A letter from Sue Ellen Hall in Sudan
March 1, 2006
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Psalm 51: 10-12
Lenten greetings from Khartoum. What challenging words from the Psalms to guide us! David’s plea for a new and right spirit, for the Holy Spirit and for a willing spirit, echoes in all who believe. Distractions and worries are our human lot, but how wonderful the divine promise of God, which is always there for the asking.
A new and right spirit
It’s a Friday morning and people are beginning to gather in the church. A couple of men are singing from a hymnal, finding songs they know.
Philip Akway Obang.
Drums are heard, and a red-robed choir enters, singing a lively song of praise. An hour later, Philip Akway Obang emerges from the church, newly ordained as a pastor to youth in the Sudanese Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC). At his side is a smiling young woman, Lydia, who becomes his wife a few weeks later. Reasons to celebrate! This ministry is a newly created position within the SPEC, recognizing Philip’s particular gift for working with all youth, not just those of one congregation. Praise God for SPEC’s openness to this ‘new’ spirit.
Your Holy Spirit
Mistere Girma.
Another Friday morning. Men, women, and children are gathering at Nile Theological College for College Day, a time to celebrate the founding of the college in 1991 and 14 years of educating pastors and leaders for the church in Sudan. Current students and faculty and their families share songs and skits, food and fellowship, prayers and praise. Among those present are three NTC graduates who are now part of the faculty (along with several others). Despite problems and struggles, education continues thanks to the dedication of past and present members of the NTC family. These three graduates are part of the fruits of that original vision.
Mistere Girma, a member of the Presbyterian Church of Sudan (PCOS) and a 2002 graduate, received her masters in Tanzania and now teaches church history at NTC. Mistere is the second Sudanese woman on the faculty and the first female graduate to return to teach. We hope she won’t be the last!
Musa Kody.
Musa Kody, the top graduate of 2004 and a member of SPEC, teaches philosophy in the junior Arabic track. Musa is a former lawyer whose inquiring mind led him to study in the pastoral exegetical track at NTC. Greek isn’t “Greek” to him!
Santino Odong, NTC graduate in 1995 and pastor in the PCOS, has taught many courses since joining the faculty almost ten years ago. Santino served as acting dean during the transition to a new administration, and he continues to guide and inspire both students and staff in many ways.
Praise God for the Holy Spirit that works in and through our Sudanese brothers and sisters!
Santino Odong.
A willing spirit
My own work at NTC has taken a musical turn. There is now a full-time Sudanese teacher of English, leaving me freer to help in other areas. Last semester I taught the English section of “Methods of Classroom Teaching.” When the need for a class in church music was expressed by both students and faculty, “Music in the Church” was included as an elective offered to NTC seniors from both the English and the Arabic tracks. My challenge has been—and continues to be—how to teach both groups with my limited Arabic and a minimum of translation. I’ve adapted by reducing in the amount of the history of hymnody increasing the practical aspects of church music. Each student has several opportunities to lead and plan music for worship. In addition to learning many new Sudanese songs, another blessing for me has been a slight improvement in my Arabic and an even greater appreciation for all who are true polyglots! This term, I am attempting to offer musical notation and theory as an extra-curricular class open to all NTC students. Thanks to a computer program, by the end of term we should have the songs written in notation “translated” from the keyboard. Praise God for a “willing” spirit when opportunities and challenges arise!
Praises and prayers
- For a wonderful and refreshing home assignment in the United States in 2005 and the blessings of family and friends, old and new.
- For times of sharing with congregations and groups from Arkansas to Oregon and Florida to Pennsylvania who remain faithful to the PC(USA) presence in Sudan and the Sudanese church, both financially and spiritually.
- For opportunities to use music in my work as well as in worship.
- For the strengthening of the churches and theological schools in Sudan.
- For all who work for peace and justice and reconciliation here.
- For the in-dwelling and out-pouring of the Holy Spirit in all we say and do.
‘allah yibaarikakum - God bless you in this Lenten season
Your sister in Christ,
Sue Ellen
The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 326
