ywam-sudan-blog

A new DTS location in South Sudan!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:48:34 +0100

Here is a recent update from James Wio in Wau, South Sudan...

"Recruitment for the DTS students is already completed. They are 13 in number and we need your prayer for the coming DTS in March 2012. Pray for beds and mattresses and also for DTS books and a vehicle for outreach. Concerning the bore hole, they said they will continue work on February 15th. I can't wait here because I'm taking my children back to boarding school in Uganda. I will come back earlier on February 5th and be with my family here in Wau."

Thank God for James (Sudanese) and his family who are taking a big step of faith to start YWAM in Wau, South Sudan. They now have a small piece of property in town and large piece of property outside of town to eventually development into a training center. A bore hole (well) has been put on the land to offer clean water to YWAM and the community in the surrounding area.

Pray also for Josephine (Ugandan) who helped pioneer the YWAM base in Yei, South Sudan and is co-leading the new work with James. She is trying to find a young lady to stay with her elderly mother in Uganda so she can help James with the ministry and the DTS.

Starting anything new is a challenge. Starting a YWAM base in a remote part the newest nation on earth emerging from nearly fifty years of conflict is a HUGE challenge! When the first DTS started in northern Sudan, the leaders didn't even have enough money to copy the applications, but God provided and they had over 40 students. Lets pray that God would bring amazing provision to the first DTS in Wau and to the staff who are pioneering the work.

If you would like to support this work, donations can be sent to: YWAM Strategic Frontiers, PO BOX 60579, Colorado Springs, CO 80960. Please make checks payable to "YWAM" and do not write "Sudan" anywhere on the check. Enclose a note that states "Sudan- Wau DTS", "Sudan- James" or "Sudan- Josephine". You can go to www.ywamsf.org to make a donation online.

God is using the YWAM Redeem Primary School!

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:11:26 +0100

Many thanks go out to Africom for creating another video highlighting YWAM's work in South Sudan. This short video gives a glimpse of the awesome work God is doing through Lokuta and the other staff in Yei. Enjoy...

YWAM Redeem Primary School, Yei South Sudan from YWAM AfriCom on Vimeo.

While the children do pay school fees, it is not enough to cover the costs of all the teachers and the porridge they are fed each day. The school needs about $7500 a year to cover all the costs. That is only $30 to help a child from South Sudan get an education for a year. Would you consider supporting one or two or ten of these children?

If you would like to support this work, donations can be sent to: YWAM Strategic Frontiers, PO BOX 60579, Colorado Springs, CO 80960. Please make checks payable to "YWAM" and do not write "Sudan" anywhere on the check. Enclose a note that states "Sudan- Redeem Primary School". You can also go to www.ywamsf.org to make a donation online.

Studying the Word of God in Arabic

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:00:59 +0100

The first-ever School of Biblical Studies (SBS) in Sudan (north) started earlier this month. This 3-month course is an intensive introduction in inductive bible study. Not only will the students be studying the bible, but they will be learning HOW to study the bible. Instead of coming to the Word of God with preconceived ideas, inductive bible study attempts to dig deep into the Word of God and let the text shape our ideas. This is especially important in Sudan, where the church continues to grow but there is limited access to higher theological education.

We are also excited because all of the staff and students for the school are native Arabic speakers from around the region. While some of teaching will be done in other languages, it will always be translated into Arabic. All of the resource books (concordances, bible dictionaries, etc) are in Arabic and assignments will be completed in Arabic. Being equipped in the language they use everyday will allow the students to more easily apply what they are learning to their ministries of evangelism and discipleship.

Pray that God will use the Word of God to deeply impact the lives of the students over the coming months. Ask God to strengthen and guide the staff who have prayed, sacrificed and worked towards this school for several years.

The ministry of SBS and the staff pioneering it are in need of people to pray for them and support them financially. If you would like to support this work, donations can be sent to: YWAM Strategic Frontiers, PO BOX 60579, Colorado Springs, CO 80960. Please make checks payable to "YWAM" and do not write "Sudan" anywhere on the check. Enclose a note that states "Sudan- SBS" or "Sudan- SBS staff". You can also go to www.ywamsf.org to make a donation online.

Witch doctor comes to know Jesus

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:44:10 +0100

There are presently five teams on outreach in Sudan (north) and South Sudan. The first DTS outreach team from Yei, South Sudan headed out to Tali, South Sudan in early December. Then a DTS team from Germany arrived in Yei before Christmas and DTS team from Hawaii arrived after Christmas. Just before the New Year, the two outreach teams from the DTS in Sudan (north) headed out to their respective locations. A sixth team from South Africa with a focus on church planting will be heading to South Sudan next week.

Here is an update from the Yei DTS outreach team...

"Greetings from Tali, South Sudan DTS Outreach! It has been my joy during the DTS outreach ministry to see God doing great wonders! Last week 70 people gave their life to Christ including one witch doctor. Three people received healing from long-term sicknesses and one person which was demon possessed was delivered from demons. The challenges of the DTS outreach are bad roads and limited communication due to the remote region. Please pray that God will use us mightily in the Outreach until we complete the outreach in Tali, around January 22."

Praise God for using this team to share the Gospel in a remote region of South Sudan! Each of the team members on these six teams is an answer to our prayers for God to send workers into the harvest. Pray that God will equip them with the Holy Spirit to be a blessing in word and deed. Also pray for their protection and provision.

Steps of faith in northern Sudan

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 06:25:12 +0100

After three months of lectures in northern Sudan, the Discipleship Training School (DTS) staff and students are ready to begin their two-month outreach. One team will be partnering with two Sudanese families who are working amongst an unreached tribe to see a church established for the first time. The second team will be visiting several different locations to partner with churches in preaching the Gospel and serving their communities. Approximately ten staff and students will be split between the two teams. Each team needs about $1250 USD for food and transport during their two-month outreach. At the moment, they only have about $500 USD per team. So there is a gap of about $1500 USD. This is a lot of money in country where many people make less than $200 USD per month. Hence, these young men and women will be taking steps of faith when they leave on outreach next week. Pray that God would empower them for ministry and provide for all of their needs.

At the same time, another small group of YWAM staff will be taking a step of faith to begin the first School of Biblical Studies (SBS) in northern Sudan. This three-month course in inductive Bible study will be conducted almost entirely in Arabic. The staff are trusting God for everything... including students, speakers, visas, safety, facilities, material and finances. Pray with them as they ask God to use this training to impart of deeper understanding of the Word of God to Sudanese believers.

In the midst of this, life is changing for the Christians in northern Sudan. Since the separation of South Sudan in July of this year, the government in Khartoum is applying more pressure on the Christians and churches that remain in the north. Ask God to give our Sudanese brothers and sisters peace, wisdom and guidance during this uncertain time.

If you would like to give to the DTS or SBS, donations can be sent to: YWAM Strategic Frontiers, PO BOX 60579, Colorado Springs, CO 80960. Please make checks payable to "YWAM" and do not write "Sudan" anywhere on the check. Enclose a note that states "Sudan- DTS north" or "Sudan- SBS north". You can also go to www.ywamsf.org to make a donation online.

God is bringing Light and Hope to Issore!

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:28:31 +0100

Thanks to our friends at Africom who made this great video about one of the projects in South Sudan.

Issore, South Sudan from YWAM AfriCom on Vimeo.

If you would like to give to this ministry, donations can be sent to: YWAM Strategic Frontiers, PO BOX 60579, Colorado Springs, CO 80960. Please make checks payable to "YWAM" and do not write "Sudan" anywhere on the check. Enclose a note that states "Sudan- Issore", "Sudan- Bosco", "Sudan- William" or "Sudan- Eric". You can also go to www.ywamsf.org to make a donation online.

Training pastors to serve a new nation

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:06:26 +0100

Here is a testimony from a friend who recently took part in a pastor's conference in Yei, South Sudan.

"Once again I'd like to thank you for your prayers and support toward my recent trip to South Sudan and Uganda. The pastor's conference that we pulled together was quite successful, especially considering all the unknowns going in. Two pastors from the United States, Pastor Sam from YWAM Arua and myself (from YWAM NSI) taught approximately 50 Sudanese pastors for four days about missions, leadership, development and church planting.

It was amazing to watch these pastors begin to catch the new ideas and see the opportunities that they have to shape the destiny of a new country. South Sudan was just became an independent country back on July 9, 2011 so they are still in the processes of forming their government and infrastructure. We challenged the church leaders to be a part of leading the new country by teaching biblical principles and encouraging their members to serve in all areas that will lead the country forward... government, education, business, economics, etc

The YWAM staff that helped us put this conference together were extremely positive about the meetings and have already invited out team back for two conferences next year... one in South Sudan, hopefully the capital city of Juba and another in northern Uganda. On our way home we spent some time at the YWAM Arua base and had the privilege of meeting the Religious Affairs advisor to the South Sudanese president. He is a YWAM graduate and has great influence with the new government! He is hoping to join us for our conference in Juba next year."

Thank God for this time of training which took place in South Sudan. Pray that God will empower the church leadership in South Sudan to walk humbly and be blessing in this new season. Ask God to empower His people to bring light in every area of society... education, health care, government, business, arts, etc.

If you would like to come out to South Sudan on a short-term trip, please contact us.

Teams, Teams, Teams

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:28:52 +0100

While many people are preparing to take a rest over the Christmas holidays, YWAM Sudan is gearing up for a busy season of outreach teams. Five outreach teams begin their ministry throughout South Sudan and Sudan (north) this month. This means countless emails and phone calls spanning the globe to work out all of the logistics. Then comes the fun part. We are praying that thousands of Sudanese people will be impacted through prayer, evangelism, teaching and mercy ministry as these teams go out in the coming days.

The first team is a Discipleship Training School (DTS) outreach team from the YWAM base in Yei, South Sudan. They left this week to serve in an area call Terekeka (the "forgotten) for two months. While this region is located near the national capital of Juba, it is known for its lack of development and continued tribal conflicts over cattle. This is the third time a YWAM team is engaging this remote area.

The second and third teams from a DTS school in Sudan (north) will head out in about two weeks. They will be partnering with churches in regions that are primarily Muslim. They will take time to serve and encourage the churches while also going out to share the Gospel with Muslims.

The fourth team from a church planting school in South Africa will arrive the day after Christmas. They will be heading to Issore, a remote mountain region on the border of South Sudan and Uganda. YWAM has been building relationships and doing development projects in this area for several years. This team is hoping and praying to begin to planting local churches in the area.

The fifth team is a DTS outreach team from Kona, Hawaii which will arrive on December 27th. After they literally travel half way around the world, they will be staying in South Sudan for over two months. They plan to serve alongside YWAM teams and churches to be a blessing.

We just heard this week that a sixth team from Germany may also be coming for an outreach this month. So we're very excited that God is calling and bringing people from around the world to serve the Sudanese people.

• Pray for the YWAM Sudan staff who need to work hard to organize all of the logistics and ministry for these teams.

• Pray that God will anoint the teams with His Spirit to pray, preach and serve.

• Pray that Sudanese people will find hope, peace and salvation in Christ through the ministry of these teams.

We know that two outreach teams in Sudan (north) are in need of a little over $2000 USD to cover the costs of their outreaches. If you would like to give to this need, donations can be sent to: YWAM Strategic Frontiers, PO BOX 60579, Colorado Springs, CO 80960. Please make checks payable to "YWAM" and do not write "Sudan" anywhere on the check. Enclose a note that states "Sudan- DTS north". You can also go to www.ywamsf.org to make a donation online.

Working in the Mountains of South Sudan

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 06:33:59 +0100

A small team from YWAM Arua in northern Uganda has continued their work in Issore, South Sudan. This mountainous region on the border of South Sudan and Uganda is populated by small villages which have grown extremely isolated during the previous decades of conflict. The photo above shows the YWAM team on the road to the village where they stop to be begin their hike into the mountains.

Bosco from Uganda, William from Sudan and Eric from Rwanda have been the individuals pushing this ministry ahead over the last couple years. They have a clear vision to share the Gospel in this region while they respond to the physical needs of the people. So far this has included bringing new building technology to the area (rammed earth), introducing bee keeping and installing a pump to carry water up the mountain. They have only seen one man accept Jesus as his Savior so far, but others are showing openness. There are also struggles. The first pump they installed in the stream to carry water up to the village wasn't strong enough and was damaged in heavy rains. They are working to replace this and move ahead with the new buildings and bee keeping.

Please pray that God would call people to serve long-term in this remote region. In January, a YWAM team from South Africa will be coming to stay a few months in the mountains and work towards planting the first churches. Also, William from the YWAM Arua base is considering moving his family to Kitgum so they could be closer to the work in the mountains. Bosco has also requested prayer for the financial support of the ones involved in the ministry (Bosco, William and Eric) as well as funds for the development projects they are trying to implement.

If you would like to give to this ministry, donations can be sent to: YWAM Strategic Frontiers, PO BOX 60579, Colorado Springs, CO 80960. Please make checks payable to "YWAM" and do not write "Sudan" anywhere on the check. Enclose a note that states "Sudan- Issore" or "Sudan-staff name". You can also go to www.ywamsf.org to make a donation online.

An outreach to "the forgotten"

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:42:56 +0100

DTS students from Juba, South Sudan in 2004

Right now there is one Discipleship Training School (DTS) running in South Sudan and another running in northern Sudan. There are only about 8 or 9 students in each school, but we're excited because the the staff and students in both schools are almost entirely Sudanese. So while visas, internal conflicts and language barriers are restricting foreign missionary activity in Sudan, these locally trained missionaries are about to head out on 2-month outreaches to remote areas.

The DTS in Yei, South Sudan has only two weeks remaining in their 12-week lecture phase. After a great deal of prayer and discussion, they have decided to go to Terekeka, South Sudan on their outreach. This area is home to the Mundari tribe which often clashes with other tribes over cattle. The name Terekeka means "the forgotten" and the county suffers with few roads, high illiteracy and insecurity, even though it is only 60 miles the capital of South Sudan (Juba). This will be the third outreach from YWAM Yei to the area. Pray that the team will be a blessing to the local people and to the churches in this isolated region.

Meanwhile, the DTS in northern Sudan still has about six weeks remaining in their 12-week lecture phase. They will split their school into two outreach teams and travel to two different regions of northern Sudan. Please pray for their safety and continued freedom to share the Gospel. Since South Sudan separated in July, the government in the north has become more strict on the activities of churches and missionaries.

Both DTS schools have financial needs. The Yei DTS are still in need of around $1000 USD to register their truck and cover some outreach costs. The DTS in northern Sudan needs about $2000 USD to transport, food and housing for their two teams. Please pray that God would meet both of these needs. Donations can be sent to: YWAM Strategic Frontiers, PO BOX 60579, Colorado Springs, CO 80960. Please make checks payable to "YWAM" and do not write "Sudan" anywhere on the check. Enclose a note that states "Sudan- DTS Yei" or "Sudan- DTS north". You can also go to www.ywamsf.org to make a donation online.