One in Service, Faith and Fellowship
A Word from the Diocesan Bishop of Wau
By Rt, Rev, Moses Deng Bol. Just A Glass of Water I want to start by asking you a question and I am sure that the answer will tell you something about yourself. If you have a glass of water and you drink exactly half of it, is the glass now half empty or half full? What is your response? What can you say to this. Are you feeling sad because half of it is gone or are you glad because there is still half left to drink? Really, how you answer this question is important because it reveals how you think and your attitude to life. It is especially important if you live in a country like South Sudan, where you may not easily be able to fill the glass again. Take a moment to think about how you answered the question, what does it say about you? Using the same example of the glass some people may say that in Africa and South Sudan too many people cry out “my glass is empty, please will you refill it?” There is much need in South Sudan and I am truly grateful for all the people that give their time and money to meet these needs, may God richly bless them. Really, some people are now only alive because of it. But if you listen to us, the message we cry is actually, “show us how to make glasses and fill them for everyone”. So many of the things needed to make our lives here secure, safe and well for everyone are missing that really we need to rethink and begin again. I chose the example of a glass of water because when we think of Jesus sometimes we can think of the lessons he taught us as living water. The difference here I mean is that if you drink water you will soon become thirsty again, it answers your need but not fully. If you listen to Jesus and accept the living water you will never thirst again. In the Gospel of John Chapter 4 verses 13 and 14 Jesus explains this to a
Index A Word From The Bishop ....................................2 Two New Assistant Bishops..................................5 Nyieth Becomes a Town on its own......................8 Plans for St John’s College...................................10 St John’s College Mission Statement Updated...11 Ayien Parish Church Project................................12 Introducing the New Bishops..............................14 Working For Peace in the Community................16 Nyieth Primary School Dedication......................19 Food Distribution in Partnership with HART.......21 A Peace Agreement for Dinka communities.......23 A Letter of Appeal...............................................27 Contact Us ........................................................28 Please Pray with us ...........................................29
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Samaritan woman that has come to a well for water. “13Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.” Jesus is the total answer. Even the Prophet Isaiah knew this, we can read in the book of Isaiah Chapter 58 verse 11: "And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.” So that is what we really seek, the total answer, sustainability and I truly believe that we can get this. In the Old Testament times the laws of Moses required that farmers left part of their crop in the field so that poor people could have it and they would not starve. You can see this plainly in the book of Leviticus Chapter 23 verse 22 “When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien. I am the LORD your God.'" Boaz the farmer in the story of the book of Ruth made sure this was done and really sets a good example for us. If you do not know this story you can read about it in the book of Ruth in the Old Testament. It is after the book of Judges and before the first book of Samuel. I recommend that you do because there are many lessons to learn from it. But the horrible truth is, if there is not enough food it does not matter how generous a person is there will not be enough and some will starve. I have seen starvation here in South Sudan. Our land is fertile and many people are willing to work hard so what really makes a good harvest? The answer is education. By learning better techniques and methods a farmer can produce more food and there can be enough. So just from this simple example we can see that education is a vital
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part to any peaceful future for South Sudan. It makes a glass half empty, half full. Education can be used in many more areas than farming to help find the development we need. In so many areas of South Sudan and even here in Wau Diocese there are groups of people who understand life in tribal disputes and solving them through fighting and violence. So having people trained in settling disputes and working in the community to promote peace is a truly good thing. Also many of my pastors and church workers need better education to make more use of the skills that God gives them. We need also leaders in business and commerce to help develop our society. All these people need training and all of them need good numeracy and literacy skills. But how can we do this? Especially, how can we ensure women get as much chance to be educated as men? In South Sudan this is a real issue with many girls not even finishing School. I am reminded of this bible passage from the book of Genesis chapter 1 verse 27 that so many people forget, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” The challenges are great and the resources small, it may be easy to think that our glass here is half empty again. Recently we were very blessed to have Archbishop Daniel Deng come to consecrate two new bishops, the Rt Rev Abraham Ngor of Gogrial Area Diocese and Rt Rev Peter Yuol Gur of Tonj Area Diocese. It was truly a special day filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Both Tonj and Gogrial are new area dioceses under Wau at the moment but that will not be forever. Soon once the proper criteria is met they will be full dioceses just like Aweil Diocese, that was once part of Wau. Then both bishops will face the challenge of getting the trained people they need to promote the word of God and carry their mission forward. I mentioned the Holy Spirit and at this time of the year we remember the Holy Spirit through Pentecost and the great story of Peter preaching
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when the Holy Spirit came. If you do not know this story you can find it in the book of Acts, simply read chapter 2. Through this story you will see the great power of the Holy Spirit as a motivator and provider, transforming scared followers of Jesus who were in hiding into powerful preachers. So really we pray for the Holy Spirit often because when we do then things start to happen. We have a college that we founded in Wau which was originally just for theological training of pastors. It is called St John’s College of Theology and Development. But now it has grown and it is able to provide training on many subjects that benefit development in our society. We have prayed for this and this year after much struggle we have had help from our good friends in Poole in Salisbury diocese UK, assistance from a kind American woman called Dr Susan Mead and much support from Bishop Barham University College in Uganda. Dr Susan works in a college in Virginia and so has many important things to tell us and our friends from BBUC have been able to help show us better organisation and lead with teaching. So perhaps with help from the Holy Spirit our glass is now half full again. Truly there is a long way to go but I believe that we will be able to make a big difference to our community by providing leaders and educated professionals locally here in Bahr el Ghazel. But things do not end here, I started with a question that revealed something about you and so I ask again, how do you see things? Are you hopeful for the future or do you dread what may go wrong next? In South Sudan politically there is a real chance for peace and an opportunity to turn away from violence. Reconciliation and forgiveness will be important things for the future we need to live in, but if we have no hope then the glass will remain always half empty. But where can we get hope? The answer for Christians is easy, you can simply ask for it. If you pray to God then your prayers are heard
and things can happen. The Holy Spirit that we remember and celebrate at this time of year is always with us and despite what you may want to ask for, always willing to listen. So it does not matter to the God who brings you the living water in Jesus whether you think that your glass is half empty or half full, it will always be filled up until it overflows, just as is mentioned in Psalm 23 verse 5 “You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing”. So I ask you to drink deeply of the living waters of Jesus, pray for us here in Wau, pray for our needs for peace and your own needs too. Perhaps also say a prayer of thanks giving too whenever you drink a glass of water for the blessings that God brings you. I would like to share with you the prayer for the Ephesians which you can see in the book of Ephesians chapter 3 verses 14 to 28 “For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Every blessing
+Moses
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Consecration of Two New Assistant Bishops in Wau Diocese By Rev John Bol
Dear all colleagues, friends, partners and all worldwide Anglican communion, we are publically announcing to you the new promotion and upgrading of two Area Dioceses, Gogrial and Tonj once again after the past creation of Aweil and Abyei Dioceses of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan from Wau the mother Diocese that they were once part of a few years ago. Wau Diocese in terms of
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geographical
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has an area which is wide and a long distance to cover. It is the largest diocese in South Sudan, which currently still covers two older states of Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal state. These need the creation of more administrative areas to help make the Christian ministry work easier in the Diocese. We have celebrated the consecration of two new assistant Bishops in Wau Diocese today. Both will help Bishop Moses to run Christian ministry in their given administrative areas. They will also be working hard to fulfil the provincial requirements of independent Dioceses from the Diocese in the near future.
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The celebration was attended by a large crowd of people from different areas such as a team of Bishops from Juba who accompanied Archbishop Dr. Daniel Deng Bul Yak, congregations from different denominations, community leaders, State
Government representatives and all ECSS intellectuals. Everyone here today in Wau Diocese after the consecration service has a joyful feeling that one can immediately smile when you fixed your eyes direct to someone’s face in order to notify whether you are in the same good mood. All Sunday school and youth choirs beat the local drums in a motivated style which has captured the attention of everyone and caused unknowingly nodding of the heads. It was a very nice and colorful event that we actually wish you could be present at. But unfortunately the geographical distances and other circumstances made your presence impossible, however you are all part of our programs and initiatives by developmental progresses, advice and successful ideas in leadership styles wherever you live, as many of you have already contributed. Therefore we don’t want to ignore both you and your productive comments on such important events. We convey it to you through news so that you may also feel like you were present (attending) it.
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The primate and metropolitan of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan his grace, Archbishop Dr. Daniel Deng Bul Yak was very privileged and very much appreciated Wau Diocesan Bishop, Moses Deng Bol Akoon for his sufficiency and effective hard work that he has done in the Diocese by providing educational opportunities that allow his pastors to get quality education which enables them to lead the Church successfully with equivalent knowledge. The Archbishop also appreciated the Wau Diocese educational partners for scholarships that they have provided to help Bishop Moses succeed with his vision that has made a great impact to the Church and the community as well. He further added that “your efficient support and effective effort which you contributed toward our evangelistic programs which we have successfully achieved as we have done with the consecration of two new Bishops in Wau Diocese today is also appreciated”. The consecration of two new assistant bishops is done for the expansion of ECSS administrative areas in order to help run some administrative issues in a given area where each of the new assistant bishops has been assigned in accordance to the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan constitutional description. There are some
requirements that need to be met before consecration of the new Bishop, which some of them had been done and the rest must to be done soon. This expansion has happened through your tireless support in many kinds such as prayers, financial or energetic support that you have used to visit us in order to teach and make fellowship with us. Archbishop Daniel assured the congregation that “the expansion of these administrative areas will not bring any different changes from elsewhere and enforce them into the Anglican traditional systems but will empower and protect Anglican traditional values” The Archbishop commanded the congregation to remain faithful in the community, do their tasks and also welcome all Wau Diocesan partners to remain united in cooperative fellowships and walk hand in hand with us. He added to the partners that “since the Gospel approaching our area was through your tireless support we appreciated both your energetic and financial support that you offered for the Gospel spreading in these areas”. Thank you for your time you used to read our news, we are very happy for that and May God bless you.
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Nyieth at last has become a Town on its Own By Rev Peter Angui Akook It was on December 27th, 2015 when two very important occasions were conducted at Nyieth village, namely the dedication of Nyieth Primary School and declaration of its upgrading into Boma status under Akon South Payam. Nyieth village was believed by the ancestors that it would never be a government seat at all. But all in all God does his wonders to cut short that sounded curse from the ancestors. It was through an Evangelist called Wilson Garang Chan who in the 1990’s came back from military struggle in Ethiopia and begun church planting at Adoor in Aweil East County. It then moved to Maker, a village under Nyieth and he planted one church there where almost everyone was baptized. The whole of Gogrial including people from Twic came there in search of baptism. Nyieth has Maker, Majok Deng Akeen, Wun-Yiik and Jarbil sections. Elders of Nyieth village saw this massive baptism of their off springs and women as a destruction of the family. They refused to marry
a baptized girl and un-baptized girls refused if a baptized man wanted to marry her. The great grandfather, Wol Ajolnok (estimated to be around 1500-1600 AD); the father of Dhal Maker married four wives. Marriage in Dinka is exogamic up to several generations, meaning that people marry outside their family or tribal groups. Traditionally, marriage is everyone’s goal and having a family is regarded as the ultimate fulfillment in life. The Dinka are patrilineal, which means that ancestry is traced through the father rather than the mother. The term dhieth, in its most general sense, refers to all kinds of relationships that can be established through bloodlines. People establish blood relation by reference to clan names. Those who share the clan are considered relatives no matter how distant from each other. Members of a clan share a totem and believe in their common descent from that totem. This is the basis on which strong
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prohibition against marriage between people of the same clan is enforced. But individuals are considered to be related equally to other kin through both the mother's and the father's sides. Wol Ajolnok was married to the following women; 1) Adut Pakak who born him Akeen 2) Akuc Goc who born him Tong 3) Athok Mayen who born him Wol 4) Adhuor Yel who born him Dhal. But despite Dhal Wol (estimated. 1600-1700 AD) the last son of the last wife unlike the first three sons of the first three wives, had managed to get married to ten (10) wives. 1) Aluel Yor 2) Adhel Akoon 3) Abuk Akot 4) Atong Aguot 5) Mariam Lual 6) Awien Biar 7) Amel Deng 8) Ayar Luil 9) Abuk Abik 10) Adhel Deng Tong. Dhal Wol when he was a chief of Awan all was with four sub chiefs. and Chan Nyal was personal assistant to Dhal Wol. 1) Akot Majok Akot- Pajokdit 2) Adhil Kuot- Agaaldit 3) Lual Agany- Rup 4) Dut Dau- Ayien
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Dinka society is generally organized around subsections (wut), clans (dhieth), family, or patrilineage (mac thok). While the clan is used to recognize blood relatives throughout Dinkaland, the patrilineage dictates village structure. Although people who belong to different clans may share a village, the most common structure is for people of a lineage to occupy their own village. Every clan has a headman known as nhomgol. These men are expected to exercise leadership roles in support of the sub-chief who sees over a section of Dinka. The traditional Dinka political system is structured around the concept of clan headmen. A collection of clans headed by clan leaders form a higher political body known as the sub-chief, and several subchiefs fall under the position of the executive chief, who serves as the liaison between the government and the people. Throughout Dinka history, the position of highest "tribal" administrator has changed from "paramount" chief to court president to executive chief. Ideally, the paramount chief presides over regional courts, which stand above the executive chiefs, the sub-chiefs, and clan leaders. The son of the first wife of Dhal Wol, Aluel Yor by name Tong Dhal assumed the leadership from around (1800-1900 AD). Out of favor, the elder son of Dhal Wol by name Akoondit had requested the British government to instal Chan Nyal as a chief and the name was written as “Chan Dhal”. This was also around the 1990s. So many sons of Dhal Wol try to reclaim their father’s chieftaincy but with no success until recently in 2012 when a member of the church council managed to win the election and he was installed as a chief at Mabil Pajok in Akon North Payam. But he was moved from Mabil Pajok to Nyieth with his seat as chief in Akon South Payam. Nyieth became a Boma in December 2015 and the Payam Headquarters of Ayien is now also located at Nyieth.
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Plans for St John’s By Rev PeterAngui Akook St John’s College was established in 2011 by the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan, Diocese of Wau. It is situated in Wau the Capital of Wau State. It is the only Theological College in the whole of Bahr El Ghazal Region, an area of 896606 Skm2 with population of 3,156, 184 people. The college is currently offering Diplomas in Theology and is planning to start offering Diplomas in Education, Business Administration, Social work, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, Guidance and Counselling and Community Health from 2016 onward. The College serves the following Dioceses and Area Dioceses in the Bahr El Ghazal Region ; Rumbek, Wau, Yirol, Chueibet, Pacong, Akot, Aweil, Awerial, Malek Ruup, Abyei, Gogrial, Tonj, Wulu, Nyang, Maper and Aluakluak. It is also planning to serve the neighbouring Dioceses of El Obeid (North Kordufan and Darfur Region of Sudan), Bentiu (Unity State Upper Nile Region of South Sudan) and Nzara (Equatoria Region of South Sudan). The college is also open to other denominations in the region and has given special consideration to women from any denomination who want to study Theology and other courses in order to promote women’s participation in leadership in the Church and the wider society. The college takes one student from each of the dioceses and area dioceses mentioned above and one from the sister churches (other denominations) in the region each year, offering free tuition and accommodation. It has also given special places for five women each year with free tuition and accommodation charges as well. The College has an annual intake of 30 students.
We believe that bringing pastors from different communities across the three main regions of South Sudan will be become a part of peace building. These pastors will build relationships among themselves during their time in the college which they can extend to their communities when they return to their home Churches. We also believe that having students from the North Kordofan and Darfur regions is an opportunity for us to reach out to the North with the Gospel and support our sister Churches there as well. In addition to theological courses pastors take other courses aimed at equipping them with skills and knowledge that will enable them to contribute to the development activities in their own communities. These courses include community development, peace building and conflict transformation, management, communications, sociology, psychology and HIV/AIDS.
Needs and priorities of the College. 1) Sponsorship for Theological students at the College cost $1500 per a year. The local church pays for feeding, transport, books, personal expenses and medical treatment for students which cost $500 per a year. The partners pay tuition and accommodation which cost $1000 a year or $85 a Month. We are therefore looking for 75 friends to sponsor the 75 students for three years beginning from 2016.
2) Sponsorship of four students to do a Bachelors Degree and one student to do a Master’s Degree at Bishop Barham University College, Uganda cost $2000 each for the
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Bachelors and $2500 for Masters Students annually for everything including tuition, feeding, accommodation and transport. Total for the five students is $ 10,500 annually and $31500 in three years. These students will come back to teach at St John’s College upon completion of their studies at BBUC.
3) Transport of Tutors from BBUC to Wau (return tickets) is $700 by air and $500 by road.
The College needs Tutors to come from BBUC for at least three years until those sent to study there comes back to St John’s College. 4) Infrastructure development-Construction of Classrooms and Dormitories, Installation of Solar Panels, Digging of Boreholes and water connections, Purchase of a pickup Land cruiser are just some of the projects the College wants to embark on in the next five years 2016-2020
The Mission Statement of St John’s College of Theology and Development Vision
Holistic and high quality education for empowering church growth and community transformation.
To reach out to unreached communities through training of Evangelists.
To equip Church leaders and other professionals with knowledge and skills for spiritual and social transformation.
Mission
To seek to meet the needs of the local community in general education, business and development studies.
To encourage personal growth through education and Christian spiritual formation, producing servant leaders for Church and community service.
Core Values Objectives
To train Clergy who were ordained without Theological Training during the war. To build peace among communities through understanding of the word of God.
Understanding. Care for people's spiritual, social and physical needs. Respect for human dignity and rights. A holistic approach to tuition. Equal opportunities for men and women. Agape (Unconditional love).
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Ayien Parish Church Project By Rev Philip Ajing Manyuat St.Paul’s Church at Ayien Amuol it is one of the parishes that makes up Twic Archdeaconry in the Diocese of Wau. Ayien Amuol area is bordering Unity State from the North East and Abyei from the North West, which is part of Warrap State in South Sudan. Ayien Amuol area has been affected mostly by the civil war and political conflict that was fought out in Sudan for more than 21 years and involved Christian South and Muslim North. It is currently embroiled in another internal political conflict between the government and the rebels of former vice president Riek Machar. The Episcopal Church of South Sudan is growing in Twic Archdeaconry and the need for accommodating new members calls for developing the existing church infrastructure. The priest of St.Paul Church at Ayien Amuol area is in line with the Archdeacon seeking for help to fix the windows, doors and cement for making the floor. The Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Moses Deng has already approved the request. Twic Archdeaconry is located in Turalei town, the proposed project location is St.Paul’ s Church at Ayien Amuol area in Twic Archdeaconry.
II.Background Information and Justification St.Paul’s Church at Ayien Amuol area in Twic Archdeaconry was established in 1996 after many years of evangelism and hard work, and is summarized as follows: 4 Churches, 2 priests, 1900 Members within 204,905 Total Population and an area of 3,922.65(sq.kms)
Ayien Amuol has around 2500 households. The main livelihood activities are cattle keeping, fishing and farming. Around 100 families attend the church in Ayien regularly. This church was constructed with permanent materials but is missing windows, doors and cement for the floor. This location is ideal for the church construction because of the ongoing spiritual, social, moral, economic and poverty crisis. With dominance of traditional beliefs in which the condition now reaches into alarming stage and highly threatens peoples life and community development. By having fixed windows, doors and cemented the floor of church, it will prevent thieves entering the church to steal chairs and other property that are kept there in the Church. It will also help Rev. Philip Ajing to be effective in the ministry and dedicate more of his life and time in prayer, counselling, door to door follow up to the people and by conducting social researches in the area, improve the local situation.
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The Church services are now conducted in a church with open windows, doors and un cemented floor. According to the research/survey conducted in the area, it revealed that majority of people around this area lack basic education, they do have severe and poor economic conditions, consisting of robbery, dirty businesses, family problems which cause street children, young drug addicts and prostitution. The Area is dominated by the Dinka tribe, who are practicing traditional beliefs , but they only believe in spirits and gods. They are normally playing traditional dance, praying with evil spirits, calling evil spirits into their dances, drinking a lot of local beer/alcohol and sustaining laziness. This culture affects a lot of the spiritual welfare of these people and their perceptions at large. Moreover it affects even the social and economical wellbeing of other residents. Securing the Church in this locality is essential for the aim of preventing rain, winds and animals passing through. Many crusades and door to door evangelism has taken place since the establishment of
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St. Paul’s Church in the Ayien Amuol area in Twic Archdeaconry since 1995. The result is tremendous and to date many souls have been converted to Jesus due to this ongoing evangelism. But the big obstacle/challenge to our church growth to date is a church building. People who are saved from our crusades and our evangelism are moving away to other churches seeking for the church and leaving us stagnated in terms of numerical growth. Lack of a secure building restricts us from serving many born again Christians effectively and efficiently. The church as it is has allowed wind to go through the building which will cause damage the church. Fixing in windows, doors and a cemented floor in the church are very
important, instead of glorifying our God, we are having wind and rain passing through the place of praise and worship. The completion of St. Paul’s Church at Ayien Amuol will give glory to God. It is our prayer that you also can feel the same burden and have compassion to the perishing.
See the whole project proposal on the Wau Diocese website http://www.wau.anglican.org/docstore/ProjectProposalofS.pdf
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Good Leadership Introducing the New Area Bishops By Rev John Bol It has come as good news that The Episcopal church of South Sudan and Sudan Diocese of Wau administration Is publically announcing the expansion arrangements of the leadership in Wau Diocese. The Diocesan Bishop of Wau Diocese, Bishop Moses Deng Bol Akoon has created two administrative area Dioceses from Wau Diocese in which each area diocese can be lead by one of these two assistant Bishops to help him run part of his administrative area before the requirements have to be fulfilled to qualify as independent Dioceses from Wau, the mother Diocese, in the future. It was in his visionary plan to create some more area dioceses which will later become full dioceses when the requirements of new area diocese are met according to ECSS/S constitutional guidelines. The administrative
areas which he created are Gogrial and Tonj Area Diocese. We believe that Bishop Moses Deng’s administration in Wau Diocese will quickly improve because of good governance and a productive administration system which he has introduced since leading the administration in the Diocese. We therefore appreciated Bishop Moses and these current incoming leaderships, and especially, the provision of these two opportunities. We also appreciate the successful administration which we all expect will be initiated by these two qualified assistant bishops, who were recently consecrated in accordance to the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSS/S). They will backup Bishop Moses, his administration in the given areas where each of the two assistant bishops has been assigned.
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Bishop Moses accompanied his two assistant Bishops to their respective administrative areas where they are based. He prioritized a second trip to Tonj Area Diocese (Tonj) to meet both the congregation and state government officials. This was to officially introduce the Assistant Bishop of Tonj Area Diocese, Bishop Peter Yuol Gur and Bishop Abraham Ngor Mangong of Gogrial area Diocese to them. On his arrival to Tonj state capital, he met on the way with a very large crowd of people in the distance about 15 minutes away from St Peter’s Cathedral in Tonj waiting to welcome him with his two assistant Bishops. Three Bishops and Dr. Susan joined the crowd from that end and started walking with the crowd back to the Cathedral. This was where Bishop Moses Introduced his two assistant bishops and addressed the public very nicely as well. He then shifted from St Peter Cathedral there and went to the state Governor’s office where he met the deputy Governor and the state ministers of different departments in the office. He introduced the two new assistant Bishops and further encouraged the implementation of the recent peace deal between the
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Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the SPLA-IO. Bishop Moses strongly told them, “let us educate our young people with the knowledge of peace to avoid such concepts of tribalism, hatred and violence in our community but learn how to live in unity and peaceful interaction in our community as well as to our new nation as a whole. Then finally they went to the radio station together, Bishop Moses the new bishops and Dr. Susan in order to publicly announce the same message to those who listen to radio because he is unable to reach all areas. After all Bishop Moses briefly instructed his new assistant Bishops to start their Christian ministry with a peaceful heart that can endure any difficulties in their leadership. He also added “I believe that the Lord has raised us up for His own purposes so that we may fulfil the role He called us to play for this period of time. We trust that the Lord will bless the efforts given in the past and much more fruit will come through the ways we are serving”. Thank you very much for your time you used to read our news, we are very happy for that and wish to receive your productive comments as usual. God May bless you.
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Working for Peace & Unity Among the Community By Rev John Bol The first public meeting called by the newly consecrated Bishop of Tonj Area Diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan, Bishop Peter Yuol Gur has shown us a sign of peace and willingness of the community leaders to maintain peace in the community when the Bishop asked them for this. Bishop Peter told the crowd that “the peace is very important to all of us in which we need to have very committed people from all the community leaders, church leaders and government representatives who have a gift of natural ability in the process of peace dissemination in the community, to make a successful lasting peace, so that the community may get rest from tribalism, hatred and violence among themselves”. He further told the crowd, especially the Church leaders and the government of the
state to remain in cooperation and join hands together on the peace processes so that the community will get advantages from it and will take note about being in a peaceful community. “The rest of the people always get suffering from non-valuable things which brings no credit at the end, like fighting with each other in the same community rather than discussing their small cases peacefully at the community level”. “And that attitude will not allow our developmental progresses and other social activities in the community if we continue to keep on doing such things among ourselves”. He strongly stated that “the good fighting which remains in active practice with other communities elsewhere around the world is dialogue. Two people or a group of people can sit to discuss the matter until they have come to an end in a peaceful manner, which I wish you all to adopt as your successful systems in the community”.
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After Bishop Peter finished addressing the crowd then the head of the church council explain the requirements needed to be met before getting full diocese status for Tonj area Diocese. The four requirements needing to be met are as follow:1. Diocesan car for Bishop’s Transport. 2. Diocesan account with 50,000 SSP and above. 3. Diocesan house of Bishop. 4. Cathedral He had concluded his speeches with a public announcement of fundraising which welcomed every individual and the
community with any contribution on the mentioned requirements to give as well as possible. The meeting was very well organized by the Church development committee which makes us so pleased for the great job they have done and also appreciated the active participations from the state government officials who accompanied the Governor to the meeting. It came to our great expectation that the Church will work hand in hand with the state government through the fruitful and productive words they have delivered in the meeting. They really acknowledged all the efforts which the Church had offered since
we were in the war with the Khartoum government which oppressed Southerners. The church were the ones keeping on expressing our voices until it had been heard by international communities when they keep on saying that “let our people choose between unity and separation” the process will be based of free, they choose what will meet their expectations according to their opinions. The Deputy Governor mentioned what had been put by someone who spoke before him that “the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) has played a great role, that they had put our right to be seen by the world analysts. And it is very true that we are one in the community. Church can do it’s part to help the government with some challenges
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because South Sudan is ours, we don’t want any failure to happen. Our side as government will work close with the church leaders to make them our special ambassadors because they have always contributed to positive advice more than anyone else”. The meeting had come almost to the end when in a little moment, the Governor of the state stood up to address the crowd in the closing minutes before the final blessing by Bishop Peter, he possibly stated that “we should be doing everything we can to save lives and spare the community and families from unpleasant experiences, the pain and unimaginable loss too many South Sudanese have endured since we fought with the Khartoum government and restlessly, fighting rose up again among ourselves within a few years”.
“We don't want anything that will affect us while you are not part of us, we will take you as our right advisors so that you may show us the weakness part that we cannot see, the only thing I comment is that South Sudan is ours, each of us must contribute his/her last effort to bring peace back to the community so that our civilians may move freely as usual”. He has put across the blame on the seat lover especially those who create a war in the community when they missed a government position but don’t realize that
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one position does not accommodate more people in the same time. He has explained that “what killed many people every time in our community is lack of education, some of
our young people (youth) are usual ready to join any person who attempted to use the division advices (tribalism motivators who used to encourage the community to fight against other communities of the same area) or to take a position by force from national government or from any leadership in any administration level which is so painful to other innocent community (people) when his/her expectation result has come out”. He stated that he is ready to join any groups who want to do the best thing in the community. “We want to help our civilians to be well educated with their roles so that they can be able to know what will be better to choose from many choices” Governor stated. With regard to the ECSS provincial requirements needing to be met before enthronement of a full Diocesan Bishop in a
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full Diocese, “I will just choose one from those requirements recently announced by the church council and work on it with my team as well as possible. Therefore we have a further announcement on these requirements to all our individuals, colleagues, friends, partners and all non governmental organizations who feel
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interested to contribute what so ever they can to help as part of support toward this project. We will be grateful and thankful for any contact about fundraising or any update about progress in church development.
Nyieth Primary School Official Dedication By Rev Peter Angui Akook The ECSS/S Wau Diocese administration is very excited to publically announce to all our colleagues, friends, partners and communities, the dedication ceremony of the complete building of Nyieth Primary School’s six classes. It marks the successful progresses of this achievement through financial support from the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) which is led by Baroness Caroline Cox, whose is more commonly known name as “Lady Cox” all over South Sudan and other disaster experienced countries which she has visited for her humanitarian aims in recent years. Baroness Caroline Cox had provided a lot of humanitarian aid to the people of South Sudan especially returnees, orphans, street children and those whose property has been captured or destroyed by the enemy armed forces or by other natural disasters across the country, since the Sudanese civil war.
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Nyieth primary school is a Christian community school which has been serving the local area of three counties, Aweil East, Aweil South and Gogrial West county of Warrap state which is the host. Nyieth primary school according to geographical situation. It is at the South West of Gogrial West County in between the border near Aweil East and Aweil South County. It has been serving these three communities areas for some years. The occasion was attended by large numbers of people from these communities because they were happy for this achievement and they also wanted to publically display their happiness before the Diocesan Bishop of Wau Diocese, Bishop Moses Deng Bol as well. One representative the Chief from Aweil East appreciated Bishop Moses Deng and blessed him to continue with such visionary thoughts and heart for development as usual. “We have many Degrees and Diploma holders, successful students in different fields graduated from different universities who have attended this school which is a great
achievement towards the community” the chief stated. The community very much appreciated Bishop Moses for his good plan and important decision to provide them with an available education centre which allows the young children and adult learners (who delayed their schooling due to other circumstances) to get involved in an educational system and learning progress. Therefore
Bishop Moses concluded his speeches when he addressed the community saying that “the complete building of Nyieth Primary School is still in our work plan to mobilize some funds from ourselves, colleagues and partners so that we may continue with the construction progresses until we will have achieved our goal which is the final construction of an additional two classes, Head Teacher’s office, staff kitchen, dining room and a fence built around the school compound.
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Food Distribution in Wau State for Farijila Community (IDPs) By Rev John Bol Angui We are very pleased to inform you that the ECSS Diocese of Wau has once again successfully distributed food items to the IDPs living in Wau town. The IDPs very much appreciated the Wau Diocese administration for such support. This was achieved through a strong partnership, by the donation of funds from Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) through (ECSS-CARD) Christian Agency for Relief and Development which is the development wing of Wau Diocese. The people who have given this opportunity of food distribution were actually exited to participate in this kind of humanitarian assistance. This is not the first time that the ECSS Diocese of Wau has distributed food to the needy community as it has happened now. We are trusted partners and it was a usual duty which had occurred through several years of fighting. Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) kindly provide the funds for purchasing the food and non-food stuff items, which are bought locally through the ECSS
Diocese of Wau administration and then given out by CARD as required to ensure the needy are supplied correctly. This camp is comprised of different age groups of men, women, children orphaned of one or both parents, who were killed in the recent fighting that has just ended. This food assistance has happened just as the lives need support and automatically turned as a credit and special blessing of both HART who donated the funds and ECSS Wau Diocese which implement the project. The IDPs have established a new system that is based on the value of all tribal tradition norms and human rights that gives a voice and role to all the people in the camp to exercises their ideas in any meeting and contribute their feelings on how to address social harmony and interaction in the camp.
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It is a very organized camp which is headed by a good old man who made the camp become well organized and has had very strong leadership, better than any other camps in the area as well. They have organized themselves and choose some people who led them in the camp and take a responsibility in solving any disputes that happen in the camp. As an example they organize the people in lines during the distribution of food.
They have chosen very influential leaders who have some leadership experiences in the past. One of them was very much appreciated the ECSS/S Diocese of Wau administration for their willingness to support any emergency need as it is certainly happened now through the partnership with HART. He also added that “if there has not
been the ECSS/S Diocese of Wau here our suffering would not have been heard by other merciful people who can help as it has certainly happened now. He further stated
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that “Your support from ECSS/S Diocese of Wau has actually paved the way forward to the restoration of social relationships and good interaction considering human rights, dignity and well-being for all of us here within this camp. It also strengthen our hearts to
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feel courage with the words of God and apply the relationship needed by our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ�. Thank you all for your time you used to read our news, we are very happy for that and God bless you.
Work for Peace and Unity in the Community of South Sudan By Rev John Bol Angui Wau Diocese has news about the recent community peace conference held in Pan-Nyuom/Abuokdit between two communities the Apuk and Aguok. We had successfully made a peace conference between the two sections of Dinka community as mentioned and the conference has been facilitated by the RT Rev Bishop Moses Deng Bol Akoon, the Diocesan Bishop of Wau Diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSS/S). Bishop Moses told the community to equip and train themselves in order to inherit successful systems that will help to achieve a future self-confidence than practicing non productive issues which drive them back to older levels. Such as some
grow up now and are unprepared to handle issues by themselves. The conference was attended by a large crowd of people from both sides of the two conflicting areas as well as being attended by National and State Members of Parliament from the two communities complete with neighbouring communities such as Awan Chan, Twic Bol, Kuac Ayook, Aguok Mou and Apuk Giir community. The conference was also attend by the Presidential Advisor on Decentralization Hon Tor Deng Mawien, Governor of Gogrial State Hon Abraham Gum Makuach, Governor of Twic State Hon Bona Panak Biar and Governor of Wau State Hon Elias Waya Nyipoc and
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State Speakers of both Twic and Gogrial States, women’s group, youth, business groups led Makiir Gai Thiep from Aguok community as well several State Ministers. This was a very important gathering. Bishop Moses stood before the crowd for the opening prayer of the peace conference and words of God as part of our evangelism and further told the two communities to accept reform and be faithful in any community issues and circumstances, like conducting this peace conference. Let’s train ourselves in order to inherit successful systems that will
help to achieve a future self-confidence that will not allow you to be involved such practices which drive you backward to the older levels. Such as still growing and unprepared to handle the pressure of issues like we have now. The communities themselves had become more exited through the way Bishop Moses instructed them and delivered the words of God before the conference speeches. He has done this to keep them going on well with the peace conference because they were all given a clue which controls them to talk in the points.
The conference had actually led through reconciliation processes between two sections. A former SPLA General who has now been appointed a National MP, Hon Salva Mathok Geng and a business man Makiir Gai Thiep confessed to being behind the deadly conflict between Apuk-Aguok communities which has been active almost 14 years now. The youth who were involved in the fighting were also reconciled and requested funds from Bishop Moses to work for peace as soon as possible so that they spend them for transport and food in order to convey a message of peace in all the 8 counties of the Apuk and Aguok communities preaching the
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message of peace to those who did not attend the peace conference. The conference has gone well but we had actually experienced some needs from both communities such as humanitarian assistance because the fighting had erupted in these areas every year during the rainy season which is also the cultivation period when the cattle riders return to dry land for grazing. In fact, it is a sad truth there is a need of Humanitarian assistance because these communities depend on their cultivation and they failed to cultivate due to continued insecurity. What happens to these communities? Ii is really serious,
unless they are lucky enough to find humanitarian assistance that will enable them to eat in cultivate periods they will have no food. The communities explained their need for peace because they were thoroughly educated by Bishop Moses’ speeches about God’s need and expectation that he deserved from them and all mankind. They were speedily encouraged and felt sorry for their sins about fighting with each other in the same community and losing great faith in the sight of God.
As there had been several peace agreements between the two communities but there has been nullification of resolutions and the fighting has restarted again, but for sure at this time we expect a lasting peace. Everyone who attended the conference believed that a true reconciliation has taken place and so there will be no conflict between the two communities again. One of the evident factors for this was really brought up by Salva Mathok and Makiir Gai when they had explained the root cause of the conflict problem which we had seen was really a political motivation issue and it has been completely addressed now. The other evident factor was that, the conference was facilitated by the Church leader which
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was seen by all parties of the conflict as a neutral person and was really true. The peace agreement between Aguok and Apuk has given the Church huge credibility among the people of Gogrial and others States which attended the conference. Many prominent community leaders include a former Chief Justice Riing Thiik Madut from Apuk community had openly confessed that they did not believe in the ability of the Church when they had heard that Bishop Moses will facilitate this conference, until they had attended the Conference. Everyone who attended and
desired to get help for the causes of the recently ended war between the Government of South Sudan and SPLM-IO. In regard to personal financial problems and economic crisis all over South Sudan, communities cannot find the whole sellers who can and will give commodities for the least price now in these days. The market is levelling out and returning to the days of civil war due to the high exchange rate of Dollars. The communities registered their appeal to Bishop Moses so that he may convey their voice and feelings. It is an opportunity for them to seek humanitarian support as well if possible.
those who did not attend all glorified God for this great achievement. This was great for them to challenge and overcome without any assistance from Government and all organizational staff which are providing emergency assistance. It is also the reason behind that they were happy when the conference was facilitated by Church leaders (Bishop Moses) they felt trust in the Church leaders for their usual neutral position in any community cases and quick intervention for a solution. It is actually falling to the year which everyone
Thank you all for your time you uses to share with us and get for reading Wau Diocese news, God bless you.
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A letter of Appeal from Bishop Abraham Ngor
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Contacting Us:
www.wau.anglican.org
By E-mail Diocesan Bishop Rt Rev Moses Deng Bol :
bishop@wau.anglican.org
Gogrial Area Bishop Rt Rev Abraham Ngor :
gogrialareabishop@wau.anglican.org
Tonj Area Bishop Rt Rev Peter Yuol Gur :
tonjareabishop@wau.anglican.org
Diocesan Secretary Rev Samuel Mabith :
dio.secretary@wau.anglican.org
General Enquiries Rev Samuel Madut :
communications@wau.anglican.org
Mother’s Union Mrs Mary John Garang :
mucoordinator@wau.anglican.org
A full list of diocesan staff with contacts can be viewed on our website. By Post: Hai Mozephin, Opposite Wau Teaching Hospital, C/o ECS Provincial Office, P O BOX 110, Juba, South Sudan
Warrap State Peace Mobiliser By Telephone:
Mrs Rose Aciendhel Kacthiek
Tel +211 926954187 or +211 955602769 +254 716641233
+211 914191558 roseaciendel@yahoo.com
Lord we give you praise for your Holy Spirit that came at Pentecost and empowered your followers with courage and skill. We pray that courage and skill from your Holy Spirit may be with all that work for you in Wau Diocese. Amen. - Amen
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Please Pray With Us Pray for the hardworking clergy and volunteers of Wau Diocese who work without pay in difficult conditions. Give thanks to God for people and agencies that regularly work with us such as the HART organisation, helping us to reach out with aid to the starving. Pray for the Archbishop of the ECSSS and all in South Sudan so that all violence may be stopped and all peace initiatives be followed with vigour. Pray for lasting peace and strong development in South Sudan through the new Government. Pray for the recognition and removal of all corruption in South Sudan. Pray for all refugees, that they may one day be able to go home in peace. Give thanks to God for the generosity of BBUC and their staff working with us now. Pray for St John’s College of Theology and Development and its Principal Rev Peter Angui Akook. Pray for all farmers in our community in need of education particularly people new to farming. Pray for the children in Wau Diocese and the schooling projects set to help them. Give Thanks for the partners working with us in the development of our society through CARD. Pray for the situation of food security in South Sudan so that people may have enough to eat. Pray for the many South Sudanese recovering from fighting and violence at this time.
Church prayers needs Pray for our Bishop the Rt. Rev Moses Deng Bol, who works so hard for the Diocese, pray that God will help him to do what needs to be done. Pray for Bishop Abraham Ngor – the new Bishop of Gogrial Area Diocese that God will guide him. Pray for Bishop Peter Yuol Gur – the newly consecrated Bishop of Tonj Area Diocese. Pray for Captain Rev Paul Lueth the first Church Army Africa Officer in South Sudan. Pray for all pastors, priests, deacons and assistants working hard in Wau Diocese. Pray for the Mothers Union in Wau Diocese and the good work that they do. Pray for all schools and teachers in Wau Diocese and all those trying hard to learn. Pray for the development of the Area Dioceses of Gogrial and Tonj becoming full dioceses. Pray for Rev Peter Angui Akook the new Acting Principal of St John’s College. Pray for Rev Angok Achuil Angok the coordinator of Tonj Area Diocese. Pray for all Christians working hard to build and sustain peaceful development in faith.. Give thanks to God for the valuable work of CARD in our community and the development it brings to make life better for the future.