Voice of Hope Newsletter of the Diocese of Kajo-Keji, South Sudan Issue # 19 June 2017 P.O. Box 110, Juba, Republic of South Sudan Or P.O. Box 183, Moyo, Uganda, E. A. newsletter@kajokeji.anglican.org Emergency food supply in IDPs Camp in Liwolo Word from the Bishop God provides a way when it seems there is no way Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Murye It was a moment of darkness when the entire population of Kajo-Keji either went into exile or were internally displaced in mid-january 2017. We were thinking about where we were going to move the secretariat of the diocese and the College. As a leader it was too heavy for me. But I was encouraged by the words of the LORD when he spoke to Joshua Be strong and very courageous..., Keep this book of the law always on your lips...,do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:7-9). King David encourages me to Take delight in the in the LORD and he will give the desire of your heart, commit your ways in the LORD, Trust in Him... (Psalm 37:4-6). We have desired to reach out to all people in LOVE and UNITY for the glory of God regardless of our situation. Issue # 19 Word from the Bishop 1-2 Emergency in IDPs 3 Harry's Footballs 4 College to the camps. 4 Annual Christmas Meal 5-6 Words of Hope to camps 7 College graduation 2017 8 Rooted in Christ in the camp 9 The Voice of Hope Issue # 19. June 2017
This desire is answered through the prayer of the faithful throughout in the world. I would like to thank all our partners who have provided resources to provide us with rent for the diocesan offices and Kajo-Keji Christian College so that we can operate in Moyo District, Uganda. Bishop Emmanuel Murye Modi South Sudanese, to the glory of God, so that the Kingdom of God will grow. Bishop Joseph Aba after the consecration in Juba I also thank those who support the community schools under the trees in refugee camps (as they wait for the UNHCR agency to construct schools), the trauma healing workshops for our church leaders, relief for our internally displaced people in Kajo-Keji, and those who empower our internally displaced people with skills. God also responded to our needs through the Church of Uganda under Madi and West Nile Diocese and the local government of Moyo district who have supported the Diocese of Kajo-Keji by providing us with spiritual guidance and allowing us to operate in the refugee camps and giving us security for our stay in the district. One of the ways that God has responded to the desire of the people of Kajo-Keji is by creating Liwolo, situated west as Kajo Keji, as an Area Diocese. God has raised Rt. Rev. Joseph Aba Duduka to serve in the office of Suffragan Bishop in the area diocese of Liwolo. He was consecrated on Sunday 21 st May 2017. God s response to this historic and divine need is an answer to the desire to reach out to all people in Love and Unity, to serve the people of Kajo-Keji and all I would like to call upon all our partners and entire Christian all over the world to pray for: 1. Peace to be attained in South Sudan. The country is bleeding, people are dying daily, people are losing properties on a daily basis and life stock is looted by unknown gunmen especially in Kajo-Keji and beyond. 2. People are suffering in all the refugee communities and the IDP camps. They are traumatised due to insufficient food, lack of children s education and inadequate health services 3. Pray that the Lord will provide resources for trauma healing, children s education, health services, food and agriculture tools and seeds for people to sustain their lives. Where it seems there is no way God provides a way. (Isaiah 43:16-19) We desire to reach out to all people in Love and Unity for the glory of God. If you want to join us, please help us to reach out to all by praying for us and with your resources. Be blessed.
Emergency relief for IDP. Golda Poni Our responsibility as the church is not only to provide spiritual and psychosocial support, but also provide basic physical needs such as food to those directly affected by the conflict. Increased hunger in the IDP camps has resulted in further problems such as malnutrition, Gender Based Violence, and petty criminal activities for survival, among others. Through the incredible support of our generous friends and partners; Anglican Aid, Cheryl Webster, GZB, and Lahash International, the Diocese of Kajo-keji has in the past two months been able to procure and distribute over 130,000 tonnes of beans and maize, 50 boxes of hoes, 10 bales of blankets, and 100 balls in all three IDP camps of Ajio, Kerwa and Logo. Some of the IDPs lineup to receive relief items Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If anyone of you says to them, Go in peace; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? James 2:15-16 We have also been very keen to promote agricultural practices among the IDPs, to promote sustainable food production, as relief is not sustainable. It is also our desire to empower them, and enable them to cope with and manage the current crisis, rather than entirely depend on aid. We will continue with most of our programs in the refugee camps in Uganda and in the internally displaced camps in Logo, Keriwa, and Ajio in Liwolo County of Greater Kajo-Keji which is an In- Opposition (IO) controlled area. Following the crisis in Kajo-keji early this year, and especially the declaration of famine in South Sudan, drought, and limited humanitarian intervention in the IDP camps of Kajo-keji, there has been increased suffering and hunger among our displaced brothers and sisters. IPDs Supplies A special thank you to all of our partners and individual friends who have given so generously towards our emergency response program in the IDP camps. We are deeply grateful for your continued advocacy, care, love, prayers and support. May we continue to work together, and support the destitute the way our father in heaven commanded us. Prayer Points: Continued support for our work in the IDP and refugee camps. Easy access for all humanitarian agencies to the IDP camps Peace for South Sudan. God bless you all abundantly!
Harry's Footballs College Outreach to the camps. Cathie and John Rutter On Saturday May 13th, 15 Kajo-Keji Christian college students crammed tightly into a vehicle and travelled to Pasu Refugee camp for an Outreach Day funded by "Friends of Kajo-Keji". (This is a new funding source from the UK to support the College in specific aspects of its work, one of these being to enable work on and links with those on the camps.) Kick the ball The 10 year old grandson of Rev John and Mrs Cathie Rutter, who are now working as Partners in Mission with CMS at Kajo Keji College, loves playing football in UK. When his grandparents wrote to him about boys in Moyo who do not have proper footballs but make them out of plastic bags, and also about the hard conditions for children on the camps, he made the connection between the two by himself and asked if he could give some footballs to boys on the camps. With the help of KADRA, the balls were purchased in Kampala and delivered to a school on the camp. Outreach is an important part of the studies of the students - practical work to partner alongside the academic work done in the classroom. Thank you Harry! Students on the evangelism team showing the One Tribe T-shirt The day was considered a great success - nearly 600 people were spoken to during the day and there was a good response. Several people asked for specific prayer, and at least 3 made a commitment to Jesus Christ. Comments from the students themselves: Children that received the balls Chaplain Kwanyi; "I was very happy about the Outreach programme organised by the College. The experience motivated students to learn new skills in how to approach people and preach to individuals. Small groups visited houses, and when 3 or 4 families were gathered together, we then preached the message.
Our message was about hope, based on Isaiah 41:10 " So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." It was also interesting to meet different denominations, and we preached to a few Muslims as well. Wearing the "One Tribe" T-shirts was a strong message, and it would be good if we could all have a "uniform" next time, to stress our unity. It was a challenge doing the work in the short time available, but the message of forgiveness was successful." Annual Christmas Meal Very Rev. Canon Pianilee Samuel Some of the Christians at the Christmas Meal Dear brothers, Sisters and Friends. I am very excited to bring you news of the Annual Christmas Meal 2016, which was delayed due to the outbreak of violence in Kajo Keji. The Christmas Meal is an event where Christians gather and enjoy a meal together as they remember the birth of Jesus Christ. It was supported financially by KUBI LO KAJO-KEJI, coordinated by Denis Kweri in the US. Kajo-Keji Christian College Students ready in for the mission Joel Yokoju "On that day I preached the word of God to different people, some of them Muslim. After my preaching I was very happy because it was good for them to see a young person preaching. I was without fear and bold even though it was my first time." If anyone wants to learn more about "Friends of Kajo Keji" please email cjrutterss@gmail.com We joyfully celebrated the Christmas Event eventually on Sunday 30/4/2017 at Yenet Church, Morobi Refugee settlement in Uganda, where the cathedral activities are taking place at the moment. The event brought together a total of 3,472 Christians (these include youth, children, women and men respectively). They are from 5 main churches that are nearby Yenet Church. See the pictures below. The Celebration started at 11:00 am till 6:00 pm.
We had two speakers who shared the word of God and also we had 3 Sunday school Teachers who ministered to the Children separately. The whole day was wonderfully marked with joyful Christmas praises, worship and jubilation. Groups of children, youth and Young women presented Christians songs. The two photos below shows the women while preparing food for the Christmas Event Youth and Young women presented Christians songs We bought meat, fish, greens, flour, sugar, rice, and other food ingredients for the full meal and everybody joined in sharing the meal and were extremely thankful for the generous financial contribution made by KUBI LO KAJO-KEJI for the meal. They conveyed their joy, blessings and sincere greetings to all those who have donated for the Annual Christmas Meal 2016. The Annual Christmas Meal is a blessing for us and it should continue in Kajo-Keji for ages they commented. Christians in the Refugee camp in Uganda are growing stronger spiritually despite the challenges they are experiencing in the daily life. The churches are under trees as reflected in the photos. During worship some of the people sit or stand in the sun because the tree shade is not enough to fit all the Christians. There is urgent need for carpets to provide shade for the Christian during worship services. Please continue to pray for the churches in the camp and stand with us in this time of greater need.
Pastors /Church Leaders Training by Words of Hope Team Juilus Iga Participants felt encouraged in their faith at the concern of the Facilitators (Words of Hope Team) who empathized with their pain as they passed through the camps seeing the suffering and the traumatized refugees. Although the Diocesan Hope FM radio station has been off the air since the Office relocation to Moyo, I thank God that listeners are now encouraged by our radio programmes supported by Words of Hope radio ministry broadcast by transmission from the Voice of the Nile in Moyo. There is a great need for such trauma healing training, conferences and Discipleship training to be conducted in the church in order to encourage and equip the pastors and church Leaders for this ministry. We need your prayers and support for these activities to be conducted and also prayerfully to expand our radio programmes to help revive those Christians whose faith has been weakened. As all Refugees, including Christians, struggle to settle and cope with the life in the camps, the greatest challenge to Pastors and Church Leaders is trauma related cases. To answer this need, Words of Hope ministry, in partnership with the Diocese of Kajo-Keji, conducted three days Pastors & Church Leaders Training in Dinggluglu (Morobi) Refugee camp from 7th 10th June 2017. Rev. Capt. Canon Titus Baraka and Bishop Emmanuel led the words of Hope team to the camp. This was not in fact only training but also prayer ministry as the participants expressed from their wounded hearts the issues causing most hurt: loss of their beloved ones, loss of property, families divided and torn apart due to the ongoing war in South Sudan. All these issues had weakened the faith of many Christians. Words of Hope Ministry, a Partner to the Diocese of Kajo Keji, is a Christian organization whose mission is to reach all people through Evangelism, media or Radio with the word of God. The training was intended to provide healing so that in turn Pastors can provide the same healing and counselling service to other Christians.
2017 Kajo-Keji Christian College (KCC) Graduation Rev. James Lule 4 more students graduate from KCC! June 9 th 2017 was the occasion of the 4th Graduation ceremony of Kajo Keji Christian College, and Simaya Anda Timon, Daniel Makol Majak, Michael Makajah Maniel, and John Madom Agany all graduated with a Diploma in Theology. Normally graduation takes place in December, but due to the current political unrest in South Sudan, and the long distances involved (3 of the students are from Cuiebet Diocese) this time the graduation took place straight away at the end of the semester, before students dispersed to their homes. Bishop Emmanuel demonstrates the 3 aspects during his sermon at the graduation The graduating class with Bishop Emmanuel Kajo Keji Christian College is in exile, in very reduced circumstances, so the Graduation was a much smaller event than in December 2016. Nevertheless, it was a great Celebration party, enjoyed by all. The Bishop spoke about the Threefold Ministry of the church - a holistic approach including: Ministry to God (worship), Ministry to the Believers (Nurturing) and Ministry to the World (works of mercy). He demonstrated this visually by using a pot of water on 3 bricks - if any brick was removed the water spilled out of the container - similarly all 3 aspects need to be present for the church to fulfil its mission. Above: College Staff and the Students outside the college Premises at Moyo Below: The graduating class with the Principal
Rooted in Jesus in the camp Nelson Saye Gumbe To the glory of God, the Rooted in Jesus programme has changed my life from how I was before. The way I pray, the way I read my bible has enabled me to be successful and I call myself favoured because God has answered my prayers through this programme. Christians during Bible study using Rooted in Christ guides Evangelist Nelson Saye Gumbe Houses are drowned in the water, trees are falling down and this has brought hardship to the life of refugees. Rain is counted as a blessing but this is beyond our measure. God have mercy upon your people. Life in the camp is not easy but I would like to tell you that Rooted in Jesus is bringing peace, joy, love, fear of God and trauma healing to the lives of the people. Therefore use the Rooted in Jesus programme as a helmet to bring revival to your home, church and to people living in the camps. Out of comfort zone The refugees today are living in forested areas which are not supposed to be for settlement, and the people are filled with trauma but Rooted in Jesus is bringing people together. Join a Rooted in Jesus group for you to experience how much God loves you. One of the school temporary structures sinking in the floods