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Editorial<br />
Our life together<br />
By Jacob Haasnoot<br />
<strong>Voice</strong> of Hope<br />
Newsletter of the Diocese of Kajo-Keji<br />
Issue 3 | May 2013<br />
This word of St. Paul "Don't you know that you yourselves are<br />
God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" in 1<br />
Corinthians 3:16 is often used to tell believers that they should<br />
live holy lives, not drink and not smoke. The last part may be<br />
true but this verse is more likely talking about the Church, the<br />
body of Christ in this world. In Paul's time there were many<br />
temples for all kinds of gods. But the followers of Jesus<br />
symbolize – together! – the temple of the true God. Why?<br />
Because the Holy Spirits lives in them. Are the fruits and gifts<br />
of the Spirit visible in our life together? If so, then others will<br />
discover the one and only true God. It is our prayer that<br />
through all the things we do and say that is true for us as a<br />
church in Kajo-Keji, and around the world.<br />
In this issue<br />
Editorial (Our life together) 1<br />
Word from the Bishop 2<br />
The Fulfilled Dream 3<br />
Funeral of Late Bishop<br />
Manasseh Binyi Dawidi 4<br />
Registration of College 5<br />
Graduation at BTTC 5<br />
Strategic Plan 2013-2015 6<br />
40 yrsSalisbury-Sudan Link 6<br />
Wheels for Bishop 7<br />
Samaritan’s Purse celebrate 7<br />
Lambeth Palace Event 8<br />
Youth Ministry 8<br />
Free HIV/AIDS Testing 9<br />
MU Conference 9<br />
<strong>Voice</strong> of Hope | Issue 3 | May 2013 Page 1
Word from the Bishop<br />
Rt. Rev’d. Anthony D. Poggo<br />
I had a wonderful time during my sabbatical. While<br />
on sabbatical, I rested and relaxed. I also had time<br />
for reflection. I spent a lot of time reading and<br />
writing on the book of Nehemiah. I chose the book<br />
of Nehemiah because we in South Sudan identify<br />
with Nehemiah as one who lived in exile and<br />
received a call to return to Jerusalem to re-build the<br />
wall of the city.<br />
It was good to spend time at Ridley Hall. I joined<br />
the students and faculty in the daily prayers as well<br />
as the weekly Holy Communion service at the<br />
chapel. I felt welcomed and became part of the<br />
E-staircase family. I would like to thank the Ridley<br />
Hall Community for the warm hospitality that I<br />
experienced.<br />
Rt. Rev’d. Anthony D. Poggo<br />
One of the memorable things was an event that Ridley Hall arranged at Lambeth Palace – there is more on<br />
this in a separate article in the newsletter. A number of former mission partners came for this. I had not<br />
seen some of them for 25 years or so.<br />
During my sabbatical, I visited different many parts of the UK. Most weekends, I was not involved in any<br />
preaching but was either interviewed and was asked to say something on the situation in South Sudan and<br />
also of the church in Kajo-Keji and South Sudan. It was good to be able to go to some services and not to<br />
have responsibility for (part of) the service, a rare thing for me. I was also able to visit CMS Ireland in<br />
Belfast, something that I had wanted to do for a long time. I enjoyed my time in Northern Ireland and met<br />
with a number of new and old friends.<br />
One of the challenges was the weather; it snowed a lot. I understand that it was the coldest March in 50<br />
years! I returned to South Sudan from such a cold weather to a very hot Juba with temperatures around 40<br />
degrees Celsius.<br />
I would like to thank all those who prayed for me during my sabbatical as well as those who offered<br />
hospitality during my visits. I want to thank Rt Rev Hilary Adeba, the Bishop of Yei who was caretaker<br />
Bishop of Kajo-Keji during my sabbatical. I thank my family for allowing me to be away for my sabbatical.<br />
New office<br />
It was good to be back and to start work in our new diocesan office. This new office was build with funds<br />
collected from different donors within South Sudan and elsewhere. We had two fund raising events each in<br />
Kajo-Keji and Juba. Additionally, the United Thanks Offering (UTO) gave us a generous grant through the<br />
Diocese of Bethlehem that made it possible for us to complete the construction within one year. I would<br />
like to thank all those who made this possible and as we say in Bari, tinate losu, meaning: thank you all.<br />
Our finance team informed me that we have a shortfall of US $ 3,766 to pay off the contractor. The<br />
necessary work on a wall and other finishing jobs require an additional amount of US$ 17,100.<br />
<strong>Voice</strong> of Hope | Issue 3 | May 2013 Page 2
The fulfilled dream<br />
By Canon Emmanuel Murye<br />
Many people do dream but the question is: Is your dream from God and<br />
for God’s kingdom and is your heart prepared to accomplish your dream<br />
for the glory of God or it is for your personal gain?<br />
In Diocesan Synod of 2005, the Diocese of Kajo-Keji had a vision of six<br />
things to do. Those were: the building of house for the Bishop, a<br />
Cathedral, a new Diocesan office, the construction of eight primary<br />
schools and one secondary school in Romogi and a guest house with<br />
modern facilities. The vision was presented first to God through prayers.<br />
One of the strategies for fulfilling this dream is what Bishop Manasseh<br />
called "preparation of the hearts of people for the greater work of God’s<br />
kingdom". The current Bishop of the Diocese of Kajo-Keji said: if the<br />
vision is of God, He will provide. These great men of God all focus on<br />
transformation of the people of Kajo-Keji and focus on God, the<br />
provider.<br />
New Diocesan office at Romogi<br />
Through the help of many, the Diocese of Kajo-Keji was able to<br />
construct this beautiful new office. We now have an encouraging<br />
working environment, with adequate solar power.<br />
Staffs are now attracted to<br />
working even up to late hours<br />
because of conducive<br />
working environment.<br />
Without the peace that the<br />
Lord has given to this nation,<br />
the Diocese would have not<br />
attained this building. The<br />
presence of peace provides<br />
an environment for social,<br />
economic and infrastructural<br />
development.<br />
Therefore whatever you have<br />
given, you gave it to the Lord<br />
and for the extension of his<br />
kingdom and for his glory in<br />
Kajo-Keji. May the Lord bless<br />
you and your charity or<br />
organisation.<br />
I once again would like to<br />
thank the Diocesan partners,<br />
UTO and the Diocese of<br />
Bethlehem, our government,<br />
individuals, our Kuku 'sons<br />
and daughters' both overseas<br />
and within the country. We<br />
also thank the Diocesan staff<br />
and the Christians from<br />
various parishes in the<br />
Diocese.<br />
We also acknowledge the<br />
Twins Company for beginning<br />
the construction without<br />
deposit. They started by faith<br />
trusting that the church will<br />
pay them later.<br />
If the hearts are prepared for<br />
God’s work, they will do<br />
greater things for God and the<br />
nation. Indeed with God all<br />
things are possible.<br />
<strong>Voice</strong> of Hope | Issue 3 | May 2013 Page 3
Funeral of late Bishop Manasseh<br />
The news of the passing of the first Bishop of Kajo-<br />
Kaji, Manasseh Binyi Dawidi, on 19 <strong>Apr</strong>il 2013 in<br />
Kampala came as a shock for many. He was<br />
buried next to the Cathedral in Kajo-Keji on 24<br />
<strong>Apr</strong>il 2013. Many people came to pay their respect<br />
to a great servant of God. Bishop Anthony said at<br />
the occasion: "Let us not mourn as people without<br />
faith but let us celebrate the life and ministry of<br />
Bishop Manasseh in Kajo-Keji and other parts of<br />
the world. May God's name be praised!".<br />
Coffin entering South Sudan<br />
Coffin arrives the Cathedral<br />
Late Bishop Manasseh<br />
The Most Rev Dr. Daniel Deng Bul preaching<br />
at the funeral service<br />
<strong>Voice</strong> of Hope | Issue 3 | May 2013 Page 4
Registration of College<br />
By the Editor<br />
We talked to Rev. John Mono, the principal of<br />
Canon Benaiah Poggo College (CBPC),<br />
about the College and the process of<br />
registration with the government.<br />
How are things at CBPC?<br />
It is well. We have just finished the first<br />
semester of this year with twelve students in<br />
Theology. This year we don't have a Special<br />
Pastoral Training group in the local language,<br />
simply because we have trained all those<br />
who needed this kind of training. We are also<br />
a distance learning center for Juba University<br />
and 13 students are enrolled in that<br />
programme.<br />
You have been busy trying to register the<br />
College with the Ministry of Higher<br />
Education in Juba. How is that going?<br />
Well, we have submitted the application and<br />
paid our application fee. We still have to<br />
submit a land lease document and give proof<br />
of our working capital. These last months we<br />
have been working hard to get a title deed for<br />
the land we have.<br />
The area was surveyed and documented and<br />
it took a lot of discussions with the land lords.<br />
But it is almost done! The other issue, proof<br />
of working capital, is quite a challenge.<br />
The Ministry requires us to have one million<br />
SSP (approx. 330,000 thousand US$) in an<br />
account, which we don't have. We don't know<br />
yet how to solve this. I would like to ask the<br />
readers of this newsletter to pray with us for<br />
this matter.<br />
I have heard rumours that the College has<br />
a new name...<br />
Yes, after registration we will continue as<br />
Kajo-Keji Christian College. We also want to<br />
add more study programmes and it is our<br />
hope that we can train more people to build<br />
up the Church and our society.<br />
Graduation BTTC<br />
Rev. Mono John, CBPC Principal<br />
By Stephen Tomor Kenyi<br />
On 19 <strong>Apr</strong>il 2013, the first graduation ever of<br />
Bethlehem Tailors’ Training Centre (BTTC) took<br />
place in Kajo-Keji. BTTC started in 2000. The event<br />
was attended by the County Commissioner, Bishop<br />
Anthony and many others. The Commissioner<br />
handed out 39 certificates in Tailoring and Dress<br />
making and 5 Diplomas in Designing. We thank<br />
God for making this possible<br />
BTTC Graduates and Guests<br />
<strong>Voice</strong> of Hope | Issue 3 | May 2013 Page 5
Strategic plan 2013-2015: Reaching the<br />
vision<br />
By Rev. Alex Aciga<br />
The Diocese of Kajo-Keji produced a strategic<br />
plan for 2013-2015 with the vision to see a<br />
faithful, committed, capable and self-sustaining<br />
community. In the period 2008-2012 we had<br />
three areas of focus: Evangelism and<br />
Discipleship, Institutional and Community<br />
Development, and Stewardship of Resources.<br />
For the new plan we are using 4 E's: Evangelism<br />
and discipleship (ED), Education (E),<br />
Empowerment (E) and Establishment and<br />
organizational development (EOD).<br />
The plan was developed in a 3-day participatory<br />
workshop attended by the Diocesan staff and<br />
volunteers including the Bishop, all Archdeacons,<br />
heads of developmental units in the Diocese,<br />
Mothers' Union leaders and the youth. The<br />
process was facilitated by Mr Moses Monday<br />
John, an independent consultant. We thank Tear<br />
Fund UK for sponsoring this workshop.<br />
This plan is a dynamic document that may be<br />
reviewed in response to changes in our context.<br />
It also forms the basis for fundraising and<br />
utilization of resources to move the Diocese<br />
forward.<br />
Pictures from the Strategic planning workshop<br />
40 years Salisbury-Sudan Link<br />
This June the 40th anniversary of the Salisbury -<br />
Sudan Link, which is the relationship between ECS<br />
and the Diocese of Salisbury, will be celebrated in<br />
Salisbury. Bishop Anthony Poggo is one of the 14<br />
Bishops from South Sudan that will travel to the UK<br />
for this occasion. In a Partners’ Conference the<br />
participants will reflect on what has been achieved<br />
together during the past 40 years as well as think<br />
about how the Link can best move forward. Bishop<br />
Anthony will spend some time with the Deanery of<br />
Devizes and Rural Dean Jonathan Triffitt, who visited<br />
Kajo-Keji last year.<br />
<strong>Voice</strong> of Hope | Issue 3 | May 2013 Page 6
Wheels for Bishop<br />
By the Editor<br />
On the 3 June 2013, at a service to mark the<br />
6 th anniversary of the enthronement of Bishop<br />
Anthony Poggo as Bishop of Kajo-Keji, the<br />
Dicocese will launch a fundraising campaign<br />
for a new car for the bishop. We ask the Bishop<br />
why he needs new wheels.<br />
Bishop Anthony: "In one of the overseas trips I<br />
did last year, I was asked as to what was the<br />
most difficult thing to raise funds for, without<br />
any further though, I immediately replied, a<br />
vehicle. We have been unsuccessful in the<br />
past but it is a real need. I can't do my ministry<br />
without a reliable vehicle. The present vehicle,<br />
which was bought second hand in 2007, is now<br />
experiencing mechanical problems after 6<br />
years of service and it needs to be replaced. In<br />
order to buy a vehicle that is reliable and fit for<br />
the road conditions in South Sudan, we will<br />
need to raise at least US$ 40,000 or 120,000<br />
SSP".<br />
At the time of going to press, the total amount<br />
received in the Bishop's Vehicle account is<br />
US$ 765 and 3,200 SSP (equivalent to US$<br />
1,067). We have received a pledge of 1,000<br />
SSP plus another pledge of US$ 1,000.<br />
If you would like to make a contribution, please<br />
contact Bishop Anthony directly for details. We<br />
will also advise those outside South Sudan on<br />
the best way of sending money without<br />
incurring high bank transfer charges. The<br />
Diocese is hoping to purchase the vehicle<br />
within three months so we would appreciate it if<br />
you could send your contribution before the<br />
end of July.<br />
Celebration Samaritan's Purse<br />
On 19 May 2013, Bishop Anthony Poggo<br />
represented the Archbishop in Akuem at a<br />
celebration of Samaritan's Purse to mark the<br />
end of the construction of 512 churches in<br />
South Sudan and Nuba Mountains. Many<br />
church leaders from different parts of South<br />
Sudan and Nuba Mountains were in<br />
attendance.<br />
Bishop Anthony: "One of the exciting things<br />
for me as a new Bishop was to go around<br />
dedicating the 39 churches and the 1<br />
Cathedral built as a collaborative venture<br />
between Samaritan’s Purse (SP) and the<br />
local churches of the Diocese of Kajo-Keji.<br />
Apart from the churches built for the ECS,<br />
there were 16 churches built for the Sudan<br />
Pentecostal Churches in Kajo-Keji.<br />
Thank you very much SP and your supporters<br />
for what you have done to help our people<br />
with better Churches!".<br />
Emmanuel Cathedral, Kajo-Keji Diocese<br />
<strong>Voice</strong> of Hope | Issue 3 | May 2013 Page 7
Lambeth Palace Event Supports<br />
Diocese of Kajo-Keji<br />
By Rev’d. Jason Ingalls (Ridley Hall)<br />
Ridley Hall, Cambridge<br />
On 4 March 2013, nearly 150 people filled<br />
Lambeth Palace’s Guard Room for an event in<br />
support of Bishop Anthony Poggo and the<br />
Diocese of Kajo-Keji. Ridley Hall Theological<br />
College, Cambridge, sponsored and organised<br />
the event.<br />
The event enriched relationships between the<br />
Church of England and the Episcopal Province of<br />
Sudan by raising money for student bursaries<br />
and a new female dormitory related to Kajo-Keji’s<br />
Canon Benaiah Poggo College, named after<br />
Bishop Anthony’s late father. The event raised<br />
£7,250 GBP (approximately $11,200 USD).<br />
Bishop Anthony took sabbatical at Ridley from<br />
January to March 2013. He is the second<br />
generation of his family to study at the College,<br />
as Canon Benaiah Poggo was also at Ridley<br />
from 1977-1979. An evangelical college<br />
historically connected to one of the world’s finest<br />
universities, Ridley regularly attracts sabbatical<br />
guests and visiting scholars from around the<br />
Anglican Communion. The College believes this<br />
global ministry is vital to training missionary<br />
priests for an increasingly multicultural United<br />
Kingdom and world.<br />
Youth Ministry<br />
By Rev Joseph Aba<br />
The Diocesan youth leader with his team organized<br />
a tour to all eight archdeaconries to conduct a<br />
seminar for youth leaders and encourage them with<br />
the word of God. This training was attended by 2631<br />
young people. The focus of the youth ministry is to<br />
strengthen the capacity of youth leaders.<br />
From 16-18 May 2013, St. Luke, one of our parishes,<br />
organized a youth conference. The goal is to equip<br />
young people and students in all areas of life. Mr<br />
Daniel Batatis, originally from Nuba Mountains<br />
attending High School in Kajo-Keji, was part of the<br />
conference. He says: "The conference addressed all<br />
areas of our life as youths and students, not only<br />
spiritual. It covered topics like: how to be successful<br />
in life, the impact of HIV/AIDS and career guidance.<br />
It was very encouraging and I loved it".<br />
Daniel Batatis<br />
<strong>Voice</strong> of Hope | Issue 3 | May 2013 Page 8
HIV testing in Kajo-Keji<br />
By Rev’d. Taban Israel<br />
HIV Testing<br />
The Diocese of Kajo-Keji is providing Voluntary<br />
Counselling and Testing (VCT) services at Kajo-<br />
Keji civil hospital. VCT is the church’s stepping<br />
stone towards ending the HIV/AIDS in 2031. VCT<br />
is the only way to know if you are infected with HIV<br />
because people who are infected with HIV may not<br />
have any symptoms.<br />
It is estimated that over one thousand people are<br />
now living with HIV in Kajo-Keji but only 535<br />
receive the Antiretroviral Therapy (ARV) treatment<br />
in the hospital. The Diocesan programme on<br />
HIV/AIDS providing information on care,<br />
counselling and testing, treatment, preventive<br />
practices and nutrition started at the beginning of<br />
the year and ends in June 2013.<br />
Mothers' Union Conference<br />
By Rev Joseph Aba<br />
Family and marriage stability is at the heart of God’s<br />
divine plan for humankind. We are confronted with<br />
an alarming number of girls dropping out of school<br />
as a result of early pregnancy.<br />
From 10 th to 13 th January 2013, Kinyiba parish and<br />
the Diocesan Mission office conducted a Mothers'<br />
Union conference to address these and other issues.<br />
Topics were (among others): family life, parenting,<br />
and true love in marriage, forgiveness, trauma<br />
recovery and freedom from curse. Almost four<br />
thousand people attended the four day conference.<br />
Hundreds were newly converted or renewed their<br />
faith and thousands prayed for healing and<br />
deliverance. Many people testified of physical<br />
healings and deliverance from evil spirits. A good<br />
number of them, after being counselled and prayed<br />
for, restored the joy their marriage. Rt Rev’d. Hilary<br />
Luate Adeba, Bishop of Yei Diocese, was the main<br />
speaker at the conference.<br />
Bishop Hilary did this when he was caretaker Bishop<br />
during Bishop Anthony’s sabbatical.<br />
Some of those who were stigmatised in the church<br />
and the community because of HIV status are now<br />
involved in church programmes, and have become<br />
fully involved in fighting stigma and discrimination<br />
in Kajo-Keji. One of them confessed: “At first I<br />
thought that the Bible considers people living with<br />
HIV/AIDS as great sinners but now I have<br />
discovered that is not true”. She was left alone in<br />
the hospital when her husband and in-laws learned<br />
that she was HIV-positive. Through the Diocesan<br />
home care, she started ARV treatment and has<br />
become stronger and self-reliant.<br />
The Diocese of Kajo-Keji appreciates the support<br />
from Christian Aid towards HIV/AIDS awareness<br />
programme.<br />
Bishop Hilary Luate Adeba (Yei Diocese)<br />
<strong>Voice</strong> of Hope | Issue 3 | May 2013 Page 9
Gaderu Convention<br />
By Rev Joseph Aba<br />
From 11 th to 14 th <strong>Apr</strong>il 2013, we conducted an<br />
unusual convention in Gaderu Archdeaconry.<br />
The focus was not only on winning people for<br />
Christ but also to reclaim the wholeness of life in<br />
the purpose of God (cf. John 10:11b). This is our<br />
third conference in which we seek to bring<br />
healing, deliverance, forgiveness, reconciliation<br />
and peace to the people of South Sudan. The<br />
first convention was in Kiri in 2011 with over<br />
5000 people attending. At that time a lame<br />
woman walked and a lady with a chronic illness<br />
was healed. The second convention was in<br />
Liwolo in 2012 with over 8000 people attending<br />
and amazing miracles happening.<br />
Hundreds of people got saved and delivered and<br />
experienced the fullness of life in God. The<br />
Executive Chief of Gaderu Boma said: "Real<br />
peace has come through the word of God. You<br />
can tell from the body language that true peace,<br />
joy and deliverance has finally come".<br />
We had outreach programmes to all our<br />
archdeaconries and we have seen Jesus truly<br />
alive in the miracles of salvation, healing and<br />
deliverance. We are grateful for Flame<br />
International for their prayer and financial<br />
support.<br />
Pictures from the Gaderu<br />
Convention<br />
Diocese of Kajo-keji<br />
C/O The Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan<br />
P.O. Box 110, Juba, Republic of South Sudan<br />
Email: newsletter@Kajokeji.anglican.org<br />
Website: www.kajokeji.anglican.org<br />
To subscribe/unsubscribe: newsletter@kajokeji.anglican.org<br />
<strong>Voice</strong> of Hope | Issue 3 | May 2013 Page 10