Under the Mango and Under the Beech
Archbishop Samuel Peni conducting the business of the Diocese under a mango tree in Yei.
In the agricultural town of Yei in Central Equatoria, Archbishop Samuel Peni sits under a mango tree to receive visitors and make phone calls to care for Christians who refrain from gathering in buildings for worship in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19. To broadcast a sermon or instructions on public health, he goes to the studio of Radio Yambio.
Parishioners in Bedford, Virginia worshipping under a beech tree.
In the county seat of Bedford County, in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, Episcopalians refrain for the same reason from gathering to receive Holy Communion, but beginning on June 14th at 9 AM parishioners resumed meeting under a huge beech tree for Morning Prayer.
From plague, pestilence, and famine, both groups pray, “Good Lord, deliver us.” With all green trees upon the earth, both glorify the Lord.
Notes and News
A South Sudanese Political Dissident Seeks Asylum
By David Mayen Dengdit
I came to the United States in March 2018,.When I left South Sudan in February. I had two thoughts: either swallow my pride and return to South Sudan after a short trip to East Africa and the US or follow my heart and leave the country permanently.
What made my first choice somewhat enticing was my prestigious job as an aide to the country’s Vice-President-James Wani Igga, which availed me certain privileges and opportunities that few of my countrymen/women could enjoy. The second choice of leaving, which I ultimately took, was important for me to be at peace with my conscience.
Some weeks after arriving in the US, I explained the reasons for my resignation in an interview on Voice of America’s Focus on South Sudan. I cited the atrocious human rights violations and appalling war crimes I witnessed and that continued to be committed by a government I had served for five years.
A couple of months later, I decided to seek asylum in the US. I had hoped that my earlier brief stay with my wife and kids in Denver (2010-12) and (2006-7), in addition to having my mother and sisters in the US, would make my asylum process somewhat easier than what an average asylum seeker faces. I was wrong. Over the past two years, I have pursued my application for asylum through the Immigration Court to plead against removal proceedings.
To prove my worth and possible usefulness, I received admission at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. As a candidate for an LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy, I could apply and take the Bar examination. I hope that my education would be persuasive in the eyes of the immigration judge. However, the chances of my asylum request being granted remain very slim.
American friends have helped with the legal fees, which have been significant. Many of these friends are involved with AFRECS, and I have attended AFRECS meetings over the years. The situation regarding asylum seekers has been especially difficult in recent years in the US. All this is challenging, but I am thankful to have been given employment authorization to earn a living for my family. I ask for your prayers, as my next hearing is August 13th in Denver, CO.
[The author can be reached at mayen.ayarbior@gmail.com. His mother is Helen Achol Abyei, author of the plays Tribalism No More and Cultural Clash. Ed.]
A REMINDER . . . . and breaking news!
Breaking News: AFRECS has received a matching grant of $2,000 for COVID-19 relief in Sudan, so the first $2,000 of contributions will be matched, doubling the value to the people of Sudan. Please give today!
Reminder: AFRECS has long sought to help the Episcopal Church of South Sudan to build its capacity and raise its voice for peace and healing in South Sudan, and the current COVID-19 crisis raises an especially poignant call for our help in this regard. Rev. Dr. Joseph Bilal chairs a Task Force to mobilize all levels of the church in the campaign to address COVID-19. Our support will be vital in helping raise their collective voices. AFRECS is financing the purchase of MEGAPHONES for rural churches, a primary request of the Task Force, as well as support for radio broadcasts and the printing and distribution of educational materials. Please join members of the AFRECS Board and other friends who have already committed support for the ECS COVID-19 Task Force. Checks made out to AFRECS can be marked “Task Force.” You may also give online through the AFRECS website.
HELP US SUPPLY MEGAPHONES FOR RAISING VOICES!!!
Militias in Darfur killed dozens of people in a series of violent attacks. Crisis Group expert Jonas Horner says new Arab militias have emerged in the restive western region in response to fears that the government-supported return of displaced persons could lead to the redistribution of disputed land seized under Omar al-Bashir’s presidency. As civilians across Darfur demand greater protection, the government is bolstering its security forces. The escalating violence also jeopardizes the agricultural season on which millions in Darfur depend for their livelihoods, while underscoring the capacity of opponents to the country’s transition to foment unrest and spotlight government shortcomings.
Recent attacks have targeted the Masalit people of West Darfur. If strengthening of the army should occur at the expense of Rapid Support Forces, formerly the Jajawit, now headed by Hemedti, that could be a positive development. However, such a development is by no means certain.
https://www.nytimes.com/
From Eye Radio:
Schools won’t reopen any time soon
By Nana Alfred
The government will not reopen schools anytime soon, the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Education has said. This comes after Save the Children released a press statement on Monday, calling on the government of South Sudan to review COVID-19 measures on school closure.
In addition, UN agencies UNICEF and UNESCO had earlier called for reopening schools, claiming that some “evidence points to harm being done to children by not being in school”.
According to Undersecretary Kuyok Abol Kuyok, it is not safe to reopen schools, especially after the Ministry of Health and WHO released a statement, saying the spread of COVID-19 will increase by next week. “There is no country in the region that is now reopening. Kenya and Sudan have the worst experience of COVID-19 and they are not reopening. So why are they talking about us to reopen?” He asked. He stated that implementing partners should not pressure the government of South Sudan to reopen schools while other countries in the region have closed down schools for the rest of the year.
UNICEF and UNESCO based their argument on the fact that “most sectors gradually reopen, except the education sector . . . it is against this background that we encourage the authorities of South Sudan, as well as communities, parents, and teachers to employ the same agility and urgency to safely reopen schools,” they said in an editorial published on 21 July.
“The long-term impact of extending the school lockdown risks ever greater harm to children, their future and their communities. Sadly, on these fronts, the evidence is overwhelming.”
However, Kuyok said children and communities must be protected against the pandemic. “Save the Children, UNICEF, UNESCO, and World Health Organization, [should] support the government’s plan for safe reopening, not to pressure us to open schools,” he stressed.
https://eyeradio.org/schools-
From Voice of America
South Sudan misses deadline to form new parliament.
By Waakhe Simon Wudu July 27, 2020
JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN – Parties to South Sudan’s revitalized peace deal missed a regional deadline Sunday to dissolve and reconstitute parliament. A July 14 communiqué by East African bloc IGAD (Inter-Governmental Authority on Development), which mediated South Sudan’s peace agreement, called on President Salva Kiir to dissolve the current National Legislative Assembly by July 26.
A partial unity government was formed five months ago, but parliament has yet to be reconstituted and Kiir appointed state governors just a few weeks ago. Information Minister Michael Makuei told VOA’s South Sudan In Focus that the parties are still working on “the process” of reconstituting parliament.
https://www.voanews.com/