This message from Fr. Ryan Hall brought in the first gift in support of the South Sudan referendum bus:
Dear Friends,
As some of you may know, the southern part of the country of Sudan is having a referendum vote on January 9th concerning whether or not to remain a part of the country. As I understand it from Moses, it is basically a vote for independence. Many of the Sudanese in our communities in South Dakota are eligible to vote, but the only voting place in this part of the country is down in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Sudanese congregation at Holy Apostles in Sioux Falls in conjunction with the South Sudanese political organization and Father Tim Fountain at Church of the Good Shepherd-Sioux Falls are strongly urging their Sudanese community to vote. Because many of those in the Sudanese community lack reliable transportation, the trek to Omaha in winter is problematic or downright impossible for many.
As such, Moses and the leaders of the Sudanese community in Sioux Falls initially were arranging a few carpools, but due to weather, they would like to charter a bus to take those eligible to vote in the referendum to Omaha on January 9th. The cost for the bus is $850. They feel this is the best way to ensure both safety and maximum participation of those eligible to vote.
If you would like to help donate to this worthy cause, Father Tim down in Sioux Falls is working with Moses to hire the bus, so donations can be mailed directly to Church of the Good Shepherd in Sioux Falls or let me know I can work to arrange a check through the Rector's Discretionary Fund here at St. Paul's.
If you are unable to provide any monetary assistance, I also invite you to pray for the Sudanese and the Referendum vote, as many fear military reprisals in the event the referendum for independence passes.
Thank you for your attention and God bless,
-Fr. Ryan
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