Report on Observing the Founding of Christianity at Malek
Bor Diocese, Jonglei Province, the Sudan
by the Rev. Dr. Jerry Drino
In 1906 the Ven. Archibald Shaw arrived in the Bor region of Jonglei Province to begin his ministry as an extension of the Church Missionary Society (UK). Originally four other missionaries accompanied him, but within five years they had all left for health or personal reasons. The Bor Dinka people resisted his efforts to bring them into the Christian faith. Eight years would pass before he baptized the first member of their tribe, Jon Aruor e Thor. Marc Nikkel in his book Dinka Christianity quotes a letter by Jon to the archdeacon who was away at Yambio:
Chief Shaw, yesterday I heard of God. I was happy for the news of God and Jesus came to my heart and I was full of joy. He has come into my heart. People are persecuting me and I do not fear their words. As you told me, I kept praying over it. Prayer is very dear to me. I ponder much over the things of God. Come quickly that our words may mingle about the things of God. God walk with you. June 1914
Remains of Archdeacon Shaw’s iron boat at Malek –
clergy and youth January 2006
Shaw became know as Macuor and the mission school became the cradle of the Dinka Church. He labored for thirty-one years using Malek as the center of the Anglican mission. A church, Bible School (seminary), primary and secondary schools, and a hospital were established there through his efforts.
Clergy at Malek, January 31 with Bishops Ezekiel Diing (l) and Nathanial Garang ® with miter
On January 31, 2006 the Bishops, Nathaniel Garang and Ezekiel Diing, and the Council of the Diocese of Bor gathered at Malek the clergy and people of Bor scattered throughout the Sudan and beyond. For a variety of reasons only four of us, including two Sudanese priests, were from the US at this historic gathering, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Anglican Church and Christianity among the Dinka of the Upper Nile. Over 8500 people journeyed in 100+ degree temperatures, some of them walking 3-5 days with little water or food...for two days there was no food for anyone and when food was available it was just one small meal a day. But the joy was tangible.
On December 23 in 1985 the most severe attacks took place, killing hundreds and burning everything in sight. A reporter covering the conflict could not believe what he saw on the 24th. People came from hiding in the bush and began to sing and dance their Christmas hymns. He asked why they were doing this as they processed to the leveled brick church of St. Andrew’s at Malek stepping over or past the bodies of their children, parents and family members as. They told him that they could do no other, for this was the day of the birth of their Lord.
Clergy at the ruins of the hospital at Malek
Shortly after this they gathered in the meeting ground surrounded by the ruins for prayers and then began to scatter in the four directions. The Bible School was re-established at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya in the 90's by the Rev. Marc Nikkel. The occasion in January was the return for the first time of most of the people to this holy place...a return from exile not unlike that of the Babylonian captivity in the Bible. Appropriately four priests were ordained by Bishops Nathanial Garang and Ezekiel Diing.
Ordinands at Malek, January 31, 2006
The need for support for rebuilding the Church and society are very broad, ranging from sustaining diocesan staff to support of educational, health and educational projects. Only the bishops are paid a small stipend. The diocesan administrators who labor in Nairobi are not paid. They and their families live right on the margins of life. Yet they must remain there to organize redevelopment projects and secure funding. It is imperative that they travel to the Sudan to supervise and encourage the clergy and people. There are no commercial flights, so chartered planes must be used, and the roads are next to non-existent or two dangerous with landmines.
Against this background of continuing struggle Bishop Nathaniel Garang in his sermon on the 31st called for his people to become missionaries to the West and to share the joy of faith that has and is nurturing them with a clear sense that God has a mission for them to fulfill. As Anglicans we are not members of a denomination. We are members of a Communion and as such our primary identity is in relationship with those of the World Church. The Episcopal Church of the Sudan calls us to be in relationship with them, to be one people in Christ.
AFRECS Members Jerry Drino, Anita Sanborn, and Rev. Anderia Lual Arok with Rev. Daniel Kuot of Nebraska at Malek.