It is the brash leader, with all the answers, who folds their arms in complacency, who is most in need of recovery from trauma. In South Sudan, it is not poverty that is the biggest problem though that shocks us, but the sealed down emotion that prevents people from moving on, and the anger that accompanies the effort of keeping the pain of conflict and loss suppressed. Psalm 130 offers all redemption and hope. … More Out of the depths
Christine Onzia Wani, a South Sudanese journalist living in Bidi Bidi refugee Camp in Uganda writes: “Working as a female journalist is especially challenging because there are not many of us with this career in Bidi Bidi. Sometimes, I even get bad comments that put me off pursuing a project.” You can see more of her post here. … More South Sudan writers – the real thing
The word ‘doubt’ gives me an uncomfortable feeling, ‘d’ and ‘b’ look like clubs, with a ‘t’ at the end to trip you up, and an ‘ou'(w) in the middle. Doubt and Fear are chains that wrap around our ankles and keep us rooted to the spot. If we are Christians can take authority over them in the name of Jesus, break them off and step out in faith.
When the waves sweep in, cross out the ‘UBT’ and just DO. … More If in doubt keep going
We can change the script of our lives. We do not have to accept everything that happens to us. We have agency and can make the world a better place but only if our hearts are full of love. … More What a gift!
A sad story, but an enjoyable and, ultimately, encouraging read. … More In a Thousand Different Ways by Celia Ahern
A ‘donkey’ in the local Nativity play reminded me of a patient beast waiting to unload water, outside the hall where I was working in South Sudan. We cannot know what the donkey saw when an unborn child was carried to Bethlehem but something momentous happened that has echoed down the centuries and in the words of Mary, filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
… More Silent witness
My local community choir are rehearsing pieces from Handel’s Messiah for a Christmas concert next week but I have been in South Sudan for the first two weeks of November, living in warm temperatures and bright sunny skies but with limited access to water and electricity. It has been very different! … More Jumping for Joy
While I pack for two weeks in South Sudan, I trust that I will have strength to build good relationships with the mission team of six, including a South Sudanese, and with the local leaders. … More Reflections while packing for a two week mission
Two plays The Crucible by Arthur Miller, and We Make Our Mark by Journeyman Theatre and All Together in Dignity ATD Fourth World raise uncomfortable questions about ‘testimony’. Our times dictate the testimonies we record, and whose voice we give weight to, but all voices are of immense value. … More Silent testimony
17th October United Nations Day for Ending Extreme Poverty – leave no-one behind. The Dignity Voices podcasts tell the full story. … More 17th October United Nations Day for Ending Extreme Poverty – leave no one behind.
Letitia Mason 