Microsoft word - brief report on the soma team visit to wonduruba

Brief Report on the SOMA Team visit to Wonduruba, October 2013.

Introduction
Wonduruba Diocese is located 85 miles West of Juba, but the journey there is currently longer as
access is via Lainya. Wonduruba is currently under Bishop Enoch Tombe of Rejaf, but expects to
become a Diocese in 2014. The suffragen Bishop responsible is Bishop Matthew Taban Peter.
During the war, the LRA were active there before being expelled by the SPLA. Gold was
discovered and the SPLA mined and exported it to Uganda to raise money for weapons. The gold
field is now being developed by the Chinese.
Wonduruba has had a reputation for being a troubled area. In colonial times, the British split the
administration of the local Pojulu tribe between Juba and Yei. After the CPA there was a strong
desire among the tribe to be reunited under a single administration, but the size of the area did not
allow for a County and sharp disagreement arose about whether they should be under Juba, or
Lainya, which erupted in violence. An attempt to hold a SOMA conference there in 2011 had to be
abandoned because of the insecurity. The political issue has now been resolved, and the area is now
peaceful, but there is an aftermath of bitterness. The new Bishop, Matthew Taban sees
reconciliation as his primary objective, and he saw the SOMA Conference as an opportunity to
bring everyone together and forward the process of reconciliation. The workshops were designed
with this in mind.
Travel was difficult. We took over six hours to get from Juba to Wonduruba, having lost time when
the lorry carrying the food and baggage became bogged down and had to be rescued. The journey
back was easier, though we did have to register on the Monday with immigration, somewhat
ironically as we were flying that afternoon! Gogonya dealt with this for us, but had to take $60 per
person plus the usual passport photo.
The Team
In Wonduruba we were a team of seven -
Five from UK: Rev Ron and Creddy Hart, Mrs Janet Darg-Forsyth, Rev Ann Fielden and Rev
Malcolm Pritchard. (The invitation from Bishop Peter being actively supported by Bishop Enoch
Tombe),
And two from South Sudan: Evans Gogonya Israel and Charles Alfred William Lasu (who everyone
knows as Lobalang, meaning “Salt”).
In UK there was a large team of people interceding for us, and we attempted to stay in touch with
them by sending and receiving regular texts and e-mails.
The Conference
The Bishop had invited 277 Youth from all five archdeaconries, as well as some clergy, women and
laity representative to make a total number of 350 participants. In the event, youth from two of the
archdeaconries were prevented from coming by local chiefs, but other took their place and a total of
370 people attended (321 at the beginning). The ages of the youth ranged from 12 up, with the
majority in their late teens, and the oldest of the adults was 90 as far as we could tell. Some were
illiterate, a few had had educational opportunities, others could write. While some spoke English,
the common language was Bari, and the Bishop kindly provided two interpreters. The cost of food
and transport for the delegates was met by a grant from SOMA, with the help of a substantial grant
from the Diocese of Salisbury. (The Team met their own costs as far as Juba).
The Bishop was present for the whole of the conference, often joining in from the front, and also
joined the team to make our own group for the Ephesians Bible Studies. This meant that the
conference had a strong feel of a ministry being shared with the local church, and we were glad to
encourage this by being sensitive to the opportunity. The local Paramount Chief (a Christian),
attended some of the conference and made a valued contribution, as did the local Payam Director,
so there was also the feel of the whole community being involved. The local army chief called in to
greet us and assure us that we were under their protection.
The major theme running through the conference was reconciliation. The teaching programme
included teaching on the life and death of Jesus, the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, healing, outreach,
prayer and bible reading. There were workshops on reconciliation, drama, marriage and the issues
of early marriage. The original programme was adapted to cater for the younger element present,
and in general the youth were looking forwards rather than back. We had a daily Bible study on
Ephesians in small groups with a plenary discussion. We also had two joyous sessions of games,
and to the delight of all ages we played ‘balloon volleyball’ and balloon relay races – quite a feat
given the large numbers involved.
The final session each evening included times of ministry, sometimes with symbolic acts. We wrote
our sins on small pieces of paper, placed them in a bowl at the foot of a wooden cross as an act of
confession, and then processed outside with the cross for absolution followed by burning the papers
in the bowl - a ceremony which was very moving. On another evening we prayed for healing -
many people came forward for the laying on of hands and anointing with oil. On another evening
we prayed for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. On the last night we processed outside behind the
cross, and formed a large circle around the cross where we had previously ‘burnt our sins,’ before
linking hands. The linked hands were raised to form the shape of a crown, and we proclaimed
together “Jesus is Lord of our church and Lord of Wonduruba” and the Bishop said the final prayer.
On the final Saturday we had a question and answer time, opportunity for feedback and testimony,
and then the presentation of certificates. And of course there was much singing and joyful dancing,
before the delegates finally left for their various archdeaconries. Sunday was our last day - Ron
preached in the pro-Cathedral, and the rest of the team was divided between four local churches and
so had the opportunity to see more of the area.
Feedback
We were the first visitors for very many years, and our presence generated excitement and curiosity.
Bishop Matthew and the delegates all spoke with warmth and enthusiasm for the conference - it had
come at just the right time for them, and they said it had greatly helped the reconciliation process.
Many delegates said they would leave with a renewed determination to forgive and to love.
Some people received healing, including one elderly man who came with a walking stick, and left
having been dancing. A young girl we prayed for after she became ill with fear having seen a bad
omen on the ground which foretold her imminent death, left feeling well and smiling. Many others
spoke of being healed or of having received the Holy Spirit afresh. One woman who had harboured
unforgiveness towards her husband and had found it hard to receive ministry felt she had been set
free - “my heart is now open”. One woman accepted Christ as saviour for the first time.
Some more comments are shown in Appendix A.
What next?
 If possible, the Bishop would like a follow-up conference in November 2014 and will make renewed efforts to invite everyone. Meanwhile the work of reconciliation will continue.  The delegates have committed themselves to sharing the teaching with others when they get to their home parishes, and also to forgiving those they had been distrusting.  The Bishop would like a link in the Salisbury Diocese. Appendix A: Feedback from some of the delegates (mostly verbatim)

1. In a letter from Rev Ekelia Poni Zakara, MU Leader

“We will like to express our selve for these enjoyfull days of SOMA work shop, which has teach us
many things which has transforms our lives in Wonduruba as a whole
- teached us Bible Studies programme - they also teached us how to forgive one another - early marriages, which is very commonly happening in our community in Wonduruba - they also teached us how to pray which is communication with God and prayer is also a - united in the body of Christ which is the best life in Christianity life - peace and reconciliation, which bis newly introduce this SOMA team in Wonduruba Area Diocese, and we thank God for his plan for us , as people of Wonduruba. NB We thank God for your coming here to the people of Wonduruba which has transformed our lives and this is the right time for our communities to come together. Then as you go you can remember us and don’t forget us in the spirit of God. We wish to see you again.
Regards: Rev Elkelia Poni Zakara. Mothers Union Leader.”

2. In a letter from Lomeling Elias, Youth Leader

“We thank God for the victory He has given us though his servant Rt.Rev. Matthew Taban Peter
our farther in Christ …and the Lord has sent us his servants from the United Kingdom, particularly
England, who have come to empower us and has built our faith integrity. The holiness of the Lord is
seen on our faces since our SOMA (Sharing of Ministry Abroad) has taught us many topics that
have changed our lives, we believe 99% of the total attendance has changed many of us into
Christ….We believe the Spirit of the Lord is with us because he has sent his children to teach us
about the Good News. In the book of Hebrews 13:14-16, 18 let the brotherly love continue.”

3. Other comments, when asked ‘how will you put what you have learnt into practice?’

“I am going to teach those not here.”

“God help us through prayer of healing. I was ill for a long time, but when I received prayers, I myself received healing power. I am now healed.” “When we leave here I will put into practice. We are going to forgive our enemy. We can reconcile with them and love one another.” “Continue to pray, forgive those who do wrong to me, help those who need God’s word.” “Preach the message in a right way. Loving one another, forgiving one another.” “Speak the good news to others. Pray for the sick.” “I am going to teach those who were not here. To love one another as we love ourself. To forgive somebody who do wrong to us.” Appendix B. Programme, amended while we were there

Monday 21 Oct 13
Introductions & welcomes and -1000 with Praise & Worship
Teaching Session 1: ‘What did Jesus do and teach?’ (RfL A1-2) - Ron Teaching Session 2: ‘Why are we called ‘Christians’?’ (RfL A3-4) - Malcolm Group Bible study* (Eph 1:3-14) - Janet & Lobalang & team (brief intro; set questions for small group discussion) Teaching session 3: ‘What did Jesus die for?’ (RfL A4) - Ann Celebration & talk: ‘What does it mean to become a Christian?’ (RfL A5) - Gogonya, then Prayer Ministry
Tuesday 22 (same daily timetable for the rest of the week)
Group Bible Study 2: ‘United in Christ’ (Eph 2:1-22) - Lobalang Teaching Session 4: ‘The Holy Spirit’ (RfL B1) - Malcolm Teaching Session 5: ‘The Holy Spirit’ (RfL B2 & B3) - Ann Celebration & talk: ‘Take our sin and pain to the cross’ - Creddy and Gogonya, then Prayer Ministry Wednesday 23rd
Group Bible Study 3: ‘Promoting harmony’ (Eph 3:1-4:16) - Malcolm Teaching Session 6: ‘Growing up into Christ’ (RfL C2-4) - Janet Teaching Session 7: ‘Reaching for love’ (married relationships) - Lobalang Reconciliation Workshop: ‘Hearing the issues’ Celebration & talk: ‘Be filled with the Spirit’ (RfL C3) - Ron, then Prayer Ministry Thursday 24th
Group Bible Study 4: ‘Break with the ways of the world’ (Eph 4:17-5:20) - Gogonya Teaching Session 8: ‘Living in the Victory of Christ’ (RfL B4) - Ann Teaching Session 9: ‘Teaching the Truth’ (RfL D3) - Malcolm Celebration & talk : ‘Healing’ - Ron, then Prayer Ministry Friday 25th
Group Bible Study 5: ‘ Building Christian homes’ (Eph 5:21-6:9) - Lobalang Teaching Session 10: ‘Reaching out for Christ’ (RfL D4) - Janet Workshop: ‘Early Marriage’ - Lobalang Celebration & talk: ‘Take the Armour of God’ (Eph 6:10-24) - Creddy, then process outside for the proclamation of glory Saturday 26th
Teaching Session 12: Question & Answer Session - Ron & team Celebration with presentation of Group Reports, Testimony & Certificates
Sun 27th – local churches am, depart for Juba pm

Source: http://www.salisbury.anglican.org/resources-library/whos-who/news-and-events/2013.10%20SOMA%20Team%20Visit%20to%20Wonduruba.pdf