An Easter Parable

A letter from Debbie Blane in the U.S. waiting to return to South Sudan

February 2015

Dear Friends,

This is a letter of joy and confirmation!  I have just received word this morning that I will be returning to South Sudan and to my teaching at the Nile Theological College (NTC)!  I will journey to Juba at the end of March/beginning of April and resume teaching on April 13.

I will likely celebrate Palm Sunday in the United States and celebrate Easter in Juba.  These two precious times in terms of our Christian calendar and our faith are richly symbolic for this return.  I will return to the new life of the college that is reopening in Juba.  This reopening is such an affirmation of God’s faithfulness to us.  In the midst of continuing ongoing violence and civil war in South Sudan God is providing for the education of church leaders that will continue to bring God’s hope, love, and faith to fruition.  The people who have walked in the darkness will see a great light!

This has been a very difficult time for all who are involved with NTC.  Students have been scattered all over South Sudan and many have gone to refugee camps in Ethiopia and Uganda.  At this point in time the administration of the college is getting the word out to the students to come back as classes will resume.  Many students do not feel safe in returning as there continues to be broken trust and warfare between the government and the rebel groups and between different tribes in the country.

I ask that you would celebrate this return with me as an Easter parable.  WE, together, are part of God’s ministry in this broken place of the world.  It is so significant that I will be returning as Easter breaks forth new life, new light and new hope across South Sudan; I am filled with joy.

If you need to replenish your supply of my prayer cards please contact Nicole Gerkins at Nicole.gerkins@pcusa.org.

I ask that you join me in prayers for a time of calm preparation and a smooth transition.

I will be participating in the Presbyterian Delegation at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York City March 6-13.  I will return to Louisville, Kentucky, on the 14^th and will then focus my time and energy on making my way back “home.”  Such a gift to first carry South Sudan and its women with me to New York and then to be able to return to South Sudan itself less than a month later.

The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women is known by its acronym CSW.  As a Presbyterian delegate I will be rubbing shoulders with women and men from around the world, our global community, and with Presbyterian and non-Presbyterian Americans.  Much of the focus of the CSW will be on the work that was done in Beijing, China, 20 years ago as a platform/agenda was created for empowering women and men of the global community to work toward gender equality and the rights of women to things like education and access to medical care.  I will not be a part of the program for CSW; I will, however, be a listening and advocating participant.  I plan to lift up the women and girl children of South Sudan and the ways that the culture in that country limits the growth of full humanity for females.  At the same time I always bear in mind that South Sudan has the cultural gifts of an emphasis on community and sharing one’s limited resources with others.

As I return to South Sudan and God’s teaching ministry, I invite you to partner with me through World Mission as we partner with the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan.  Now is an excellent time to join this partnership as we look forward to the future.  I also thank those of you who have faithfully walked with me for the last several years—for your prayers, your partnership in this ministry, and your financial support.

In Christ,
Debbie

The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 139