South Sudan: The Birth of a New Nation

The flag of South Sudan
Photo: Libby Dearing

Hello All:

What a wonderful time to be in South Sudan!!! We were privileged to be a witness to the birth of a new nation yesterday. Through Elias, a friend and UMCOR employee, we received invitations to attend the ceremony in Yei. We were seated under the shed (built new after being torn down by a storm) just behind the dignitaries who attended. We felt honored to be included. Many speeches were given, and we heard a lot about responsibility, respect, hard work, and struggle. One guy said, "Now is not the time to sit." There was a parade with many schools, women's groups, tribal dancers, and others participating.

Ceremonies in South Sudan
Photo: Libby Dearing

Even the local Muslims marched. The banners were handmade and held high with pride. People had come from everywhere and you could feel the excitement in the air. It was very moving when they took down the flag of Sudan and raised the flag of South Sudan. They even sacrificed two goats at the base of the flag. I wasn't particularly fond of that part, but it is part of their culture. Later, in his speech, Bishop Elias Taban said it isn't necessary to do that anymore because the blood of Jesus Christ is enough.

We returned home and soon received a call from Elias saying the tribal dancers were fantastic and he was coming to pick us up. He took us back to Freedom Square, where there was a sea of people as far as you could see. There were many circles with dust rising from each one. Soon the pastor from Yei UMC, Amos Taban, came and led us through the crowd. He took us to each group and cleared the crowd so we could be right at the edge to see. Several people kept trying to get us to join the dance, but Amos was pretty protective and said no. It was the most exciting thing we have seen in a while. At the end, we joined the gospel program where our children at Yei UMC were performing. They made us proud.

Just when we thought we were finished for the day, we received an invitation to dinner at UNMIS (United Nations Missions In Sudan). We had roasted goat (that was delicious), chicken, and rice. The coordinator of the event said they would now be changing their name to UNMISS (United Nations of South Sudan). We met people from Nepal, Wales, Russia, Holland, Pakistan, and Canada. Of course, many Sudanese were there. It was amazing to be in the presence of people from so many different places.

By the end of the day we were exhausted but so thrilled to have been a part of a truly historic event. It has made us appreciate the founding of our nation and realize what our ancestors went through to give us the freedom we enjoy today.

May each of you experience the freedom you have through Jesus Christ,

Fred and Libby

Fred and Libby Dearing are an Individual Volunteer couple. They are from the Holston Annual Conference and are assigned by Global Ministries to serve in Yei, South Sudan.  

Reflection from Mwilambwe Shabanza Cadet, Global Justice Volunteer

From July 3 to July 11, 2011, young people from across Africa gathered together in Nairobi, Kenya, to prepare for their eight-week term as Global Justice Volunteers (GJV). Through the GJV program, young adults live and learn with communities that are seeking justice in our world today. GJV is a program of the Mission & Evangelism Program Area and Women's Division of Global Ministries.

In the 2011 Global Justice Volunteers Africa Program, young adults are volunteering with three organizations in Kenya seeking justice around issues related to HIV/AIDS. Below is a reflection from Mwilambwe Shabanza Cadet (North Katanga Episcopal Area, DR Congo) following the orientation and training:

Mwilambwe Shabanza Cadet (left)
with 2009 Global Justice Volunteer John Atoyo
Photo: Gabriel G. Mungai

We are grateful to the Rev. Boye-Caulker from the Sierra Leone Annual Conference, Alice Otieno, director of the Comprehensive Rural Health Project in Kenya, and others about what we learned from them, such as fighting the injustice and violence against people who are HIV/AIDS carriers.

After the training, my team of four will be sent to work with the Comprehensive Rural Health Project in Kopanga. And I would like to ask young people from all over the world to pray for us in the upcoming weeks.

Reflection from Florence Kadie Lassayo, Global Justice Volunteer

From July 3 to July 11, 2011, young people from across Africa gathered together in Nairobi, Kenya, to prepare for their eight-week term as Global Justice Volunteers (GJV). Through the GJV program, young adults live and learn with communities that are seeking justice in our world today. GJV is a program of the Mission & Evangelism Program Area and Women's Division of Global Ministries.

In the 2011 Global Justice Volunteers Africa Program, young adults are volunteering with three organizations in Kenya seeking justice around issues related to HIV/AIDS. Below is a reflection from Florence Kadie Lassayo (Sierra Leone) following the orientation and training:

This training has really been a blessing to me in raising awareness and to address the root cause of injustices, as the heart of God is the heart of justice and HIV/AIDS in our communities and beyond.

Florence Kadie Lassayo (left)
with Madira Bwaza and Duhimbarwe Lionel
Photo: Gabriel G. Mungai

The video documentary titled "Coming to Say Goodbye" clearly exposed women's vulnerability in society. This tells me I have a great role in addressing the injustices and HIV/AIDS issues globally because, as a Christian, I must contribute to saving lives.

It is interesting to know that about 1.4 million Kenyans are HIV/AIDS carriers, and that women and children are more infected (out of every five persons with HIV/AIDS, approximately three are women).

Having looked at the root causes of HIV/AIDS and injustice, I hope to make a change. I am strongly convinced that if there are laws against discrimination, even distribution of resources and job opportunities will be created for persons living with HIV/AIDS, then the dream of hope will be realized…. And I am persuaded that with the effort of GJV projects, we will make a positive change.

Reflection from Duhimbarwe Lionel, Global Justice Volunteer

From July 3 to July 11, 2011, young people from across Africa gathered together in Nairobi, Kenya, to prepare for their eight-week term as Global Justice Volunteers (GJV). Through the GJV program, young adults live and learn with communities that are seeking justice in our world today. GJV is a program of the Mission & Evangelism Program Area and Women's Division of Global Ministries.

In the 2011 Global Justice Volunteers Africa Program, young adults are volunteering with three organizations in Kenya seeking justice around issues related to HIV/AIDS. Below is a reflection from Duhimbarwe Lionel (Burundi) following the orientation and training:

Duhimbarwe Lionel (left) with Bishop Daniel Wandabula
of the East Africa Annual Conference
Photo: Gabriel G. Mungai

Before I got to the one week of training at the Methodist Guesthouse and Conference Centre, GJV was somehow strange to me. I didn't know before what exactly we would have to do. But when we started the training, day by day, I began to understand that we, as GJVs, are called to show love and fight against injustice by helping persons affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS.

Because I haven't worked with people living with HIV/AIDS, I was before embarrassed because I was wondering how to work with them, until we went and visited persons affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS in Korogocho, one of Nairobi's slums. I came from there convinced that God has called me to work with persons living with HIV/AIDS, even in these six short weeks. I live about 800 meters from a hospital in my country, Burundi, but I didn't even pay attention to persons living with HIV/AIDS, and I realize now that they are often neglected and stigmatized by their family and the community….

This one week gave me the opportunity to live in harmony with others from different countries and cultures. It has been a big experience. All that has assured me that I didn't come for nothing. I'm here to bring my experience back home and to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, for a generation free from HIV/AIDS.

Reflection from Phenie Achieng Okidi, Global Justice Volunteer

From July 3 to July 11, 2011, young people from across Africa gathered together in Nairobi, Kenya, to prepare for their eight-week term as Global Justice Volunteers (GJV). Through the GJV program, young adults live and learn with communities that are seeking justice in our world today. GJV is a program of the Mission & Evangelism Program Area and Women's Division of Global Ministries.

In the 2011 Global Justice Volunteers Africa Program, young adults are volunteering with three organizations in Kenya seeking justice around issues related to HIV/AIDS. Below is a reflection from Phenie Achieng Okidi (Kenya) following the orientation and training:

During my training, I learned that justice is God's nature, so any injustice done is first done to God, because justice is the core of God's heart. I learned three main things that the Lord requires of us throughout mission: to do justice, show mercy and loving-kindness, and walk in humility with the Lord.

Phenie Achieng Okidi (left) with Regional Missionary Finda Quiwa
and 2009 Global Justice Volunteer John Atoyo
Photo: Gabriel G. Mungai

I also learned that mission calls us to hear Christ and listen to people's stories in the community we belong to. About theology of mission, I came to realize that it looks at the practical issues about God to His people. My mission as a GJV is integrated, both spiritual and physical.

I hope that, through my training, I shall never be the same again but will create a difference in my society because of the knowledge which has been impacted on me and the experience I will have during my volunteer term.

Reflection from Ake Ble Leon Nathan, Global Justice Volunteer

From July 3 to July 11, 2011, young people from across Africa gathered together in Nairobi, Kenya, to prepare for their eight-week term as Global Justice Volunteers (GJV). Through the GJV program, young adults live and learn with communities that are seeking justice in our world today. GJV is a program of the Mission & Evangelism Program Area and Women's Division of Global Ministries.

In the 2011 Global Justice Volunteers Africa Program, young adults are volunteering with three organizations in Kenya seeking justice around issues related to HIV/AIDS. Below is a reflection from Ake Ble Leon Nathan (Côte D'Ivoire) following the orientation and training:

Front Row (left to right): Florence Lassayo (Sierra Leone), Pauline Komo Odinga (DRC - Central Congo Conference), Phenie Achieng Okidi (Kenya), Ndamira Florence (Rwanda), Rev. Kat Sal Nenette (DRC- South Congo Conference). Back Row (left to right): Lionel Duhimbarwe (Burundi), Madira Bwaza (Uganda), Ake Ble Leon Nathan (Cote D’Ivoire), Bishop Daniel Wandabula, Mwilambwe Shabanza Cadet (DRC – North Katanga Conference). Photo: Kim Lehmann

I, Ake Ble Leon Nathan, representative of Côte D'Ivoire in the Global Justice Volunteers Africa Program, participated in the orientation and training at the Methodist Guesthouse and Conference Centre on the theme: "United Methodist Young People Responding to the Challenge exposed by HIV/AIDS."

We were nine representatives from different countries, including Burundi, Côte D'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone. During the week, we had Bible studies, country reports, and different presentations on mission, HIV/AIDS, and conflict resolution. We also had presentations from the three organizations where we will be serving as volunteers: 

• Grassroots Organizations Operating Together in Sisterhood Kenya (GROOTS Kenya)
• Kenya Network of Women with HIV/AIDS (KENWA)
• Comprehensive Rural Health Project

Ake Ble Leon Nathan (standing)
Photo: Gabriel G. Mungai

During the week, we also dealt with our concerns, the societal issues, and our expectations…. I personally learned a lot from this training. I was touched by the HIV/AIDS overview and the specific concerns. I also learned about Christian mission towards the society, such as expressing love and doing justice and righteousness.