In our global community, the troubles of the African continent have been widely chronicled. In our lifetimes, we have been the sad witnesses to a slew of these struggles, ranging all the way from the racist hierarchal system of apartheid to widespread political corruption and the spread of infectious diseases. With the coming year, we are faced with another struggle: the tension in the Sudan which may, unfortunately, culminate in another genocide on the continent.

Yet, although we have been the unfortunate witnesses to this medley of troubles, we, as a college community, have not sat idly and passively. Rather, we have taken the onus upon ourselves to do anything that we could to try to make a difference. It was in this spirit, the spirit of making a difference and hoping for peace in our global community, that students in association with Iona in Mission took a stand, and held a vigil in the courtyard of Iona’s dormitories for peace in the Sudan.

The vigil, which several students took part of, was meant to encourage and pray for peace in the Sudanese region of Africa. With an impending genocide in the area, Iona students prayers hoped to be answered that violence in the midst of crisis could be avoided.

The gesture, organized in part by the Iona in Mission branch of Campus Ministries, is not the first of its kind. Nor, you can be assured, will it be the last. Iona in Mission, as an organization, is dedicated to promoting peace and Christian well being throughout all areas of the world. The organization, which has already sponsored several trips to Africa, including the country of Kenya in the past, is trying to do its part to ensure that all peoples, both with and without power, are able to enjoy a certain quality of life. That quality of life includes not having to live with the daily fear of extermination.

Although the vigil was small, the gesture is one that is huge in spirit. In taking action, big or small, Iona’s students became living testaments to the spirit of the College’s mission. Through the organization of the vigil, Iona in Mission proved once again its value to the College as a whole.