There is so much going on these days we are finding it difficult to get to the blog. Trevor is doing two reports (one for the Bishops here and one for Salisbury).
We are sorting out the buildings in the wake of the the builders and decorators. This has been a very lively time. Most of the college has been overhauled and redecorated. The furniture is painted, varnished and cleaned but now has to be put back and everything properly organised. A huge task.
Then there is a huge pile of stored dusty files to go through. We mean huge!
This weekend we are in Terekeka with Bishop Micah (our chairman who is being installed as the first bishop there in a new diocese).
Then back for our first official staff meeting on Monday. We have a new lecturer joining us, Simon Lual Bang.
Then it won't be long before Trevor is off to Rumbek for 10 days for the Bishops' standing committee - time he could do with in the college but liaising with them is also vital.
The library was sorted into boxes and cupboards but all has been moved for the decorating. Now we have to get the shelves in place in the new library and get the books on them in order.
Our first books have arrived from the UK. We are in great need of new books and have the funding - but getting them here is a real challenge. If you are coming this way then please fill up your allowance with books. We now have the teachers but they need the tools.
Trevor and Tina are both teaching. Trevor has an 'evening class' (4 pm to 6 pm) on Sin and Salvation and Tina is teaching English three times a week on a one to one basis at the Secondary School.
The work of getting around the Juba primary schools to sort out links is hard work without transport. Patience is so important here. It took three visits to the bank and several hours just to get the signatures changed on one bank account.
Any way keep praying ...! It works.
Friday, 30 October 2009
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Special Happenings - Sadness and Joy
Four recent events deserve special mention.
First the funeral of the late Archbishop Joseph Morona. He died in Khartoum on Friday 18th September and his funeral took place a week later here in Juba. We are in the nearest house to his grave. As the third archbishop he is buried next to his two predecessors outside the cathedral.
His body was brought into the cathedral with prayer and a short (one hour) service on the Thursday evening at around 5 o'clock. Those who could had gone to the airport and received the body from the plane. His coffin was then left in the chancel all night when a vigil was kept. This meant singing, prayers and preaching using the cathedral sound system - silent vigils are not a thing of the ECS. (It was pretty difficult to sleep that night - the cathedral doors are always wide open of course -but we have got used to it having now lived next to the cathedral for a few months). We went for a few minutes at 9 pm. and found people sleeping on the floor of the cathedral all around the coffin, on the pews, in the vestibule and even under the stars outside.
The service began at 9.30 am in the morning, and everything was concluded at around 4.30 pm. We had a very well put together funeral service that, however, as always in the Sudan, was surrounded and interspersed by many speeches and talks of varying quality and length from a plethora of people including family, colleagues, politicians and church representatives of different backgrounds. We heard about his work and his death, his kindness and generosity and the contribution he made to the peace process and the advance of women within the ECS. He spent much time as a teacher and education was near his heart. The cathedral was, of course, full to overflowing and many people used the outdoor area specially covered for the occasion.
An event of this nature is not complete without refreshments and a lot of Sudanese food (meat, beans, rice, greens and bread) was prepared and distributed among those who had spent so much time keeping vigil for him.
The same day we learned that a young man called Biar, living with the archbishop, had been killed along with two others - a man and a young woman - in a road accident in Juba. They were all on the same motorbike. In Juba there are a lot of 'motor bike taxis' and very few people wear helmets. They are very dangerous and road deaths are far too common. This man was an only son whose mother had died when he was two. His father died only 5 months ago and thus the family were quite distraught. We had his Juba service at the archbishop's house on Tuesday afternoon (29th September). This was accompanied by speeches and prayers too - and food. This a particularly sad event.
On a happier note we have spent two Sundays in inaugurating two new archdeaconries in Juba Diocese. In fact there are three new archdeaconries but we only managed to get to two! Here the day began at 10.30 am and finished around 5.30 pm. The service itself lasted from 11.15 am to 4 pm. including songs and dances from the young families group, the Sunday Schools and the youth groups - in fact anyone who can muster a dozen or more people to sing two or three songs and dance to them. These are always impressive and some are astounding. At the one this last Sunday we were even presented with a gift of soap! Everyone who has any role in the ECS has to make a speech and that, of course, means Trevor and Tina! When Tina says she is going to teach English it always goes down extremely well - as does her membership of the Mothers' Union.
These occasions begin with breakfast (meat, maize-meal, bread) at 10.30 am and finish with a meal (several sorts of meat, maize-meal, rice, greens and bread) all cooked on charcoal. The Sudanese eat meat all the time. Although they can grow bananas, pineapples, pawpaws, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, peanuts etc. these things are only served for the most part in small quantities as side-dishes - and then not always).
So we have had a very busy couple of week-ends. We are always made extremely welcome and are looked after so well here.
First the funeral of the late Archbishop Joseph Morona. He died in Khartoum on Friday 18th September and his funeral took place a week later here in Juba. We are in the nearest house to his grave. As the third archbishop he is buried next to his two predecessors outside the cathedral.
His body was brought into the cathedral with prayer and a short (one hour) service on the Thursday evening at around 5 o'clock. Those who could had gone to the airport and received the body from the plane. His coffin was then left in the chancel all night when a vigil was kept. This meant singing, prayers and preaching using the cathedral sound system - silent vigils are not a thing of the ECS. (It was pretty difficult to sleep that night - the cathedral doors are always wide open of course -but we have got used to it having now lived next to the cathedral for a few months). We went for a few minutes at 9 pm. and found people sleeping on the floor of the cathedral all around the coffin, on the pews, in the vestibule and even under the stars outside.
The service began at 9.30 am in the morning, and everything was concluded at around 4.30 pm. We had a very well put together funeral service that, however, as always in the Sudan, was surrounded and interspersed by many speeches and talks of varying quality and length from a plethora of people including family, colleagues, politicians and church representatives of different backgrounds. We heard about his work and his death, his kindness and generosity and the contribution he made to the peace process and the advance of women within the ECS. He spent much time as a teacher and education was near his heart. The cathedral was, of course, full to overflowing and many people used the outdoor area specially covered for the occasion.
An event of this nature is not complete without refreshments and a lot of Sudanese food (meat, beans, rice, greens and bread) was prepared and distributed among those who had spent so much time keeping vigil for him.
The same day we learned that a young man called Biar, living with the archbishop, had been killed along with two others - a man and a young woman - in a road accident in Juba. They were all on the same motorbike. In Juba there are a lot of 'motor bike taxis' and very few people wear helmets. They are very dangerous and road deaths are far too common. This man was an only son whose mother had died when he was two. His father died only 5 months ago and thus the family were quite distraught. We had his Juba service at the archbishop's house on Tuesday afternoon (29th September). This was accompanied by speeches and prayers too - and food. This a particularly sad event.
On a happier note we have spent two Sundays in inaugurating two new archdeaconries in Juba Diocese. In fact there are three new archdeaconries but we only managed to get to two! Here the day began at 10.30 am and finished around 5.30 pm. The service itself lasted from 11.15 am to 4 pm. including songs and dances from the young families group, the Sunday Schools and the youth groups - in fact anyone who can muster a dozen or more people to sing two or three songs and dance to them. These are always impressive and some are astounding. At the one this last Sunday we were even presented with a gift of soap! Everyone who has any role in the ECS has to make a speech and that, of course, means Trevor and Tina! When Tina says she is going to teach English it always goes down extremely well - as does her membership of the Mothers' Union.
These occasions begin with breakfast (meat, maize-meal, bread) at 10.30 am and finish with a meal (several sorts of meat, maize-meal, rice, greens and bread) all cooked on charcoal. The Sudanese eat meat all the time. Although they can grow bananas, pineapples, pawpaws, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, peanuts etc. these things are only served for the most part in small quantities as side-dishes - and then not always).
So we have had a very busy couple of week-ends. We are always made extremely welcome and are looked after so well here.
Friday, 2 October 2009
Prayer Points
October 2009
Prayer Answers, Thanksgivings and Petitions
1. The College
Praise God for the way things are working out in the existing building. We now have quotations for a complete overhaul of the building. Essential repairs to the windows and doors etc., restoration of the water supply and the replacement of the toilets, complete internal painting and decorating and the varnishing of all the shelves are all quoted for. One of our let properties has come up for re-letting and it looks as if this will just about facilitate the work. We are also going to built on a new kitchen - which in Sudanese terms means a ten feet square piece of concrete with a zinc roof and half open sides. The cooks put their charcoal burners on the floor.
Pray that those who still occupy houses without paying the proper rent (if any) will soon be sorted out. We don't want to go through the law because we want to remain friends - but at the same time we cannot run a college without the income we are due.
Pray for the existing students who have now all been recalled to recommence their studies on 30th January 2010. Please pray that they will all be in a position to return and prosper.
Pray also for those who are being proposed to begin in a new first year in 2010. We pray that we may get the applications from the right candidates and that they are properly supported by their communities and dioceses.
We give thanks for the progress Tina is making with the library in cleaning and re-cataloguing. This is a mammoth task and we thank God that there will be other volunteers on hand from the end of September.
Pray that we may be able to get all the new books we need into Juba in time for the studies. Many of the books in the library are old - some very old. Few books have been received since 1980.
We thank God for the continued support of St Paul's, Limuru.
Praise God for the way that the necessary members of staff are becoming available. Pray for those still making u their minds about their availability. May the Lord open the way for them to come if that is his will.
2. The New Site
We still await developments regarding this. Things are going forward beneath the surface. Pray that there may be visible progress. This will become urgent before the beginning of the new year.
Continue to pray that the suggestion of a BGC Guest House will indeed come to pass and that the investment sought by Anglican International Development will be found.
3. The Schools
Pray for Tina as she revisits the primary schools to build up and establish the links that are increasing from the Diocese of Salisbury. Getting to these schools is not easy without transport of her own.
4. Sickness
Thank God that both Archbishop Daniel and Bishop Peter had thanksgiving services last week for their recovery. The archbishop is back in full-time work. Bishop Peter has to take it steady for the next few weeks but he is now back home in Lainya.
5. The Nation
Violence continues to erupt in Jonglei. On 21st September 100 people (including 50 soldiers and policemen) died in a raid on security compound in Jonglei. Much of this it seems is due to angry young men, many psychologically damaged as a result of the traumas of the war, going on the rampage.
Pray for healing.
Pray that the availability of weapons will be restricted.
Pray for the relatives and friends of those who have lost their lives in this most recent violence.
Give thanks that two young people (one a 13 year old girl) managed to escape the LRA last week. Pray for them as they come to terms with the horrors of the experience of being captive for many months, and pray for the many children who still remain captive in the bush.
Pray for the international community and those who work here from abroad in places where they are at great risk.
Pray for Muslims in the Sudan who struggle to pursue their faith amidst the pressures of extremism.
6. The Church
We rejoice in the enthusiasm and devotion of many very brave Christian people. Pastors and lay people risk their lives to proclaim the peace of God.
We thank God for the very close relationship between the denominations and the good relationships between the Christian leaders.
Pray for the work of the Sudan Council of Churches.
Pray for the bishops of the ECS as they come together at the end of October to elect new bishops
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Calling All Angels!
This is a general appeal from the new Bishop Gwynne College.to everyone who is coming to the Sudan.
Tina is digging the library out of the dust and re-cataloguing. However there are very few books newer than 1985. We are aim to teach the diploma at the level determined by St Paul's University, Limuru in Kenya and they have furnished us with their book list. Sadly, very few of the books are already in the library.
Good Books in Bridport have undertaken to get the books for us but getting them to Juba is the hardest part of the exercise. (The other day it cost us $200 to get books out of the post office here even though full postage was paid for their transport in America). The easiest way is for anyone coming to Juba to fill up their baggage allowance for us. Ethiopian Airways, for example, allows two items of luggage per person not exceeding 23 kilos each. This means each person can bring in 46 kilos!
So if you are coming to Juba, or you know of anyone coming, we would be exceedingly grateful if you could check with Good Books, Bridport (email address on the right of this page)
Very many thanks. You are indeed all angels!
Tina is digging the library out of the dust and re-cataloguing. However there are very few books newer than 1985. We are aim to teach the diploma at the level determined by St Paul's University, Limuru in Kenya and they have furnished us with their book list. Sadly, very few of the books are already in the library.
Good Books in Bridport have undertaken to get the books for us but getting them to Juba is the hardest part of the exercise. (The other day it cost us $200 to get books out of the post office here even though full postage was paid for their transport in America). The easiest way is for anyone coming to Juba to fill up their baggage allowance for us. Ethiopian Airways, for example, allows two items of luggage per person not exceeding 23 kilos each. This means each person can bring in 46 kilos!
So if you are coming to Juba, or you know of anyone coming, we would be exceedingly grateful if you could check with Good Books, Bridport (email address on the right of this page)
Very many thanks. You are indeed all angels!
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Our Latest - Juba and Limuru
It's a long time since we put a few things in our blog and much has happened since the last one.
In early July we had a conference of the ECS Theological Commission. It met in Juba next to us and made decisions about the five provincial theological colleges in the Sudan, of which Bishop Gwynne College is one. One of the decisions was to become re-affiliated with St Paul's University in Limuru, Kenya.
A visit to St Paul's was requested so Trevor and others visited Kenya in mid-August. The university began life as a theological college on its present site in 1903 and theology remains one of its major disciplines. Limuru is about an hour north of Nairobi and is quite high. This means that it was much colder than anticipated and in the evenings, when the temperature dropped to around 12C,Trevor ended up wearing three shirts on top of each other! The visit was very successful, however, and we were most encouraged by the welcome we were given. We will be applying for affiliation when we begin with the students in the New Year.
Part of Limuru Library - we have a long way to go to reach their standards
It has now become quite clear that we have no chance of getting a new college site sorted out before January - let alone any buildings on it - so we are reconciled to having to be confined to the existing building for at least the first term of the year. Making something out of the little we have is not so much a problem as our African friends had believed. We believe that with proper management and making good use of a small income and a small place we can provide a good enough standard of accommodation for fifteen students to teach at the highest standard we are capable of. We hope to employ just one full-time member of the academic staff in the first instance and use visiting lecturers as the numbers increase. So we are putting £1000 of our Bridport money into repairs, painting and decorating. We have ear-marked a different room for the library away from the side of the dusty road and on the cooler side of the building. We plan to install solar panel electricity so that there is light for the library after dark (usually just after 7 pm). The college has had no electricity for several years. We are also paying the arrears on the water bill so that we can have running water again and bring the toilets back into use. We are building a new kitchen lean-to so we can cook on this site for the first time. The old library and the rooms on the east side will be used as dormitories and what used to be a series of offices, one for each member of staff, will become study rooms for the students. In August 2010 we will have to open a new dormitory but we should still have enough teaching space for the forty students we hope to have by then.
Tina is now spending most of her time cleaning and cataloguing books. We are using the American Library of Congress system that they employ at Limuru. This means researching on the Internet for all those older books that do not have the number on the fly leaf. Unfortunately many of the books are in poor condition having been covered in a very thick layer of dust left on shelves - some of which were broken - and oiled high on a table.
Tina has made return visits to some of the primary schools to take letters sent by the Salisbury Diocesan schools. These were very well received. Large numbers of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) who were living in makeshift accommodation in Juba have now returned to their home areas. This has meant that the numbers of children in some of the schools are greatly reduced. Two small schools on the outskirts of the town, which Tina visited for the first time, have been particularly affected by this. These schools have some of the poorest conditions, the children do not even have chairs unless they have brought them themselves from home. Those without have to sit on the dirt floor. One school has three classes in different areas of the church because of lack of classrooms. Those who have experienced 'open plan' will know how difficult this is.
We are now well settled in our permanent accommodation. We have got five easy chairs, a dining table and some plastic chairs. We bought a bookcase and a set of five low tables which are locally made and solid (even if the legs are of different lengths!).
Our cooking is becoming more adventurous. Robin has introduced her favourite Mexican food - tortillas, guacamole and salsa. And we ate our first crop of moringa leaves from the demonstration garden. They don't really taste of much, but if you know they are rich in nutrients it makes you feel good. Pulling all the leaves off the stems though takes quite a long time - it is reminiscent of dealing with red-currants.
In early July we had a conference of the ECS Theological Commission. It met in Juba next to us and made decisions about the five provincial theological colleges in the Sudan, of which Bishop Gwynne College is one. One of the decisions was to become re-affiliated with St Paul's University in Limuru, Kenya.
St Paul's University, Limuru
A visit to St Paul's was requested so Trevor and others visited Kenya in mid-August. The university began life as a theological college on its present site in 1903 and theology remains one of its major disciplines. Limuru is about an hour north of Nairobi and is quite high. This means that it was much colder than anticipated and in the evenings, when the temperature dropped to around 12C,Trevor ended up wearing three shirts on top of each other! The visit was very successful, however, and we were most encouraged by the welcome we were given. We will be applying for affiliation when we begin with the students in the New Year.
Part of Limuru Library - we have a long way to go to reach their standards
Tina is now spending most of her time cleaning and cataloguing books. We are using the American Library of Congress system that they employ at Limuru. This means researching on the Internet for all those older books that do not have the number on the fly leaf. Unfortunately many of the books are in poor condition having been covered in a very thick layer of dust left on shelves - some of which were broken - and oiled high on a table.
Tina has made return visits to some of the primary schools to take letters sent by the Salisbury Diocesan schools. These were very well received. Large numbers of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) who were living in makeshift accommodation in Juba have now returned to their home areas. This has meant that the numbers of children in some of the schools are greatly reduced. Two small schools on the outskirts of the town, which Tina visited for the first time, have been particularly affected by this. These schools have some of the poorest conditions, the children do not even have chairs unless they have brought them themselves from home. Those without have to sit on the dirt floor. One school has three classes in different areas of the church because of lack of classrooms. Those who have experienced 'open plan' will know how difficult this is.
A school yard after heavy rain. It became a sea of mud with a lake in the centre.
We are now well settled in our permanent accommodation. We have got five easy chairs, a dining table and some plastic chairs. We bought a bookcase and a set of five low tables which are locally made and solid (even if the legs are of different lengths!).
Our cooking is becoming more adventurous. Robin has introduced her favourite Mexican food - tortillas, guacamole and salsa. And we ate our first crop of moringa leaves from the demonstration garden. They don't really taste of much, but if you know they are rich in nutrients it makes you feel good. Pulling all the leaves off the stems though takes quite a long time - it is reminiscent of dealing with red-currants.
Our first moringa leaf meal. The leaves have to pulled from the stems
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
August/September 2009
Prayer Answers, Thanksgivings and Petitions
1. The College
Give thanks that Trevor has now been formally appointed at Bishop Gwynne College. The old college has now been completely wound up and we can start planning for the return of the students in January 2010.
Please pray that those who owe the college money may pay it all up to date, so that we will have sufficient income to restore the existing building and employ a new member of staff. If everything that is owed is paid we can make ends meet until the end of the year when we expect the 2010 income to commence.
Give thanks for a very successful visit to Limuru, Kenya that took place on 13th August which has settled the curriculum for the foreseeable future. We were made very welcome and feel extremely assured that we have a good solid basis on which to build up quality teaching in the future.
Please pray for Tina as she gathers people to help her start the process of restoring the library.
Please pray as we begin the process of finding the right staff to teach the syllabus in 2010.
Pray also for the students who will shortly be receiving letters of recall and those contemplating applying to begin for the first time in 2010.
2. The New Site
Give thanks that a little progress has been made in this direction.
Please pray that those who can make things happen here will be inspired to work hard so we can begin to put together a construction schedule.
Pray that the suggestion of a BGC Guest House will indeed come to pass and that the investment sought by Anglican International Development will be found.
3. The Schools
We give thanks that Tina has managed two more Juba primary schools - this time in the poorer western suburbs.
We pray for these children and the staff that seek to teach them. Neither of these schools has any furniture. One has three classrooms inside the church with mud walls in a poor state of repair. There is no furniture in either school. Children sit on the dust floor or bring their own plastic chairs. All that they have is a blackboard and exercise books and pencils supplied by UNICEF.
Please pray that there will be sufficient resources to pay and train the teachers, and enough income in the children's families to feed them and pay their school fees.
4. Sickness
We rejoice that both Bishop Peter Amidi and the Archbishop are recovering.
We thank God for all those who contributed to the care of Bishop Peter of Lainya needed a triple heart by-pass and after being taken to Nairobi was finally transferred to India where he had a successful operation. He is now in Kampala with his children making a full recovery.
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Archbishop Daniel was admitted into hospital in Khartoum with a recurrence of his stomach ulcer. He has now left hospital and is due to return to Juba in three days time.
We thank God for this.
We pray that he can have a well deserved break and that he may have time to recover properly.
5. The Nation
We give thanks for a peaceful resolution to the Abyei crisis, and the quite definite reluctance of the Government of South Sudan to return to war. There has been real rejoicing here following the announcement the international Court of Arbitration that allowed the Dinka tribes to be part of the south - even though the question of the oil wells is still not fully resolved.
Please continue to pray for the Governments of National Unity and South Sudan.
Pray for those seeking to resolve the issues of the census and those working to ensure that fair elections take place on the date decided on in April 2010.
Continue to pray for Dafur. Although it is a long way from Juba the people there desperately need the same opportunities coming to the south as a result of the peace here.
Please pray for the international community as it puts pressure on politicians to work for peace.
Prayer Answers, Thanksgivings and Petitions
1. The College
Give thanks that Trevor has now been formally appointed at Bishop Gwynne College. The old college has now been completely wound up and we can start planning for the return of the students in January 2010.
Please pray that those who owe the college money may pay it all up to date, so that we will have sufficient income to restore the existing building and employ a new member of staff. If everything that is owed is paid we can make ends meet until the end of the year when we expect the 2010 income to commence.
Give thanks for a very successful visit to Limuru, Kenya that took place on 13th August which has settled the curriculum for the foreseeable future. We were made very welcome and feel extremely assured that we have a good solid basis on which to build up quality teaching in the future.
Please pray for Tina as she gathers people to help her start the process of restoring the library.
Please pray as we begin the process of finding the right staff to teach the syllabus in 2010.
Pray also for the students who will shortly be receiving letters of recall and those contemplating applying to begin for the first time in 2010.
2. The New Site
Give thanks that a little progress has been made in this direction.
Please pray that those who can make things happen here will be inspired to work hard so we can begin to put together a construction schedule.
Pray that the suggestion of a BGC Guest House will indeed come to pass and that the investment sought by Anglican International Development will be found.
3. The Schools
We give thanks that Tina has managed two more Juba primary schools - this time in the poorer western suburbs.
We pray for these children and the staff that seek to teach them. Neither of these schools has any furniture. One has three classrooms inside the church with mud walls in a poor state of repair. There is no furniture in either school. Children sit on the dust floor or bring their own plastic chairs. All that they have is a blackboard and exercise books and pencils supplied by UNICEF.
Please pray that there will be sufficient resources to pay and train the teachers, and enough income in the children's families to feed them and pay their school fees.
4. Sickness
We rejoice that both Bishop Peter Amidi and the Archbishop are recovering.
We thank God for all those who contributed to the care of Bishop Peter of Lainya needed a triple heart by-pass and after being taken to Nairobi was finally transferred to India where he had a successful operation. He is now in Kampala with his children making a full recovery.
-------------
Archbishop Daniel was admitted into hospital in Khartoum with a recurrence of his stomach ulcer. He has now left hospital and is due to return to Juba in three days time.
We thank God for this.
We pray that he can have a well deserved break and that he may have time to recover properly.
5. The Nation
We give thanks for a peaceful resolution to the Abyei crisis, and the quite definite reluctance of the Government of South Sudan to return to war. There has been real rejoicing here following the announcement the international Court of Arbitration that allowed the Dinka tribes to be part of the south - even though the question of the oil wells is still not fully resolved.
Please continue to pray for the Governments of National Unity and South Sudan.
Pray for those seeking to resolve the issues of the census and those working to ensure that fair elections take place on the date decided on in April 2010.
Continue to pray for Dafur. Although it is a long way from Juba the people there desperately need the same opportunities coming to the south as a result of the peace here.
Please pray for the international community as it puts pressure on politicians to work for peace.
Friday, 21 August 2009
From busy Juba
Sorry about the delay! Many people have been wanting things since we got back to work - not least the Church Times if you read it, and a new column beginning in October in the Sarum Link.
... And life has been much busier here of late now the college is finally wound up and we can begin the new venture. We have been sorting piles of dusty files going back decades and the building needs to be put back into good repair. Not that we have got any money yet, of course. We are owed thousands of dollars in rent from the houses that are leased out - but that doesn't mean the occupants want to cough up. It's all very frustrating but, as always, patience is the name of the game.
We hope to decorate one of the biggest rooms and reinstate the library. None of it has been painted since the early 80s. We shall to be using the Library of Congress classification system so Tina will have her work cut out cleaning, sorting out, and cataloguing. Nothing of this has been done for many years if ever. When we decide what we will be teaching next year we will order the books we need and get folk to bring them out. This is one of the many things we need to do in the next month or so, too.
The new site is going to take time to establish. Please keep of it in your prayers. We know we shall be in the same building for at least the next twelve months and may be longer but even if everything else falls into place immediately, putting up buildings and fences will take much money. It will all come when we need it. We have all we need for now. We will crawl, then walk before we can run. Of course, some of the local people have very high hopes than we can come in with millions and present a working university within a few years. But that doesn't happen anywhere in the world, and it is not the way Creation works either. Nevertheless you can understand the frustration of Africans when they see what is happening in other continents. The message is, if you want to invest in something really worthwhile take a look at the plans for theological education here.
Last week Trevor spent 4 days in Limuru near Nairobi, Kenya to visit a university there that we will affiliate to. We received a wonderful welcome. The place is very attractive being sited in the highlands north west of the capital - about an hour's drive. They have about 900 students, and 300 in affiliated colleges doing the diploma courses.
The region was the first region of Kenya to grow tea, and there was a visit to the original tea estate where we were treated to an explanation of how to grow tea and walked around a bit of forest as well as the tea. Then followed a wonderful lunch on the lawn of a lovely house built in the European tradition with all kinds of flowers and shrubs (including fuchsias!). At 7000 feet, though, it was all quite cool (15C). Many layers required - and a hot water bottle at night. Glad to be back in warm Juba (28C).
Next week Tina is off to visit two more local primary schools. Watch this space....
Thanks for your prayers.
... And life has been much busier here of late now the college is finally wound up and we can begin the new venture. We have been sorting piles of dusty files going back decades and the building needs to be put back into good repair. Not that we have got any money yet, of course. We are owed thousands of dollars in rent from the houses that are leased out - but that doesn't mean the occupants want to cough up. It's all very frustrating but, as always, patience is the name of the game.
We hope to decorate one of the biggest rooms and reinstate the library. None of it has been painted since the early 80s. We shall to be using the Library of Congress classification system so Tina will have her work cut out cleaning, sorting out, and cataloguing. Nothing of this has been done for many years if ever. When we decide what we will be teaching next year we will order the books we need and get folk to bring them out. This is one of the many things we need to do in the next month or so, too.
The new site is going to take time to establish. Please keep of it in your prayers. We know we shall be in the same building for at least the next twelve months and may be longer but even if everything else falls into place immediately, putting up buildings and fences will take much money. It will all come when we need it. We have all we need for now. We will crawl, then walk before we can run. Of course, some of the local people have very high hopes than we can come in with millions and present a working university within a few years. But that doesn't happen anywhere in the world, and it is not the way Creation works either. Nevertheless you can understand the frustration of Africans when they see what is happening in other continents. The message is, if you want to invest in something really worthwhile take a look at the plans for theological education here.
Last week Trevor spent 4 days in Limuru near Nairobi, Kenya to visit a university there that we will affiliate to. We received a wonderful welcome. The place is very attractive being sited in the highlands north west of the capital - about an hour's drive. They have about 900 students, and 300 in affiliated colleges doing the diploma courses.
The region was the first region of Kenya to grow tea, and there was a visit to the original tea estate where we were treated to an explanation of how to grow tea and walked around a bit of forest as well as the tea. Then followed a wonderful lunch on the lawn of a lovely house built in the European tradition with all kinds of flowers and shrubs (including fuchsias!). At 7000 feet, though, it was all quite cool (15C). Many layers required - and a hot water bottle at night. Glad to be back in warm Juba (28C).
Next week Tina is off to visit two more local primary schools. Watch this space....
Thanks for your prayers.
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