual for the completion of this Cathedral wall which is looking very nice in the photos while it is still incomplete. We will very much appreciate you. This is our great news. Pray for us and the work still to be done.
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If the Donors with Church Leaders did this idea very early there would be no more mess in the country like what has happening now. Because you find the whole community migrates to town to one person (minister) that is what increases the corruption in the Country. Otherwise may God bless Donors Cord Aid for helping our community increase its ability to produce food. If other donors would like to work with us we would very much welcome that. Please contact us from the details at the end of this newsletter.
Please give your thanks to God for the final signing and agreement on the IGAD peace talks in the last week of August. May peace and reconciliation come to all parts of South Sudan and to everyone.
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St Joseph’s Primary ST. Joseph Primary School in Mathiang Aweil Diocese. This is one of our Primary schools where we receive our candidates especially girls. Those who graduate here are enrolled in St. Mary's Girls High School. We have no classrooms and work mostly outside, “Heat, rain and cold are not an issue here, but education is the very key to us, despite us being outside every year. When it rains we run inside the church and when its stops we come out and continue with our classes” Tabitha Adut said showing the stark reality of education in many parts of South Sudan.
Project Page Church Construction Project in Twic Local Diocese leaders, in Twic Archdeaconry are seeking for help to replace the actual local material structure for a solid, durable, and more representative Archdeaconry church building. The Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Moses Deng has already approved the request and started to make promotion to fundraise resources to construct a church in Twic Archdeaconry which is located in Turalei town. Turalei Town, the proposed project location of the church building is the administrative headquarter of Twic County.
Goal: To improve the capacity of Twic Archdeaconry to conduct its spiritual and evangelism activities through the provision of permanent church building. Objectives:
To move the Lord’s Sanctuary from a small building to a modern, spacious and permanent church building. To enhance spiritual change in the Twic County community by providing a conducive place of worship.
See a copy of this project proposal on our website: http://www.wau.anglican.org/docstore/TWICChurchconstruc.pdf
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Contacting Us:
www.wau.anglican.org
By E-mail Diocesan Bishop Rt Rev Moses Deng Bol :
bishop@wau.anglican.org
Diocesan Secretary Rev Nathaniel Maral :
dio.secretary@wau.anglican.org
General Enquiries Rev Samuel Madut :
communications@wau.anglican.org
Mother’s Union Mrs Mary John Garang :
mucoordinator@wau.anglican.org
Gogrial Area Diocese Coordinator Rev Peter Angui Akook : gogrialcoordinator@wau.anglican.org Tonj Area Diocese Coordinator Rev Angok Achuil Angok : tonjcoordinator@wau.anglican.org
A full list of diocesan staff with contacts can be viewed on our website. By Post: Hai Mozephin, Opposite Wau Teaching Hospital, C/o ECS Provincial Office, P O BOX 110, Juba, South Sudan
Warrap State Peace Mobiliser By Telephone:
Mrs Rose Aciendhel Kacthiek
Tel +211 926954187 or +211 955602769 +254 716641233
+211 914191558 roseaciendel@yahoo.com
We give you thanks Lord for those who dare to reach out and take the risk of helping us. We have many, many needs and in you we have many, many friends. - Amen
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Please Pray With Us Pray for the hardworking clergy and volunteers of Wau Diocese who work without pay in difficult conditions. Give thanks to God for the recent signing of the IGAD peace agreement. Pray for the Archbishop of the ECSSS and all in South Sudan so that all violence may be stopped and all peace initiatives be followed with vigour. Pray for lasting peace in South Sudan, in political settlements and successful IGAD initiatives. Pray for Naomi and our friends in France with all the good work that they inspire. Pray for the CNHPR initiative as it begins work in South Sudanese tribal cultures. Give thanks to God for the work of the Kigali statement and the insight that it shows, may it focus our hearts on a peace we can give to our children. Pray for St Mary’s Girls Secondary School and girls education in South Sudan. Pray for all farmers in our community in need of education particularly people new to farming. Pray for the Apuk and Aguok Communities and for peaceful leadership between them. Give Thanks for the partners working with CARD in development of our society. Pray for the situation of food security in South Sudan so that people may have enough to eat. Pray for the many South Sudanese people living with HIV or AIDS.
Church prayers needs Pray for our Bishop the Rt. Rev Moses Deng Bol, who works so hard for the Diocese, pray that God will help him to do what needs to be done. Give Thanks for the Wau Diocese pastors living away and studying. Pray for them to succeed in their efforts and enrich the life of our diocese. Pray for Rev Andrea Ngong who coordinates a ministry for HIV and AIDS while leading the Emmanuel Group. Give Thanks for Captain Rev Paul Lueth the first Church Army Africa Officer in South Sudan. Pray for all pastors, priests, deacons and assistants working hard in Wau Diocese. Pray for the Mothers Union in Wau Diocese and the good work that they do. Pray for the development of the Area Dioceses of Gogrial and Tonj becoming full dioceses. Pray for Rev Peter Angui Akook the coordinator of Gogrial Area Diocese. Pray for Rev Angok Achuil Angok the coordinator of Tonj Area Diocese. Pray for all Christians working hard to build and sustain peaceful development in faith.. Give thanks to God for the valuable work of CARD in our community and the development it brings to make life better for the future.