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News and articles from CMS Ireland

Member's Gathering Looks to the Future...

“The more I learn about mission, the more I realise that it’s not what we do to people that’s important, it’s what God does to us,” said Rev. Prof Rab Mollan at the recent CMS Ireland AGM in Dublin.

During his annual address as President of the Society Rev. Prof Mollan talked about his growing conviction that mission was often about “witness and evangelism in the rough and tumble of life,” and that his prayer was for CMS Ireland members to hold, “God’s kingdom in their sights and His mission in their hearts.”

Posted by Colin Corbridge on Tue, 06 May 2008

CMS Ireland’s Partners in Burundi Appeal For Prayer.

‘Instability’ has been the key word in Burundi in recent weeks and CMS Ireland’s partners are asking for prayer as the situation worsens.

“An upsurge in violence and recent heavy rains have left thousands of people fearful, homeless and without food,” says CMS Ireland’s Regional Mission Partner for Mid-Africa, Niall Manogue.

He goes on to say, “At the moment things are not looking good. We are in close contact with our partners and more than anything we are aware that they want us to pray for them at this time.”

Posted by Colin Corbridge on Tue, 06 May 2008

Superglue me.

Applying superglue to a child’s lips might send some scurrying to find the number for social services….but not in Kiwoko…..

Posted by Rory Wilson on Mon, 05 May 2008 | 0 comments | Visit Rory Wilson's blog

Challenging Questions...

HIV is a huge issue – no kidding.

For many of our partners the reality of working with HIV/AIDS is one of the biggest challenges they face. I read this in the Times over the weekend and thought it was worth flagging. Not sure I agree with all of it but it made me think.

The basic gist of the article, by Elizabeth Pisani, is that political correctness over criticising sexual practices such as multiple partners in Africa has prevented us finding an effective strategy to fight HIV. It also raises some big issues about how charities, agencies and NGOs have responded over the years.

Here’s a quick extract from the article or you can link to the whole thing here.

Posted by Colin Corbridge on Mon, 05 May 2008 | Visit Spike Corbridge's blog

Craft Sales support Women's Programme

Running a craft shop is not my skill. In fact I find it a real struggle to find the time to manage it in the way I would like. I am so busy running the clinic.

We are totally dependent on sales to enable the women to be paid for the work they do. The women work; we pay them for their work and we hope to sell the products (see photo. The full catalogue is on our website at www.johnandpoppy.org.uk).

From time to time we hit a financial problem. This happened last week when it looked as though we would run out of cash by the end of the month. We stopped most of the women working but this causes hardship for those whose families depend upon this income.

Posted by John and Poppy Spens on Sat, 03 May 2008 | Visit John and Poppy Spens's blog

Community Health Evangelism in Yei

The Martha Clinic has recently hosted a 10 day training workshop (pictured) in community health evangelism (CHE), a programme which has been running very successfully in several African countries over recent years.

Posted by John and Poppy Spens on Thu, 01 May 2008 | Visit John and Poppy Spens's blog

New Clinic proving to be a blessing

The new clinic is going really well.

Patient numbers are rising, especially of ante-natal mothers. We are really pleased at this because the rate of maternal deaths in Southern Sudan is thought to be the highest in the world.

We now have a solar vaccine fridge so that we can carry out routine immunisations. It took a year to get here and be installed but we are now delighted that it is ready for use.

The new clinic building is superb and the staff are very hard working and competent – I have never worked with such a committed team.

Posted by John and Poppy Spens on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 | Visit John and Poppy Spens's blog

The Upside Down Kingdom. The Back-to-front Empire.

I have spent a fait bit of my time writing recently. Whilst researching some stuff I stumbled across this quote from Tom Sine – and loved it.

“When Jesus began teaching he made it clear that his new empire would be unlike any empire the world had ever seen. It came on a donkey’s back. It’s imperial council was comprised of a handful of unemployed fishermen, a couple of IRS agents, a prostitute and some hangers on.

Posted by Colin Corbridge on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 | 1 comments | Visit Spike Corbridge's blog

Long Term Partnership is Vital Claims Archbishop of Burundi

CMS Ireland’s Regional Mission Partner for Mid Africa, Niall Manogue, has recently returned from a visit to Burundi, where he spent time with CMS Ireland’s partners in Gitega and Matana Dioceses.

During his visit he had the opportunity to meet Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi and they took the chance to discuss why the growing partnership between Ireland and Burundi is proving to be significant.

You can listen to an extract of their time together here or read on for Niall’s reflections on his visit.

Posted by Colin Corbridge on Fri, 25 Apr 2008

Census Begins in Yei

After a one week delay, the fifth Hosing and Population census got under way at midnight on Monday 21st April. Everyone was recorded where they were sleeping that night. The results will be very significant and will be preparatory for the referendum on the future of Southern Sudan, to be organised in 2011.

Posted by John and Poppy Spens on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 | Visit John and Poppy Spens's blog