Maridi Town and the surrounding countryside within a 2\u2013mile radius are currently relatively safe but the area and the church face enormous problems:
\nInsecurity, as government and rebel forces engage in violent skirmishes;
\nStretched resources. Since fighting began, 12\u201314 thousand displaced people have descended on the area \u2013 Bishop Justin\u2019s home in the cathedral compound is full of refugees. many of those who were successfully cultivating food outside the town cannot return to their fields and hunger is rife.
\nTravel by vehicle is almost impossible. Sporadic and unpredictable violence and the scarcity and high cost of fuel mean most have to walk or travel by bicycle. Some estimates put inflation at 800%;
\nFor many of the displaced children, education has ceased.
\nAs you can imagine, ministry is both difficult and dangerous. Bishop Tandema of neighbouring Olo Diocese recently had to abandon his sermon as gunfire erupted and he and his congregation had to flee for their lives.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bishop Justin Badi updates his Irish friends on the situation in #SouthSudan<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/10LqPZEIOz<\/a> 2\/2 #anglican<\/a> #violence<\/a> #insecurity<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/FTHf1nL65A<\/a><\/p>\n — Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) October 25, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n