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Sudan
The two Deborahs visit in a camp for internally displaced persons.
As part of their relationship with the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC), a group of ten people from the Presbytery of Redstone visited Sudan in January 2008. This visit was an outgrowth of their longstanding partnership.
One of the visits the Presbytery of Redstone made was to a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) on the outskirts of the capital, Khartoum. Sudan has more than 250,000 IDPs living in four large camps outside Khartoum. Many of the residents have lived over twenty years in mud and makeshift shelters. One Redstone visitor recalls the sun shining relentlessly on the brown, dusty landscape, which lacks any grass or other greenery.
A woman in the camp welcomed Debbie Hepler into her small dwelling and invited her to sit in the shade. The two women exchanged gestures of friendship and interest. As Debbie departed, the woman smiled gently and said to Debbie, “My name is Deborah.
I will remember you.” Debbie immediately told the woman that Deborah was her name, too, and the two Deborahs exchanged a hug of shared recognition.
Dan Foster of Westminster Presbyterian in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, writes about the group’s visit to Komo Bible School, where the visitors from the Presbytery of Redstone met with officials from the school, the Western Sudan Presbyterian Church, and the SPEC. They had a lively discussion about Jehovah’s Witnesses, polygamy, and homosexuality. When the principal of the school commented that he didn’t believe in women elders or pastors, Pastor Donna Havrisko lovingly explained PC(USA)’s passionate support of the ordination of women.
Partners/Ministries
Presbyterian Church of Sudan (PCOS): Rev. Peter Makuac Nyak, moderator, Rev. Paul Bol Kuel, vice moderator, Rev. Gideon Tai Tudeal, general secretary, Rev. James Apay Ochalla, general treasurer
Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC): Rev. Farog Angelo Kalo, moderator, Rev. Dang Atem, vice moderator, Rev. Philip Akway Obang, general secretary, Rev. Yonan Ali, vice secretary, Elder Yohana Malok, treasurer, Rev. David Chual Lam, vice treasurer
Association of Christian Resource Organizations Serving Sudan: Rev. Bernard Suwa
Sudan Council of Churches
Presbytery Partnerships
Trinity Presbytery with the PCOS; Presbytery of Redstone and Presbytery of Shenango with the SPEC
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Kathy Brinkman, GAC
Sherry Britton, GAC
Mindy Broad, BOP
Heavenly God, thank you that we are all your children. Remind us today of what we share in you. We pray for the people of Sudan and for their leaders. In the name of the one who will be with us always. Amen.
Ps. 62, 145 Ps. 73, 9
Isa. 51:17–23
Gal. 4:1–11; Mark 7:24–37
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