Former BGC student is shot and killed.

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Simon Wal Geng Thanipiny, a student at BGC from 2010 when he joined the foundation programme. He was later to join the Limuru diploma course.

Bishop of the Diocese of Akobo, Rt. Rev. John Jok, reports that Simon Wal Geng, was killed at his home area of Walgak, around Lou Nuer area. He had been appointed a member of the State Parliament, and was one of the team members who reached out for peace, meeting with the local people when the fatal shooting occurred.

Wal was a hard-working, lively character who got a lot done. He had enterprise and enthusiasm. He had an enormous personality and left his mark on so much. He was devoted to his family and his community. He could have made a success as a businessman making money in safe places, but his heart was with his calling to made a difference to the world.

Wal must be recorded as a BGC hero - an example to every student. He did not come with a recognised academic ability but through enthusiasm and commitment made a success of his foundation year and transferred to the diploma course. The Lou-Nuer will recognise him as a son of which they can be enormously proud.

His wife and children are in our prayers. Despite their pain, we hope they can go forward in hope as he always did. We also pray for Bishop John – his job will not be made easier by the loss of Wal, but the seeds of the martyrs are powerful, and we pray that God will raise up people to take his place. We pray that peace will reign, and soon. But we will never lose patience. Nothing that Wal did to spread the love and peace of Christ among his people and beyond can be in vain.

July 2017 Update

Dear Prayer Partners,

Thank you for your patience and persistent prayers throughout the technical communication problems. Here is the latest on BGC. It is long, but comprehensive and I think it is time for some details.

Thank you all so much for your prayers. As you will see there is so much to give thanks for as well as pray for. The important thing for us to understand is that, despite all the mess in South Sudan, our prayers are being answered!

Trevor

The college closed the academic year last month with 70 plus students sitting end of term exams. A total of 25 students sat their finals and a graduation is planned for 29^th October 2017. These include both those on the internal courses and those on the external Limuru University diploma course, who will know how they have got on at the end of September.

A former student, Elias Bonga, has joined John Jal at George Whitefield College in Cape Town, South Africa. This year, by God’s grace, we shall be sending another four students. One is from Eastern Equatoria (Kashmir Ofuk), one from Western Equatoria (Alex Frazer Paul), one from Central Equatoria (Joy Keji Beshir), and another from Lakes State area (Samuel Makuac Mayom).

There is a deliberate policy of encouraging an inter-tribal community at BGC which welcomes all, whoever they are, from everywhere in South Sudan (and beyond).

Amazingly, this year 90 candidates have sat the Special Entrance Examination. Most of them at the BGC main campus from the 4^th to 7^th July 2017, with others in Yambio, Rumbek, and Ayillo Two Refugee Camp in Uganda. The principal and staff were impressed to see so many young candidates fresh from high school seeking theological education. The principal comments: “In our view the future is beginning now through them.”

In line with the Episcopal University project, the college will begin an ambitious Bachelor Degree in Theology (B.Th) programme. This is an exciting time.

The target number for this year’s intake is 55 students and that will mean an overall total of 115 students. In mid-July, the board will meet to screen the 90 candidates. They will find this process difficult because they do not like turning people away, but even at 115 new students this poses enormous challenges of accommodation and food.

Samuel writes:

“We still purchase the college food items from Uganda despite the rebel activities. Once they are bought into Kampala, they are put on ECO Bus to Juba as we have been doing all along. However, there have been a number of serious incidents on Juba-Nimule Road which involved the loss of lives but that did not stop the effort of the government security agents to give scout to the convoys. In avoidance of more cost, we write letters requesting the custom service to exempt the taxes on the food items purchased from Uganda.”

The staffing situation remains critical but the quality and commitment are high. In addition to our principal, Samuel Galuak, we have the full-time services of Rev. Daniel Deng Anhiany who has worked in theological education for many years in Khartoum and latterly in Juba. Canon Undo Elisa was formally appointed as part-time staff but appears to be putting in a great deal more than that. Samuel comments: “the work he (Undo) does for the college is commendable as both the tutor and academic dean.”

The board is considering the employment of another tutor and registrar to work with the academic dean. They already have someone in mind for this post.

Abraham Maker, the former librarian is now doing his M.Div. at African International University in Nairobi. The plan is that he return as a tutor. A new library manager has been appointed subject to official confirmation. In addition to these, the administrator, Esparanza, continues in the office. Being in Juba offers us the chance of getting some highly qualified part-time tutors.

In April 2017 the board and the council met to look into the welfare and pay-levels of both teaching and non-teaching staff of Bishop Gwynne College. Inflation is a major concern. The sources of income for the college were reviewed and it was deemed possible to increase the salaries by 50% but that still does not address the real need. The principal shared his concerns with individuals including Tim and Shanna, the American couple who donated the money for food last year, and they promised to send a one-time gift for the staff members.

The same appeal went to Darien Klentzos from Australia, based in South Africa, who is going to look into it.

For many years the college has been sustained by rents and local gifts but these are less effective in the climate of severe inflation. Most of the lease agreements signed by BGC and its tenants were in SSP. About two years ago, the rents were doubled but that is now of little impact. However, we shall keep revising them but it has to be done gently as everyone is a victim to inflation. The main support has been the rents from ALARM at $1500 per month and the house next to ALARM used by ESICO (the one formerly used by Vets Sans Frontières) was paying $2000 per a month but they moved out in June 2017 to another bigger building nearby, so that is vacant again and is another setback. There is a need for prayer that a new tenant can be found.

The BGC annual day of prayer is 8^th August. The Dioceses of Juba, Torit, and Mundri, that have given gifts and we pray that that may continue.

Samuel Galuak spend a month after the end of term in the USA – mostly in Michigan, the guest of the diaspora there, and made several new useful contacts – including one philanthropist who gave $15,000 towards the continued building of the chapel. He then moved on to Washington DC and Virginia where he was met and entertained by Virginia Theological Seminary.

Samuel was absent during the TEU workshop last April, but I am happy to report that BGC was represented by our Academic Dean, Canon Undo Elisa and the Reverend Daniel Deng, and is committed to the process (see above). www.teu-ss.org and www.ecsssup.org

Getting money out to BGC is proving a serious problem. The banks in Juba are receiving the funds but not releasing them. The principal understands how difficult it is for people in the West to send cash to individuals. Samuel reports:

“It is sad that we cannot access the funds through our official account with Equity Bank, and I hate to speak about it with the people, because it is not everyone who can understand our situation in South Sudan. It is a shame that we have $4144 in our Dollar Account with Equity Bank and there is no way to use it.”

Things are very different in a cash economy.

Good Books & Services, which provide the financial services for BGC in Britain, have managed to get money to Samuel when he passes through Uganda. Currently, a large proportion of what is given in the UK is going to the supply of food.

The communications from BGC are encouraging. The challenges, however, must not be underestimated. Juba and South Sudan are living in desperate times. Instability, insecurity, violence, fear and hunger are the norm. Last January the solar panels on the BGC old building near the cathedral were stolen overnight. Not having power in the main offices severely affected the administration and morale for a time. But as an outside observer, I cannot but be impressed with not only the resilient of these people but the hope with which they live. The popularity of the college for young people coming out of high school is enormously encouraging.

Thank you all for your prayers.

BGC Prayer Partners

Hello everyone.
I am now in the final throws of reassembling a BGC Prayer Partners list following the disaster of losing the accumulated contacts over many years at the speed of light in a failed server. 
"Why didn't you keep a back-up?" I have heard over and over again. The answer is that the spam rules obliged me to hand over the management of the list. However, you can be assured that from now on I have a paper file in my drawer in case of future failures.  And whatever happens, I will post updates on this blog.

• Thank you for praying for Bishop Gwynne College. Your prayers are so much needed and truly valued. The conditions in Juba have deteriorated to the point that it has been impossible to eat more than once a day. But the wonderful dedication of people who are so malnourished is unbelievable. Please pray for income to buy food and also for our administration under so much stress.

• The college has continued with seventy students. Some students have not been able to return - especially those from Lainya - because of the war. On particular, the roads to the south are not passable. Please continue to pray for all students and staff.

• The end of May signals the beginning of the exam fortnight and students are coming up to sitting both internal and external exams. Please continue to pray for all the students and staff.

• Our principal, Samuel Galuak, has managed to respond to an invitation from the South Sudanese community in Grand Rapids, Michigan and he is currently in the USA. We are indebted to the people of Grand Rapids and all who support the college and the staff so well and so consistently. Please pray for Samuel and all our dedicated partners around the world.

• Please pray also for our academic dean, Elias, and our administrator, Esparansa, as they keep the college running in Samuel's absence. The elderly mother of our late principal, Joseph Taban, and mother-in-law to Esparansa, has recently died. We pray for the family and commend her to God's nearer presence as she is reunited with her son.

• Lastly, I am delighted to report the recent developments of the Episcopal University. The difficulties are enormous in the present climate, but representatives of the education departments of the ECSSS all managed to come together for a remarkable consultation. The impetus for the development of the university is great. I will present more news of this next time round. 

Thank you for you prayers.
Trevor Stubbs (International Consultant)

BGC Prayer Partners

FAO of  BGC Prayer Partners
Sadly we have had a major problem with the internet side of things and our list of prayer partners has been deleted! I am trying to reassemble the list by trawling through my old addresses.
If you don't get an email from me but would like to receive notification emails into your inbox, please contact me at .
Otherwise you could simply sign up to this blog and get the notifications that way.

Despite South Sudan (including Juba) being in the grip of ever worsening conditions, BGC remains open with 70 students on roll. Food is proving a major problem but we are on course for the exams at the end of next month. Your prayers are greatly valued.
More news later.

Thanks
Trevor Stubbs
BGC International consultant

BGC Update

Dear BGC Prayer Partners,
Thank you for your prayers for BGC. They are so important. Things are desperately hard in Juba at present especially on the food front - there simply is not enough to go around. Price inflation is huge. Please pray for the college and everyone else in South Sudan. Pray that the roads may become safe and be re- opened, and that there may be sufficient security as this wet season approaches for successful planting.
Below is the latest from our principal, Samuel.
Blessings,
Trevor

Almost all students have reported back to the college and classes are on already. Except one of the students from the Diocese of Yirol who got held up by a case related to his plot which someone was grabbing. 

Otherwise the college is running except the enormous challenges posed on us by South Sudan's economic downturn. Food prices in the market are unbearable, for example in the last one bag of rice (50kgs) used to be SSP 2500  and now it is  SSP5000! We are badly stretched at all sides. I have been trying to knock some doors locally here in Juba to find ways of getting enough foods for our students but almost every entity is pressed hard like BGC. At least for now, our students have a little to share within March but I don't know what April and May will hold for us. 

One thing that is keeping us is that BGC is the college of God and God will take care of it.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayer and being on our side. 

Blessings,

TEE Programme in Uganda

It all began in Kakuma Refugee Camp, North Eastern Kenya where most of the people did not have future plans or dreams to follow. A few who made use of their time then are now helpful. When the Theological Education by Extension program reached Kakuma under the auspice of New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC) in late 1998, it was sought to be a window of learning the ways of God. I was too registered with Sudan Interior Mission church. Evangelist Daniel Yor Akech, (now the Commission of Melut County) was our TEE Tutor. A deep sense of desiring to learn theology became stronger I was able to consistently read the materials assigned and attend TEE group discussions for two years.

TEE is a programme that was designed to train the church workers especially the lay and those who feel led to pursue ordination (TEE programme is not a qualification for ordination). It was designed in a way that bridges the church workers with theological colleges. In this case, Bishop Gwynne College (BGC) is a place where previously trained church workers would come to do more studies to be ordained.

It is a right time to engage our church leaders with the TEE programme especially those who are in living in the refugee camps and other parts of Uganda. Our church workers are less engaged in anything else, they can be engaged positively through TEE programme.

With the help of the Revd. Andrew Wheeler, and George Kimani, TEE Course syllabus had been developed to suit the needs of our church workers just as they follow:

1. Introduction to the Old Testament
2. Introduction to the New Testament
3. Evangelism and Mission
4. Church in Sudanese History
5. Church in Action; in the context of Acts of Apostles
6. Life of Christ, according to the Gospel of Mark
7. Sin and Salvation
8. Our African Heritage
9. Islam.

We have laid out the programme in the following cycle of activities in Phase 1:

PHASE 1

Activity 1

The first phase is fortnight training of 18 tutors from 16^th to 27^th January 2017 if all goes as planned.

Activity 2

After their training (tutors), each will start registering their church workers in their camps for classes to commence right then. The mode of learning would be each TEE participant will take home a book with containing week lessons (with maximum of 4 to 5 lessons) before he/she attends a group discussion (led by one of the tutors we have just trained).

Activity 3

The purpose for TEE training as it was designed is to prepare those who will do further theological education in places like Bishop Gwynne College. With a few training we conducted the church among the refugees in Uganda, some have already picked interest to join BGC. That means the TEE programme helps the church in both ways, first, it fans a desire in individuals to do further theological training and in this case, I am a living example of that. After finishing my TEE programme in the year 1999, it developed in me a real burning desire to do more theological training and God orchestrated it, and secondly, the church workers will effectively serve even if some wouldn’t make it further. TEE programme will boost their serving capacity to be licensed as lay readers, evangelists, teachers in their local capacity. 
 

PHASE 2

Phase 2 will shortly come along as we wait for new arrangements being done by the province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan. New internal ECSS Provinces are now being inaugurated. So far, we have Western Equatoria (based in Yambio), Lakes (based in Rumbek), and Jonglei Provinces (Bor). Our leadership in the college will engage with the offices of the Archbishops of Internal Provinces to chart TEE programmes forward.

APPEAL

An appeal for funding to the tune of USD 16,200 was launched in January 2017.