Worshippers at St Michael’s church in Shap were able to hear at first hand what life is like in Sudan and Uganda, when .local lad Gary Ion spoke about his work as a mission partner for the Church Mission Society. Gary, who is a native of Bampton, said that in the heat of Sudan and Uganda, he often longed for the coolness of Cumbria, but having been at home since September with the heavy rains and recent snow, he is now looking forward to returning to warmer climes. Having served his time as a joiner he undertook a construction management course in Bolton and first travelled to Sudan and Uganda in 1995 to work with Tear Fund, helping to rebuild the Kiwoko hospital that had been left in ruins following the civil war.  At that time one in three people suffered from HIV, and many of the first team he worked with have since died.  Gary said that he is the only builder the CMS has, so his skills are in great demand.

Between 2002 – 2004; during the Sudanese civil war, Gary was provided with a house in Kajo Keji by the Bishop, it had no roof, so whilst work was carried out he lived in a mud hut with other builders; the house was habitable in eighteen. There was a constant danger from landmines and raids by bombers, the team of builders also worked on repairs to damaged school buildings.  Gary left the house after the war ended in 2004, and following the peace agreement in 2005 the Church took over the house to start again, using it as a base with offices.

For the past four years Gary has lived in Kampala, but travelled regularly into northern Uganda and southern Sudan.  Sudan is a fertile country when it rain the main crops being sweet potatoes, with lots of Mango trees, during the war landmines were planted below all the mango trees; these were later cleared.  The Civil wars deeply affected both these countries; Sudan was at war between 1955 and 1972, and again between 1983 and 2005. Uganda was at war between 1971 and 1985.  Over two million people were displaced, taking refuge in camps accommodating over 20,000 people, these camps were subject to raids by the Lords Resistance Army who abducted children to use as human shields.  People are now moving back and being repatriated, some live in tents whilst they rebuild their communities. Gary helps these people with costing the work, finding what materials can be sourced locally, and what needs to be bought in.  Whilst schools are rebuilt, lessons are held under the trees.  Children are given moulds to make bricks for the rebuilding as homework, education is very important to them and they are very proud of having uniforms made by the local Mothers Union, there was a picture of the Mothers Union ladies daubing mud into the walls of a school in the traditional way.  Church is often held in the open too, with people very smartly dressed despite their living conditions.

The north of Sudan is Muslim and the south African Christian, so the civil wars were been based on religion, however southern Sudan has many rich resources such as minerals, whilst northern Sudan is mainly desert, so the north are not keen to give up on their aim to control the south. 

The worship was led by Jean Jackson, with Bible readings by Elaine Allison and Sheila Parsons, the organist was Janet Wood and prayers led by Jean Scott-Smith.  The collection was taken by Molly and Joe Woof, Gary Ion’s niece and nephew, and was in aid of the work of the Church Mission Society.  The service ended with prayers for Gary’s safety when he returns to Kampala in March.