In loving memory of my fellow lost boys that we lost on our journey to Ethiopia – Part 1

This serialized article is a remembrance dedication to those former lost boys whom we lost on our journey to Ethiopia and beyond…narrated from my personal experience when I left Pawel, Kongor, to Ethiopia in 1987.

By Garang Yong Deng (Kede Miakduur), Alberta, Canada

 

Commander Salva Kiir leading Jeshamer to the Kenyan-South Sudan border

Each Lost Boys has a similar story, they parents were killed during an attack of their village, leading them to begin their extraordinary exodus. At the end of their epic journey, some boys had walked for 2000 km, an equivalent of hiking from Paris to Roma. Itang, Ethiopia. UNHCR / W. Stone / 1991

December 25, 2017 (SSB) — Before leaving Pawel, Kongor, we had to go for the traditional blessing at Luangde Loor (Mayom Shrine) in Pakuor. In case you all don’t or didn’t know that MAYOM WAS JUST A DRUM idolized to a shrine, then know it that wasn’t for entire Kongor but Mïthke Ajääng! It didn’t include the entire Apiölöc. The rest of Környin and Palek ë Leek were excluded in this matter.

Those of Tungke Padool has their own like Dhiën Padool has Werawiër; Këbaar with Pathiong; Pawïïr with Amot/Pamor and Pareng with Werakiir or Akeknhiaan. Biöö’dït section: Anyang and Payaath have Atëdal and Wun ë Yong respectively. To cut it short, most of the other sections of Kongor had no chances of seeing Loor-e-Mayom. This was because everyone was busy with their own kinds of stuff and not everyone believed what others believed.

Fast forward: during our departure from Pawel for Paliau at around 3 pm, we ran on Pawel-Wangulei road and before reaching to Luangde Loor (Mayom Shrine), we were told to stop and visit Mayom to bless us. We were all jubilant but those who were baptized by then were instructed not to think about going there!

Letter of Petition for the Release of My Brother, Agou John Wuoi, from Juba Prison

December 20th, 2017

H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit President

Commander-in-Chief of Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA)

Republic of South Sudan Juba, South Sudan 

Re: Your Excellency – Letter of Petition to President Kiir for the Release of My Brother, Agou John Wuoi, from Juba Prison 

By Elizabeth Yom John Wuoi, Toronto, Canada

December 25, 2017 (SSB) — Kindly please permit me to take this rare opportunity to appreciate you for every effort you have made toward making South Sudan a better country, notwithstanding many challenges. I know you face many daunting difficulties, both at domestic and international levels. It is not easy to build a nation from scratch.

That is why, despite these challenges, those of us who know the difficulty of building a new nation do appreciate your efforts and determination, especially as regards the search for peace and national unity. These efforts will ultimately bring a sense of national political renewal, in tandem with the spirit of our liberation struggle to which you had dedicated the prime of your life. You are, indisputably, an eternal national hero.

The principal intent for writing this petition letter to you is, however, to bring to Your Excellency’s attention the situation facing my brother, Agou John Wuoi. Your recent decision to pardon 9 prisoners who were accused and convicted of an alleged offense of fraud and money laundering from your office, in June of 2016, is truly laudable. In my view, this pardon is part of your efforts towards national political renewal for which I personally, just like many others, applaud you.

Book Review: Excerpt from the Manuscript of the Book entitled ‘Last Look’

By Samuel Reech Mayen, Juba – South Sudan

Commander John Garang and Commander Salva Kiir in Rumbek, during the war of liberation struggle

December 25, 2017 (SSB) — The autumn wind was blowing harshly from the North. The lips of the boys cracked deeply because of dryness. Dust from the dung ashes filled the air to an extent a short-sighted would not even see a sun. Their eyes voluntarily dripped with dirty tears. These were the climatic features of the sacrificial season. It was already time for sacrifice in Ngoth-goon totemic cattle camp.

Atem-yath, the totemic Puff Adder was widely worshipped by almost the whole section. This principal religious function was performed by slaughtering numerous oxen. For time immemorial, it had been an annual totemic feast. However, in the preceding past, the totemic festival had turned biennial purposely to make it more remarkable and less extravagant. That year was no different. The elders of Lian section met to listen to the clairvoyant advice on matters regarding this periodical ritual which appeased the deity to protect and provide good health to the people and their cattle.

The Christmas Message: The greatest gift to all Mankind: The birth of Jesus Christ

By David Matiop Gai, Juba, South Sudan

Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth: The Spiritual Leader of our Time

December 25, 2017 (SSB) — The birth of Jesus Christ was narrated in (Mt 1:18-25; Lk 2: 1-20) and has become the well-known religious story of Christian history as Christmas story birth of Jesus Christ.  The story birth of Jesus Christ our Lord is a spiritual celebration; it is a spiritual living and a true meditation on Christian’s faith. There is the number of importance essences of Christmas celebrations.

1. The Purpose of Christmas preparation and celebration.

Preparation for Christmas in few days ahead of us in South Sudan can be a lot of works, but as true Christmas, we get our hearts open to God. The first purpose of Christmas is pure celebrations compare to what we learnt from the angel’s opening statement to the shepherds of Bethlem or Bethlehem. God had wonderful news for us to rejoice, celebrate, and this is an opening statement of the angel to us that, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people”, (Lk 2:10). And the centre of Christmas is the entire reason for the love of God.