A Grandfather of Grandfathers

A Letter from Shelvis and Nancy Smith-Mather, serving in South Sudan and the United Kingdom, currently in the United States

Spring 2021

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Dear friends,

The most difficult thing about living overseas is the distance from family. This aspect of our lives in South Sudan became significantly more challenging when, over eight years ago, we welcomed our first child into our family. As new parents, we hoped our son Jordan would regularly be swept up into the loving arms of an adoring grandparent, an aunt, or an uncle. We wanted him to benefit from the nearby presence of extended family who would care for him as their own.

We thank God that while living in Yei, South Sudan we found an abundance of friends, colleagues, and neighbors ready to stand in for our extended family. Daily, Jordan received hugs, kind words and sweet attention from numerous aunties and uncles at the RECONCILE training center. Shelvis and I fondly remember when, during the 2013 RECONCILE Peace Institute, Jordan met “Jidu.”

Canon Clement Janda introduced himself to our son as “Jidu to Jidugeen (Grandfather of Grandfathers),” acknowledging both his age and his desire to be in relationship. In other circles, Jidu held other titles: Reverend, Canon, Honorable, Senator, Elder, General Secretary Emeritus of the Sudan Council of Churches, and General Secretary Emeritus of the All Africa Conference of Churches. Renown as a peace negotiator, liberation champion, and global ecumenical leader, all of our children grew up knowing him as Jidu.

We always felt humbled Canon chose to spend time with us. In 2012, he welcomed us to Yei, his hometown. Like a seasoned guide, he helped us navigate the complexities of a new culture. An authoritative historian, he taught us about the root causes of conflict in South Sudan. A caring pastor, he checked in on us to make sure we were acclimating well.

Extending authentic friendship to us, he visited our front porch in South Sudan while processing and grieving the loss of a close relative. Years later, after both our families fled to Uganda due to the war, I felt comfortable crying on his front porch about the severe illness of someone very important to me. He and his wife Joyce listened compassionately through to the last tear.

When Shelvis applied to Oxford University, Jidu collaborated with two other nationally recognized peacemakers to write a letter of recommendation. The letter showed the humility, wisdom, and commitment to collaboration Canon Janda exemplified in his life. It stated: “In recommending Rev. Shelvis Smith-Mather to Oxford University, we do so trusting that he will share with us and our communities the lessons he gains from your esteemed institution, and that he will share with you lessons learned working with us. We believe that accepting this experienced peace-builder and thoughtful theologian into your program will be of benefit to you and us alike.”

Canon Janda and Mama Joyce’s home was one of our final visits in Uganda before travelling to the UK for studies and then later to the U.S. due to the pandemic. When the unexpected news of his death on March 8, 2021 reached us, it hit hard. Shelvis and I took time to process this significant loss personally before telling the kids. It seemed our time in South Sudan and Uganda would never feel quite the same without the presence of our caring Grandfather of Grandfathers. His stories made us laugh, his wisdom guided us, and his love made us feel safe.

For our children, we coupled the sad news with ice cream, celebrating Jidu’s amazing life. The day after the ice cream party, I found myself coaching Jordan on ways to speak with humility in order to be a peacebuilder, like Jidu. As the week unfolded, photos from the various funeral events popped up on my phone. I longed to be in East Africa, mourning alongside the many who knew him. The most difficult thing about living overseas is the distance from family.

Nancy and Shelvis