Strengthening the threefold cord – Maridi trip 2012
‘A threefold cord is not quickly broken.’ With these words from Ecclesiastes 4:12 planted firmly in our hearts, a ten–strong team set off for the Diocese of Maridi, South Sudan, on 21 October 2012.
The threefold cord perfectly describes Down and Dromore’s link with Maridi Diocese which is a unique concept of mission across three continents: Albany (USA) and Down and Dromore sharing together in Mission with the Church in South Sudan. This was the first time in the history of the link that all three Bishops were together in Maridi, adding to the significance of the trip.
The team was led by David Gough, CMS Ireland’s Partnership Co–ordinator for the region. David is a regular visitor to South Sudan and vital to the outworking of the link. Also travelling from Down and Dromore were Bishop Harold Miller; eye surgeon, Trevor Buchanan; dermatologist and NSM, Revd Rory Corbett; his wife and a former nurse, Jane; Communications Officer, Annette McGrath and video cameraman, John Hamilton. Bishop Bill Love joined us from Albany along with Kevin Steckline, a nurse practitioner and his wife, Revd Donna, a deacon in the diocese.
To say that we were warmly welcomed in Maridi does our hosts an injustice. On arrival, our route to the compound was lined with hundreds of singing, swaying schoolchildren until we were met at the gates by Mothers’ Union members who had travelled from all over the diocese. Bishops Bill and Harold were garlanded with tinsel and we were led into a pavilion where the children and youth sang for us. Mothers’ Union then washed the feet of each team member in turn – a humbling experience – before the Bishop, Rt Revd Justin Badi, formally welcomed us to Maridi diocese. Everywhere we went this pattern of loud, joyful welcome repeated itself. People travelled long distances to meet us, gave us the seats of highest honour and shared what little food they had. After the initial handshakes, heads bowed, they always thanked God for our safe arrival, something no one takes for granted in South Sudan.
This dependence on God as protector and provider is very real and reflects the fragility of existence in this, the youngest country in the world. Sudan’s recent history is blighted by a war that killed and dispossessed millions, destroyed its infrastructure and set health and education back by decades. The South gained independence in 2011 but the economy is weak, prices are high and there are still unresolved issues with the border and the sharing of oil revenues.
Maridi diocese is 115 miles north to south and 37 miles wide and is in the state of Western Equatoria which borders Congo and the Central African Republic. The state was once known as the breadbasket of Sudan and is part of the very fertile ‘greenbelt’ that includes Eastern and Central Equatoria. The people are mostly agriculturalists but much of the countryside is still uncultivated after the war and, more recently, after incursions by The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) terror grouping. The diocese has 6 archdeaconries and 56 parishes but 113 churches. It has 86 active pastors, none of whom receive a salary.
Despite their many hardships and the fragile nature of the peace, everyone we met was proud of their new country and hopeful for the future. Bishop Justin and his team recognise the church as central to the prosperity of South Sudan and are committed to training more teachers; improving and equipping school buildings; upgrading the health clinic facilities and providing clean water. They continue to share the love of Christ in word as well as deed – equipping evangelists, discipling new believers and raising up the church leaders of the future.
The Youth Conference, held for young people from all around the diocese and beyond, is part of this witness and two of our number, Kevin and Donna Steckline, played a significant role. They taught and lead seminars and carefully negotiated cultural differences on topics such as, ‘How to choose a life partner’ (not an easy one!). Kevin and Donna also had the joy of seeing the 200 mosquito nets for which they had fundraised back home, arrive on the MAF aircraft which we then boarded for the flight home.
We shared several worship services together, one of the highlights of which was the evangelistic youth rally. Many came forward to express a commitment to Christ and for prayers for healing. In the end, every person present was anointed with oil by one of the three bishops and for most of the team the cathedral became a ‘thin place’ as we experienced a strong sense of the presence of God. Bishop Bill preached a powerful sermon at the closing of the Youth Conference on Sunday morning and then we went out, two by two, to help with Morning Prayer at nearby parishes.
The compound where we stayed is part of a diocesan campus which includes Maridi Cathedral, the diocesan offices, Bethsaida Clinic, Haddow Primary, Haddow Secondary and Chaima Christian Institute. The Mothers’ Union also has an impressive Development Centre which is home to several initiatives that help support women and families. These include a shop selling locally made crafts, a hen house, kitchen, craft room and a couple of small plots growing sorghum and rice. Mothers’ Union plays a vital role in the diocese and at present has over 900 members who, incidentally, are wonderful singers and dancers!
The diocesan schools, built mainly with financial support from link parishes through CMS Ireland, are doing well and education remains a top priority for Bishop Justin. Haddow Primary School has 782 in attendance and is the best performing primary in Maridi County. Up until now the school had only 8 classrooms but on our last day in Maridi, Bishop Bill Love had the honour of opening 2 brand new blocks of 4 classrooms each. Metal–framed desks are ordered and the rooms should soon be in use. We also visited Christ Town School in Maridi Town and several schools meeting under trees in the Archdeaconries. Supplying good teachers is another high priority and 3 are currently in training at Yei Teacher Training College, 2 of whom are being supported by St Gall’s in the Diocese of Down.
South Sudan has the highest incidence of infective eye disease in the world, the highest maternal mortality rate and the lowest child immunisation rate, yet the country has only 10 certified midwives and 88 practising doctors. There is a mountain to climb, but work has already started in the local context with Bethsaida Clinic. Our doctors Trevor and Rory were able to reassess the current medical care and run both an eye and a skin clinic. It was sometimes frustrating, both because of the lack of available drugs and because many of the eye cases were too advanced. Trevor had, however, brought pairs of glasses with him and ‘Mama Jane’ had the joy of supervising eye tests and helping to dispense them to those most in need.
Particularly moving were our ministry visits to two Archdeaconries that have suffered under incursions from the LRA. On the way to Eddi, 17 miles and nearly 3 hours away by road, we stopped at a deserted church where the pastor had been shot dead as he sat round the fire with his family. Several of the Mother’s Union members at Eddi had had children abducted by the group, never to be seen again. There are many stories of torture and death, but, despite unimaginable suffering, faith in God still burns brightly in the hearts of these Christians.
A candle also burns brightly every Sunday in Maridi Cathedral. It’s a ‘Think Again’ candle (from Down and Dromore,) lit as a reminder of the links with Down and Dromore and Albany. Now, a banner from Albany showing three different coloured cords connecting the 3 dioceses to the Holy Spirit (a dove) will also hang there. Bishop Justin remarked during our stay that, “Every person in our diocese knows about Down and Dromore. Every person knows about Albany and every person knows about CMS Ireland.”
Over the next couple of months we will be working on a collection of short videos and reports about Maridi. It’s our prayer that, before too long, every person in Down and Dromore will know about Maridi Diocese and that even more of us will become full participants in this very special partnership.
See a selection of photos in our gallery here.