ywam-sudan-blog

Farming with Jesus in South Sudan

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:09:07 +0100

George and Anna are a couple from Uganda who have been serving in Yei, South Sudan for a number of years. In addition to leading the Discipleship Training Schools (DTS) at the base in Yei, they have also started an agricultural project. Building on their experiences farming back in Uganda, they have purchased two bulls and a plow to be used at the YWAM base and in the local villages. While this technology is common throughout Africa, it is relatively rare for South Sudan. Using these animals and the plow allows farmers to plant and harvest exponentially more crops than what can be produced by hand. Here is a piece of their recent newsletter...

"...We hope all of you are doing very well... We want to appreciate each one of you for being part of us here in South Sudan! We want to share with you some of things we are doing here in the community through 'modeling'. Our relationship has become very strong with the community and now sharing the Gospel with them is very easy. We are training one young man who is 18 years old to be an example to the community. Even when we are absent for any reason, he is able to carry on the farming with the bulls. We believe this could be the way God wants us to reach this community. We are also assisting with a number of orphans whose father recently passed away. He was a great farmer and his sons are now following in his footsteps.

This should encourage you as you pray for us. God is putting in our hearts is to model a way of life to these people including spiritual insights and practical ways of working (sustainable building, farming and development). God put it on our hearts to share His love through a holistic approach because after many years of war, the South Sudanese people need the Gospel of Christ as well as good ways to live and farm.

'Pure, unstained religion, according to God our Father, is to take care of orphans and widows when they suffer and to remain uncorrupted by this world.' -James 1:27"

George and Anna are real pioneers. While the church in Uganda has grown very strong, they are just beginning to send missionaries cross-culturally and internationally. Their church and friends back in Uganda pray for them and send occasional financial support, but they don't have anyone sending finances regularly. Even as an African, it is difficult to leave your friends, your job, your church, your culture, your food and your climate to serve Christ in another nation. Pray that God would bless and provide for George and Anna. Pray that their ministry will bear fruit and that the Kingdom of God will be expanded in South Sudan because of how God is working through them.

If you would like to give one-time gift or monthly support for them, 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- George and Anna" to let us know how to use your gift. To make a donation online, you can go to www.ywamsf.org.

Serving in the midst of conflict

Sat, 05 May 2012 12:19:04 +0100

If you've read the news lately, you may have caught a few stories about the renewed fighting between Sudan and South Sudan. After numerous skirmishes between the two sides, the army of South Sudan came into Sudan and captured the largest oil field a few weeks ago. The actual location of the border is heavily disputed and South Sudan argues that this region has historically been part of their territory. In response, Sudan started to bomb areas of South Sudan and managed to retake the oil field. Since then there have been numerous reports of fighting on both sides of the border. Four rebel movements are also active in the border areas. Three are fighting the government in Khartoum and one wants to topple the government in Juba.

War often has terrible implications for civilians caught up in the conflict. Tens of thousands Sudanese and South Sudanese are fleeing the fighting. Some are arriving in Ethiopia. Others are walking to refugee camps in South Sudan. Still others find themselves stuck and unable to move due to the dangers and issues of citizenship.

Please pray for the Sudanese and South Sudanese people during this month. Pray for peace. Pray for the provision of food, shelter and medicine in remote regions. Pray for God to give people hope and life in the face of darkness.

YWAM currently has one group of South Sudanese missionaries finishing up their DTS lecture phase in Wau, South Sudan. They will head out on a two-month outreach soon. A second group of Sudanese missionaries is being trained in northern Sudan through a DTS there. Pray that God will provide for these two groups and guide them to be vessels of light during this time of conflict.

If you would like to send a financial gift, 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 Wau" or "Sudan- DTS north" to let us know how to use your gift. To make a donation online, you can go to www.ywamsf.org.

Here are a couple articles if you'd like to read more...

Sudan agrees to AU peace roadmap

Refugees arrive from the Nuba Mountains

Testimonies from the first SBS graduation in Sudan

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:09:14 +0100

The School of Biblical Studies (SBS) recently graduated in northern Sudan. This is a three-month course introducing students to the inductive Bible Study method and equipping them to become faithful students of God's Word. It has been run in the Arabic language elsewhere in the region, but this if the first time it has taken place in Sudan. Here are a few testimonies from the students and staff...

One student from Sudan said, "I understand the Bible for the first time. I learned to think how the original readers thought and understand the context so I can actually understand what the Bible is saying."

Another student from outside Sudan said, "This school has made me more hungry to study God's Word. I want to spend my whole life studying God's Word... My fellow students were a great source of learning for me as well. They were like an open Gospel and taught me a lot about life and culture."

One of the staff said, "I'm praying so much for the school and more and more testimonies to be coming from the students' lives in the future. Most of all I'm praying for God's Word to be deeply planted in Sudan and in the hearts of the Sudanese people".

The staff are praying about running this course in Sudan again next year. Pray that God would guide them clearly for their timing and location. If you would like a financial gift, 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 general" or "Sudan- SBS staff" to let us know how to use your gift. To make a donation online, you can go to www.ywamsf.org.

Into DR Congo and Kajo Keji

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:47:40 +0100

A crucial part of YWAM Sudan's vision has always been to create opportunities for African Christians to be on the edge of what God is doing in Africa today. We praise God that He has done this over the last 12 years! Ugandans and Egyptians played central roles in starting the first two YWAM bases in Sudan. Since the start of those first two locations, Sudanese Christians along with other internationals have pioneered five more YWAM locations throughout Sudan and South Sudan. This year the YWAM base in Arua, Uganda is preparing to launch two more long-term teams into DR Congo and South Sudan.

The first team will be heading in the northeastern corner of DR Congo. This is an extremely remote region with few roads which has suffered through decades of war. The list of needs is long... discipleship, development, health-care, education, evangelism, trauma counseling, spiritual warfare, etc. YWAM Arua has been sending short-term outreaches into this area for a number of years and is now working towards setting up a YWAM base there. Please pray for guidance as they wrestle through issues like logistics, finances, safety and communications.

The second team will be heading to the town of Kajo Keji in South Sudan. This is an important town located in the newest country on earth. The team leader has been visiting Kajo Keji for years and has strong relationships in the local churches. Their vision is to be involved in children's ministry, discipleship programs, development initiatives and church planting.

Our prayer is that individuals, families, small groups and/or churches would be called by God to partner with these new teams in prayer, finances and visits. Would you consider adopting one of these teams or one of the families going?

Team to DR Congo

Yolam and Dorothy from Uganda

Mario and Elda from South Sudan

Benjamin and Benedicta from DR Congo

Team to Kajo Keji, South Sudan

Julius and Sarah from South Sudan

Felix and Elizabeth from Kenya

Five families from four different African nations called by God to serve and share the Gospel in some of the most remote places on earth. Pray for them.

If you would like a financial gift, 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" along with the staff member you would like to support. To make a donation online, you can go to www.ywamsf.org.

A new website for YWAM Yei

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:31:16 +0100

For several years the YWAM base in Yei has had hope a new website that would share about what God is doing in and through their base in South Sudan. Now a former DTS student has worked with them to make that dream a reality. Please check out this great new website for the YWAM base in Yei, South Sudan...

YWAM Yei Website

Pray that God would use this tool to connect the base with people who want to pray, give and go from around the world. The website is filled with great information and pictures about the projects happening at the base. We also encourage you to check out the staff page to meet a number of the staff that are serving to make a difference in Yei and the new nation of South Sudan.

We would also like you to pray for a new YWAM family that is planning to head to Yei to serve. Steve and Danielle are from the United States and have two young children. Steve will be helping with the building projects at the base and Danielle will be serving in the clinic. Please pray for them as they continue to raise support and try to sell their house before flying to Africa in July.

If you would like a financial gift to the staff or ministries in Yei, 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" along with the staff member or project you would like to support. To make a donation online, you can go to www.ywamsf.org.

One DTS finishes, another begins

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:49:17 +0100

We've been out of touch for a while, but we have some exciting news. Last week, a group of African students participating in the Discipleship Training School (DTS) graduated in Sudan (north). After three months of lectures and two months of hands on ministry, the students and staff celebrated all God had done in and through them. Some of these students will return to their local churches to continue in ministry while others may pursue a call into mission work with YWAM. Pray that God will guide each of these students and use them to bless the nation of Sudan.

Meanwhile in South Sudan, the staff at the base in Wau have been busy preparing for their first DTS. Beginning a new ministry is always a challenge. Starting a missions training program in a remote region of the newest country on earth carries a few added challenges. The team had hoped to rent a small compound in town and hold classes in a local church. But at the last minute, the landlord decided he didn't want to offer his housing to the YWAM team. So they have now shifted to the YWAM land located ten miles outside of the town. The hope was to develop this location slowly over the coming years, while living in town. However, now the staff and students are living in huts, tents and simple buildings in this isolated location. They do have a bore hole (well) that was recently installed for clean drinking water. The challenges include shelter, health-care, food and transport. They are expecting around 13 students to take part in the course.

Please pray for the staff of the DTS in Wau. James Wio and his wife will be staffing the school along with two other Southern Sudanese staff. They will be joined by Josephine Oketta from Uganda, Chris and Emily Mullens from the US and Nicole Mullens from the US. Chris and Emily are newly married and Emily is pregnant.

Pray that God will protect and provide for this new ministry. If you would like a financial gift to YWAM, 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". To make a donation online, you can go to www.ywamsf.org.

Ugandan missionaries lose house in a fire

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:02:45 +0100

Here is an email which came from Uganda yesterday...

Hi friends,

On Monday, February 6th our house, that we had finished to build 5 years ago in Soroti (Uganda) before we came to YWAM Arua for full-time ministry, was burned down with everything in it... nothing was rescued! The cause of the fire is not yet known. Five years ago when we moved, we only carried our clothes because we didn't have a house to transfer all our belongings to at YWAM Arua (Uganda) - we just had 2 small rooms, so we left everything in Soroti where our house was. But in just 1 hour everything has gone up in flames.

Please pray with us that, amidst all this we and our children will remain faithful to God and we will continually bless His Name... for He has promised to be with us until the end of the age. With a house or without a house, we will fix our eyes on the Lord, for His ways are always the best. Please pray that we will continue to look forward as we prepare to go to DR Congo at the end of this month... we will trust God in these challenges for this season, and trust Him to pick us up again, even in this storm. Please pray that we will not be consumed with deep worry, because we can't add anything even in trying to worry about it, but that we will trust God for the next step.

Your prayer support will be a great encouragement for us at this difficult time. Thanks for standing with us in prayer.

Sincerely,

Yolam & Dorothy

This Ugandan family has been serving at the YWAM base in Arua, northern Uganda the last five years. Yolam is an amazing mechanic and driver who has taken teams into some of the most remote areas of South Sudan and DR Congo. He often works endless hours to keep the ministry vehicles in Arua (Uganda) and Yei (South Sudan) on the road. It is hard to express how big of a blessing he has been to the ministry. Dorothy is a pioneer that has led outreaches to DR Congo and Central African Republic. They have both been praying and working towards planting the a long-term YWAM ministry in northeast DR Congo. This is one of the most isolated and neediest place on earth.

Let's stand with these dear friends in prayer. You can email them at "dorothybingi@yahoo.com" if you have words of encouragement. If you would like a financial gift to them, 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- Yolam & Dorothy". To make a donation online, you can go to www.ywamsf.org.

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.