The Love birds in Lietnhom, South Sudan |
It was two years ago that the love for the people of South
Sudan was dropped in my heart like an unexpected friend. I did not watch any
documentaries, I did not hear any horror stories…this love was just there one
day.
Culture in South Sudan |
I have always admired people who live their lives knowing they were born to serve a particular people group. Some know right at a very young age and at the right time, they say goodbye to friends and family, and leave a life they have always known to one they know nothing about, except that their heart beat is for the people of a different land. They are motivated by a loud call from above to spend their lives for the sake of the good news of Jesus Christ, for the sake of true freedom, peace and justice. All for the sake of making God’s name famous and being a glimmer of light in another part of the world where many have refused to go, where many have seen no hope, people many have abandoned. I have always wanted to be one of those people. So I prayed one day, “Lord give me a burden for a people group, so that I may ache for them, pray for them and serve them in a sacrificial way”.
Most people who follow Jesus intimately know that the Lord
does not waste any time in answering a prayer like that. That is because in
that moment of longing, we are actually speaking out the very will of God. As
the Lord’s prayer says, “May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. I
think I prayed for God’s love to be plastered in my heart for a people He
loves.
The streets of Juba, South Sudan |
For me the people group, was an entire country-South Sudan,
which has been ravaged by war for over 40 years. The youngest country in the
world became an independent nation on July 9th 2011, after decades
of war, persecution and pain. This land locked country is said to host at least
10 million indigenes which display over 200 unique tribal orientations. The
larger tribal groups include the Dinka and the Nuer peoples.
So what is there to
love about South Sudan? How has this love for South Sudan changed the way I
look at life, the way I relate to my God or the way I analyze the real needs of
my world. If you will travel with me for a few more minutes I will share just a
few reflections and stories about how a six weeks mission trip, with a ministry I work for and love and
respect, called ALARM (African Leadership & Reconciliation Ministry) . This trip has really helped me renew my mind and gain confidence for the future. -to learn more about ALARM visit www.alarm-inc.org
So
what is there to love about South Sudan?
ALARM Juba Staff, my new family away from home (L-R-Mohandis, Sunday, Michael, James, Victoria, Lawrence) |
I love the people. Their dark serious look may throw you
for a loop, but taking a step closer reveals a smile I saw many times over.
First of all, I fell in love with the staff of ALARM from Juba, to Lietnhom and
at Yei. They became my family for six weeks, sharing with me their stories of
war, letting me into their pain and frustrations, yet as they share you may
wonder how they really feel. Many of my ALARM friends showed little facial
expression as they shared stories which revealed great pain, injustice and sacrifice.
One of my new friends on staff with ALARM , prior to independence, lived in
Khartoum (predominantly Muslim North), said, “In order
for me to eat every day, I went to the Muslim school, even though I was a
Christian. I was learning about Allah five days a week, and then Sunday about
Jesus”. We all laughed, but when I thought about it, the reality that a young
Christian had no food except what falls
from the table of the Islamic school did not sit well with me.
ALARM Staff in Yei, South Sudan, just amazing people (L-R-Margaret, Faith, Levi, John & I (Sheila)) |
ALARM Staff in Lietnhom, South Sudan, I love you guys and miss you (L-R-Mary, Simon, Peter, Moses) |
Another friend said to me, “While I was in the refugee camp
I eat lentils every day for four years”. Immediately I started hating lentils,
as a silent protest to the injustice that had plagued his world. Another friend
said to me, “I came to Christ while in the refugee camp in Kenya, after many
years of suffering even at the camp, I cried to God…saying…How long will we
keep suffering, are you ever going to help South Sudan, do you hear us, do you
see us”. As he spoke, his eyes transported me back to that day and time when he
cried to the Lord, and I felt a tear fall down my own eyes.
So what is there to love about South Sudan? it was for me
its people. A resilient people, who fight for what they believe in, who have decided
to make their nation, a nation under God, in deed and creed. I carry their
friendship and stories in my heart. They have made me a better person simply by
sharing their life with me. For this I am grateful.
How has your time in South Sudan changed you?
ALARM Pastoral Leadership Training Institute (PLTI ), Lietnhom South Sudan. The leaders we taught for a week |
How
has visiting South Sudan affected your walk with God?
Posing in Gudelle, Juba, South Sudan |
So as I reflect on six weeks well spent, all I can do is
say is Thank you Lord, thank you to all who supported this trip financially and
through your prayers. As one wise man once said, "To stand on one leg and prove God’s existence is a very different thing from going on one’s knees and thanking Him".
So as we worship and thank the Lord together, I leave you with a picture slideshow of the trip or use this link ALARM South Sudan Internship Trip
Thanks for reflecting with me, about how God can use a broken vessel like me…I hope you are encouraged that he can use you too. If you are willing and available, God will do His finest work in and through you, now this is true comfort for the soul.
So as we worship and thank the Lord together, I leave you with a picture slideshow of the trip or use this link ALARM South Sudan Internship Trip
Thanks for reflecting with me, about how God can use a broken vessel like me…I hope you are encouraged that he can use you too. If you are willing and available, God will do His finest work in and through you, now this is true comfort for the soul.
To know more about ALARM and how you can partner with us in ministry, visit www.alarm-inc.org
The beauty from my worship walk, Lietnhom South Sudan |
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