REPORT OF PROGRESS
OCTOBER 2013
The history of Bishop Gwynne College has
been beset with a series setbacks ever since its beginning in the
1940s. The way to fulfilling the dream of Bishop Llewellyn Gwynne
and Revd Fred Carpenter in 1945 of training South Sudanese men for
the ordained ministry has encountered many obstacles. Some have been
because of government opposition and some because of war (it was the
last civil war in 1987 that drove BGC out of Mundri where it had been
since 1948). Then there was the tragic death of Canon Benaiah in
1992. Then finally we had the problems that resulted in the
suspension of the college in 2009. But after its re-opening in 2010
we hoped for a smoother passage. The CPA (Comprehensive Peace
Agreement) of 2005 was holding and the referendum due for 2011
actually took place. International support for the college was
increasing.
It was a real joy to announce we had found
an excellent man to be the new principal. Joseph Taban Lasuba was
experienced, well qualified academically and someone who was
passionate for the Gospel and the formation of theological students.
He understood humility and service. He was once asked how his
training of future church leaders was progressing. He replied that
he did not seek to train leaders but servants. The respondent
retorted, “Servant Leaders.”“No,”returned Joseph, “just
servants. The rest is up to God ...” The nation became independent
in July 2011, Joseph Taban took the college into its next stages in
September of the same year.
Things were not easy. Much had to be
negotiated and many challenges faced but, by the grace of God, the
new principal overcame them. Within two semesters new buildings had
emerged, the educational standards increased and the college made
noticeable progress. Under Joseph's influence local income soared
and the institution became financially stable for the first time for
decades. In September 2012 Joseph put in hand a new building
programme that involved the hotel development adjacent to the site.
When we negotiated the least of the site we had no idea that their
plans included two hotels – one of six storeys and one of twelve!
As these building began shooting to the sky we came to an agreement
for the construction of a two storey building in exchange for our
former dormitory. It is just now approaching completion. Joseph
embarked on claiming the college site back from the workshop that had
used the site during the war. He renovated buildings for the students
to use as dormitories and a common room. The budgeting was tight but
sound. It contained contingencies of 10% and we thought that would be
sufficient to see us through. Sadly we did not anticipate what
happened next.
On the final day of the 2012 term Joseph
became very ill. Realising how sick he was he drove himself to Juba
Hospital. The problem was located in the brain. Various ideas were
suggested and treatment given for infection. When he continued to
deteriorate he was rushed to Nairobi where a brain tumour was
detected and operated on. He made a remarkable recovery and underwent
a course of radiotherapy, but in May 2013 he developed complications
and died in Nairobi hospital at the end of that month.
For the five months that preceded Joseph's
death, the college had to continue without a principal. The students
still had to be taught, the decisions still had to be taken and
expenses had to be met. A great deal of finance had to go into the
support of Joseph and his family while he was undergoing treatment in
Nairobi. BGC is grateful to those who helped bear the burden. The
absence of a member of staff meant new teachers had to be brought in
and Samuel Galuak who had been sharing out his time with a government
job decided to put everything into the college. This was a brave
decision because he gave up a good income and a government car. A
small second-hand vehicle was bought and Samuel took up the role of
acting principal.
A review of the finances revealed a
looming shortfall in the months of May to August when the new rents
and fees were due to come in. An appeal to our international
partners was launched and, as always, they came good at the right
time. A combination of good management under Samuel Galuak, the
generosity of people both inside and outside the country, a
favourable dollar exchange rate and the grace of God has seen the
college through. (By the end of September 2013 the college had 23,000
SSP in hand. Although the provident fund remained to be paid, the
projected income for October will see that put right. The crisis has
been averted. A budget for the current academic year is attached to
this report.)
The death of the
principal came just as the exams were due to take place. They had to
be delayed. Joseph Taban Lasuba was laid to rest on 22nd
May 2013 on the New Site of his beloved BGC. The college ceased its
normal activities for one week. The students were magnificent in
supporting the family and an enormous number of people came to All
Saints' Cathedral and down to the New Site. A magnificent tomb has
been erected over the grave –a feature that was not envisaged in
Joseph's plans for BGC development. The students sat their exams in
the following weeks and they have done the college proud. Everyone
passed including those who were sitting their finals.
The graduation of the
first cohort of students who began in the new era of the college and
studied for the Limuru Diploma is due to take place on 26th
October 2013.
So once again, BGC has
overcome yet another setback and emerged even stronger and an even
greater witness of the grace of God. Some people in the West, though
not here in South Sudan, have posed the question of why God seems to
work in this way. Why could he not have just intervened and cured
Joseph or even prevented the illness in the first place? All we can
say is that for Christ nothing ran smoothly. There had to be a cross.
God replied with a resurrection –this is the way of things. (For
those who are interested, I have put together a short dissertation,
Suffering
and the Presence of God,
triggered by these questions and which incorporates some the South
Sudanese approaches. It is directed at those who think critically but
who may not have had any theological training. If you want it, I will
be happy to send you an electronic copy.)
The new building is due to be finished in
the next few weeks. The upstairs will become the library. We have
money from the Slavanka Trust in the UK ($7500) to purchase some of
the new furniture needed. Chairs are being bought by donations from
the staff who are each putting in 150 SSP. Even some students are
contributing. The Theological Book Network in the USA are sending us
a container load of books which is already on the high seas and is
due to arrive next month. The new full-time librarian will have his
work cut out moving the existing library and shelving all the new
ones. A new working relationship has been set up with World Vision,
our neighbours at the Old Building, who are resourcing even more
books as well as seeking to help us in other ways.
The Prayer Partners
list continues to grow. And we are pleased to report more of you
coming this way. Jesse Zink made a very welcome visit last month.
You might like to read his new book Backpacking
the Anglican Communion
due out in January which is currently available for pre-order. He
tells us that the whole of Chapter Five is devoted to BGC! Thanks
Jesse – can't wait!
May God bless you all as you keep us in
your prayers.
Trevor Stubbs
BGC International Consultant
PS Pictures to come. They take too long to upload from a simple dongle!
