I write today of two women in South Sudan, one a missionary whose life was tragically ended in unprovoked violence last week; and one a young woman who, against the odds, has just graduated from Loreto School in Rumbek: two women of great character from very different backgrounds, whose own words convey strong and moving messages.
The first is Sr Veronica SSpS, a Holy Spirit Sister, a medical doctor and hospital administrator well known to many of us. I attach a brief summary of the event of her tragic death last week, as written by her congregation. In early 2014, not long after violent conflict erupted in South Sudan, Veronica herself wrote the following, faith-filled words:
Recently somebody asked me why I am staying here under such circumstances. Why- Because Jesus continued his way and did not give up when it became difficult. He accepted suffering, hardships and carried the cross till the end. He remained obedient to the will of the Father. He was always with the people. He did not abandon them. He was even ready to accept the death, because he loved them. Being a woman disciple of Jesus I am following the footsteps of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. I cannot leave the people of South Sudan because I love them. They are happy that we stay with them, pray with them and work together building this young and fragile country. The people need our support, prayer and help. At this junction I would like to thank to all who supported us with their prayers, sacrifices and finances. We are called to be a sign of hope especially in the time of darkness. God will never abandon us because he is he is our Emmanuel=God with us.
The second young woman, whom I have met on my visits to Loreto for School Board meetings, wrote as follows. I have changed only her name.
‘I am Mary Theresa Legge. I am the first born in a family of quiet a good number of children, six stepmothers and several aunts and uncles. The size of the family made it too hard for me to attend my studies regularly. This was because I had to do my domestic duties which at times prevented me from going to school. This was worst especially when I was in primary.
My stepmothers with whom I stayed wanted me to sit at home doing domestic work as my young step siblings went to school. My mother got pregnant when she was a young girl by my father. Her father did not want my father so he gave her to another man and my father took me. He gave me to my stepmothers with whom I stay today. These women were not good to me and kept pushing me from one person to another working for them. Sometimes, I went to school late because I had to first sweep a large compound, wash the dishes, fill the pots with water and prepare breakfast before going to school. I found the school gate locked and consequently I received a lot of beatings from my teachers. This made me cry bitterly because nobody understood what I was going through.
If I went to school without doing any one of my domestic duties, my stepmother beat me and refused me from eating lunch and supper. Lunch was not a problem to me because I was used to live without it. In the morning when I went to school, I had to carry the money with me so that I passed by the market to buy what to cook for supper after school. I dropped my school bag on arriving home and went straight to the kitchen to prepare supper. I only rested at night when I shared one thin mattress with my two cousins. My father used to leave very early in the morning and come late in the evening. He did not know much of what I was going through and I did not make any step to tell him because he would have even beat them. That was the last thing I wanted, so I chose to keep it for myself.
Most of my age mates who experienced life almost like mine looked for husbands and advised me to do the same. They said it was the only way I would have found peace and love but I refused. My father struggled to make sure I stayed in school though I was academically poor. Resources to educate me were also a huge problem with all the number of children he had. I struggled to finish primary school.
I miraculously passed my exams. This gave me more hope and interest to continue my studies. After my primary school, I had no idea of what I could do next. My father could not manage to continue my studies because he lost the only lumbering machine which was the only source of our income. It was stolen by the co-workers of my father. God with mighty works and opened another way as I was almost giving up. He got a job and I also heard of Loreto which my father suggested immediately when he got a job. I prayed so hard to God so as I get an admission and God answered my prayers. The first day I arrived at school, I was taken to the dormitory by my ‘school mother’. The fact that Loreto was a boarding school made me so happy. As I stood there that day, I knew it would have been my next home. A home that I had loved so much and longed for.
The school made me discover my very self that God had given me but did not know. As I stayed in school doing my studies, I started doing very well academically. I discovered that I only needed a place like this to resurrect. I have discovered that boarding school is the best for girls to wake up and discover themselves like I did. Today, I have finished my secondary education and working with my school, getting experience as I wait for God to open a way for me to continue. I believe that even in the darkest hour of life, God can still show his might and power.’
So much can be achieved if opportunities are given. There are currently just over 400 missionaries in South Sudan. Each would say with Sr Veronica, ‘We are called to be a sign of hope especially in the time of darkness’. What hope would other girls have, in similar situations to Mary Theresa in this polygamous society, if the Loreto Sisters had not chosen to go the Rumbek and, with the generous support of many donors, develop a quality boarding school for girls? It is not easy to be a girl or woman in South Sudan but missionary sisters certainly bring genuine hope that life can be better.
Sr Veronica wrote: ‘He (Jesus) did not abandon them. He was even ready to accept the death, because he loved them.’ Veronica, an immensely talented woman gave her life so that others may come to know, asMary Theresa said, ‘that even in the darkest hour of life, God can still show his might and power,’ a might and power, not imposed by soldiers with weapons, but delivered with the profound tenderness of one who cares for others.
We salute these two valiant women in their resolute belief, and in the power of their love.
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