Bishop Moses writes from our link diocese in South Sudan
The Bishop of our link diocese of Maridi, Rt Revd Moses Zungo, has written to us at the start of Holy Week with urgent prayer requests and with encouragement to all of us to trust in God and his promises.
South Sudan is no longer officially free of Coronavirus, with the first case being detected in Juba. The bishop reports that there is much fear and confusion around Maridi as information is scarce. Even Archbishop Justin’s new directive to church members to remain in their houses to pray with their families on Sundays has not yet reached all parts of the diocese. “The outbreak of this pandemic is a great cultural shock here,” says Bishop Moses.
Churches in Maridi are, however, keeping the light of the gospel burning by ringing the church bells daily whilst the bishop and members of his clergy still worship morning and evening in their buildings. Christians are also being encouraged to share food with those who are in desperate need.
Bishop Moses guides us to pray…
The prices of commodities in the Market is now alarming for the local people to afford. We do not know for how long people are going to be lockdown. Pray for the displaced people who are still sharing household and food with the host communities in Maridi.
Bishops, pastors, evangelists who depend on the Christians’ support. They are asked by the directives of the Primate to keep the light of the gospel burning in the Churches by having daily and constantly prayers in the churches for their situation and their Christians. Pray that they may have means of food and soap.
Pray for Maridi students Revd Godfree Noel, Revd William Adam and Joseph Saba who are cut off from their families in Uganda when the borders closed and they are now in Uganda with strangers and without food and their families in stress in Maridi.
Pray that God continues to show us his favour and love and these communities who are still in total darkness may not experience the situation of coronavirus. We have just emerged from War and lives of people depend on the support of others like you who are praying and supporting us.
The light of Christ’s gospel is still burning in Maridi, as we enter Holy week, we still uplift Christ as our King and Saviour,’’ Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna … save us now, save us now, save us now … Jesus.
Encouragement
My encouragement to you all is “Be wise to take the necessary precautions”, but at the same time, pray the prayer of protection found in Psalms 91 daily. I encourage all believers in your parishes to speak the promises of God’s protection over themselves and their entire household and church. I’m reminded of a wonderful Scripture in Psalms 46:1–3 (NIV): “God is our refuge and strength, an ever–present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging”. With all my heart, I believe we continue to serve a good God who has already been to “tomorrow” and knows “the rest of the story”. While we continue to have great faith in God, we also must use our God–given wisdom during these times. +MosesMaridi