Hello Everyone,

I want to share with you some photos I recently received of the construction on the church in Lowoi, Diocese of Torit, South Sudan. These photos are already a few weeks old, and the work has likely been completed by now. The Diocese celebrated its patronal feastday on June 29 (Sts. Peter and Paul), and South Sudan just celebrated its one-year anniversary as a new nation on July 1, so it may be a little longer before I'm able to share with you photos of the completed project, which I will do as soon as I receive them.  Check  photo album for more pictures.

But as you can see the entire structure of beams to support the roof were already in place when the photos were taken, and seems to be very professionally done, praise God.

When I was in South Sudan in May, things were very peaceful, though the economy was noticeably depressed. Pressure from the international community helped both sides to back away from increasing tensions, though the north still has to comply with troop withdrawals from the Abyei region. International loans and promised investment has helped to shore up the economy a little, too. There are still many challenges for South Sudan to face, but they are an amazingly resilient people, loved and blessed by God in a special way.

Thank you again for all your assistance and collaboration in making this miracle possible for the people in Lowoi. It's a great gesture of encouragement for them and a reminder that God is still mindful of them, too.

God bless,
Fr. Herald