Supporting our link diocese of Maridi
The Very Revd Geoff Wilson, Dean of Dromore and Maridi Partnership Link Coordinator, invites us to give generously to the Gift Day this Advent Sunday. He writes:
As you will know, 10% of the Gift Day total given across the diocese will go to our brothers and sisters in South Sudan where the need is great.
The country was just getting on its feet after 20 years of civil war when conflict broke out again in 2013 with devastating consequences (see below). Since 2018 there has been a fragile peace but now there is Coronavirus to deal with on top of hunger, rising prices and the displacement of millions of people.
It is a privilege to be in partnership with Bishop Moses and Maridi Diocese, a relationship that began in 1999. They are making every effort to respond to the hardship around them, sharing the gospel and meeting practical needs out of their own scant resources.
Their determination and resilience are humbling. Please pray and give generously on 29 November.
Thank you
Dean Geoff
Giving
All gifts are channelled through CMSI. This arrangement offers accountability and partnership in responding to the huge needs in Mardi diocese.
Recent giving from within Down and Dromore was spent on:
Financial support for Pastors/Evangelists through the payment of stipends. As churches were not able to meet due to Covid–19, there were no offerings being received and stipends are covered directly from offerings in Maridi.
Provision of seeds for planting, oil for cooking, food to eat, soap for hygiene and protection.
Purchase of 20 bicycles for Evangelists to carry them and their message (Gospel and Covid–19 awareness) into more remote communities.
The building of an extension to the Bethsaida clinic currently being used during this rainy season as a shelter for those waiting for treatment.
Support for ministry students stranded in Uganda following closure of borders during lockdown.
Background
Since conflict broke out in 2013:
Almost 400,000 people killed
2.2 million refugees and 1.5 million displaced inside the country
More than 6 million are living on the brink of famine
Less than half of the country’s health care facilities are functioning, and many in operation are poorly equipped and understaffed. There are four ventilators in total.
Rising prices due to the weakness of the Sudanese Pound
Rank in Human Development Index: 186 of 189*
If a parish is interested in engaging in a more meaningful relationship with Maridi through a partnership link, then they should contact Linda Abwa at CMSI, Belfast Office on (028) 9077 5020 or email info@cmsireland.org.
*The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistical tool used to measure a country’s overall achievement in its social and economic dimensions. The social and economic dimensions of a country are based on the health of people, their level of education attainment and their standard of living.