Of dancing and singing, teaching and far away heroes

Thursday.

Clare J, Hannah and Sarah headed to Bishop Lee Rayfield Training and Leadership College, about 2 hour's drive from Kitgum, mostly along murram roads. It was a hot day, and when we arrived, they had set out a welcome area under some tamarind trees, which was relatively cool. The welcomes were thorough, as usual! A welcome party greeted us on the approach road and we walked to the college site behind a singing and dancing group. Many introductions and the primary students sang 2 welcome songs for us.

The college is primarily to train lay readers, and they were delighted that one of our party was a lay reader. Sarah got a cheer and a round of applause. On the site is also a nursery, primary and senior school for local children. We then had a tour of the site, and heard about their expansion plans, and saw the first stage of it with a new accommodation block which is under construction.

The principal, Rev Okidi Charles, personally thanked Bristol Diocese, particularly Bristol West Deanery, for sponsoring him through UCU. He said that the encouragement and blessing of this sponsorship now enables him to encourage and bless the students at college. Rev Charles also thanked Bishop Lee Rayfield and the diocese for their support of the college and its education work. The college has 6 tutors who all volunteer their time, their tutoring is unpaid. The lay ministry students are from Kitgum and Langwo and there are 40 - 32 men and 8 women students.

The college regard Bishop Lee as their humanitarian hero. We heard the testimony from

2 students who deeply appreciate this opportunity to study. The day ended with many formal thank yous, prayers and a farewell song sung by the students accompanied by various ndongus, including a 2 man ndongu!