I arrived in Yei one day before the Episcopal Church of the Sudan (ECS) Bishops’ Retreat was due to commence, with the specific purpose of meeting as many of the Bishop’s as possible. I actually flew from Entebbe into Yei with Bishop Peter Amidi of Laiya Diocese and Bishop Alaypayo of Rumbek Diocese.

I was privileged to be invited to represent the ECS Partners at the opening ceremony of the retreat. Bishop Hilary welcomed the Archbishop, the Commissioner, Bishop Frank Grant and the Bishops as he proclaimed the start of the Retreat. After quite a noisey praise time with the ECS Youth Choir backed by an extremely loud band, Archbishop Daniel Deng was invited to speak.

The Archbishop was truly inspirational, stating this was a time for the Bishops to “come away with our wives and get to know one another and to draw close to God.” He said that we all needed to “experience God’s transformation in our own lives”.

I met Lord Carey in Juba two days later en route to Yei and the Retreat. Interestingly he knew much about CMS Ireland and the work we were doing supporting our Global Partners in Sudan. He also knew about the success in accessing the Sudan Recovery Fund and the Basic Services Fund grants to support the church in Central Equatoria.

I also had the opportunity to meet Bishop Justin of Maridi, Bishop Peter Amidi of Lainya, Bishop Loyo of Rokon, Bishop Alapayo of Rumbek, Bishop Poggo of KajoKeji, Bishop Kamani of Ibba and of course Bishop Hilary of Yei Diocese.

After the Retreat Bishop Hillary reported, “The retreat was a huge blessing upon us and the people of Yei. We had such an inspiring time with Lord George Carey, Archbishop Henry Orombi and our own Archbishop. The American Bishop Frank Grant had tremendous input into the whole retreat, making it a real retreat that had nothing at all apart from focusing on the Bible, having a wonderful quiet time of reflection and prayer. We all came out from it transformed.”