Dear members of the Presbytery of Des Moines,

Thank everyone very much for your prayers.

I am excited to report that most of the prayers were answered on April 23, 2012, when I got a call from the Rev. Ross Blount, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church in Allerton. He called to say that the church’s committee met and agreed to help sponsor both of us, James Manyibol and myself, with tickets to attend the Peace Conference in Jonglei state in the new Republic of South Sudan. This is a fragile nation that became independent from north Sudan in July 2011. North Sudan is still threatening and currently there is fear of all-out war between the two nations.

Khartoum government encourages some ethnic groups to fight each other so that they can prove to the world that the people of the South Sudan cannot govern themselves and the only option is to come under Khartoum authorities like before.

I want to thank the Allerton church for sponsoring this peace meeting which I have confirmed now from General Presbyter Rev. Phil Barrett. The two tickets are not fully covered and some other financial support is needed. Your church or mission committee can contact the Presbytery if you would like to be an answer to our prayers.

It would be really an answer to our prayers that James Manyibol, a young Murle student who would like to go and convince his community that fighting and revenge are not a solution to the problem between his community and mind (Nuer).

It is also the same message I am going to send to my community to stop any kind of revenge against the Murle. The message we both will send is our going together to let both our communities understand that even though they are considering each other as enemies, James Manyibol a Murle, and I, a Nuer can go together and eat together as we did in Washington, D.C.

This is really the important message we are called upon by God to bring to our communities and I shed tears when Ross informed me that their small church in Allerton can do this which really shows small churches can do big things.

Please help cover the rest of the amount for our travel because there is need still for vaccinations, and even food and shelter there.

Please participate to save lives since Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s relief cannot support the communities affected by the current violence. Donations can be sent to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 2400 86th St., Ste. 20, Urbandale, IA 50322-4306. Make checks payable to the Presbytery Des Moines and write ‘Sudan Peace Trip’ in the memo line.

Allerton United Presbyterian Church mentioned that they may contribute about $4,000. We do not know yet what the cost of the air ticket is – our estimate is $2,400 to $2,500 each.

On behalf of the people of South Sudan who are desperate and who die of war and ethnic fighting, I say a big “Thank You!” to members of the Allerton United Presbyterian Church.

God bless you,

~ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sudanese Resources Person, Presbytery of Des Moines