First Ever Pastoral Visit to Dongola

2-5th October 2009

First Confirmation Service in Dongola, North of Sudan

In a three day Pastoral visit to North of Sudan, The diocesan Bishop of Khartoum, The Rt. Revd. Ezekiel Kondo was able to carry out confirmation for 15 candidates and licensing of a Reader and ordaining a Deacon in Dongola. There has not been even  a Lay Reader in that area.

The Bishop and the accompanying delegation of 4 persons including Elizabeth Newport of SIL was warmly welcomed by the Archdeacon of the area, Ven James Fadelmula and a good number of Christians.

The team began the journey from Omdurman at 8 am on Friday 2nd October 2009 the journey that lasted for four and half hours. The team was accommodated in one of Christians’ house in Dongola.

The following day the team drove to further north, to Karma and Argo to see the school that Elizabeth had taught at 26 years ago. Indeed the team was welcomed at the school, though it Saturday, the school was on holiday of the week end, the students were present and were able to meet Elizabeth, though very shy. They could not talk to men at all or come near to them. Elizabeth was so glad that she could see the place she was 26 years before. She told the team that she had been praying that a church should be in the area. She was so happy that her prayers have been answered and that now there are Christians in the area and that there are churches.

Sunday was a very busy time. The service was supposed to begin at 10 am but did not begin until 11.30 and it was planned to be a long one but there was an appointment with the Governor of the State at 2pm. That meant the service for confirmation, licensing, ordination and Holy Communion was curtailed to end in only two hours. This is a very short service!

It has been noted that this was the first ever visit for a Sudanese ECS Bishop to visit Dongola and carry out such a ministry! The need is so great. Though the number of ECS Christians is considerable, they have no church building of their own. Thank God for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church that offered their building for ECS members to worship on Sunday.

At 2pm the team was in the Governor’s Office and was well welcomed by the Deputy Governor as the Governor was away in Khartoum. The Bishop requested the government for a piece of land for the Church in Dongola. The Archdeacon will follow up the request with the Office of the governor.

Monday 5th October was the day for the team to leave for Khartoum and the time set for departure was 9 am but the team did not leave until 11 because people wanted the team to have proper Sudanese breakfast before they left! The car was filled with dates and many other gifts!

The Christians requested the bishop if they can be helped to purchase a piece of land for their church activities. They in their part have started collecting money and were able to raise SDG 1,000 and are in need of 9,000 to complete the needed amount for the land excluding the building. Even though the government has expressed its willingness to assist, there is no guarantee to this. There is a great need that this church is supported.

The team then travelled via Karima and Meroe, the historical area, and there was a good congregation of only women who informed us that men were not interested in church work. They prepared big meal for the team before they travelled to Khartoum.

Elizabeth Newport was able to give her testimony and encouragement to the women.

The outward trip was via West Nile and return was via East Nile.

May God’s name be praised!