Kadugli Diocese SOMA Visit
2
May God bless you for your support! Kadugli Link Therefore go and make disciples of all nations... We’re off to the Sudan! Dear Friends, When Jesus sent his followers out to make disciples of all nations, it must have seemed like a pretty big task. Most of them only had their feet to carry them in the mission God planted in their hearts, and yet the Gospel spread like wildfire. Today we can get halfway around the world before the evening news, but the task is still just as big. Matt 28.19-20 reads, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” There are still so many people who have yet to hear about God’s love for them, and we are all called to help them to hear. Invitation As part of that great calling, our SOMA team (Sharing of Ministry Abroad) has been invited by Bishop Andudu of Kadugli and the Nuba Mountains to lead a conference to help plant a discipleship course called Rooted in Jesus in the city of Kadugli on the North/South border of Sudan. Rooted in Jesus is a course similar to Alpha, but written specifically for an African context. It focuses on a practical approach to faith, and has already seen huge success all over Africa. Currently it is being used in 9 countries and has been translated into 24 different languages. The team will help lead the course for many of the clergy and evangelists from all over the diocese, with the aim that these leaders will then be able to plant the course in their own communities throughout the huge area that Kadugli and the Nuba Mountains encompasses. Context Sudan is a hurting country. In 2009 alone, more than 2.500 people were killed and 350,000 fled their homes. But although there are still areas of insecurity, the general situation in Sudan regarding peace is more hopeful than for many years. A peace agreement, the CPA, was signed at the end of 2004, but after 30 years of civil war, the country is devastated, and will need a huge amount of support over many years. At the moment we are in a window of opportunity, a window that may close at the end of the referendum in January 2010 to decide whether the country will remain united or divide into North and South. Having said that, the Church is one of the few organisations that remained in place, even though to a varying extent, throughout the conflict. So it is in a unique position to give a lead in forming the new nation of Southern Sudan–if the Christians are encouraged to accept this challenge. FIVE FACTS: THE SUDAN 1. SUDAN IS HUGE! The Sudan is the largest country in Africa, and the tenth largest country in the whole world. 2. BIG BUSINESS Sudan is rich in resources like petroleum and crude oil, although resources are not distributed evenly. 3. NORTH AND SOUTH Sudan is roughly divided into ethnically and religiously Muslim north and Christian south. There has been war and unrest between the two for much of Sudan’s recent history 4. SAY THAT AGAIN... There are 133 languages spoken throughout the Sudan 5. HOMEWARD BOUND Sudan is a country of refugees. In Khartoum alone, there are 2 million displaced people from the Southern war zones, as well as those fleeing conflicts in nearby countries. OCT 2010
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A newsletter about a SOMA visit to the diocese of Kadugli in Sudan.
Transcript of Kadugli Diocese SOMA Visit
May God bless you for your support!
Kadug l i Link
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...
We’re off to the Sudan!
Dear Friends,
When Jesus sent his followers out to make disciples of all nations, it must have seemed like a pretty big task. Most of them only had their feet to carry them in the mission God planted in their hearts, and yet the Gospel spread like wildfire. Today we can get halfway around the world before the evening news, but the task is still just as big. Matt 28.19-20 reads, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” There are still so many people who have yet to hear about God’s love for them, and we are all called to help them to hear.
Invitation
As part of that great calling, our SOMA team (Sharing of Ministry Abroad) has been invited by Bishop Andudu of Kadugli and the Nuba Mountains to lead a conference to help plant a discipleship course called Rooted in Jesus in the
city of Kadugli on the North/South border of Sudan. Rooted in Jesus is a course similar to Alpha, but written specifically for an African context. It focuses on a practical approach to faith,
and has already seen huge success all over Africa. Currently it is being used in 9 countries and has been translated into 24 different languages. The team will help lead the course for many of the clergy and evangelists from all over the diocese, with the aim that these leaders will then be able to plant the course in their own communities throughout the huge area that Kadugli and the Nuba Mountains encompasses.
ContextSudan is a hurting country. In 2009 alone, more than 2.500 people were killed and 350,000 fled their homes. But although there are still areas of insecurity, the general situation in Sudan regarding peace is more hopeful than for many years. A peace agreement, the CPA, was signed at the end of 2004, but after 30 years of civil war, the country is devastated, and will need a huge amount of support over many years. At the moment we are in a window of opportunity, a window that may close at the end of the referendum in January 2010 to decide whether the country will remain united or divide into North and South. Having said that, the Church is one of the few organisations that remained in place, even though to a varying extent, throughout the conflict. So it is in a unique position to give a lead in forming the new nation of Southern Sudan–if the Christians are encouraged to accept this challenge.
FIVE FACTS: THE SUDAN
1.SUDAN IS HUGE!The Sudan is the largest country in Africa, and the tenth largest country in the whole world.
2.BIG BUSINESSSudan is rich in resources like petroleum and crude oil, although resources are not distributed evenly.
3.NORTH AND SOUTHSudan is roughly divided into ethnically and religiously Muslim north and Christian south. There has been war and unrest between the two for much of Sudan’s recent history
4.SAY THAT AGAIN...There are 133 languages spoken throughout the Sudan
5.HOMEWARD BOUNDSudan is a country of refugees. In Khartoum alone, there are 2 million displaced people from the Southern war zones, as well as those fleeing conflicts in nearby countries.
OCT 2010
May God bless you for your support!
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col 2.6-7
Itinerary13 Nov Dep 1900 Heathrow14 Nov Arr 0630 Nairobi Dep 1150 Nairobi Arr 1330 Juba15 Nov MAF Flight Juba to Kadugli16 Nov Conference 1, day 1/417 Nov Conference 1, day 2/418 Nov Conference 1, day 3/419 Nov Conference 1, day 4/420 Nov Rest and travel21 Nov Preach, rest, travel22 Nov Conference 2, day 1/423 Nov Conference 2, day 2/424 Nov Conference 2, day 3/425 Nov Conference 2, day 4/426 Nov Rest and travel27 Nov MAF Flights Kadugli to Juba28 Nov Dep 1420 Juba Arr 1600 Nairobi Dep 2345 Nairobi29 Nov Arr 0545 Heathrow
Pray with us!We will need lots of prayer while we prepare to go to Kadugli, and lots more while we’re there. Revelation 8
talks about God using our our prayers as thunder, lightening and even earthquakes - it’s powerful stuff !
So when you hold us in prayer you are on the front lines of God’s mission. We thank you so much for being faithful in this work!
Prayer Needs:
Thanksgiving:
• For the invitation from Bishop Andudu
• For the willingness and flexibility of the team
• For the opportunity to partner with our Sudanese brothers and sisters
• For our team of intercessors
• For God’s provision of all our needs
• For all those who generously support us, particularly those involved in the Quiz Night for Kadugli at St Michael’s Church Room
Prayer Needs:
• For logistical details to fall into place regarding flights, visas, jabs, and printed resources for the conference
• For communication with Bishop Andudu as he is in a remote area of the diocese
• For the safety and health for both the team and the delegates during our stay
• For discernment for the team and for us to gel quickly as a team
• For the empowering of the Holy Spirit as we lead the Rooted in Jesus course
• For blessing on Kadugli and the Nuba Mountains
• For protection for family left behind
• For Annie’s fear of snakes and other creepy crawlies - eek!
• For the covering of our financial needs, as they are still great
Financial gifts are very welcome and necessary!!!
We still need in the region of £1500 to cover our travel costs and the Sudanese delegates’ travel, accommodation and course fees.
Please make cheques payable to St Michael’s Church, Melksham, marked for SOMA team. Gift Aid will apply.
THE TEAM
Stephen DinsmoreDirector of SOMA UK
Annie WintourAssociate priest in the Melksham team ministry. This is Annie’s fourth SOMA team, but first time to the Sudan.
Claire JohnsonCurate in the Melksham team ministry and Holt Benefice. This is Claire’s first time anywhere in Africa.
Stephen HolmesVicar of Great and Little Leighs in the Chelmsford Diocese.
Paul OakleyTutor training Missional Leaders with the Church Army Mission Based Training Centre in Sheffield.
Eunice KamauDirector of SKILLS for Southern Sudan, and involved in the Anglican church in both Nairobi, Kenya and Juba, Sudan. Eunice is a friend of Annie’s.
OCT 2010
