Six Months in Sudan

I have been knocked out. First there was the generosity of the friend, who dropped "Six Months in Sudan" through my door, with the most kindly note. Secondly there was the book itself.

Having read, I treasure even more the photos of Kera, with its healthy children and the clean environment. Truly a miracle in the midst of what was, then, the most terrible war. I know I keep on saying, "These people have nothing." Each time I think I have finally realised fully what that means. But I never have. Always there is another landmine of truth on the path to understanding.

If your heart is open to Sudan and its people, you might like to walk the path of understanding too. One way to begin (or bravely continue) is with the eyewitnes testimony:
http://www.sixmonthsinsudan.com/page/blog/

I know I should say a word of caution. Sudan is an enormous country: the biggest in Africa. Its geography is very varied. Perhaps we could just see Abyei as a way to begin to understand a little better that a civil war and its suffering does not finally end with the peace agreement.

Summer vacation coming up

How are you doing over there? The slip I sent you last time shows the next years fees structure. You can check the second year first semester and get the amount which we are to pay for the August semester.

About the 589 pounds what do you mean? The amount I am remaining with in my account or that we are to pay next semester? Sorry for the confusion on my side.

I am already planning to go to Sudan minus meeting Robin.

Greetings to every body over there and wish you a happy time. I know it will be hard to communicate to you but I will try my best I am going to miss you people because communicating to you is like living together with you all. God bless you all, your brother in Christ Mike

A great day out - and support for Mike Yemba

Most unusually, I haven't heard from Mike this week, so I expect all the students have had to take the December exams again, and are busy with those. (You will remember that the University lost all the marks in its computer system.)

So I hope you won't mind a message from me.

On 16th May, the Winterborne and Milton Abbas Benefice will be holding its annual Valley Walk. This gives those taking part a chance to walk from Turnworth to Milton Abbas in five easy and very beautiful stages, stopping at each of the benefice churches on the way. Or you could just do one stage, or two or three - whatever you like. We finish at Milton Abbas, where a most wonderful tea is always provided in the Reading Room. As well as having a great day out in (usually) brilliant May weather - but do pray for that, if you will - we also have the opportunity to be sponsored, and to raise money for our churches and a good cause. This year, the organisers have kindly suggested that the good cause could be the support we are giving to Mike Yemba Soro.

If you would like to take part, please e-mail me at

jenny.galuschka@hotmail.co.uk, and I will send you the information and forms you will need.

The picture above is people arriving at Milton Abbas last year.

Chris (the Diocesan Accountant) has just let me know that he has sent over £500 to Nairobi for Mike, so we have more than covered his first year's costs. Well done everybody! The next target is to raise enough money to pay the next lot of fees in August. I am expecting what will look like a steep rise in costs for us, as the British pound has been declining steadily against other currencies. So any and all contributions will be very welcome.

If anyone else would like to commit to giving by standing order, (even if only once a year - even if just a small amount) please let me know, and I can provide the appropriate form for you.

Yours in Christ Jesus, Jenny

Mike Yemba's first year exam results

Thank you very much for every thing. I started my exams last week and I am now left with two units to complete for the semester, and wait for the next semester. Every semester we do a total of six units as it keeps on increasing; if we reach third and fourth year it will increase to seven units. I am not really happy because I have not got the results I expected.
(Mike actually passed everything - with 2 Bs and 3 Ds.)

I am trying my best that I work harder and get the best that I can as seen from the results sent. Some of the results were not recorded due to the disappearance from the computer. The lecturers do not have a copy - that's why they were not recorded; so we (the whole class) are expecting to re- do it again so that it will be recorded. I am planning to meet Robin but I think he is too busy, so I don't know what to do because after finishing the computer course I will then plan to travel to Sudan. (This refers to Robin Bragg, who is in Kenya at the moment, and who successfully delivered a donated laptop to Mike.) I pray the plan you are laying goes successfully for the benefit of the people. May God lead you all in what you do. (This refers to the benefice's Mission Action Plan - which every parish and benefice in the Diocese is currently working on.)

God bless you all. Greetings from Mogga and the rest.

Your brother in Christ, Mike

Prayer for peace

Bishop Francis has asked us to go on praying for the peace of Sudan.Please pray in your own way, or perhaps you'd like to say "Amen" to my prayer:

Father, I know that our Sudanese brothers and sisters have treasured Christ's peace in their hearts, even as the civil war raged around them. I pray that his love and peace may continue to be very real for them, as they work to build the human peace. Sometimes that peace must seem so fragile, and so threatened. I pray especially that you our mighty God will overrule everything that threatens the comprehensive peace agreement.

A word from Bishop Francis

Lovely to hear from you Jenny.

While mama Linda is preparing to leave for the Sudan, I was grateful that she was able to communicate with you and I think it is good that Internet has made communication easier to reach each other.

Yes, indeed God has some purpose for the link with the diocese of Rokon, where we need to share prayers together and so giving us all strength that we may need in this Ministry

We also thank you for your support in sending Mike the laptop for his private use.

Thank you and may the Lord bless you all including the Rector and the Christians. Enjoy the lovely weather of UK.

Love,

Bishop Loyo.

A Beautiful Easter and a happy meeting

Mike writes:

How was the beautiful sunny Easter? We had a beautiful sunny Easter too.We organized and met with Robin at the Airport unfortunately we did not have enough time to talk since they had organized to proceed to Nakuru. It was a pleasure to meet with a new friend and I was happy to see him. We are organizing to meet after my exams, if every thing goes well, so that we can have nice time together.I got the laptop and it is so nice that it can facilitate my activities effectively in my education. I thank you all for the special gift you have given me.Greetings to all the friends and the family members. Your brother in Christ, Mike