BGC Principal Reaches Kampala

Dear BGC Prayer Partners,

Our Principal
Our principal, Samuel Galuak, was reunited with his wife in Kampala just before Christmas. They have been apart for many months as Stella continues her studies in the Netherlands. It is very good that they are together and safe.  Samuel's intention is to take a well earned annual leave (he didn't manage any in June or July) and remain for some weeks in Uganda.



The Situation in Juba
The general situation in South Sudan has now commanded a slot in the main BBC news broadcasts in the UK, CNN in the USA, France 24 in France and Al Jazeera and their worldwide audiences. Although these reports are accurate they cannot fully describe what it must feel like to live in a place that at one moment was a great hive of development with millions of dollars of investments and thousands of expats from around the world, to one in which everything is quiet except the stories of death, sporadic sound of gunfire, the break down of law and order and the rumours and dread of what might yet be. Our reports from Juba are not good although apparently there is some food to be had in Konjakonja market and coordination between the aid agencies that remain to try and protect the most vulnerable.
The introduction of more UN troops to police the IDP camps around the UN bases creates some stability.



Books Delivery
We have heard that, remarkably, the delivery of books from the Theological Book Network which had reached the Uganda/South Sudan border is now being attempted. The BGC college site is not in the worst hit area. Please pray that the books and transport team arrive safely. Pray for those who will be called upon to unload and deal with the shipment on the BGC New Site.



The Future
The immediate future of the college is, of course, uncertain in the circumstances. It would not be easy, even if advisable, for students to travel unless things improve considerably. Those at home in the states of Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile in particular will not be able to make the journey. However, the college is not due to reconvene until the beginning of February in any case. So there is time for things to change. Please pray that things change for the better between now and then.
The breakdown of security and commerce in Juba is bound to have an effect on the local income which has secured the colleges re-development since 2009. All that is also 'in the air'. We will depend on foreign gifts even more then we have done before.



Hope
What ever happens the impetus we all had from the new beginning of the CPA and the euphoria of the independence only two and a half years ago has now completely gone. BGC has indeed made hay while the sun shone - we now have to be patient as darkness has again covered the land. But this has happened so often that the traumatised South Sudanese know how to pick themselves up and knock off the dust and begin again. Nothing is secure or permanent in this world. Hope can only lie in the presence of God who lives in and among us. Even in the rejoicing of the birth of the Messiah is immediately followed by the slaughter of the children of Bethlehem by someone who was crazy to bolster his own political power. God does not abandon people who are killed, driven from their homes and subjected to unspeakable horrors but is born right in the middle of them. God comes to his people in love, and in peace. One day we will know that peace - even if we have to wait until we enter the next world. Sometimes, as in the case of South Sudan, all we are left with is the knowledge that God loves us and that “nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8.35). Our hope is in God that is present even when nothing or no-one else is. Please pray that those in the greatest sufferings will hear and know this.
Above all, pray that those who can stop this – those who have to power to rein in the terror - will do so without conditions. Nothing can justify another war – this time between peoples who have everything to lose and everything to gain if peace prevailed, as the vast majority of them know.


Trevor
 

Call to prayer from Bishop of Wau

Dear Prayer Partners, 

1. Bishop Moses of Wau has sent a letter urging us to pray (See below). The main areas of conflict seem to be in Jonglei  and Unity States. These have been areas of unrest for years and the present emergency has fanned the flames.
2. Juba appears to be relatively calm and the airport is open for scheduled flights to Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.  The American and European governments are encouraging all their nationals to leave the country and have advised that no-one should travel into the country.  This is painful for expats dedicated to working in South Sudan, many of whom have been there for years and whose home it has become. Please pray them and all those forced to leave there homes just before Christmas.
3. BGC is closed for Christmas.  The principal, Samuel Galuak, hopes to travel on Monday and meet his wife in Uganda as she arrives from Holland where she is studying. Them being together for Christmas has long been planned but the earlier disruption to scheduled flights means he is only on stand-by. Pray that he may get to Kampala to join his wife in time for Christmas after many months apart.

Blessings,
Trevor

ECSSS Diocese of Wau

You may know that very sad things are happening here in South Sudan
and many people fear for the future. This should be a time of peace,
we should not be fighting and killing each other. My brother in faith,
Bishop Abraham has put out a message asking for prayers, I want to
share this with you and encourage you support his request.

" Please may you, your family, and your Church join us on this coming
Sunday on December 22 to pray for peace, wisdom to our leaders, those
who lost their lives, and families affected who to be comforted by
God. Please keep me in your prayers and all the Bishops so that we can
deliver God's message to His people at this time. Thank you all for
your prayers. God bless you all and Merry Christmas."

We thank you all for your kind care and support for us in Wau and for
all of South Sudan. Our nation needs your prayers at this difficult
time, please keep us in your hearts and join with us in prayer on
Sunday. If you are able please pray for us that God may guide us back
to peace this Christmas, it would be a present worth having.

Blessings for Christmas  +Moses

Communiqué from Churches in South Sudan

 The reports this morning, 19th December, are that Juba has been relatively calm overnight although gunfire is being heard constantly. Criminals are taking advantage of the situation to loot and rob. There is a strict nighttime curfew in place and there are many security forces on the street.  Most of the offices are closed but not all. The banks have been open for a short period I understand. People are getting out to do regular shopping. 

The UK is sending a plane to evacuate its nationals. The US had a plane go yesterday and more due today. Expats are understandably reluctant to leave their South Sudanese colleagues prematurely. They don't want to be seen as letting them down and 'run away' as the South Sudanese call it. "If you really care why do you abandon us so quickly?" is a valid question.  On the other hand relatives and friends just want them home and safe, which is equally understandable. So dedicated expats who feel at home in Juba are torn. If you are either South Sudanese or a relative please try and understand how hard this is. And people on the outside please remember that the vast majority of South Sudanese are victims of all this - ordinary civilian people, men, women and children. They are generous people, loving and caring people and most notably peace-loving who find it just as hard to understand polititians and soldiers on personal power trips as people on the outside.

Sometimes we hear people telling us that all this was inevitable and that we should redirect our efforts elsewhere. Let it be known that we shall never give up on this country. These people and the example that so many of them have set in the midst of so much suffering is an inspiration to the world. Despite all the dysfunctionality of the State, there is a purity in people in South Sudan that is not seen as much in the West. We should never be tempted to be smug - in the end it is the selfishness of the rich and powerful that has caused, and continues to cause most of the world's problems. This emergency should lead us all to repent and return to the One without whom we cannot be truly human.

The church leaders yesterday issued the following communiqué which reflects what the ordinary people are saying.

December 18, 2013

We, the Archbishop, Moderators, Overseer, and clergy from various denominations of the churches in South Sudan, and native members from the Dinka and Nuer Communities:

• Identify ourselves not as representatives of tribes or denominations but as leaders and representatives of one church and one body of Christ.

• We are gathered, united and speaking in one voice that peace and reconciliation must prevail in our country.

• We are saddened of the conflict which has happened in Juba and ongoing in other areas like Bor in Jonglei State. We are concerned about the consequences. It is unfortunate many lives have been lost, many more wounded while many others displaced in their own country. We condole with the families who have lost their loved ones and those separated from their families by the conflict in Juba, Bor and other areas

• We condemn the clash and acts of violence which have happened within the barracks of the Republic of South Sudan.

• We condemn and correct the media statements and reports that refer to the violence as conflict between the Dinka and Nuer tribes. Whatever has happened should not be referred to as ethnic conflict and not between the Dinka and Nuer communities. These are political differences among the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Party, political leaders of the Republic of South Sudan.

• Therefore, we appeal to the two communities of Dinka and Nuer not to accept that the conflict is between the two tribes.

• We appeal to the army and security organs of our Government of South Sudan to take control of the situation and protect its citizens. Our citizens are running for refuge in UN Compounds because they do not feel safe from their own security forces.

• We are concerned about the reports of abuse, harassment and killing of individual citizens based on their ethnic affiliation. These are happening and witnessed for the last three days. Soldiers are asking civilians to identify themselves by tribes and we cannot accept to be identified by our tribes as we are all South Sudanese. We condemn such acts of abuse and hope that no more human lives should be lost.

• We appeal to our Government to ensure safety of leaders under arrest and ensure speedy justice for any criminal act but most importantly reconciliation for political differences.

• We appeal to our political leaders to refrain from hate speeches that may incite and escalate the violence. We urge to initiate dialogues and resolve issues amicably.

• We appeal to the international community to respond fast and positively to the humanitarian crisis which has developed in the last three days particularly in Juba and Bor.

• We appeal to our President of the Republic of South Sudan, His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit to continue to calm and ensure safety for our nation.

Most Reverend Daniel Deng Bul, Archbishop of Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSS)

Rev. Tut Kony Nyang, Moderator of the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church

Bishop Dr. Isaiah Majok Dau, Overseer, Sudan Pentecostal Church

Rt. Rev. David Akau Kuol, Bishop of Diocese of Awerial, ECSS

Bishop Michael Taban, Chairperson of South Sudan Council of Churches

Rev. Mark Akech Cien, Acting General Secretary of South Sudan Council of Churches

Rev. James Yout Chuol, ECSS, Diocese of Akobo

Rev. Daniel Deng Anhiany, ECSS, Diocese of Malakal

Rev. Samuel Galuak Marial, ECSS Diocese of Twich East

Rev. Peter Adum Deng, ECSS, Diocese of Twich East

Rev. William Mou Deng, ECSS, Diocese of Wau and Aweil

Rev. Philip Aduong Thiong, ECSS Diocese of Juba

Rev. John Chol Daau, ECSS Diocese of Bor

Rev. Yat Michael Ruot, South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church

Rev. Gatkuoth Chuol Bul, South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church

Further Update from our Principal

Yes, we are safe and everyone at BGC is fine. I am still in Juba. Thanks for your prayers. Our situation here might not exactly sound like what media reports. Media is misleading the world and we (church leaders) came out today to correct it and tell the world that it is not ethnic conflict. It is a political problem and they will solve that politically and amicably.
That does not mean that there is no problem; we do have problem but we still have hope that everything well get settled.
Instead of Stella, to come for Christmas to Juba, I will go and have my christmas there in Kampala with her. I will consider to take my annual leave in January instead of taking it in July.
Thanks so much for your care.
Samuel

Update on Situation in South Sudan

Dear BGC Prayer Partners,
Just a few updates from South Sudan.

• I have just heard from Bishop Enock of Rejaf to say that things are calmer. He writes:

The shooting has almost stopped except for some few shots here and there.
Life is returning to normal and shops have started to open. Please
continue to pray so that peace is fully restored to the city of Juba that
has been in turnmoil since the night of Sunday 15, December 2013 until
this morning.

I reside in Mission Area that is relatively safe as there is no military
barracks close by. Our Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul is also safe.

BGC is in the same "Mission Area" a few yards from Bishop Enock's house, and will, therefore, also be relatively safe. This area also includes the Juba Diocesan Model Secondary School, Confident Children out of Conflict, MAF and World Relief etc.

• I have also heard from Bishop Abraham of Aweil who writes:

As I am sending you this email to pray for us, we already lost 12 people, more then 130 people are wounded, many are still missing and many people are been displaced. No one believe what has happened in South Sudan because South Sudan is a nation just came out from the longest suffering but our politicians are already forgotten what we went through, very sad.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, so that we can celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ peacefully. God bless you all!

• The following is a message from all the church leaders who remain united and oppossed to all forms tribalism.  The churches remain a beacon of hope.

MESSAGE OF PEACE AND RECONCILIATION FROM CHURCH LEADERS IN JUBA, 17th DECEMBER 2013

"So the king said, ‘Bring me a sword’, and they brought a sword before the king. The king said, ‘Divide the living boy in two; then give half to one, and half to the other.’ But the woman whose son was alive said to the king—because compassion for her son burned within her—‘Please, my lord, give her the living boy; certainly do not kill him!’ The other said, ‘It shall be neither mine nor yours; divide it.’Then the king responded: ‘Give the first woman the living boy; do not kill him. She is his mother.’All Israel heard of the judgement that the king had rendered; and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him, to execute justice. (1 Kings 3:24-28) "

Whatever has happened in Juba over the last few days, we are concerned about the consequences. There is a political problem between leaders within the SPLM. This should not be turned into an ethnic problem. Sadly, on the ground it is developing into tribalism. This must be defused urgently before it spreads. Reconciliation is needed between the political leaders. Violence is not an acceptable way of resolving disputes. This must be done in a peaceful and civilised manner. Reconciliation is at the heart of the Church's ministry, a key Gospel value, and so we offer ourselves as mediators.

The way this incident is handled will have an effect on the future of our nation, whether positive or negative, both internally and in terms of international relations. We are concerned about ongoing insecurity. Today was supposed to be a normal business day, but that was not the case. Fighting, killing and looting continued. The army must be controlled. We appeal to the security forces, who are our brothers, our sons and our parishioners, to exercise restraint and responsibility and to respect civilians. We urge the civilians to remain calm and to stay somewhere safe. The government should give information to civilians when there are security operations and direct them where to go for safety.

We wish to see assurances for the safety of our international friends, including those from neighbouring countries, who are here to help us. We urge the government, UN and NGOs to provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced civilians in Juba, and to ensure that water and food are available for the population.

We are in the season leading up to Christmas. This year's Christmas may not be what we expected, but it is what we have been given and we must accept it as it is. As we celebrate the birth of the Christ-child, let us remember that God is with us, and pray for the strength and courage to bring peace, reconciliation and healing to our new nation. 

Text of message given to TV and radio media on 17th December 2013 by Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro on behalf of the following Church leaders:
Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro, (Catholic Church)
Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul, ECSSS (Anglican)
Bishop Arkangelo Wani Lemi, AIC Moderator (Africa Inland Mission)
Rev Tut Kony Nyang, SSPEC  (Presbyterian)
Rev John Yor Nyiker, Secretary General PCOSS (Pentecostal)
Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban, (Catholic Church)
Bishop Michael Taban Toro, Chair SSCC (South Sudan Coucil of Churches)
Rev Mark Akec Cien, Acting Secretary General SSCC (South Sudan Coucil of Churches)

Merry Christmas from BGC

Bishop Gwynne College Prayer Partners

• Special Christmas greetings to all our partners around the world. Thank you all you who have opted in to our partners list. There are 139 people getting these updates so you can understand that we needed to get it right. I loved some of you responses with much encouragement. Those of you who watch Dr. Who will know the expression “delete” as the thing the sibermen say before they zap you. So calls like “Please don't delete me!” sound like the pleas of those facing a sad end. I can assure you that the purpose of the exercise was not to delete anyone. You are all very important.

It is always possible to opt in or out of the list. There are a number who have not responded that will no longer be on the list so if you come across anyone who complains that they are missing out just get them to email me.

Prayer points in the emailings will be brief. Expanded news can be found on this blog

Students: We give thanks for their diligence, hard work and patience through the past semester. The special prayers for the finishing of Joseph Taban's engaged the students attention and work for the whole of one weekend and two weeks later the graduation meant a lot more was going on. As usual at BGC the site is a changing one. The building of the new library block has meant there has been workmen on the site for most of the time. But the greatest distraction has been the construction of the hotels next to the site. The hotel rising to twelve stories has meant constant noise. The lecture room is within a very few metres of the place where all the concrete is mixed. Yet, amazingly the students carry on do well.

Pray that they may have a profitable Christmastime with their families and all find the travel money to return on time at the end of January.

The shortage of money to travel, or even pay their fees, is a major problem for the students – and therefore also for the principal who is left with a problem. It costs four times more to educate, feed, house and provide health care for a student than we ask him or her pay. The fees we ask are very reasonable compared with any other institution, including other ECS theological colleges, and it is right to ask sending dioceses to contribute to a student who is committed to work back in the diocese – often without any stipend. Yet, there are so many demands on local resources that often students have to find their own fares as well as be breadwinners for their own families. The demands and commitments are enormous. The dedication to their vocation is second to none in the world.

Staff: Pray for the speedy appointment of a good person as Academic Dean to replace John Malesh who is leaving. Sadly John Malesh has decided to take up a new appointment after only a term as academic dean. It is sad that we should lose such an able man. However, we wish him well. Finding someone of the calibre we require at the salary and accommodation we can offer is a challenge. But we believe God has the right person for us. For someone with a vocation for the work, BGC is a very rewarding place.

Thank God for the work of Dr. Ellen Hanckel now back in the USA. Pray for Mary Schmitt who is commencing teaching in January for a semester. We are very grateful to our American and European friends who come and work under relatively harsh conditions to teach at BGC. Please continue to pray that the right people will continue to come forward. Jesse Zink who did a short placement at the college in 2010 has gone on to be ordained in the States. He has authored a second book. This one is called “Backpacking the Anglican Communion” which goes on sale from January. Apparently the whole of chapter five is about BGC. You can pre-order your copy from any major book distributor on either side of the pond. (If you are in the UK you donate the BGC by going to the regular online booksellers through Easyfundraising. See below for instructions.)

Library: Give thanks that after a difficult passage the books from the Theological Book Network have arrived in South Sudan. Pray for librarian Abraham as he sets about cataloguing them. There is a whole container full of these books. They have been nearly four months on the high seas and then travelling through Kenya and Uganda. We are very grateful indeed for the TBN for sending these books. They are not just for BGC but for many theological libraries around South Sudan. The huge number of new books is going to pose a large logistical demand on Abraham. We pray that he will get the help he requires. I doubt whether this will come free – voluntarism is not part of the culture in South Sudan where everyone expects an 'incentive' for anything. (Unless you are an ordained pastor of course!)

Pray also for a smooth transfer of the library into the new building. This is also a huge task. The existing and new books have all to be carried across the site and up the stairs of the new building. The right kind of shelves are under construction (the gift of the Slavanka Trust) and then simply arranging all the books in a proper order is no mean feat!

General News: The ECS has now officially become the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan. This recognises the great role it has in supporting an expanding church on both sides of the South Sudan/Sudan border.

STOP PRESS fro Larry Duffee in Juba.

Dear Friends:

     You may hear on the news reports of fighting in Juba.  I woke-up just after 6am for my morning run to hear explosions and gun-fire coming from across town.  Fortunately for me the area of the fighting was actually in a part of town we had only last month moved out of to new apartments.  We are lucky to have 24-hour generator power and good internet.

     The fighting seems to be between factions within the army and thus far civilians are not being targeted, though these things are hard to predict.  We are also lucky in that a number of our staff are out of town on assignment so our Juba presence is not too great.  We have advised all of our staff to remain at home until further notice.  We seem to be safe and sound for the moment and hope to remain that way.

     I ask all people to say prayers for South Sudan, that this baby nation not split itself apart but can hang together.  Please pray that cooler heads prevail and that people learn that violence is not the way forward, and pray for the victims of this violence.

    If the situation changes I will let you know.

           Larry

–---------------------------------------------

Buying Online through Easyfundraising.

BGC have an account with Easyfundraising. Whatever you want to buy online from ebooks to music, TVs to car insurance, and item no matter how big of small if you go though Easyfundraising will enable a percentage of you purchase will go to BGC. When you access their website you will be given a choice of online retailers for the product you are looking for who support the cause with anything from one to even eight percent. (W.H.Smith, for example, currently offer 5%).

1. Start at easyfundraising

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You click from the easyfundraising website through to Amazon to make your purchase.

2. Make a purchase
The price of the book is exactly the same as if you'd visited Amazon directly.

3. Get a donation
After you have bought your book, Amazon will make a donation to our cause as a thank you for shopping with them. Easyfundraising collect these donations for us, and it costs nothing!



It's as easy as that! So far we have raised nearly £50 for BGC this way.