Thankgsgivings and Prayer Requests

Dear Prayer Partners,

Why the world's media chooses to largely ignore the terrible events that are happening in the Sudan I do not know. The attacks made on civilians in Abyei and South Kordofan and also aerial bombardment in Unity State are driving thousands into the bush without access to basic human needs. Little children are dying daily. Others are being separated from their parents. Pregnant women are giving birth under trees as they flee. Patients have been driven from their hospital beds, and old people who cannot run are being left to accept their fate as soldiers and militia shoot, shell or deliberately destroy civilian homes, schools, clinics or churches.

It is reported that church personnel in Kadugli have been killed. The presence of UN peacekeeping forces is largely ineffective.

BGC college news is much more cheerful. 13 third students graduated in a ceremony in All Saint's Cathedral, Juba on 4^th June. Foundation Year students received their certificates.

Joseph Taban has now officially taken over as Principal. But his first duty and joy was to get to Khartoum to be with his wife and new daughter, Jacy, born on 30^th May.

I depart for the USA tomorrow to attend the American Friends of the ECS conference and tour to talk about BGC in particular and the Sudan in general.

We have launched an appeal for over $300,000 from the building of more housing and a multipurpose chapel. http://www.bishopgwynne.juba.anglican.org/index.php?PageID=appeal

Thank you for your wonderful prayers.

Trevor 12/6/2011

We give thanks the 13 third year students and the foundation year who finished the academic year with certificates last week.

We pray for them as they return to their homes in different parts of the country. We thank God that our student from Abyei will be able to join his mother who has now safely arrived in Wau, along with fiancée and her family. We give thanks, too, that our student from the Nuba Mountains (South Kordofan) will be reunited with his wife and children in Khartoum where they have fled.

We pray for the seven new students preparing to join the college when it reopens in August.

We ask God's blessings on Joseph Taban and his family and the staff at the college. We give thanks for the safe arrival of his new little girl.

Please pray for my trip to the US as I visit Washington DC, Virginia, North Carolina, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Michigan.

Pray for the success of the BGC Project Appeal.

We pray that the developer who has contracted to develop the roadside part of the BGC site will get started soon so that the site can be tidy and secure. We thank God that the preliminaries have now been largely completed and that the remaining containers will not hamper the work.

Let us pray for for peace, and a speedy end to the conflicts in Abyei, South Kordofan and elsewhere. We pray that it doesn't spread to new areas. We pray for the UN, that its personnel may be truly effective. We pray that humanitarian aid can reach the places it needs. We pray that the conflicts will be fully reported around the world so that war crimes may not go largely unnoticed.

Pray for the Government in Khartoum and the Government of South Sudan in these critical days leading up to independence on 9^th July.

Interim Period Ends

Our Interim Period at the college has come to an end. Last Friday, Trevor officially handed over to Joseph Taban as the new principal. On Saturday we had the graduation of the third year diploma students and the one year foundation course that Tina spent most of her time with. They presented us with plaques to say than you – but the real thanks should go to the many many people who have given in so many ways in this past two and a half years. And not least, of course, to the providence of Almighty God who has gone before us and ensured we survived and prospered. He has truly led, directed and filled in the bits where we were going to fail before we encountered disaster.

The next phase of our work involves Trevor as International Consultant which means travelling around the world promoting the college and the work of the ECS in Sudan – beginning with America this month. So this blog will go internal! We have launched an appeal for over $300,000 – literature available upon request!

We plan to be in the US and UK until the beginning of October when we shall come back here and and see what we can do to support Joseph and the students in their next phase.

Thanksgivings and Prayers Requests

A very happy Easter to you all! Holy Week has taken an inordinately long to time to come this year but it has at last arrived. Wednesday in Holy Week, was a day of prayer and fasting in the college. We followed the theme of the proclamation of repentance and forgiveness (Luke 24:44) and used the biblical Stations of the Cross, beginning at Gethsemane, from the C of E Common Worship material. This led into the Eucharist (Eucharistic Prayer H) and the renewal of our commitment to ministry (taken from Maundy Thursday). The students spend the triduum itself in parishes around Juba. Some will be at Juba cathedral where the college is helping introduce a bit of liturgy.

We are grateful for your prayers. Please keep up the good work. Zephaniah (the owner) has moved four of the twelve containers from the site. Please keep up the prayers that he may remove the eight that remain!

A very happy Easter,

Trevor and Tina

Students

We give thanks for the results of the first semester exams for the first year which have turned out better than any of us dared hope. Out of twelve students who sat the exam taking five subjects each (a total of 60 exams) only 3 papers were failed. This is not a bad result for the firsts attempt.

We give thanks that 33 people sat a Special Entrance Exam in March, a very difficult exam set by St Paul's Limuru in English, General and Bible Knowledge. The results of this exam will be announced after Easter but we are confident that we will have a new first year with competent students at a starting level higher than this year.

This semester's exams will soon be upon us. We pray for all the students as they prepare for them.

Staff

We give thanks for the appointment of Joseph Taban as the new Principal of the college. He will take over officially at the end of the semester on 4^th June. His position was officially ratified by the new chairman of governors, the Bishop of Maridi, Justin Badi. They are both very competent and experienced. Please keep them and their families very much in your prayers.

Please pray for Joseph as he puts together a set of people for staffing the college in August.

Development.

The second staff house remains half built as we await the grant from the Anglican Communion Fund. Pray that the money may soon arrive and that we can finish the house for Simon Lual.

We are also anxious to be able to get the roadside development under way. For this we need those who are using it to leave as agreed. Please pray for the developer as he comes onto the site and those who are slow to move. Pray for the removal of the last 8 containers.

We pray that we can find the money to erect a fence around the rest of the site to give us proper security. Some of this depends on the roadside development.

Finance

Please pray that those who still have rents to pay will come up with the money quickly to ensure we have enough money for the month of May.

We give thanks that we have got this far and made a relatively little go such a long way.

Pray for us as we draft new policies on financial management for the coming years. We have to hone the policies for fees, salaries. medical care, housing and so forth.

University Feasibility Study

We praise God that after some difficulties and delays, two experienced academics from the UK, Dr vision of a university to be set up by the ECS. This study will enable us to get a bit nearer to realising the vision. We pray for God's continued guidance for these two ladies as they put together their report. We also give thanks for the realism so many of our bishops and others have to this and other questions about the future. The challenges are enormous. We thank God for the willingness and courage of brave and sacrificial people to tackle it, and we pray for them and their families.

Rapid Change

We thank God that so much is changing so fast in the development of South Sudan for the better. But a building site is a difficult and dangerous place to live in, physically, mentally, psychologically and spiritually. Pray for us as we encounter daily changes, some expected but most not, some planned, and some unwelcome (like the imported crime from neighbouring countries). Pray for the hospitals and the doctors severely stretched. Pray for our schools, many with insufficient staff and buildings, furniture or equipment. Pray for our pastors mostly unpaid and barely trained. Pray for our politicians, army, and police as they gain experience on the job with minimal training in a country in which new rules are having to be formulated as we go along. Pray for those who poverty means they no access to basic services. Pray for expats who come to help – some (especially through the churches) receiving no financial support. Thank God for the patience and understanding of their families elsewhere in the world.

Thank God that in the midst of all this, things are as good as they are and that things are much, much better than they were.

Independence for South Sudan

We give thanks for the opportunities that will come to the south following independence scheduled for 9^th July. We pray that all we be peaceful at that time.

We pray for the northern provinces of the Sudan continuing without the south and the government in Khartoum.

We pray for the people from the south who still live in the north. We give thanks and pray for the work of the churches in the way they continue to support the Christians there, despite so many people moving south.

Pray for peace.

Thank you, Prayer Partners.

We continue to make progress here in Sudan, albeit not without its excitement. I can report that again everything we have prayed for has been given us. Economically in the college things are much better this month. We have a full compliment of staff, and the exams look to have gone better than we dared have hoped. In the political arena there has been a peaceful and successful referendum. If you want an anxiety free life, then the Sudan is not the place to be - but, similarly, if you want to see things coming together against all odds then this is just the place to be. It's tightrope walking, but, somehow, by the grace of God, we cross some dizzying chasms. From a purely philosophical point of view, you cannot absolutely prove the existence of a caring God - but the evidence from experience is beyond reasonable doubt.

Thank you.
Trevor

The College

Give thanks for the developments in the lettings of the college.

Give thanks that a new short -term let has been found for one of our houses. We have reinvested the six months rent received in advance into its complete renovation.

Praise God that we have now concluded a good arrangement whereby the piece of land on the main road area of the new site has been let for a period of 17 years to an investment company. This company will build luxury residential units in a protected compound that they will let to people involved in the development of the city. This has already brought in much needed rental income and will continue to do so. It will increase the integrity and the security of our site enormously. After the conclusion of the period, the land, and all that is built on it, will revert to the control of the college. Both of these lets will give future stability to the college.

First, however, will require the removal of containers that have been deposited on this land. The owner has promised that he will remove them within a month. But we still need him to come and do it! Please pray that he will come and fulfil his promises quickly so we can conclude everything amicably.

We give thanks for the grant awarded to the library. Work has begun on the shelves . We hope to be moving the books within a month. Pray for the workmen and for Tina and the students as they tackle this challenging task of moving the books.

Pray for out students, especially those preparing to take the Special Entrance Exam on 19th March that will see members of the foundation year continue on to the diploma. Again pray for Tina who is preparing them. Pray for Larry Duffee who has joined the staff and is teaching arithmetic and budgeting so that our pastors might be able to understand parish finances. Pray for John Turpin from Texas who has joined us on a voluntary basis to teach church history. Pray also for Joseph, Simon, Peter and Daniela our other staff members. We give thanks that the Lord has blessed us so much in so many ways with the staff we have.

University Feasibility Study

On a wider front, we pray for those who are planning to come to Juba and elsewhere to do a feasibility study for a new university. We give thanks that three wonderful academics from the UK are giving us their precious time free, as well as putting their own money into coming. Please pray for the success of this study and God's blessings on this party. While they are here we want them to be able to get everywhere they need to. Pray that we can find the money to transport them around locally. This is important for the effectiveness of the exercise.

A new university might seem very ambitious. It is certainly a huge vision and a tremendous challenge, but the opportunities, especially in the south post referendum, are enormous. The church here is always ambitious for the Lord, and it cannot be wrong to ask for the young people of the Sudan get a little of the advantages that are enjoyed elsewhere. They learn to be very patient when things don't happen quickly. They have also learned that if you don't ask, you don't get!

The Politics

We give enormous thanks for the peaceful and well organised referendum on the future of the south. The latest news is that there has been a 95% turn out and a 98% vote in favour of separation. The people in Juba and the south are very happy.

Things are not so easy along the border with the north or in Khartoum. Please pray for the many refugees from the north heading south, and for those left behind who have not the money or opportunity to leave. Please pray for the Church in the north as many of their members have headed south and they are under pressure from the government. Pray especially for Bishop Ezekiel and the diocese of Khartoum and the other northern dioceses.

Pray for the voting taking place in Blue Nile State, and that planned for South Kordofan - northern provinces with a preponderance of people who identify more with the south. Pray for Abyei as the border there is still in dispute.

Thanksgivings and Prayers Requests

The college has reopened for the New Year, but not much is happening here at the moment as we are still gathering together the students following the referendum. Voting continues to the end of this week. Here in Juba there is a quiet, thankful, festive atmosphere. People are full of joy that today they have been able to vote for independence from what has been an opposition from the north extending back for centuries, but especially during two civil wars raging for most of the time ever since Sudanese independence in 1956. We are very grateful for the way peace is so highly regarded here. Much still has to be resolved about the distribution of oil revenues, the border demarcation and other instruments of government. The result will be finally declared on 15th February.

We are very grateful for all your prayers.

One sadness has been the death of Revd Samuel Kayanga who was a part-time teacher of Religious Studies last semester. He completed his valued teaching duties at the end of November but was recently taken ill and died in hospital in Nairobi. Samuel has played an important role in the ECS for many years in the course of the war and beyond. He is the coauthor of But God is Not Defeated with Andrew Wheeler.

Thanks,

Trevor

Thank God for way everything has come together and that the Referendum is taking place on the exact date promised six years ago at the signing of the CPA in 2005. We thank God that, despite the sporadic disturbances in some of the border areas, southern Sudan is probably more peaceful and less divided than it was in 2009. The inter-tribal violence and cattle theft has certainly declined. Please continue to pray that this trend continues.

We ask God's blessings on the family of Samuel Kyanga as we commit him to God's heavenly care.

Pray also for all the members of staff. Especially we pray for John Turpin, a new volunteer from Texas, who has joined us as lecturer in Church History. Pray for Larry Duffee who is joining the staff part-time to teach parish budgeting and financial administration.

Thank God for the improvement in the financial situation of the college. Some of the unpaid rent has now been paid, but there is still much to do to get the college on a sound financial footing. There are houses that have yet to be let. Pray that we can find suitable tenants soon.

We give thanks that God has given us the help of Elger in the financial management of the college.

Thank God for the generosity of several overseas charities towards the development of NBGC. The Anglican Communion Fund has grated us a further £10,000 towards the completion of the first phase of the development. St Saviour's Guildford has awarded us £1,500 from their mission fund. The Slavanka Trust has given us £2,500 for the re-establishment of the library on the new site. And there have been many other contributions from dioceses, parishes and individuals in the UK, Germany and the USA - some large and some small.

Please pray that the gifts continue to enable us to finish building the second staff house, and then embark on the the second phase - the multi-purpose chapel.

Referendum Day

We have arrived on 9th January 2011 and voting is taking place in the referendum on the future of southern Sudan. This is a great day, one that many people wondered whether would even happen only a few months ago.
The NCP (National Congress Party - President Al Bashir's party) has honoured the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) on this question, and the vote is happening six years to the day following its signing. The people of Juba are in festive mood. Things seem to be going their way after so very many years. The people here are quiet and peace-loving. They have had more than enough of war. Although there are still disputes over the border, and things to be worked out concerning the oil that is so very vital to the economy of both north and south, neither side, it seems, is prepared to fight another war over it - a war, of course, that could never be won outright. Everyone knows that compromises and agreements have to be made.
The people who will suffer the most are the southerners living in the north. Many have come south but others remain. We are very concerned for the church in the north. Although the country is going to divide, the province of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan will not. We need to pray for these people. The churches have been growing there for some years. They now face a very difficult time.

We had a good time in the UK over Christmas and the New Year. Staying in Bath we saw lots of our new family in Bristol. We were joined by our others from London and China. In Cornwall we had a quiet time with Trevor's parents now in their mid to late 80s.

The college recommences this week. Trevor will be teaching philosophy and Tina continues with her English. We have been granted money from a trust in Wales to move the library to the new site so that will be a major task that lies ahead of us.

Thanksgivings and Prayers Requests

Thank you all for your fantastic prayers in the last few weeks. So much has happened that I have not had time to give you an update. So now here goes.

We have so much to rejoice about - we have received nearly everything we have asked for. Thanks be to God. He delivers much more faithfully than I do when I am sent out shopping! Well done. Now I have a new list for you!

Building Works

Give thanks for all the building work that has been completed and is on the way to being completed. We thank God that the new dormitory, the wash and toilet block, the hall and kitchen are all completed and in use. (You can follow some of the story on our blog and picture page).

Give thanks that, although it took a very long time, we now have electricity and water from the mains so student life is now much more comfortable.

Give thanks that the flow of money from Salisbury has been established and we have now received most of what was given. Give thanks that one of the two staff houses will be finished before the end of this month. The main structure has already been completed, and the electrician and plumber are at work.

We praise God that the fence is in place and the goat sellers are out, and the gambling establishment and their clients that has set up under a big tree on their way, although they are more resistant.

Give thanks that the house we have had for up for rent has now been let long term at a good return. Pray for good tenants for two other houses that are coming up for rent at the moment. We pray that there will be a minimum of delay here.

The only problem that remains regarding the reclaiming of the site concerns the containers that are still parked here. Please pray that the owner will see that he must move them quickly. We have been asking him to move them since March 2009. Pray that we do not have to go to law on this one.

We thank God for the interest in the land available for investment, possibly for a Conference Centre. Pray for the negotiations with these people, that a good deal may be made in the best interests of the college and the Church. This has the potential of moving fast. Pray that we may do so safely and accurately.

Praise God for the interest in the idea of a multipurpose chapel from different places. There is nothing solid yet, and all the money still to be found. We need lots of prayer as we move into Phase Two of the development.

We have application for grants for the moving of the library and the building of a second staff house. Pray that these will bear fruit.

Staff and Students

Praise God that we now have all the staff at the college! Joseph Taban joined us at the beginning of October. Mark Mayool came, at last, last week. This delay has put them under great pressure. Pray for them as they struggle to catch up in this their first semester.

Please pray for Simon Lual and his family. Simon is experiencing a lot of problems with one of his sons who is in danger on the slippery slopes of bad company. This is a huge worry to his parents. Please pray for him.

Thank God that the students are all working very hard and getting used to college life. Pray for them and the staff as we work out the ways in which we want to live as a community in a new college setting. Pray for Joseph Taban who is setting this up.

Pray for improved health for both students and staff. Thank God for Dr Katie who has given her time free to lecture and tend. Pray that God may help all the students to live by the hygiene rules she has ordered - not something that most of them are used to.

Pray for the health of our teachers who are regularly under the weather with something. There is much malaria, some typhoid and other things going around. Give thanks that Trevor and Tina, despite all the hard work, remain in excellent health!

Pray for Andy Wheeler who did not make it to Juba because he had to have a multiple coronary bypass op. Give thanks that he us now on the mend.

Pray for all the students as we approach the exams at the end of this month. This is something new for most of us, including the staff.

The Political Situation in the Sudan

The point of the referendum due on 9th January is to ask about dividing a country into two. This is not something that happens everyday! There is a lot of uncertainty. No-one is sure how it is going to work out. However, we are all carrying on knowing that whatever happens there will be still be a church and people needing ministry. South Sudan is undergoing a huge development. Much is being invested, hope is high.

Our biggest concerns are for those in the border areas, and the ethnic southerners in the North. Also the Christians there of any tribe. If there is trouble this is where it is going to be centred. Large numbers of ethnic southerners are already coming south - often with nothing. The Nile transport captains are cashing in and charging much inflated fairs. These people are often urbanised and have lost touch with the traditional way of life in their ethnic homelands.

So please:

Pray for a referendum that is fair and acceptable to both sides that will take place on the appointed day.

Pray for those living in the north and in the borders areas who are most at risk.

Pray for those coming south that they might be re-absorbed into the south without too much hardship or rejection.

Pray for soldiers on both sides that they will remain disciplined and under the control of their political masters.

We give thanks for the good ethnic diversity at NBGC. Pray for their families and home dioceses in this time away over this challenging period. The college will be in session on 9th January.

Pray with for the Sudan Council of Churches (the ECS and the Christian Church of all denominations) and the many Muslims across both South and North seeking to unite the people in love and peace. May their prayers resound around the whole of the Sudan so that the belligerent minorities will be overcome with love.

Ma Salaam!

Peace be with you

Trevor and Tina