wau diocese newsletter - easter 2012

A Happy and Blessed Easter to You from the ECS Diocese of Wau

Easter Message

The single most important symbol of our faith is

really a very odd thing. It’s a symbol of a

crucifixion cross. The Romans used them as a

way to execute criminals and by using them

publicly to frighten their subjects. Being hung on

a cross was a terrible way to die, it would take

hours and be very painful. Crucifixion was for

thieves and robbers, so as well as the horrible

sight of death, the cross also represented

humiliation too.

At first sight it seems very odd that Christians

should choose to so proudly adopt such a

symbol. You will see crosses in every part of our

faith, but when you see them you will not see

anyone hung on them.

At Easter we remember that Jesus died

because it is important to do so. He died a very

painful and humiliating death on the cross at

Golgotha. A crowd gathered to watch and

shouted insults at him. It is important also to

know that Jesus did this voluntarily to pay for

our sins, trusting in God that all would be right in

the end. He died on the cross as John reminds

us in his Gospel (John Chapter 19 verse 17 -41)

and then was taken down swiftly and buried in a

borrowed tomb because of the Jewish Passover

festival that was just about to start.

All the authorities thought that this was the end

of the matter and that Jesus was gone forever –

even his disciples thought that. But in three days

something amazing had happened – Mary

Magdalene, who had come to the stone tomb to

tend to the body of Jesus found the large stone

door rolled away and could not find him

anywhere – and then suddenly she did. John

tells us in his Gospel (John Chapter 20 verse 14

-17) Jesus was alive and standing before her.

Can you imagine her joy?

The triumph of Jesus being resurrected from

death is what we really celebrate at Easter and

we find a power in the symbol of an empty cross

because it reminds us that Jesus did not simply

just die on the cross, as we are reminded in the

book of Corinthians (Chapter 15 verse 3-8). The

cross was the place that Jesus showed the most

ultimate love that any human being can show for

another and that love did not go unanswered.

The cross reminds us that just as Jesus was

raised to life from death so can we be. Even

before we die, believing in Jesus can transform

our lives and save us from the death of a sinful

life. Jesus changed the way that God could be

understood and made it easy for anyone to be

made right with God and have their past sins

forgiven. We can learn about this from the book

of Romans Chapter 8 verse 1-4.

So far from being a symbol of shame and defeat

the cross is a symbol of hope, triumph, and the

ultimate power of the God that created all that

ever existed.

Recently I was very pleased to see the training

of seventy evangelists who will take the Word of

God to every Part of the diocese of Wau. It is

hoped that each one will be able to introduce

Christianity to twenty five new people and

encourage them to accept it in to their hearts. In

this way we can spread the good news of our

faith, which Jesus commanded people to do

Page Index

Logos Ministries International ...........................3

ICCO Training .....................................................4

Global Anti Corruption Day................................6

The Diocesan Synod...........................................7

C.A.R.D. Coming Soon........................................9

A One of a Kind Christmas.................................10

Cultivate a Culture of Peace..............................12

TEE Opens in Akon............................................14

Two Churches Dedicated..................................15

A Thousand Confirmations...............................16

An Exceptional Welcome..................................18

Primary Education Starts..................................19

Mobile Clinic Now Open...................................20

Health and Development..................................21

Seventy Evangelists..........................................22

P a g e | 3 www.wau.anglican.org Renewal

even before his crucifixion, we can see this in

Luke’s Gospel (Chapter 10 verse 1-3)

Of course we can all be evangelists in our own

way, coming to church makes you an evangelist,

helping at a service or Sunday School makes

you an evangelist, doing things in the

community because of your faith makes you an

evangelist. Helping us with our new Cathedral

project – even if you can only help a little bit –

makes you an evangelist, because what you are

doing you are doing for God. God loves us all –

Jesus is the proof of that, so we can love God

back by being an evangelist.

Many Church buildings the world over are cross

shaped in design so you can see that the power

of the symbolism of the cross is really in every

part of our faith. We build the power of God in to

all that we do! The cross is a very real symbol of

victory and so every time that you see it

remember:

This is the place that my sins were paid for and I

am free of them now. Remember the person

who gave his life for those sins got it back in

three days and was resurrected. Remember that

the same person opened a new route for you to

connect with God and showed you how life can

be led in peace. Look at a cross when you see

one and remember that Jesus loves you.

At Easter all over the world people will say these

words, join with them and rejoice in the

resurrection from the cross – He is risen.

He is risen indeed ! Alleluja

+Moses

Logos Ministries International Pastoral Leadership

Training in Wau

By Dumo Peter

Logos Ministries International conducted A five

day pastoral leadership training workshop in

Wau Diocese, from 5th - 9th December 2011.

The aim of the leadership training was to

strengthen Christian leaders with relevant

knowledge and necessary skills needed in

spreading the message of the Gospel of Christ.

The participants were drawn from the seventeen

Archdeaconries of the Episcopal church of

Sudan Diocese of Wau, to attended the training

which covered, a leader’s Call to ministry, being

the leader God wants me to be!, The making of

a leader, the effective dynamics of leadership

and A leader’s character in service and among

others pastoral care. These were the core

themes of the training, that was aimed at

transforming pastors and other church leaders

to be effective and equipped with the tools to

serve the people of God in the right way.


The training was facilitated and conducted by

the well known Rev. Thomas McLean who is the

founder and director of Logos Ministries

International and has been involved in Christian

service since 1977. Thomas has a passion for

mission and a burden in his heart to see the

Gospel go forth to the ends of the earth.

Motivation for mission is a key aspect of his

ministry and the central theme of his message is

the Lordship of Christ.

Challenging people to be

what God really wants them

to be and inspiring churches

into action.

Rev Thomas was

accompanied by three

companions, John Deaville

who has also been a LMI

mission representative in

England for over fifteen

years. With him was Pastor

Tibor Szlovak who has

served in different

capacities as a pastor in

Hungary for around twenty-

five years. Joining them

was Pastor Josiah Ogalo

From Kisumu in Kenya who has been serving

God for over forty years.

In his closing remarks the Right Reverend

Moses Deng Bol, bishop of Wau Diocese said,

"pastors are called to serve the people of God,

so to serve they should be above reproach in

character and also be equipped with the skills

and knowledge to lead the children of God."

Icco Trained Five Diocesan staff in Project

Development and Financial Management

On 6th- 8th December 2011 ICCO, the Inter -

Church Organization for Development Co-

operation and Church in Action, conducted a

workshop on project and financial management,

to different local organizations which included,

the Nazareth Youth Association, the Mothers

Union/ Literacy Financial and Education

Programme, the Episcopal Church of Sudan,

Diocese of Wau, Christian Action for Relief and

Development, Wagen Agency for Relief and

Development, Dorcas Aid International, and the

Womens Agency Training Programme.

The aim of the training was to strengthen the

capacity building of the indigenous based

organizations in Western Bahr el Ghazal State,

so that local organizations are able to perform

better.


The ICCO training was one of the best training

workshops ever done in Wau particularly for the

community based organizations. As a matter of

fact, most of the participants expressed their

gratitude saying that this

was wonderful training and

very relevant to their

situation in the field. All

wished that such training

could be organized again

to equip them further and

strengthen their capacities

so that they are able to

deliver the right services to

the right people at the

correct time in the right

way.

One of the participants

said, one of the worst

things that international

organizations did to us is

bring us the fish all the time

without teaching us how to fish for ourselves, its

one of the reasons why a lot of money has been

injected in South Sudan yet there is no impact

left behind and the situation is getting worse day

by day. It is because international organizations

taught us how to receive things without telling us

how to do things for ourselves is why there is no

impact in people lives today. By looking at our

nation today one may think that we are an

unchangeable society which is true, but honestly

speaking can one change without being taught,

it’s good for our international community to know

that what South Sudan needs at this defining

moment is not to be fed, South Sudan doesn’t

need to be given ready food, this time round, we

need to be taught how to fish for ourselves so

that after the international organizations leave

we will be able to do things for ourselves. This is

what ICCO did for us today, by training us how

to develop a project and manage it as well as

managing our finances in the right way.

If ICCO continue doing this in the ten states of

South Sudan this nation will be changed in the

blink of an eye because with such knowledge

and skills I believe South Sudan will never be

the same again. We would not rely on

international communities for assistance so

much. So it’s a question for every international

organization to ask themselves, when I leave

South Sudan what impact have I made that I

could be remembered for, are those That I

helped enabled to live without me? Are the

people I serve saying if it were not for this

organization I would not be the kind person am

today? If the communities in which your

organization worked are still struggling then

something is still missing in your mission in

South Sudan which your organization haven't

achieved.

The three day workshop on project development

and financial management was conducted at the

Catholic premises in Wau to seven different

community based organizations.It has hit

through to the heart of the participants and they

left the premises with a changed mind set,

ideology and an armoury of techniques on how

to develop and manage their projects and

finances.

In his speech during the closing ceremony Mr

Kalisto Inyani, the ICCO administrator, together

with Mr Richard Gomma the trainer said, "this is

Just a beginning, many more training workshops

are coming. Sooner or later, early next year


2012 through the Episcopal Church of the

Sudan, Diocese of Wau in partnership with

Dorcas Aid International we are going to do

many things in this State. In terms of capacity

building to communities based organizations, we

will equipe you with all necessary knowledge,

tools and skills that you deserve to succeed in

managing your organization and finances. This

is our calling in which we stand and promise to

deliver to you”. All the participants who attended

the training were issued with certificates of

attendance.

Wau celebrates Global Anti-Corruption Day

By Andrew Apiny Macham

On December 19th, 2011 the citizens of

Western Bahr el Ghazal state came in vast

numbers and joined the world to celebrate

Global Anti-Corruption Day. An immense

number of people, which included citizens, but a

majority of military police, South Sudan Wild Life

and other law enforcement agencies together

processed from Peace Square all the way to

Isaac Stadium where the occasion of celebration

took place.

Fight corruption by all means, that is why you

see guns, people are ready to fight corruption,

but the question lingering in people’s minds is

will the government and other institutions

eliminate corruption in this country? Let’s wait

and see since this was the first Anti-Corruption

celebration held since South Sudan became

independent. The day

was extremely

important for the

people to celebrate

as corruption is one

of the leading chronic

diseases here in

South Sudan, which

has become

entrenched in the

heart of many. As a

matter of fact some

offices are occupied

by just one ethnic

group to the extent

that some official

meetings are

conducting in local

languages, this is an

indication that there

is high fraud in this new born country.

Millions and millions of dollars has been injected

in to South Sudan in all sectors yet nothing

significant is yet achieved. According to Francis

Bacilli, the state representative spoke out that,

our mandate as the Anti-Corruption Commission

is to investigate those involved in scandal in one

way or another and persecute the guilty without

mercy, for doing evil and tearing down the

image of our country. This is the reason why the

theme for this occasion is “Zero tolerance for

Anti-Corruption in South Sudan”


Francis advised the crowd that fighting

corruption is it's collective responsibility, every

one of us is accountable to report any behavior

which suggests corruption and nepotism,

because corruption is immoral, evil and an

unacceptable thing which shouldn’t be permitted

to get deeply rooted in us. We are all created

equal and that means every one of us deserves

an equal opportunity and equal rights.

As we have came here today at Isaac stadium,

to celebrate this day it’s very important to know

that there are over a hundred young men and

women in South Sudan who are struggling to

find a job, not because they don’t have the

necessary educational qualifications but due to

corruption they are being denied positions, this

is a crime and offence committed in this nation

without punishment, seeing that it is everyone’s

responsibility to stand up and fight corruption so

that people with the right qualifications and

documents can get the right position and do the

right thing in the right place.

We are not actually celebrating as such we are

crying and fighting for justice in particular to

those people who are being denied just because

they don’t come from a particular ethnic group.

Let justice reign, let corruption die and integrity

and transparency fill our lives.

The Wau Diocesan Synod 2011


“Come let’s rebuild the Walls of Jerusalem”.

The Diocesan Synod was held on 12th & 13th of

December 2011 at the Good Shepherd

Cathedral in Wau, the meeting was composed

of seventeen archdeaconries of the Episcopal of

the Sudan, diocese of Wau under his Right

Reverence Bishop Moses Deng Bol, this

number included the archdeacons, pastors and

laity all called together to discuss the

fundamental achievements and other significant

issues which are draw backs of spiritual growth

or church development that needs to be

addressed at the synod level.

The synod was overwhelmed by international

communities and government officials which

included the former Ambassador to Greece,

Italy, Netherland as well as former Governor of

Greater Bahr el Ghazal, Mr. Andrew Makur. Also

in attendence were Rev Canon William Deng

Deng from the USA, LT Colonel Deng Aguen

SPLA 5th Division, ECS Provincial Accountant

consultant Mr. Lawrence Duffee from USA

among other welcome guests.

It was the first general synod to be held in Wau

since the independence of the Republic of South

Sudan and from the time when Bishop Moses

Deng became the bishop of Wau Diocese.


The synod was officially opened by the bishop

under the theme, “Let’s Rebuild the Walls of

Jerusalem” Nehemiah 2:17, subsequently,

Michael Maror who is the Diocesan Lawyer

declared the synod open for discussion, after

which now the bishop was given chance to read

his speech. In his address, he first begun by

mentioning the challenges which facing the

Diocese that made things hard and not go

smoothly, in general speaking the Diocese of

Wau was on final stage of change. So he said,

"I charge all of you, especially the archdeacons,

rural deans, pastors, evangelists, and Christians

to reiterate your commitments once more, to

come together to rebuild the fallen wallS of the

Diocese of Wau, I mean spiritual growth should

be our first priority to do. To proclaim the Gospel

of Christ, to reach unreached areas and of

course to build the capacity of the pastors, my

fellow brothers and sisters in Christ there are

many things needing to be done in this diocese,

some of us are impatient and cannot wait but

ask you to wait patiently, with time all these

things will be met. So let’s trust in God and wait

patiently. On the other hand, as ministers of

Christ it’s our duty and obligation to make

advocacy efforts for peace and reconciliation

among the communities of Wau Diocese and

beyond, while preaching the Good news. I also

understand the challenge of physical

development is another scenario which has

become the biggest threat in this diocese,

which is the reason why the diocese recently

formed a Christian organization known as

Christian Action for Relief and Development as

a church development wing. The aim is to

address some of the development issues such

as education, health, and agriculture and

pastor’s capacity building, this will also open

opportunities to many pastors who are jobless

and have good education to get employment.

On education where the vast majority of clergies

fall short we have good news for you, we have

opened a Bible College and a vocational

Training College for pastors and everybody it’s

now up to you to take this golden opportunity to

enrol now, especially those pastors who have

finished their secondary school education. To

those of you who have not had a chance to go

to school during the war, I encourage you to go

to school.

I would like to acknowledge those archdeacons

who opened primary schools in their

archdeaconries, thank you for your effort, I


encourage each pastor to do the same thing,

remember we are rebuilding the walls, as I

mentioned before our diocese was almost falling

apart, today if you come to our office is always

busy all the time, it’s not business as usually we

have taken a step forward in terms of our

administration system. There is hope now, not to

forget some few months ago we provided

humanitarian aid to Abyei's Displaced Persons,

that is a great achievement for us and also

conducting three training workshops in different

capacities, this is an indication that change has

come to Wau.

Recently through the help of HART leadership

they donated 10,000 US Dollars to support the

vast majority of IDPs from Abyei and 10,000 US

Dollars for returnees who are in Wau Diocese to

do microfinance in order to be able to cope up

with life in South Sudan, last but not least the

diocese leadership is thinking on ways of how to

provide ox-ploughs for pastors to be self reliant.

You see we are almost done in rebuilding the

wall next year will be a different story all

together."

Thereafter Mr Michael Maror who is the Lawyer

read the constitution of the diocese which he

asked the stakeholders to review and amended

the constitution then pass it in the upcoming

standing committee which is scheduled to take

in Oct 2012.

On the closing of the Diocesan Synod Rev,

Peter Yuol Gur who was elected two years ago

in a standing committee as Diocesan secretary

while still studying at St, Pauls University Kenya

and who graduated early this year on 15th

October 2011 was official confirmed as full

Diocesan Secretary.

Unfortunately the new elected secretary is

planning to go for further studies in the UK or

America early next year 2012, for his Masters

Degree, but for the time being while he is still

here Rev, Yuol Gur will be working in the

Diocese, and when that time arrives, he will go.

Subsequently his colleague Rev, Andrew Apiny

who was Acting Administrative Secretary for the

last six months in his absence will continue

working as Acting Administrative Secretary until

Rev, Peter Yuol is back from UK.

Christian Action for Relief and Development

- coming soon!


This new born country of South Sudan is still in

shock recovering from the longest civil war;

which has brought devastation and destruction

through various waring factions. In education,

agriculture, and the economy, socially, politically

and even spiritually this damage can easily be

seen. It has left some South Sudanese

disillusioned and aimless in their life. There is a

real need to restore their hopes, inspire their

spirit to take positive action and let them achieve

the very goals that they were fighting for.

We are challenged by the fact that, despite the

South Sudanese gaining their independence


and freedom through the shedding of blood

independence and freedom still seems to be out

of reach. The cause of this none other than the

lack of knowledge and skills, inexperience,

negligence or even too little capacity to get the

right resources, skills and knowledge needed to

meet their aspirations and development goals.

So now the Diocese of Wau in The Episcopal

Church of Sudan, felt a great need to rebuild this

damaged nation and restore hope for the people

of South Sudan who find themselves, aimless

helpless and without hope.

As a result, the Diocese of Wau formed an

indigenous nongovernmental Christian

organization known as Christian Action for Relief

and Development, which will act as the relief

and development wing of Wau Diocese.

The aims that formed this organization are to

Upgrade the standard of education in South

Sudan because education is the backbone of

any country wanting to move out of poverty and

underdevelopment. To give help in addressing

the health problems facing local communities

especially those in rural areas. To engage local

communities in building peace and bringing

reconciliation among all post conflict

communities. Also Offering humanitarian aid to

those experiencing crisis and in real need. To

help in addressing the issue of food insecurity

and malnutrition of the most disadvantaged and

marginalized section of society by finding lasting

solutions to the problems related to food

insecurity. Addressing these issues by

translating them into achievable and sustainable

development policies and actions that may

adequately provide success in the process of

ongoing development. The aim of that

development is primarily toward strengthening

neglected communities and revitalizing their

existence. Last but by no means least,

recognising the importance of agriculture in

upholding the central pivoting point of alleviating

food security in local communities and hence

helping its governing institutions in achieving a

hunger free society.

Finally CARD exists to Provide spiritual

guidance, leadership nurturing and motivation to

church leaders and community leaders or

individuals who want to form strong families,

organizations, corporations, administrative

institutions and communities animated and

directed by the globally accepted ethical values

drawn from the universal spiritual gifts of unity,

justice, equity, understanding, wisdom, fortitude

and reconciliation.

This newly formed organization has been

registered with the ministry of Social

Development, Directorate of social welfare in

accordance to the societies Law that gives

registration numbers and is hereby certified to

operate.

25th December 2011 Christmas One of A Kind

On 25th Dec 2011, over ten thousand

Episcopalians attended the Christmas

celebrations at the Good shepherd Cathedral in

Wau, this is the first time in history of the church,

that such a number attended our Christmas

celebration. This is a year that defies imitation

not only for the church but also in the history of

South Sudan. According to his Right Rev,

Bishop Moses Deng, in the message he left to

be read out on 25th Dec 2011 while in Warrap

State in Akon Archdeaconry, he wrote,


"This is a year of success and happiness for the

people of South Sudan, because it was in this

year the people of South Sudan voted against

unity in favor of separation during the

referendum, on 9th January 2011, and on 9th

July 2011 this new country was born and we

gained independence (self-determination) and

Salva Kiir Mayardit became our own first

president of South Sudan. It's a year which is

only one of a kind, in the church of Christ in

which the ECS held it sixth Synod from 16th to

18th November in the New capital of South

Sudan Juba, followed by our Diocesan Synod

held in Wau from 12th - 13th December 2011 all

of which were successful.

Today Wau diocese has

become well-known by

many international

communities through the

launching of our electronic

newsletter called Renewal

early this year. As

mentioned earlier it's a

year of happiness

because the diocese was

able to open the Good

shepherd Bible College

and the Vocational

Training College. It's an

exceptional year through

the help of Salisbury the

diocese has received the installation of a new V

Sat internet system that has made ECS

dioceses able to get access to the internet and

communicate with the rest of the world. It's a

distinctive year in which I travelled

abroad more than three times and international

communities visited the Diocese of Wau as well

as a result of my interaction with other countries.

This is a joyful year in which I confirmed more

than 5000 Christians in different archdeaconries.

In Warrap State when I addressed his

excellency the President of South Sudan Salva

Kiir Mayardit and his four Governors of greater

Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bahr el Ghazal State,

Lakes State, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State and


Warrap State to celebrate Christmas together in

Akon Archdeaconry, Warrap State. He said, the

church and the government should team up

together to find ways together to apply durable

solutions to conflict in South Sudan among the

different ethnic communities who are killing

themselves on a daily basis.

It is the responsibility of every one of us to work

hard to keep the peace and start developing our

virgin country, without peace we will not achieve

our target and our struggle will be in vain. The

government should disarm cattle guards while

the church trains communities leaders on how to

make peace with their neighbours.

If We look back to where we came from, it

means that it has been rough but it’s important

to notice that, it has been a very busy year in

our country. There has never been a year like

this in our history, in which two children are

born, the birth of new nation and the birth of our

Lord Jesus Christ and our saviour, two at the

same time ,it’s unbelievable we are all free at

last from all sorts of slavery from sin and human

suffering.

It’s a wonderful year, though there were some

challenges, those are minors cases, they are

like a mother in pain when she is about to give

birth, she experiences some pain in the process

of giving birth but after she delivers her baby the

pain is replaced by joy, so it is with us, it was

painful and long but eventually we are free at

last.


Cultivate the Culture of Peace.


On 1st Jan 2012 evening his

Right Reverend Bishop

Moses Deng Bol arrived in

Mapel Archdeaconry, SPLA

5th Division Chaplaincy and

he was received with heavy

security from Nyiyaro all the

way through Garagaro where

he addressed over fourteen

thousand South Sudan

military Christian’s soldiers.

In his opening remarks He

told the South Sudan Military

to put God first and be vigilant to protect their

terror while cultivating the culture of peace

among themselves. This is the Bishops speech:

"My fellow citizens, it’s my privilege to have such

a golden opportunity to talk to you. First I would

like to recognize the present SPLA 5th Division

Commander for allowing me to speak to you at

this moment. My fellow comrades in Christ

Jesus, I have come here purposely to speak to

you, being aware of the fact that two days ago

there was a problem in Mapel SPLA 5th Division

in which more than nine soldiers were killed as

result of that. The problem still continues and

that is the very reason I have come here today

to address you on this matter. As you all know

you fall under my Diocese administratively, so

therefore I have an obligation to come to you


have some time with you to do some spiritual

things and spiritual administration and of course

to share the gospel of Christ with you.

To begin with the peace and freedom we have

today didn’t just come by itself but through the

collection of prayers, struggle, dialogue and self

sacrifice, in which God heard our prayers and

gave us our land so that today we are free.

Unfortunately, I am totally shocked and heartily

wounded to heard that you turn against

yourselves, in the military camp, and against

civilians killing our beloved ones and innocent

brothers who did not die during the war and who

are supposed to taste the fruit of their labors and

enjoy the peace of their struggle. They are now

being killed for no reason, it’s with regret I hear

and see some of us are trying to kill the

remnants, some of whom are fatherless,

motherless, widows, orphans and single, this is

unacceptable behaviour.

This broke my heart, to see the Children of God

being killed.

Didn’t you read the scripture where it said we

shouldn’t kill? It was understandable during the

war, you were fighting for self determination,

freedom but now we are free, what is the point?

Why we are still dividing ourselves on the basis

of our ethnicity? Mapel Archdeaconry for last

two times when I came was the most peaceful

archdeaconry among the seventeen

Archdeaconries of Wau Diocese, but now I am

amazed by what is happening today.

Let us change that behaviour, the time has

come to cultivate the spirit of peace and love,

there is no more need of shooting, and enough

is enough. I also notice that some of you seem

to undermine your own integrity, as Christians

we should be above reproach, we shouldn’t

undermine our good characters wherever we

are, whether in bad situations or not we should

maintain our integrity as long as live we must

not deny our integrity.

Let our behaviour consistently reflect God's

character, rather than being transformed by the

circumstances, Romans 12:2- 3. Said “Don’t

copy the behaviour and customs of this world,

but let God transform you into a new person by

changing the way you think, then you will know

what God wants you to do, and you will know

how good and how pleasing and perfect his will

really is”. Let God transform us into new people

by changing the way we think and become


peacemakers, forgiving people, loving people.

Our characters should suggest nothing to

question our creditability or Christianity. Let us

behave in a different way in the sense that your

behaviour makes a positive impact in this

bracket.

It’s time to rebuild our nation, and this will not be

possible in absence of peace, it’s time to make

peace not to cause troubles, it's time to love not

to hate each other, it’s time to build not tear

down, enough is enough. Let the freedom reign

from right here and to all corners of south

Sudan, let this year of 2012 be a year of peace

for our nation. My fellow Christians as I close my

speech I would like to wish you all a Happy New

year and prosperity and now may God almighty

watch over you and bless you abundantly."

Theological Education by Extension (TEE) in Akon

Archdeaconry


On 11th Jan 2012, His right Rev, Bishop Moses

Deng Bol officially opened Theological

Education by Extension (TEE) in Akon

Archdeaconry with support from JumpStart

Sudan in the US. The opening ceremony had

been honoured by 1st LT Arou Police Payam

Administrator, Payam Education Coordinator

Philip Deng and other invited guests.

In his opening remarks his Right Rev, Bishop

Moses Deng said,

"It is a privilege and honour to speak to you TEE

students. First I would like to acknowledge and

thank JumpStart Sudan through Debra Ross


and Akot Arech for raising an awareness and

getting the finances for the Bible Training and

making this training successful. If it was not for

JumpStart Sudan, nothing would have been

possible as you know we are financial poor, it’s

through JumpStart Sudan’s financial effort that

you are here today. I would like to bring to your

attention that this is part of St John's Bible

College, after this those who do well will join St

John's Bible College in Wau for further studies.

This is only one of a kind training designed to

train church leaders on how to become Bible

vibrant, on how to interpret the Bible in

accordance to homiletics and hermeneutics, the

biblical principle art of interpretation. As you all

know a lack of theological education and low

educations standards have been one of the

biggest challenges in this Diocese where the

vast majority don’t know how to read and write.

Now with this kind of training I believe it will

illuminate your minds to become good teachers

of the Word of Christ and good interpreters of

the Bible. I urge all of you especially those who

came from Awiel Diocese as well as from within,

thanks a lot for joining this dynamic training, but

I ask you to be fully committed up to very end.

Because I know the challenges are many a

head of you and that if you are not very

dedicated and determined some of you will quit

the training before the end of the ten weeks, but

please take heart to finish the course

successfully. It’s not how you begin that matters

but how you end is what really counts."

Bishop Moses dedicates two churches constructed

by Samaritan's Purse


On 14th - 15th Jan 2012 his Right Rev, Bishop

Moses Deng Bol dedicated two chapels to God

in Marial Wau Archdeaconry, one being

Tharkueng Chapel and the other Sukolonia

Chapel.


Below is an example of a church built by

Samaritan's Purse International. Both

ceremonies were overwhelmed by state

government officials, county representatives,

payam administrators and church leaders.

More than two thousand people turned up to the

opening ceremonies at Tharkueng chapel and

Sukolonia chapel. The pastors in charge of

Tharkueng Parish, said, "its a great thing for us

the Christians of Tharkueng to praise and

worship the Lord in such a building we have

been longing for. We are very grateful to the

Samaritan's Purse for making us proud. May

God almighty bless them in a big way and

continue doing the same thing in other places”

Then the deputy county commissioner also said,

“its a blessing for the people of Tharkueng

Payam to have such a unique church building to

praise and worship the Lord, I therefore thank

the ECS leadership his Right Rev Bishop Moses

Deng for this well done job. Our part as

government at the county level as well as

payam we will complete the remaining parts and

will install the windows and

doors”.

In his closing remarks His

right Rev Bishop Moses Deng

Bol said,“Samaritan's purse

International has made me

proud, I couldn’t imagine

without Samaritan purse, I

really don’t know what kind of

suffering the diocese of Wau

would have had. It’s

something that I have not any

words to describe, because

the finances of my Diocese

are so weak that it cannot

even afford to pay her pastors leave alone

constructing churches. But now I am so relieved.

I must also recognize the effort and commitment

of Samaritan's purse which has undertaken to

train Christians on a discipleship program and

also pay the teachers. This is another great

achievement which alone our church

administration couldn’t manage, what then can I

say other than thanking and encouraging

Samaritan's Purse to continue with the same

spirit and recommended to all as the most

successful organization in Wau Diocese. And so

in conclusion may we all ask God to bless

Samaritan's Purse International so it may

continue doing the this in the Diocese and

beyond.

Bishop confirms over a thousand Christians in

Warrap Archdeaconry

From 16th - 23th Jan 2012, His Right Reverend,

Bishop Moses Deng Bol took a trip to Warrap

Archdeaconry and was accompanied by the

Diocesan Administrative Secretary Rev Andrew

Apiny, Rev Peter Duok Archdeacon of Warrap,

Rev Priscilla Ameer and Gorge Pi-Puofe a

professional nurse who is operating a Mobile

clinic. Bishop Moses toured six Deaneries in

which he confirmed one thousand one hundred

and seventy five Christians. The confirmations


were spread out in six differences places. This

included: Parasika with 233

persons, Lurcuk with 241 people, Warrap with

151, Akop with 323, Pinybarkou with 114, and

Gak with 113.

This is the first time that bishop Moses Deng

had come to Warrap since he was consecrated

as Bishop of Wau Diocese. For the last two

years thousand of Christians have been longing

to see their bishop and not only that but to be

confirmed too. So when they heard about his

coming many people from different parishes

walked for two days solely to come for

confirmation and to see their bishop.

It was a day full of joy in all the places that he

visited. Bishop Moses was received with a lot of

excitement and joyful songs, thrilling, and

dancing.

In all the places the bishop visited he spoke

about peace and reconciliation among the

communities of Warrap State since this is a

most troubled place where fighting is the lifestyle

of the day and this conflict usually comes as

result of animals and tribalism. Therefore, his

Right Rev, Bishop Moses spoke loudly about the

importance of peace in the country he said,

“There can’t be development without peace in

this country, for South Sudan to develop like

other countries we must be peace builders not

destroyers and peacemakers not terror makers,

this is the foundation where we will be able to

develop our nation. Unless we have peace

things will not move smoothly. My fellow

Christians I therefore appeal to all of you to be in

the lead in making peace, first from our local

churches to our great nation. Looking at this

situation, it’s a shameful condition and a

heartbreaking state of affairs for other

international communities that we are fighting

among ourselves just because of our small

differences. As you know we have been in a war

for a long time, fighting for self determination,

now that we are free and independent why then

are we now fighting ourselves? My fellows

Christians let’s have the mind of Christ, of loving

one another, this is the habit we need to develop

at this defining movement - if we really want to

move forward.

To my fellow clergy it time to reaffirm our

commitment to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, to

reach out to unreached areas and not only to

preach about peace but to be peacemakers. I

ask you all in Jesus name to talk about peace

wherever you go and preach the good news.”

Bishop Moses sympathized with the situation on

the ground especially in Athol where, Pastor

Jocob in charge of Athol Deanery in Warrap

state told him a story about tribal conflict. He

said, his three brothers were killed in March

2011 during tribal clashes between Nuer and

Dinka. Bishop Moses felt truly sorry for the


situation and the naming of Athol which means

finished, we are finish here. According to the

people of Athol every year Nuer came and killed

more than fifty persons in Athol, the number of

people is decreasing and that is the reason it

was named Athol. The communities and

Christians together there requested his Right

Rev Bishop Moses to change the name of the

place to Paweng which means save. So Athol

was changed to Paweng Deanery and blessed

by the bishop while he was there. According to

the communities they said, we don’t have

another place to move, we rather finish here

than to evacuate somewhere.

Bishop Moses Receives An Exceptional Welcome in

Athol Deanery

On 18th Jan 2012 Right Rev Bishop Moses

Arrived in Paweng (previously Athol) Parish

where he received an exceptional welcome.

Joseph Deng Lual, 24 years of age was

overexcited when interviewed, I asked him why

are you so happy. He said, "since I was born in

this village, I have never seen a bishop, leave

alone a confirmation. This is something so

unique in our village to see a bishop, we are

also happy because we are going to be

confirmed today by our own bishop, this is what

we have been longing for, for many years. That

is why we all came to welcome Bishop Moses

because we want to see what our bishop looks

like.

The kind of reception his Right Rev bishop

Moses Deng got in this particular Deanery is

incomparable, accordingly Bishop Moses told

the crowd, "In all the places I have gone to,

there has never been such a warm welcome as

this. You have given me a one of a kind

welcome. You remove your best sheets and put

them on the road for me to walk on, regardless

how troublesome your conditions are, in which

some of you have but one set of clothes to wear

until those clothes are torn

and you must buy new ones. Some of you are

even walking naked while others have never

even bought slips in your life. Your conditions

are shameful and it brings tears to my eyes to


see you in such circumstances.

In terms of health you are all sick, the kind of

water you must drink is not even fit for animal

consumption let alone human beings, it’s an

unimaginable thing in this modern world to see

that there are some areas in South Sudan still

living this sort of life. Not to mention access to

clinics and health care which most of you are

not even aware that there is something called a

health care centre. You are poor in evey way but

you are wonderful people; brothers and sisters

after all this, still there is hope, that one day this

community will change to be better place, have

hope in God and trust in him.

I must also thank you for your dedication to

God’s word, in all these circumstances you went

through, you remain faithful to God. I am so

challenged by the way you welcome me but

friends in Christ, be reminded that you didn’t just

welcome me but Christ who sent me. The

Christians in Athol parish turned out in huge

number to welcome their bishop, it was an

amazing thing to see the poorest Christians put

down their only clothes to let their bishop walk

on. This welcome of such great favor will

doubtless be a reception of remarkable blessing

to the people of Paweng Deanery and beyond."

The South Sudan Certificate for Primary

Examination Begins


From Monday 23rd to Friday 28th Jan 2012,

eight candidates from wau sat the standard

exam for the South Sudan Certificate of Primary

Education. The

examination council is

a national body across

South Sudan. This is

the first time exams

have been held since

independence. The

examinations all kicked

off at the same, 9:30

am, across the whole

nation as scheduled.

Most of the pupils were

very happy after

finishing their exams

successfully without

any interference; they

are now waiting for

their results to come

and see whether some of them will qualify to join

secondary school in April 2012.

However according to Uliny Okello, a standard

candidate said, “it has been long journey for me


to finish, I started my education a very long time

ago in 2000 but due to some financial difficulties

I had to stop for a while. But later in 2005 I was

able to resume my studies with the hope that I

could finish my studies on time. But two years

later I got married and this interrupted my

learning again, things became hard, and held

things up until I paid for my marriage. But thank

God I finished my marriage responsibilities

successfully and in 2008 I went back again to

school. My goal was to finish just standard eight

and today I am done; it was a long journey but I

am happy I have finished so now I have the

courage to continue up to secondary school if

my results come back successful”.

This is the same scenario most of the students

have here in South Sudan. The majority of them

are married, and the youngest candidate you

can find are those of 18 years of age. You find

that the majority of them are dreaming just to

finish class eight after and after that go his or

her own way with no further education.

Mobile clinic now open in Wau Diocese

On January 16th the right Rev, Bishop Moses

Deng went to Warrap archdeaconry for

confirmations with Mr George Pi-puof a

professional nurse. This came about after the

bishop visited various archdeaconries a while

back and many Christians have been coming to

him with serious sickness, suffering from

different kinds of diseases seeking medical

attention. To make matters worse there were

never any nearby health facilities available in the

Archdeaconries so people could have treatment.

It was due to these circumstances that bishop

Moses felt the need and had the idea of having

a mobile clinic it was a good idea.

There were no medical personnel available to

do the work; this became a major threat to the

diocese, not to mention the lack of means for

transport to reach the vast majority of Christians

in the different and widely spread


archdeaconries and parishes.

Regardless of all these challenges the need for

having a mobile clinic was becoming greater

than ever before and could not be ignored.

Praise to God! Recently Dr Katie came along

with medical experts to do training on Health

and Healing in Wau Diocese from Uganda and

the Anglican Diocese of Enbbei.

George treated over a hundred patients in six

different Deaneries in Warrap Archdeaconry.

The respond was so amazing that the Christians

described it as such a blessed journey at the

right time in the right place to the right situation

and the right people by the right people to do the

right thing. Some said :

"If the Bishop hadn’t come with the Nurse to

treat us we really don’t know how our lives

would have be. Thank God for bringing us the

right servant of God at the right time, one who

understands the situation we are in. It’s our

prayer that this Mobile clinic would continue

because our problems are not just spiritual

matters alone but we are also suffering

physically which needs medical attention.”

Bishop Moses Said, “Please continuing praying

so that God may open the way to have our own

medical personnel, and car to travel around the

archdeaconries treating people in different

parishes”.

The need to have a mobile clinic is

overwhelming, in that it needs to be taken

seriously to reach the many remote areas, it

demonstrates the love of Christ, Please support

the Diocese of Wau to achieve it.

Health Programme Development Training in Wau

Diocese

From 24th 26th Jan the team from the ECS

provincial health commission chaired by his

Right Rev, Bishop Moses Deng conducted a

three day health programme development


training worskhop in Wau Diocese, at the

Dorcas Aid International premises. At the end of

the training the participants took group photos

with the facilitators.

The training was officially opened by Bishop

Moses Deng with a few words of prayer, in his

opening remarks he said,

“This training came about after we realized that

at the provincial level there is a huge need in all

dioceses to have clinics in their respective

dioceses, and we thought the best way is to

train at least two people from each diocese on

health programme Development, so that they

can go in their relevant diocese and start a

health programme. It’s very important to notice

that as church leaders we need to take into

account that, there is some sickness that needs

medical intervention, they don’t really need

spiritual intervention as such but medication.

Therefore we need to be treating people who

suffering from different kinds of diseases. It’s

good to know our mission and vision in the ECS

at provincial level regarding health programmes.

Our vision is to empower communities in South

Sudan who are spiritually, emotionally and

physically healthy and we exist to facilitate and

promote quality health programmes that reflect

the love of Christ to all people in South Sudan.

At the diocese level we identify the dioceses and

address areas of felt needs for health services,

prioritizing underserved dioceses and improving

their capacity regarding health personnel in the

diocese”.

The training was targeted to Dioceses of the

greater Bahr el Ghazal, this included Aweil,

Wau, Cuebeit, Rumbek, Pacong, Akot, Yirol,

and Awarial dioceses respectively. Dr Katie and

Nicola Limburger, the facilitators, said,

"The training was aimed to empower the eight

Diocese with the necessary skills and

knowledge to be able to start their own health

care in their respective dioceses to meet the

dream of the ECS."

Seventy Facilitators Trained in Biblical Literacy and

Discipleship Program in Wau Diocese.

Andrew Apiny Macham.

From Monday 12th - 17th March 2012,

Samaritan’s Purse International Relief

conducted a five day training workshop and

trained seventy people at The Good Shepherd

Cathedral in Wau for mission and Evangelism.

The participants were drawn from 29 parishes

built by the Samaritan’s Purse in different

Archdeaconries of Wau Diocese. Below are

photos of the participants.

The aim of the Biblical Literacy and Discipleship

Program is to empower and equip the church

leaders and send them out for evangelism. The

specific target of the Biblical Literacy and

Discipleship Program is that, each person

should disciple at least twenty-five persons per

church. Only then the world can be evangelized

and transformed into Christianity. In an interview

with one participant, Marko Deng Mapal said, “I

am happy for this training it, because it reminds

us of our mission as Christians to reach people

with the gospel of Christ to follow Jesus as their

personal savior. Above all these we were taught

how to raise up children as God fearing and help

them grow up with Christian values. The

materials were designed in such a way that they

are really targeting children of 4-15 years of age.

Since we are commissioned to go, Jesus

commanded us to go, preach the Kingdom of

God and make disciples, we are the church, and

the church is a community to the ends of the


earth. After attaining this training I believe that

we have all the necessities for evangelism to

reach people with the Gospel of Christ

effectively. Once again, this refreshment course

reminds us, because people easily forget what

they have learnt after some time, with this, we

are able to do well in the field. But without this

there will be lower productivity, this is why I am

happy about the training.”

Luke Runyon the Samaritan’s Purse Ministry

Program Manager appreciated the participants

for their commitment to learn and willingness to

go and teach others with the Gospel of Christ.

He said, “Evangelism in South Sudan is very

weak, research indicated that the churches

suffer erosion to their congregations, emerging

churches are suffering high erosion rates due to

lack of evangelism, film and radio have a dismal

track record due to a lack of Biblical teaching

principles and again evangelism. This country

needs grass roots evangelists who could

evangelize indigenous people in their own

language, we are foreign ministries who cannot

evangelize effectively, we are only doing the

converting without follow up, but you! You can

follow all the procedures of evangelism, that is

to focus on new converts, involve them, build

them up and continue monitoring and mentoring

them. With this, you will have better membership

of churches than simply event oriented

ministries”.

In the closing ceremony his Lordship the Rt.

Rev. Bishop Mosses Deng Bol read the Matthew

9:3-38 where Jesus Christ said that the harvest

is plentiful. But the labourers are few. Pray for

Labourers”, Bishop Moses said, “My fellow

Christians we don’t need to pray for labourers

while you are here, the discipling of the nation is

our mandate; there is no excuse or time to

waste; we are under an obligation to multiply

daily. Christianity is like a moving river. If it stops

flowing then it

stagnates and

becomes a dirty

pond of mud,

mosquitoes that

other harmful

creature will find

their way into. We

don’t want to be in

such a scenario

as this. We must

multiply and

continuing

growing each day,

but who will do

this? It’s you

people, and there

is no question of who will go? The problem

today in my understanding is not that there are

not labourers to go and do the work of

evangelism but a lack of commitment. Please

take this knowledge seriously and use it

profitably and productively. Remember in the

end each one of us will stand before God and

give an account to God of what he/she has done

with the knowledge he/she has acquired here.”

Contacting Us: www.wau.anglican.org

Rt Rev Moses Deng Bol:

[email protected]

General Enquiries:

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

wau diocese newsletter - easter 2012

Documents

triumph of jesus

body of jesus

crucifixion cross

jesus commanded people

important symbol

symbol of hope

symbol of shame

gospel john chapter