The American Film Institute is currently doing an African Film Festival. I chose No Simple Way Home, directed and filmed by Akuol de Mabior, daughter of the late John Garang. Although it is dedicated to her father, the film devotes most of its attention to her mother Rebecca, “mother of the nation,” who returns from brief exile to join the Government as a Vice President. In the script skepticism abounds – rightfully so – about the good faith of male leaders. Although she characterizes her brood as a political family, Rebecca has misgivings about her entry into that realm, noting that “politicians are basically liars.” The cinematography is good, showing the beauty of the land, the small things families do to survive, and the desperation coming from civil war and floods. Akuol concludes that the future of the country lies in the hands of its women, persevering in the face of great suffering to make ends meet and to protect their children. You can expect to see more from this young film maker.
Dane Smith
Executive Director
Dispatch from AFRECS Board Member Phil Darrow
AFRECS President Phil Darrow met welfare organizations housed alongside the church’s Glow Mission Academy Primary School, inside the former UN Protection of Civilians Camp #3, near Juba.
Juba, March 16
After the Papal departure: Had a nice chat on the flight to Juba from Nairobi with my seatmate, a state minister. Reps from all ten states had been in Nairobi for a week learning from Kenyan counterparts. He noted that peace and stability still is the first step. He was optimistic about the momentum of the Pope’s visit. Hopes it can be used to temper those who start to stray into conflict — a sort of continuing moral point of leverage.
Guest House: Safely ensconced in Room 14 of the ECSS Guest House. The guesthouse boasts two new wings, a new cafeteria, and a completely refurbished old wing — a remarkable achievement. It is representative of the progress Juba has evidently made elsewhere in some of the basics, including door-to-door pavement from the airport.
The expanded Episcopal Church of South Sudan Guesthouse stands close to All Saints Cathedral in the center of Juba, the national capital.
Calling the International Criminal Court to Investigate Deporting and Starving of Enemies
Dr. Kenneth Scott of Denver, Colorado, along with the British human rights lawyer Catriona Murchoch of Global Rights Compliance, continue to publicize their 156-page request to the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, filed in January, to investigate the deliberate use of starvation and deportation of civilian populations in South Sudan. They condemn the failure of the Government of South Sudan and its armed forces to investigate crimes of rape and armed violence. They have appended names of perpetrators, victims, and witnesses. Citing Article 15 of the Rome Agreement, they argue that the ICC has jurisdiction. South Sudan is not a party to that treaty, but its southern neighbor Uganda, host to large refugee camps filled with Sudanese, is a party.
Look for the Helpers
Fresh daily Lenten meditations by viticulturist and former missionary in South Sudan, Robin Denney, continue to be released weekly by Episcopal Relief and Development. A recent interactive meditation entitled “Helpers” was inspired by both Mr. Rogers and a woman Denney met in South Sudan. This woman was the only adult known to a houseful of girls whom the woman had taken in and taught the basic hygiene essential before being allowed to go to school. Go to: www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/lent/march-5-11/ and from there to more recent meditations.
A Prayer for Lent by Madeleine L’Engle
Source: Episcopal Relief and Development.
Image: Hilary Garang Deng Awer, retired bishop of Malakal
It is my Lent to break my Lent,
To eat when I would fast,
To know when slender strength is spent,
Take shelter from the blast
When I would run with wind and rain,
To sleep when I would watch.
It is my Lent to smile at pain
But not ignore its touch.
It is my Lent to listen well
When I would be alone,
To talk when I would rather dwell
In silence, turn from none
Who call on me, to try to see
That what is truly meant
Is not my choice. If Christ’s I’d be
It’s thus I’ll keep my Lent
Appreciating the Sudans’ Other Friends
From its inception in 2005, AFRECS has intended to be a megaphone for the voices of members of the Episcopal Church in Sudan (North and South, as they are today). We also keep learning from US groups whose focus complements ours. One such group was Project Education South Sudan, spearheaded by Carol and Richard Rinehart, and now merged into Girls With Books! In addition to classrooms and materials, this Denver-based organization provided a well and a commercial grain grinder to three girls’ primary schools in the region of Bor, so that girls might work at the same place they study.
Daniel Majok Gai with schoolgirls at Ayak Anguei, Upper Nile
Micklina Kenyi, a former refugee from South Sudan and now director of Girls With Books!, recently sent this report of a conversation with a student named Joyce:“Back home in my village of Imurok Payam of Torit county in Eastern Equatoria, there are many families who will not allow their daughters to go to school. Many young girls my age will be taking care of their younger siblings and helping support the family in the house and farm. Sometimes girls will be forced to marry at a young age –and I don’t like it! Coming to school away from home gives peace of mind.”
Ms. Kenyi comments: “Joyce’s great performance in the classroom and remarkable outdoor activities (soccer and volleyball) made her a star. She was selected at Bro. Augusto Primary school in Kit, Juba to be head girl, coördinating between the female students and the school administration about their welfare and issues affecting female students’ wellbeing.”
Comings and Goings
Dane Smith and Richard Jones were delighted to welcome the Reverend Tom Reeder, rector of Christ church, Ponte Vedra Beach and former AFRECS board member, at the AFRECS exhibit at the Episcopal Parish Network’s annual conference March 9-10 in Jacksonville, Florida. Sharing the exhibit hall were David Copley, Director of Global Partnerships and Mission Personnel for The Episcopal Church, along with Canon Daniel Karanja, Partnership Officer for Africa and Elizabeth Boe, Mission Personnel Officer.Anthony Dangasuk Poggo, Secretary General of the London-based Anglican Communion Office and former bishop of Kajo-Keji in the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, is scheduled to speak on the subject of migration, alongside David Chavez, Canon for Border Ministries in the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, and Lindsey Warburton, from the Office of Government Relations of the Episcopal Church, at Virginia Theological, Alexandria, Virginia at 6:15 p. m. April 19th.
Stephen M. Mou is living in Abyei and manages cross-border conflict management for Concordis International, based in the UK. They bring bordering communities together to facilitate three grazing corridor conferences each year– East, West, and Central.
Steven Miles, a member of the AFRECS Board, has been using his Arabic during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, including travels through Jordan and the West Bank.
We send our condolences to Ellen Davis, Board member of AFRECS, on the death of her husband Dwayne Huebner in Durham, North Carolina March 13th.
We are deeply grateful that contributions from you, our supporters, continue to nurture AFRECS in expanding our impact. You make a difference in the essential peacebuilding work of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, so needed in these challenging times. We hope you will make a contribution to support AFRECS’ work with the people of the Sudans and will offer a prayer for them. You can contribute online at https://afrecs.org or send a check made out to AFRECS to P.O. Box 3327, Alexandria, VA 22302.
This issue of the E-Blast was prepared by Board members Anita Sanborn and Richard Jones. Please send news from parishes and Diaspora congregations in North America, celebrations, losses, travels to and from the Sudans — or corrections and responses — to the editors at anitasanborn@gmail.com
