Students take books to Sudan college

22 April

A group of students and staff from Trinity has recently returned from a short visit to Southern Sudan where they spent time in New Bishop Gwynne Theological College, Juba, one of five Anglican colleges in the country. They took with them over 100 books, including those written by Trinity faculty members, which had been donated by our students and staff (in the photo). They also took some Bristol blue glass with the Trinity logo on it, for use in services (bottom photo).

The group shared meals and daily worship with the Bishop Gwynne students, all of whom are ordained pastors from different tribes who have left their families far away while they study. They also worshipped at the Dinka church and the Cathedral.

Bishop Gwynne College survived years of civil war by moving to Juba, but was closed last year. It has recently reopened as New Bishop Gwynne College and hopes to move in September to a new site where expansion will be possible. The Trinity group visited the site and heard about NBGC plans for a financially sustainable future, and about its needs for new premises and increased library and IT resources.

The visit was facilitated by Revd Canon Trevor Stubbs from Salisbury Diocese who is helping to re-establish the college, and was led by Dr Eeva John, Trinity's Academic Registrar, who has worked in Sudan. The Trinity group are all part of the 'J18' context-based team who work in three communities on the edge of Bristol.

They had arrived during the Sudanese elections and attended a televised prayer rally organised by the Sudan Council of Churches where groups from a variety of denominations took part, as well as Muslim groups. 'This was a moving and significant show of solidarity,' says Eeva John, 'and a statement about the depth of desire for fair elections and a peaceful future.'

'We were moved by their devotion to Christ - and the sense in which only in Christ they saw hope for the future of their peoples and their country. A holistic, vibrant and essential faith. Their appreciation of our visit was humbling and we are determined to continue to link up and keep alive our new friendships with the students and partnership with the New Bishop Gwynne College. We return to UK richer and with a deeper sense of God's worldwide family - challenged to allow God to make our faith more vital to every sphere of life.'