SSPEC General Assembly Update

 Last week pastors and delegates arrived in Juba for the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SSPEC) General Assembly. I met two men living in Nairobi who said they had not been to Juba for at least 5 years. Three pastors who lived in the far north region of Abyeyi arrived. Some church leaders in Juba called or wrote letters to people who might be able to help transport those who were still looking for a way to get to Juba. It was a last minute scramble against many challenges. Several regions of South Sudan were experiencing severe floods, so planes were not able to land and they could not travel by road. There was political unrest in Khartoum that closed down the airport. Everyone wondered if enough people would be there to hold the meeting.

The banner for the meeting

On Tuesday, everyone showed up at the Atlabara church to register. I enjoyed seeing small groups of people connecting and talking. People who had been colleagues in Bible school many years ago were thrilled to finally see each other again. I enjoyed meeting some of the people I had heard about and learning more about some of the rural congregations where significant Kingdom work is taking place despite many challenges.

Delegates gathering in the courtyard of the church

On Wednesday, the meeting opened with worship led by the local youth choir and a presentation of the vision and current status of SSPEC. In the process of confirming a quorum, several people raised the concern that because many people had not been able to make it to the meeting, that it should be postponed until a later date. There was long discussion about this, with several different people sharing their views. The leadership met together to assess and understand the desire of the participants. Finally, they decided to confirm the quorum and then determine how to proceed. A quorum was confirmed, and then the motion was passed to postpone the meeting. A vote was taken with a large majority agreeing to postpone the meeting until March when it would be more likely that other people would be able to attend. Several people told me that that they felt that postponing the meeting was the best way to promote the unity of the church, since people who were absent would feel excluded if they had proceeded.

The Moderator, Rev. James Par Tap opens the meeting

We are grateful to those who prayed for this meeting, and trust that God will continue to lead and provide for the unity of the church and for this meeting to be held. Since a General Assembly has not been held for nine years, there are many significant issues to be addressed, including the election of new leadership. Please continue to pray for God to guide and provide as plans are made for this meeting to be held in March.

Resilience amid Suffering*

Recently, on a Friday afternoon I went to see the Academic Dean at Nile Theological College where I teach, but instead I found three pastors and an evangelist gathered in his office, visiting from Abyei and Aweil, two areas bordering Sudan to the North, one area contested with Sudan. As we ate together, along with two of my students who are from this region, I listened to them recount stories of losing everything and starting over again, multiple times. I was at a loss for words, especially as I saw their joy and listened to stories of faith and faithfulness amid incredible loss, trial, and pain.

Rev. Myien Bol,
lead pastor in Abyei

 

Rev. Amiok Piol and Evangelist Kual Majak
serving one church and two preaching centers in Abyei 

Recently I spent a  Sunday afternoon with a sprightly elderly woman and members of her family who lost everything during the war and who experienced trauma. As I listened to this woman share her passion for reconciling broken communities because of her Christian faith, and how the example of missionary women inspired her to live a life of service and leadership, my friend David and I sat in awe and gratitude for the faithfulness of our dear mother in the faith and for those who have gone before her. So often I have felt unworthy to live and serve here in South Sudan, being surrounded by persons such as these, and by the living witness of those who came decades before. In living and serving in this land, I continually receive blessings and inspiration beyond measure. “Neshkur Rabuna!” We give thanks to the Lord.

*This blog post is a slightly adjusted Facebook post from Sunday, October 31st. 

Entering Jerusalem

 We bumped along a rocky, rutted dirt road past the outskirts of Juba city. We left our taxi at an intersection to meet some people from the church we were visiting and walk the last kilometer into the IDP (internally displaced persons) camp. It was only 6:30 in the morning, and we were grateful for the cool air as we started walking. We came upon a group of children, lined up and wearing uniforms. As we neared them, they started singing and we recognized Changkuoth, a former student at NTC who leads a significant children’s ministry in his church. After a joyful greeting, we followed the children as they sang and marched down the road and onto the small path that led into the camp. As we neared the church, two other choirs of older children and teenagers met us on the way. We were amazed at the number of children and blessed by their joyful singing.

Children's choir on the road, with Changkuoth directing them

The teenagers' choir leading the way into the camp

The church we were visiting is called Jerusalem, one of several churches in the camp. The pastor of the church is David, a recent graduate of NTC and someone who has become a friend and now also a research assistant for Bob. We were encouraged and inspired to see Chankuth and David using their gifts and empowering people in the significant ministry that the church has in the community. During the week, the church turns into a primary school. And while conditions are harsh and people are often discouraged by life in the camp, the church is a place for community, empowerment, and hope.

The children's choirs singing outside 

After several choir and congregational worship songs in the Nuer language, the children came in to sing. Several rows of chairs were stacked up and removed and adults waited outside so that the children would have room to sing – more than 100 in the choir! They sang in both English and Nuer, complete with dancing and gestures that showed the long hours of practice they had put in. 

The children's choir inside the church,
taking up nearly the whole seating space

Bob preached from Hosea, reminding us of God’s faithfulness and love despite people’s unfaithfulness. We encouraged everyone with the greetings and prayers of churches in the U.S., and we reflected together that God alone is the hope for our broken world. After church we were led through the narrow paths between the white tent-houses to one member’s house where a meal had been prepared. It was a feast – large pots of wal-wal and fish soup and piles of kisra. Everyone there ate their fill, enjoying the  special food that is beyond what they usually see in the camp.

Talking with church leaders after the meal

We felt humbled to sit and be present with people who have overcome many obstacles and persevered through so many challenges, continuing to praise God and trust God through it all. And it was a good reminder to continue to pray for peace in South Sudan and that people would be able to leave the camps. Please join us in praying for God’s provision and protection on all people in South Sudan. And please pray for students at NTC to be equipped to minister in these challenging situations.

Healing and Forgiveness in Malakal

 Malakal is a large city in the Upper Nile region of South Sudan, where the Presbyterian Church has had its base for the last one hundred years. We have been told that during the conflict in 2013 and 2016, Malakal changed hands at least five times as militia groups fought for control of the region. The city was destroyed, and most people fled their homes. One friend has described how he hid in the ceiling of his house during that time until he and his family fled to a refugee camp. The soldiers who occupied the area moved into his house, and he cannot return. Until now, nearly 35,000 live in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp near Malakal. Many of them have not stepped foot outside of the camp for years, afraid of being attacked by an opposing tribe.

A map of South Sudan that shoes Malakal in the northeast

When SSPEC leaders considered the best place for our reconciliation team to do a Healing Wounds Transforming Communities (HHTC) workshop, Malakal was a priority. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, our team was able to go to Malakal for the workshop. The workshop was done inside the IDP camp and included people from the Nuer and Shilluk tribes. There was a diverse group of men, women, and youth at the workshop, and three languages were used to make sure that everyone understood what was being taught. There is one united church inside the camp that worships in the Nuer language, comprised of members from seven different denominations. We are grateful for that tangible expression of unity, and glad that people from different backgrounds could all participate.

The facilitation team and the hosting pastors

William Tut is an experienced pastor, and was just trained a few months ago to facilitate this HHTC workshop. This was his first opportunity to serve as a facilitator in South Sudan. He reflected afterwards that he has realized that the church is the only thing that can really bring change in the country, and this workshop is a significant way of empowering the church in that role. The team found that many people have been significantly traumatized by the war that they lived through and by ongoing tensions and suffering. 

The Sunday worship service in Malakal

The day after the 'cross workshop' session where people are invited to take their pain to the cross, a few women shared that they felt physical healing and relief as well as emotional freedom. One woman said that she had gone to see doctors and had several tests done because she felt so much pain in her body, but they could not find any specific disease. Finally, during this workshop, she felt healed. We know that trauma affects us holistically, and often leads to physical pain or sickness. We praise God for this bringing holistic healing, and trust that their healing journey will continue.

The pastor confesses the wrongs done
against people living in the camp

The confession time during the Standing in the Gap session was also very meaningful. One pastor from the Shilluk tribe confessed on behalf of all who had committed atrocities towards those who live in the camp. People were moved by his humility and apology, and several were crying as they came to offer forgiveness. Another woman confessed the prejudice and fear she has had of the Anywaa people. When she was a child, her community experienced a conflict with the Anywaa people. After that, her family told her that Anywaa people would change into crocodiles or snakes at night in order to kill her people. She thought of Anywaa people only as killers. She said that now she has released those thoughts and can see Anwyaa as people like others. Omot, one of the facilitators and part of the Anwyaa people group, forgave her and thanked her for her confession.

A joyful celebration of the Holy Nation at the end of the workshop

We praise God for this opportunity to witness to God's love and power to heal after tragic pain. We pray that the healing journey continues in Malakal. Our team is doing another workshop this week in the city of Bor, and we welcome your prayers! 

The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. But I have come
that they might have life, and have it to the full.  John 10:10

Finding Creative Solutions

Water tankers are ubiquitous in Juba. They are operated mostly by migrant workers from Eritrea. One can find water tankers lined up along the Nile River, not far from where we live, siphoning water from the vast, moving flow of water from the highlands of Rwanda and Uganda, finding its destination in the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile River supports more than three hundred million people from cities and villages along this four-thousand-mile waterway. In Juba alone, water tankers ply the main roads and backstreet allies, supplying water to buildings and homes large and small.

Since arriving in Juba four years ago, I have been inspired by the creative solutions found by Rev. Santino and the leadership of Nile Theological College where I serve as a faculty member. When forced to leave Malakal due to war, the college campus destroyed, Rev. Santino and Rev. Michael Aban renovated a bakery in Juba and started up the college again with only five students, the number quickly growing to more than seventy-five within a couple of years. When more space was needed for classes and the chapel, they quickly erected a rakuba* which provided the extra space needed. The most recent form of creative ingenuity can be found in the purchase of a water tanker. Recognizing the need to diversify the income stream of the college, Rev. Santino and the administration decided to collaborate with a few international partners to buy a water tanker. This water tanker will be used to provide water to the college, to the homes that house faculty and staff, and to clients thus generating extra income for the college.

A few weeks ago we held a special chapel service of dedication. We gave special time for prayer and invited members from the College Council to celebrate this creative initiative. It was a day of celebration and committing the newest member of our community, the water tanker, into the hands of the Lord. Living amidst limited resources and ongoing challenges, we are regularly inspired by friends and colleagues who think outside the box and find creative solutions.

Chapel Service, August 11th, 2021

    

Members of the College Council are able to join us

NTC Water Tanker

Food and Fellowship
(we slaughtered a sheep, and ate it with 
kisra and kudra, two local favorites!)

*A rakuba is a simple structure than can be built quickly using sturdy grasses and pieces of wood for walls, often having metal sheeting or grass thatches for the roof.