As representatives travelling on behalf of the Grouped Parishes of Ballyrashane and Kildollagh, I hope that this blog has helped in some way to convey the work and experiences of our visit to meet Bishop Kamani, representatives from Ibba Diocese and CMSI partners at Arua, Uganda.

Thank you to each and every one of you for your kindness, your involvement, your support and for all of your prayers. We look forward to sharing so much more of this trip upon our safe return.

But most of all I want to thank you for loaning Rev Amanda and for the support of Team Clarke and Team Bond.

I cannot begin to write words that reflect just how important this visit has been. We leave with new friendships and partnerships renewed with Ibba and all of the Dioceses of South Sudan.

We have built bridges, joined hands and stood with the people of South Sudan as they have recalled some of their darkest moments. We have met face to face with many of the people behind our prayers. But most of all we have worked together to support, encourage and advance God’s kingdom.

In the words of Archbishop Justin (who extended his stay to remain with us)

“You have come at the right time and God has brought you…”

We continue to stand with the people of Ibba and South Sudan as they face many challenges in the months ahead and will continue praying for them and for the work of CMS Ireland.

Hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese refugees have fled conflict and violence in their home country for the safety of camps in northern Uganda. More than 107,000 now live in Rhino camp, a sprawling expanse of Tukal huts and tents scattered across dusty scrubland approximately one hour from Arua.

We thank God for the work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s) who are working to provide essential food, water and shelter for hundreds of thousands of refugees from DR Congo and South Sudan.

Although most refugees receive shelter upon arrival, many families have been split up and live apart at the camps. It is not easy to move around the camp as it is spread over many miles with limited transportation.

Since arriving at the camps over two years ago, families are missing relatives and many do not know if their loved ones are safe. Men, women and children are all victims of this conflict, with graphic accounts of murder, violence, assault, destruction of their property and looting of their possessions.

Not only are families traumatised but so too are their community and church leaders who are on the ground trying to help. This week during our visits to the camps, we have had the opportunity to speak to groups and individuals, hear their stories and to pray with them.

“It is only the church that can reconcile our people….”

Today marked the final day and closing ceremony of the CMSI Peace and Reconciliation Conference in Arua. The day began with an informative and enlightening workshop on the five goals of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan.

1. Proclamation of the Gospel.

2. Advocacy for those with no voice.

3. Reconciling people and communities.

4. Rendering services to people in need.

6. Building capacity of Leaders for Holistic Ministry.

In Bishop Hilary’s closing reflections, he thanked the visitors from Albany Diocese USA, Connor Diocese and Down and Dromore Diocese Northern Ireland for their preparation, support and commitment to the people of South Sudan. Bishop Hilary thanked God for this conference as said it has “encouraged the church of South Sudan in their hour of need.”

“We have learned a lot and go back richer than when we came…” Bishop Hilary

The conference closed with a service of Holy Communion. Rev Amanda, Olivia and I spent the afternoon with Bishop Kamani, Mama Rose Bii, Allison Salim and Rev Betes Tickson from Ibba Diocese.

We travelled as a group over rough roads to the Rhino refugee camp (90 mins). The largest oncoming vehicle seems to have priority on the road and so it is a case of getting out of the way… and fast!

The settlement at Rhino hosts over 100,000 refugees and many are South Sudanese. Life in the camp is very difficult and yet the moment the door of our vehicle opens, the atmosphere is ecstatic. There are Presidents who haven’t received a welcome like this.

The music and singing is both energising and uplifting. Their instruments (drums and string) have been crafted by hand.

Allan read the lesson from Mark Chapter 10 vs 35-45. Rev Amanda’s sermon, translated line by line, was very well received. During the service, the children and youth groups led the service in song and dance. At the end of the service, we follow the procession out of church with the young people leading us out singing. The service lasts over 3.5 hours and the church has no walls – only UN tarpaulin sheets that traps heat from the scorching mid day sun.

After the service, Rev Amanda and the Bishop head off to pray in homes. Olivia and I make friends with the children in Sunday School and they follow us around holding our hands, touching our skin, and chatting.

Faith is measured during trouble…

The Rev Patti Johnson, Rev Donna Steckline and Kevin Steckline from Albany Diocese USA led a seminar on the Importance of Personal Healing.

Rev Donna outlined how the Episcopal Church in the USA is currently facing significant challenges.

The Rev Patti Johnson gave a very moving and impassioned testimony of the trauma and abuse she suffered as a young girl. Rev Patti described the turmoil and her pathway to forgiving her offender, a family member, quoting from Psalm 40 vs 1-10.

The morning led into a facilitated discussion on Forgiveness with Rev Amanda, Dean Geoff Wilson from Down and Dromore Cathedral, Archbishop Justin Badi Arama and the Bishops of South South.

Archbishop Justin described how his mother had been killed by a bomb when he was younger and yet he was ignored by local soldiers and told to return as if nothing had happened. Not only are the people of South Sudan suffering the effects of conflict and trauma but so too are their church leaders.

Linda Abwa, CMSI Partnership Coordinator concluded the day with a presentation on the role and importance of CMS Ireland in equipping the global church. CMSI is currently working with 19 Partners across 9 countries.

Building relationships and joining hands.

God’s amazing provision is operating a “just in time” system. Our suitcases missed boarding the plane at Amsterdam but have turned up safely on Thursday.

Picture collecting the cases

One of the cases contained all of the material for Rev Amanda’s seminar, “Child Protection and the church’s responsibility towards children and teaching children”, arriving 30 minutes before the session was due to start. The seminar was excellent and was very well received.

In Bishop Kamani’s opening devotion, he reflected on the importance of “Understanding Jesus’ teaching and owning it.”

Bishop Kamani went on to say that if we “own what Jesus did, focus and understand, it will reduce the tension in our world.”

Bishop Kamani was very appreciative of our training material, our story bags and pictures which he said was “exactly what he needed”. The other Diocese were equally impressed and appreciative of what we brought and for the teaching.

“Disarming the minds of the people..”

In his opening devotion at the CMSI’s Peace and Reconciliation Conference in Arua, Archbishop Justin’s opening blessing vividly described the current situation in South Sudan and how the church is responding.

Archbishop Justin described how he was born in war, grew up in war and continues to serve his church in conflict. The church in South Sudan is responding through Engaging Parties at a local and national level, Building Confidence and Trust, Holding Leaders Accountable and remaining with and protecting those on the ground at home and wherever they have been displaced.

In his address, Archbishop Justin spoke of “Disarming the minds of the people”.

In the sessions, facilitated discussions were held on the Church’s response to peace building, the Theology of peace and reconciliation and the Theology of forgiveness led by Rev Amanda.

This resulted in powerful, focused discussion based on harrowing accounts and traumatic life experiences.

(An extract of this blog has also been published on the CMSI website blog)

Yesterday marked the safe arrival and opening ceremony of the CMSI Crossing Bridges Peace and Reconciliation Conference 2018.

Bishop Hilary based his opening address on Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians Chapter 6 vs 3-10. This passage references the suffering and trauma that the people of South Sudan have lived through and continue to face.

Bishop Hilary explained that the church’s role in the midst of all the violence and terror has been in “communicating Jesus in the midst of suffering”. When people have been denied the right to life, experienced the violation of their human rights and have been dehumanised, the level of resistance of the people has been achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Bishop Hilary went on to say that the word of God is “food to the people of South Sudan”. I noted some quotes (below) from Bishop Hilary’s address for you to reflect on pray upon.

“We have remained in South Sudan at our own risk.”

“The anti-Christ observe us and admire us… our resistance.”

“We will continue to pray until something good happens.”

“We are under pressure from every corner but we won’t give up.”

A powerful and poignant introduction to our conference in Arua… that left me trembling.

05:30 Uganda Time.. we have reached Entebbe.

Entebbe is a major town in Central Uganda and is the location of State House, the official office and residence of the President of Uganda. From Entebbe, we will shortly be flying to Arua in Northern Uganda.

09:40 Central European Time (no sleep yet…) the CMSI Crossing Bridges team is complete after meeting up with the Rev Patti Johnson, Rev Donna Steckline and Kevin Steckline from Albany Diocese nr New York.