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Christ Church, Yambio

North Wales team return from African mission trip


A retired Vicar from Rhos-Cystennin has led a mission team to Africa to see the opening of a brand new church – six years after building work started on it.

Reverend Peter Marshall from Glanwydden near Llandudno first visited Yambio in 2005 and was shown the 80,000 bricks in the village of Bethlehem that were waiting to be turned into Christ Church.

On Sunday 6 November, during Peter’s mission trip to South Sudan, the new Church became a reality at a special dedication service. It was attended by more than 3000 people including his Honour Joseph Bakosoro, the governor of Western Equitoria State.

Peter preached at the service and said:

“The celebrations lasted for six hours or so and I took as my text for the sermon; ‘My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus’ from Philippians 4 v 19.

“Seeing the church had no doors or window shutters, the State Governor announced he would donate around £1,000 for this, and with the offering taken at the service, these needs are being met. Prayers answered while you wait!”

Peter took David Raggett and Ruth Parker from All Saints’ Church in Deganwy on this mission trip. David is a water engineer and has started work on guttering for the new church, which will mean eventually the local people can store water that falls on the roof.

Ruth is a music teacher and spent time working in the Happy Years nursery and primary school set up in Nzara. She was able to introduce the pupils to the ukulele!

Ruth Parker teaching children the ukulele

Summing up the trip, Peter added:

“What a privilege to visit a part of the Anglican communion where evangelism and growth are happening before your eyes.

“Next on the agenda, a team in March 2012 is coming to introduce the clergy to ‘Rooted in Jesus’, a discipleship course developed in the African culture.”

For more information about the trip and the ongoing work in South Sudan, please visit Peter’s website.

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