PARTNERSHIP AND CAPACITY BUILDING

A Visit to Northern Ireland by Rev Joseph Mamer

Last year in 2013 before I left the position of Principal of St. John’s College of

Theology and Development, I asked Bishop Moses if I could attend any short

education training outside Africa. I wanted to do this as part of an in-service

support and capacity building effort to gain institutional instruction, relevant skills,

and of course to improve on teaching, leadership and management skills. My hope

was that this would help me in taking St. John’s College of Theology and

Development to new heights. I had very limited number of lecturers as because of

insufficient funds to recruit more lecturers, despites the amount of work, thus I was

forced by that situation to teach more lessons and try to cover the syllabus

accordingly. Besides all that, I was the Dean of Good Shepherd Cathedral-Wau, plus

other additional responsibilities that I was obligated to in the Diocese of Wau. I was

really exhausted, I really wanted to take academic and educative leave outside

Africa to refresh myself. The Bishop took the request seriously and when he visited

the UK he shared my request with our UK based Bishop’s Commissary, Canon.

Kenneth J.H.Hearn. Kenneth then requested Union Theological College in Queen’s

University of Belfast City, Northern Ireland.

It was by their kindness that I was invited through Canon Kenneth to get some

instruction from the Union College in Belfast City with special attention to peace

and conflict resolutions as I am currently involved in peace building between the

two Sudans in cross-borders relations through Concordis International. I received

two cordial invitations; one from Union Theological College, Queen University and

another one from my sponsor Canon Kenneth J.H.Hearn who is our UK based Wau’s

Bishop Commissary.

Now the process began, I travelled to Nairobi, Kenya to get a visa there as it was

going to be difficult for me to complete the Visa application form online. I did not

have credit cards to complete it electronically; I tell you that this was one of the

most difficult parts of my visit to the UK. I applied for a visa and waited excitedly

but what I received from the British High Commission in Nairobi was the “refusal for

Entry”, what a shock! I could not believe my eyes that I was refused entry after I

exhausted all the money I had, but I still kept a little hope that I have to give it a

try for a second chance. My friend Canon Kenneth and prayer partners in Poole

deanery, Salisbury Diocese and Northern Ireland Churches continued praying for

me and they encouraged me especially Canon. Kenneth. He paid for my application

and fare fee, encouraged me to lodge another application form despite it being so

expensive. This did not just finish without me learning something out of it, I could

imagine if entry to the UK or any other part of the world required so many things

and difficulty for the traveler to get acceptance and entry, what about going to

heaven? Yes, Christians have been assured by Christ that salvation is by the grace

of God but we still need to respond to this freely given salvation. Here Christians

may feel frustrated and disappointed after they have confessed their Christian faith,

with the hope that one day they will enter into heaven, but are refused entry as

happened to me until they prove to be true Christians and genuine believers.

Anyway God’s grace and love is always sufficient.

To come back to my point, I was refused and I really felt bad and frustrated after I

spent all the money I had, wasted time and energy only still to be refused. I had to

provide all the required documents asked for and lodge in my application for a

second time; two members of Parliament in the UK appealed to the British High

Commission to grant me a Visa as my visit to the UK was very important to the

Diocese of Wau and our partners in the UK. Amazingly I was granted a visa to the

UK, which I was given in the morning and travel then set for a night flight.

My sincere and

profound thanks to

Canon Kenneth

J.H.Hearn who

organized with Mr

Richard Tazewell for

not only picking me

up from Heathrow

International Airport

in London but also

for providing me

with warm clothes.

I am grateful that

they took me to

Salisbury Diocese

and showed me

many places around

London before I took my next flight from Southampton airport to Belfast City.

Thanks to Jeff and his wife who also traveled all the way just to see me off from

Southampton. I also want to thank and appreciate our UK Christian friends such as

Poole Deanery and Presbyterian Church members for their prayers. When I arrived

in Belfast City Airport, I was glad to meet and be received by Canon.

Kenneth.J.H.Hearn and his wife Thelma, who were waiting for me in the airport. I

was warmly received by them as a son or grandchild and was immediately taken to

my host. I was getting a little bit tired and the weather was not at all friendly to

L-R Richard Tazewell, Joseph Mamer and Jeff on 21 Feb 2014 (Southampton Airport) I was happy and honoured to be received by my Christian friends who are members of Poole Deanery which is our partner in Christian mission.

me. Thanks to the Christians of Carrowdor, Mill isle, Presbyterians churches in

Belfast City for their prayers and financial support and for having worked hard to

ensure that I was granted a visa.

Before I took off from Southampton Airport to Belfast City in Northern Ireland, I

was taken to the Diocese of Salisbury by Richard Tazewell to see some friends there

in the Diocese.

Logos Ministries

International.

It was more than a blessing to

meet with a worldwide known

Christian church minister and

director of Logos Ministries

International, Thomas McClean.

Through his ministry Thomas

Mclean has been one of Wau

Dioceses oldest Christian

partners in faith and God’s

Mission. His missions through

Wau Diocese are numerous.

Thomas is respected and known

in the whole Diocese of Wau for

his leadership training support to

the Diocese. Sharing with him

about the rapid and considerably

spiritual, economical, and

statistical growth of the Diocese

together with the recently

established structures in the

Diocese of Wau he was

reinforced and encouraged in his vision for the support of church Mission in South

Sudan. Thomas focused especially on needy churches such as Wau and Aweil

Dioceses which are in front line of an Islamic threat and were once torn by Sudan’s

civil wars.

One of the oldest Anglican Cathedrals, St Mary’s in

Salisbury Diocese - 22/Feb 2014

Union Theological College-Queens University,

Belfast City

I wish to extend my sincere and profound appreciation to Union Theological College

Principal Rev. Dr. Stafford Carson and his fraternity for their unreserved support

before and after my arrival to Belfast. I was warmly received by Rev. Dr. Stafford

who is the Principal of Union College. I was introduced to the staff members at

Union College.

While in Belfast I was attending lessons at Union Theological College. I really

enjoyed attending Exegesis of Old Testament and the Gospel of Mark, Systematic

Theology, Irish Church History, Homiletics. I was impressed at how Dr. Carson

organized my visit to the College. Upon my arrival, I was taken to the College by

my host Tom Crome and Dr. Carson who received me very warmly, he asked me

what could be some of the areas of interest that I specifically wanted him help me

learn about in Union College. With joy and enthusiasm, I asked about biblical

studies, church history and also peace and conflict transformation, especially the

conflicts between the Irish and Britain or Unionists and Nationalists. I asked him if I

could get some lessons on peace and conflict resolution to get more insights that

may help me in my ministry and also since I’m involved in peace building in South

Sudan through Concordis International, a UK Based NGO. Amazingly, I was given a

folder full with many writing materials, getting to classes was another challenge as

there were so many different class rooms, but thanks to Dr. Carson who organized

with his students and supportive staff members who always ensured that I got to

the right class room with the right lesson for each day, especially for the first week.

After that I was able to go to class with less assistance from other students and

staff, I was also able to commute using the public train alone to & fro for the two

weeks that I was going to Union Theological College-Queen University, Northern

Ireland.

I also don’t want to forget

the Librarians who warmly

supported me especially in

the Library, thanks a lot for

the support you granted me

while at Union College,

Queen University.

Joe Campbell, peace activist, Northern Ireland, UK

Peace and conflict Resolutions

As many in the world are aware Sudan had been at war for a prolonged time

between Sudan and South Sudan. South Sudan got her independence in 2011 as a

result of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement which was signed in Nairobi Kenya in

2005. As I mentioned above that I was interested in learning more on peace and

conflict resolutions, my sponsors organized for me to have some lessons on peace

and conflict resolution with the focus on conflicts in Northern Ireland and take

relevant strategies to use in Sudan and South Sudan’s conflicts within and in the

border lands. Truly I learned many things from Joe Campbell who had been a

worldwide known peace activist. Joe Campbell told me that

“Joseph; Ethnic conflicts are ever difficult to resolve because it requires many

aspects to be included in the conflict resolutions. What had happened and is still

happening between Sudan and South Sudan had happened to us here in Northern

Ireland.”

He said, “Joseph, in Northern Ireland, we experienced one of the longest wars

between Unionists and Nationalists (Irish) which lasted for many years”.

The Irish Republican Army whose aim was to force British Army out of Ireland back

to England.

The Church was not willing to participate or even take sides, especially the

Protestant and Presbyterian churches in Northern Ireland who were not willing to

accept reconciliation. What happened eventually was that individuals who worked

for secular Organizations came up with a full force to work for peace and

reconciliation.

Joe told me that one of the tools that they used in working for peace was called

“Corrymeela” (Hell of Hope) and many peace actors fully participated in

“Corrymeela ” in worship, study and most of these participants became friends and

talked about peace when they came back home with their families, friends and

many other institutions.

Joe Campbell also shared with me and said that to achieve peace, people must

engage in peace conferences inviting influential politicians, community leaders from

warring parties/communities, encourage reconciliation and trauma training, visiting

people in prisons, running seminaries in prisons for peace with different groups.

Bringing in different peace experts to talk about peace, to share with people their

own experiences of conflict and mitigation. Peace workers need to be calm always

because there are always problems arising even if you have worked well or where

peace seems to have been achieved.

You can build confidence ( We called that “Shuttle Mediation”) when you go to one

side and talk to them and go to the other side and talk the same information until

trust and understanding is achieved by both conflicting parties.

Joe told me that when he was working for peace and reconciliation in Northern

Ireland, he could use members from the Catholic Church to talk about Peace

because he cannot go because of his religious affiliation but he could talk to his

people until they both came together and brought the two groups together in

conferences and reconciliation meetings. The church was also actively involved in

peace building as it was the best tool used for peace and stability. We could bring

together at Corrymeela at least for 2-3 days for peace conference.

But Joe said that there is an aspect of peace UN, Government, Concordis or any

other international/local body cannot do. It’s the church that gives this

“Forgiveness” which has not been reached even here in Northern Ireland. The

Church is the best tool for forgiveness and reconciliation through Love.

For South Sudan and Sudan border related conflicts - Joe shared with me his

wisdom and vast experience in peace building as he has been an active peace

actor. He encouraged conferences in the border areas (as done by Concordis

International), meetings, dialogues, bringing people together in one place (he calls

this a Pilot area) and encourage peace agents from both sides who will actively

work for peace and peace only. But remember peace accords can be broken but

never give up even when peace is violated or dishonoured. Peace will still come,

keep pushing without giving in, many people will step back not being ready for

peace but keep pushing, working for peaceput as much effort into this as going for

war.

Ben, who is another peace actor but also a student at Union Theological College,

told me that there are 4 things when working as peace actor.

1. Building a relationship, either bilateral or individual relationship especially

between warring parties so that they at least come together and dialogue

together, it takes a lot of time but work hard, trust will come slowly.

2. Bring people together after you have succeeded in getting some supporters

from both parties to help and build confidence among themselves,

paradoxical curiosity, people may be willing to talk and have dialogues.

3. Be willing to take a “Risk” in planning and preparation.

4. Creativity: To resolve problems you need to be creative, what works in

Northern Ireland for example is not what works in South Sudan. Leaders in

society make things happen especially church leaders, political leaders and

tribal leaders. Start from smaller groups and keep going, building trust and

relationships but we cannot forget Christian prayers as a vital part of

resolving conflicts and problems to build trust in both sides. Peace actors

must also trust both sides even those sides he/she does come from, you

must trust them.

I thank Union Theological College and particularly the Principal Rev. Dr. Stafford

Carson for buying for me a very expensive and nice book on peace called “The

Moral Imagination, the Art and Soul of Building Peace” I recommend peace

actors to buy this book.

I am glad that my current employer Concordis International granted me one

months leave to take up this important visit to the UK, as you may know that I

work for Concordis International, a UK based NGO implementing peace building in

South Sudan and Sudan, especially working on cross-border relations. I wish to

extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for granting me this leave which I now

realise that this visit has significantly helped me because I have interacted with

many students from Union College. I learnt many things from them, I also

interacted with lecturers who also supported me especially on peace and

theologically related issues. This visit and the short training I had at Union College

will help me in my current job as a Peace actor as well as a church minister. I have

learnt many things from Joe Campbell, I have learnt from the conflicts that

Northern Ireland and the British have had and how they achieved peace.

When I came back from Northern Ireland I was warmly received by our CEO I had a

nice time with Mr. Richard King in London, Heathrow International Airport. Richard

was pleased to meet me for the first time, we had some discussions on the

Concordis South Sudan program and its activities, it was a wonderful time.

Richard King visited me in

Northern Bahr El Ghazal in

May just to see our

program activities, my

work in the field of which

he was pleased.

Me with Richard King the CEO of Concordis International taking

coffee at Heathrow Airport.

What we hear sometimes does not always reflect the

reality of something that we hear.

I heard from many friends that the Western World is completely different from the

African ways of doing things in terms of culture, hospitality, spirituality and social

life. But to my surprise when I arrived at the Presbyterian Church on Saturday 22

and again on Sunday 23 Feb 2014, amazingly I was warmly welcomed by every

church member, overjoyed to spot me among many members I think I was the only

African Christian member in the

worship. They were prayed for

my journey as I had difficulty

in getting a Visa in Nairobi

because my visit coincided with

South Sudan’s conflict which

started on 15 December 2013

in which 10,000 people are

claimed to to have been killed.

That delayed my visa but I

thank Canon Kenneth, Richard,

the Administration of Wau

Diocese and Poole Deanery

who tirelessly stood firm by

working hard to ensure other required documents were provided so that I was

granted a visa.

I would like to thank the

Hamilton Road Presbyterian

Church for their generous

support through Canon Kenneth

J.H. Hearn who is the Bishop of

Wau’s Commissary in the UK

and special friend to the

members of Hamilton Road

Presbyterian church in Northern

Ireland. I was hosted by their

members of whom I’m grateful

and I hold in my heart with love

and respect for their love and

unreserved care granted to me

while in their homes.

Fellowship in Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church, Bangor

on 1st March 2014.

Here is a picture of one of my hosts Tim Crome and

Brenda.

I attended an evening Bible study group and some prayer meetings; my faith was

renewed and challenged by these gatherings. I also want extend my sincere thanks

and appreciation to Rev. Davis of Carrrowdor and Milliles Church and the church

members there for their continued support. I was given 15 minutes to talk in both

churches. Here below is Rev Davis and myself at Carrowdor church. We had a Holy

Communion Service, so I helped Rev. Davis in serving the Holy Communion.

Bangor Worldwide Missionary Prayer Day

I Had the privilege to be

invited to the Worldwide

Missionary Prayer day in

Northern Ireland, UK

where I was given a

chance to talk about St.

John’s College of

Theology and

Development and its

vision. I talked and

informed participants

about the current

political situation in

South Sudan.

Here is Rev Davis and myself at Carrowdor church.

L to R Mr. Tom from Worldwide Mission, Canon Kenneth and Rev. Joseph Mamer Manot at fellowship.

Tearfund UK

It was an honour and a privilege to meet Tim from Tearfund UK who expressed his

willingness to fully encourage Tearfund South Sudan to work in partnership as its

first partners. Tearfund South Sudan is implementing a WASH program in Western

and Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, therefore, the head office in Aweil, Northern

Bahr El Ghazal had pledged with churches as their primary partners.

Bishop Harold Millar (Anglican Church in Northern Ireland)

I was invited by Bishop Harold who was happy to see me in his office. I shared with

him about St. John’s College and why it is important to have it established and

supported. He is the most humble and loving Bishop I ever met. He is willing to

partner with Wau Diocese in the future. I consider it a great honour and privilege to

be invited by him in his office, may God continue blessing not only his ministry but

even those people that God has put under his care.

Open Doors UK Office

Open Doors International is a Christian organization that works in support of

persecuted Christian churches in the World. Around 1997 Open Doors began

working in South Sudan helping the persecuted Christian churches especially

churches under SPLA controlled areas but under brutal and horrible persecution

under the hands of Muslims Arabs from Sudan.

They had donated more than 200 Theological Books to St. John’s College of

Theology and Development they also donated chairs and arranged for the

transportation of their books from East Africa to Wau, South Sudan.

The Episcopal Church (Anglican) began a strong Christian partnership with Open

Doors; Open Doors brought Relief foods and non-food items to help war displaced

persons and people persecuted because of their faith. Open Doors did not only help

the persecuted churches but had a mission to help young churches and its leaders

through training on the Bible. In 1998, Open Doors established a mobile Bible

school in Aweil called the Timothy Training Institute (TTI), this was because of

distance and insecurity which made a mobile Bible school a wise choice. I was one

of luckiest to be selected to enroll in that Bible school where I was spent 3 years

and graduated with a Diploma in Christian Leadership.

I do thank the Open Doors leadership especially George William and Ariel Preller

who dedicated and committed their lives in helping persecuted churches during the

dark times. They risked their lives for the sake of their Christian brothers and

sisters under ruthless and severe persecution, I will never forget the Open Doors

contribution not only in my Christian faith but also to my education, as it gave me

strong foundation that I used as a ladder. It would have been difficult for me and

other colleagues to get basic education in South Sudan because there were no non

faith-based schools leave a lone Bible schools, but Open Doors gave us a profound

foundation which helped many of us to continue with their studies in higher learning

institutions.

I was lucky

enough to meet

with John

MeClean and

Pamela a couple

who are staff

members of

Open Doors and

I told them that

I’m a product of

Open Doors

because my first

education I got

from Open

Doors and they

were pleased

and listened to me keenly.

I was ordained without any basic theological training, but Open Doors for its three

years training I received just that. I shared with them my clear vision for St.John’s

College of Theology and Development. I tell you after sharing with them about the

needs of St.John’s such as insufficient funds, books, lack of teachers caused by lack

of funds they became interested in supporting St. Johns College.

St.Johns Students were more than happy to learn this amazing donation to

St.John’s College. The books have been ordered and purchased from Nairobi Kenya,

East Africa. It is hoped that these books will arrive in May which will add up with

1,200 books I requested from USA. Praise the Lord! St. John’s College is growing

more than expected. My sincere thanks and appreciation to Open Doors for its

continued support for needy churches and I want to assure its staff members that

their donation will be wisely used for the sole purpose of the college and they shall

receive a report once the books have arrived to the last destination which is Wau

Diocese. May God continue blessing you as you serve him, and we wish to request

you to continue with this amazing and special support especially to St. John’s

College of Theology and Development.

Pamela, Joseph and John

A Word on the College

For Those who may be interested in know what is this St.John’s College of Theology

and Development, St.Johns began in 2012 as a Bible study with only 3 participants

where these students were getting basic instructions and lessons from the Bible. In

the same year in July we made it to be a Bible school but with only 3 students and I

was appointed as the first Principal of St. John’s College. Shortly before the end of

the year we had another 3 students enrolled totaling to 6 students with limited

financial support. We only had space for learning, we had no classroom furniture,

not even a single chair, table, dormitory or library bookshelf. But through our

Christian friends and partners, we have managed to enrolled 24 students taking

Biblical students, history, Systematics, Theology and Philosophy, computer courses,

and English courses. We now have a Library, a small dormitory with capacity for 30

students, some computers and classes for first and second year students. May God

be praised for his sufficient grace on this project. If you want to support St. Johns

please contact the Diocesan Bishop or Principal of S.John whose contacts are in the

Wau Diocese website: www.wau.anglican.org or bishop@wau.anglican.org,

principal@wau.anglican.org

This visit has been important to me because I have learnt many things from the

Union College, friends and peace actors which has given some methodologies used

in peace building especially in ethnic conflicts like the ones we have had in South

Sudan and Sudan. It has also built new capacity in me academically as I continue to

pursue my education.

Another important part of the visit is that I have met many friends who are willing

to be partners who are willing continue their partnership with Wau Diocese. My visit

has renewed and strengthened relationships which I hope will bear more fruit in the

future.

On a personal point, I have also enjoyed and loved being in the UK for the first

time, I ate many local foods if such an opportunity arose again I would not hesitate

to take it.

If you would like any information about St. John College or my visit please don’t

hesitate to ask any question.

I thank all my friends who have contributed in one way or another to this very

successful visit.

Yours sincerely

Rev.Joseph Mamer Manot