Former CMS Study Partner the Rev Alphonse Watho-Kudi reflects on the basic management training course for leaders of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan that was held at the Christus Centre, Arua, northern Uganda, from 7 to 19 June 1999.

It was a great joy for me to be personally involved in this course as a facilitator. It was an even greater joy to meet and interact with Sudanese of this calibre. CMS Scholarships Adviser Margaret Opie-Smith gave this course the theme "Preparing for the Future" while CMS mission partner Liz Paterson, who is based at Arua and works with the Sudanese, called it "Preparing for Peace". Both themes suited the course since the Church’s mission includes preparing the faithful for the changes wrought by Christ and working for peace.

The Rev Alphonse Watho-kudi and CMS Scholarships Adviser Margaret Opie-Smith

I have met several Sudanese before and am pleased to count them among my friends. However, meeting this particular group of people from the leadership of the Church of the Sudan was more touching.

Such a course as the one we attended is valuable because it addresses the working experiences of the participants and prepares many people at a time, as compared to sponsoring a few people for studies in theological seminaries or specialised fields. It is also relatively cheap to run. Moreover, most of the subjects offered by this course are hardly learned in theological seminaries.

In the absence of better educated people, most of whom have been forced out of the country by the civil wars, while others have preferred to remain in exile, the ordinary people need to be equipped for the challenge that faces the Episcopal Church of the Sudan. No amount of money would ensure the future vitality of the Church of the Sudan more than preparing her leadership for the future.

The benefit of this course to the participants cannot be over-emphasised. Suffice it to say that this course was very liberating for many participants who were performing leadership during crisis or by trial and error. The feedback after each subject covered, and after the course in its entirety had ended, indicated that the subjects addressed the very real needs of the participants. Many appealed for more such courses to be run within the Sudan so that those who were not fortunate enough to attend this time might benefit at some future date.

The highlight of my meeting with these friends was the ‘resurrection narrative’ of the Rev John Ladu Laku from Lainya Diocese in Sudan. This narrative brought alive the suffering of the Church in southern Sudan as well as God’s miraculous intervention to deliver his people.

John Ladu Laku (third from left) with a group of visitors from Lainya Disocese

The Rev John Ladu Laku was arrested by the Arabs, beaten, imprisoned and kept, without food, in total darkness for four months. Many of his unfortunate fellow prisoners were picked out and killed but John was left to die by starvation. When finally released he was unable to walk or eat. Relatives could not and did not recognise him. I concur with him that his was a ‘grave’ experience from which God alone could ‘raise’ him. The Rev John’s ability to forgive and his continued desire to serve the Lord after such an experience was a big challenge for me.

It was amazing that John was still full of joy. That was the joy of the Lord. I saw Saint Paul in John. I was greatly encouraged by his faith. When I related this to the suffering situation of the whole Church in southern Sudan, I thought that Liz’s theme of "Preparing for Peace" was equally appropriate. We do not know what the future holds for the Church in southern Sudan. However, a forgiving spirit like John’s is imperative if the Church is to stand for peace in suffering situations.

Both the Venerable Jackson Onen and I learnt a lot from our friends from southern Sudan. Their faith, devotion and perseverance humbled me. Through them and through their effervescent worship I got to learn about the vitality of the Church of Christ in the midst of suffering.

It was my joy to share with them my understanding of Christian education and the balance between doing the Lord’s work and family responsibility, that is, being available to God as well as to the family. It seemed to me as though many were doing God’s work at the expense of giving time to their families.

In all, the course was a commendable initiative. I will cherish the memory of my interaction with my fellow believers in the Sudan. I extend my thanks to the Church Mission Society for involving me in this life-changing encounter. I would be grateful if more opportunities arose to contribute to the Episcopal Church of the Sudan and to participate in more of CMS’ activities and outreach.

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