While we are celebrating Christmas…

Christmas is here and the frenzy has caught on. In most parts of the world this season, you can see, hear and feel the change, the fun, the chaos and the panic too. This undoubtedly is the happiest season of the year for many, especially children. It was for me as a child.

Upon returning from my ministry outpost in Uganda last week, I’ve been struggling much emotionally. Yes, it’s normal to wrestle with the barrage of issues thrust at one by those that feel God’s presence because of you. Truth is, we don’t have answers for everyone.

I met with a few people on this trip I probably will never forget. I’ve been thinking of them and wondering what their Christmas season will be like.

Meet Viola. She’s a 20 year old South Sudanese refugee. She began to lose her sight at age 10 and by the time she was eighteen, she’d become completely blind. At which point also, she became pregnant and now the mother of 2year old Benjamin.

I met Viola Safari at a refugee women’s meeting I had in Rhino Camp a month ago. I’d gone to follow up on those we enabled to start small businesses there in July and see how they’re doing and if we could assist others to start similar micro businesses in small groups too.

It was a very good meeting. They listened intently, shared their dreams and concerns, asked questions and began forming more business groups there and then.

Just before the end of the Q&A, Viola raised her hand to ask a question. “I have listened to what you are saying and heard what these other women are planning to do. I want to join them too but as you can see, I’m blind. How can I be a part of this?”

Her question cast a deep despair on this gathering of over 150 women who heard her speaking in Bari, her local language. The hush in the hall made the sighs and mourns and sobs from various corners seem louder. I understood why, when her question was interpreted to me. I asked to meet her after the meeting.

On arriving Viola’s home, I met her mother Loice, who’s 55years and also blind. She lost her sight 20years ago. I learnt too that Loice’s mother, now late, was also blind.

After listening to their story, I prayed for Viola and her mother, hoping for a miracle but it didn’t happen. Three days later, I took both women for a checkup in Arua, hoping there could be a medical solution. We visited two hospitals but the results were disappointing. Both cases, according to the doctors can only be reversed by a miracle. I can’t query their conclusion but would greatly appreciate another doctor’s examination. Please who can help?

As I moved them from place to place in Arua, I wanted to know how generational blindness became the story of this family and nothing serious was done to arrest the situation. Is it just ignorance, poverty or both? Who’s the father of her child? Where is he? Did he take advantage of her handicap?

How did they make it to the refugee camp from South Sudan? What kind of difficulties are they living under now? What are Viola’s dreams for herself and her son? What is this Christmas going to be like for her and her family? How can I bring hope to this family and make an eternal difference there?

It’s easy to give money and walk away but money isn’t always the greatest need. These people need vision; a vision better than what the eyes can see, a vision of an end that can’t be seen by merely looking but by believing.

Hope in what only the eyes of faith can see, is the God kind of vision. They don’t need handouts but a work or a skill, one that will help redefine their worth, to themselves and their immediate community. Their stability rests in ensuring that this disability is not embraced as inability.

Though their Christmas celebration this year may not be like yours or mine, by God’s grace and with your support, we shall bring lasting hope to Viola and her family. But they aren’t the only ones. Wait for Part 2.

How We Got Here: It’s a New Thing

The peace agreement signed in August 2015 brought to an end the South Sudan civil war that ensued on 15th December 2013. When I read through the agreement, I was apprehensive.  Critical components of the binding document created inescapable uncertainty and the possibility of war. 

The one question I asked on several fora was, “Can any of the two principal leaders at the center of the commotion concede victory at the ballots in 2018, when they didn’t lose at the battle front?” These are men of war, men whose youth and years are consumed by suspicion, betrayal and bitterness from generations past.

As I chewed on this matter, I had a witness in my spirit that peace was going to come through a rather tough path. So I determined to seek a temporary place in Koboko, a town in northern Uganda, some 80km from my location in Yei, where I could quickly retreat to, in the event of anticipated trouble come election day in 2018. I was close to signing a land lease agreement with a village in Yei that had accepted in principle to give us a large piece of their land for Ministry. 

On 1st January 2016, I got a call on my cell phone while leaving the beach in Lagos with my family. It was a number I didn’t know calling from California, USA. 

“Hello am I speaking to Uche?”

“Yes this is Uche.”

“My name is Jerry Musgroove, do you remember me? You were with us in California last summer…” (I met this awesome man of God through a mutual friend, Pastor Glen Totten.)

Yes I remember you Sir…

“The Lord gave me a word for you and asked me to call you now and deliver the message to you. I was concerned of the timing, as I don’t know which part of the world you are in now. But the Lord said to call you now. Is it a good time to talk?”

At this point, I pulled over.

“The Lord said to give you his word in Isaiah 43:18-19. He read it, “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

I was pleasantly surprised on many fronts. There’s no way I could appropriately process this scripture in the light of my present realities as at that time but the word was profound, to forget the past and be ready for something new.   

On my first trip of the year to South Sudan in March 2016; I arrived Kampala and needed to see my bank account officer. I casually mentioned to her that I was thinking of getting a place to stay in Koboko. I explained why and she shocked me. 

“Uche, the Regional District Commissioner of Koboko just left that seat you are sitting on few minutes ago. Do you want me to call her for you?”

I met the woman that evening, took her counsels and directives and headed out same night to Yei en-route Koboko. My journey into new things and express accesses in Uganda had begun. I didn’t even know it.

I met Brother Joseph Dradria few days later in Yei. Our connection was awesome as we shared common passions for ministry. I muted my plans for Uganda to him and why. He promised to assist. His assistance has proven to be heaven’s arrangement.

I rounded up that mission trip scheduling a meeting with another community in Yei, that had agreed to give us land for ministry. The date for signing the deal was set for the 20th of July 2016. I’d bought my flight tickets all the way to Yei. But the second civil war after 2011 independence began on the 8th of July.

I made my trip as planned but stopped in Arua, knowing I couldn’t proceed to Yei. War had broken out. My ministry partner in Yei, Pastor Stanley was mobilizing an audacious pullout from Yei with the Dreamland children, staff and other families. Death was at the doorsteps there.

While in Arua, I scheduled a meeting with a gentleman that is responsible for NGO/ government relationships in Koboko. He arrived at the meeting venue while Bro Joseph and I were waiting for him and to my amazement, I learned that Brother Joseph had led the gentleman (Simon) to Christ some years back.

From then on, doors began to open in rapid successions as I met several key leaders in the region, building relationships, studying the new realities on ground and listening to the Lord. One such leader is Rev. Dennis. He was introduced to me by Brother Joseph. 

In a meeting with Rev Dennis Ruhama, where he’d invited the Bishop of Madi and West Nile Diocese in the Church of Uganda in December 2016, I articulated four core areas of ministry I sensed the Lord was leading us into: –

Responding to the refugee crisis is new: – Through the support of Adventures In Missions, Parakletis and other friends, we are responding to the immediate needs of refugees and supporting their dreams. But more importantly, we are building structures that’d sustain these support initiatives. Click here for some updates and please like our page.

The direct outreach to Muslims is new: – Through the support of Norm Brinkley and friends, we brought the training- Encountering the World of Islam to many key leaders in Arua in April 2017.

Responding to the development needs of the youth and students from South Sudan in a refugee setting is new: – Building the Greater Hope ideology within the schools in the refugee camps is a strategy for youth development we are incubating. But there’s more, so much more.

Capacity building within and outside the church is new: – The need is overwhelming and the opportunities are rife. For an enduring missions’ thrust beyond the region, a deliberate effort at empowering the clergy and grooming professionals to see beyond the pay package is critical.

We are thankful and delighted to know the Lord is the One doing these and has graciously invited us to join Him. Nothing can be more satisfying! He said, “I do a new thing…” We are following His leadership, knowing He is here and we’ve relocated.

 

By God’s provision, through many friends and the tireless efforts of Seth Barnes and the team, we’ve bought a piece of land for our ministry base in Arua. We shall make our home here, train and host teams of volunteers and launch from here to everywhere.

As we render assistance to important concerns especially among refugees now; building sustainable channels for lasting ministry impact, constructing the proposed base and raising teams of volunteers to connect with a wide array of ministry opportunities in the region are core priorities presently.

We need volunteers, human and material resource managers. We need workers committing to women, children and the youth. We need medical aid workers, teachers, micro business experts, media assistants and as many as would commit medium to long term. We need funds for these.

It’s a new path, a new work and walk, all in the same direction and destination.

We invite you to join us and stay the course as we continue to bring the Kingdom where it’s needed.

Trip to Rhino Camp: Another Chapter

I’m still chewing on my trip to Uganda this season, which had me neck deep in the pains, concerns and sorrows of some dear friends from South Sudan.

Before leaving home, I imagined it’d be tough for many of them who’d fled to safety in the refugee camps in northern Uganda. Well, as it turned out, tough was an understatement. 

It’s one of those seasons when tears are a daily dessert, as pain from various life matters gnaw at the soul with violent thrusts that send reason on exile.

Many questions are asked with little or no answers offered. The frustration is off the charts. What is seen, sensed and said form a mixture that’s a harsh reality for many. The hurt is deep, trust is broken and we arrive at the point where groans overtake words and a smile seems a senseless thing to wear.

For the IDPs in South Sudan and those counting themselves fortunate to have escaped from the troubled areas; the complexity of it all doesn’t make for easy counsels. An end to the crisis seems far-fetched.

My visit to the Rhino refugee camp where the children from Dreamland and other South Sudanese were settled broke me. It was my first trip to a refugee camp.

I must confess that I was distressed by the disorder there, the hopelessness expressed in the faces of many people, the lack of organization and infrastructure; the sight of children gathered under the trees and high shrubs, sleeping, playing games on the dirt floor, shooting the breeze while waiting for the next meal. It seemed unreal.

I was overwhelmed by the well over 40 degrees centigrade heat inside the polythene tents, the challenge of leaks when it rains, the poor ventilation and sanitation.

I learned that the UNHCR set up refugee camps in line with the social status of the refugees in their home countries. Would that suggest the total lack of order seen at these camps dominated by South Sudanese?

This is a new era in the life of the children from Dreamland, their care-givers and many others here. I’m wondering how these children and the older ones among them are processing their current situation? How soon can they adjust and begin to recover? What will it take to finally resettle them physically and emotionally? Time is of the essence. 

Amidst the protocols at these UNHCR Camps restricting external visits, how can one best connect with these children and others there and help maximize their time? What partnerships need to be nurtured to make this happen?

A ministry in Kitgum, Irene Gleason Foundation (IGF), led by John Paul, is offering the Dreamland children a place there. I believe it will be far better than this camp. We await his report.

Application for their release to relocate to Kitgum has been filed by Pastor Stanley at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala. We are convinced that these children cannot thrive in this environment without deliberate and swift changes. Lord Jesus, undertake for us!

The older girls among them have all the makings of womanhood and eyes are looking. Someone may start baiting them. We need to move from fighting off the hawks and ensure that the good seed sown flourishes. The older boys nurse various ambitions; some spoken, some hidden. Minds and hands have to be purposefully engaged. Can you help?

Three close disciples shared their plans and dreams with me, as they press into this new territory. It was clear they need a spiritually and emotionally healthy community to thrive. I’ve asked them to build such a community by being ambassadors of peace there.

They’ll need support.

Our investments in them while in South Sudan will be tested for its worth. I’m convinced God has released some of them to chase Him and engage the Kingdom at another level. It’s another chapter.

We’ll continue working closely with some, to help them stabilize. Reaching the youth is integral to what we dream and dare to do as a ministry. Education, sport, music, the arts and all that attracts the fancy of young minds are tools we’ll continue to deploy. With an eye for kingdom expansion pressing northward, these youth are our arrowheads. 

We are trudging along in faith, hoping the heart finds strength with each step and stop, to pump prayers upward until heaven manifests on earth with those unwavering assurances of God’s presence. 

G.K. Chesterton said, “One can sometimes do good by being the right person in the wrong place.” This encourages me!

It’s a new chapter in the same book. I’m looking forward to seeing what the Lord has planned.

As we seek His grace and wisdom for new partnerships and strategies needed here, may our prayers and corporate efforts bear enduring fruit.

Thanks for praying for Pastor Tom and family. They tarried awhile in Koboko to mourn and receive the comfort of family and friends. They are thankful.

Trip to Rhino Camp: Mourning With The Mourners

It got worse for my friends at the Rhino camp in Uganda on Tuesday 11th October, as Pastor Tom lost his daughter so suddenly. 3year old Joy was rushed out of the camp to Arua General Hospital, 90mins drive away.

We must have missed them on the way, as I arrived at the camp with some friends that made it out of Yei, to hear that Joy was sick. After connecting with the children, some friends there and visiting a few locations, I was set to return to Arua. Pastor Tom decided to ride with me so he could see his daughter in the hospital.

20mins away from Arua, we got a call that Joy had passed away. When we arrived at the hospital, Rebecca, Tom’s wife was beside herself with grief. She’d roll on the grass, crawl, stand, dance from side to side, stomp, seeking a posture or response that could best assuage or express the pain.

When she saw me and cried my name, I cracked inside. Helpless and gritting my teeth as hard as I could, I fought back tears there. “Not here, not here” I kept saying to myself.

Rebecca wailed, “Joy, why didn’t you fall sick on Sunday when Uche came and prayed for the sick at the camp? The other little girl he prayed for was healed, why didn’t you fall sick on Sunday?” “Joy you’ve fallen sick before, and it lasted days and you recovered; but today, you didn’t give us a chance to help you, why? Joy why? God why?”

I held her, prayed over her, and comforted her as much as I could. My words and prayers seemed too banal. As genuine as my empathy for Tom and his family was, I couldn’t enter their pain, their loss. Only God can. God soothes our deepest hurts when we let Him. His Spirit is here for such moments as these; to comfort and to restore hope.

This photo taken two days before Joy passed shows some of the Dreamland children, Joy’s dad Pastor Tom and little Joy on the right corner in her mama’s arms. Please pause here and pray for Pastor Tom and his family.

As we mourned and wept, we needed to address the challenge of a burial site for Joy. God showed up 48hrs later and rescued the situation.

We couldn’t take her back to the refugee camp. The children there should be spared this sight and memory. Their grueling journey to the camp had its own traumatic impact. This may be too much.

How will each of these 130 children deal with this catastrophe? How will they grieve? Can they process this well enough to heal? Is it time to start a trauma counseling session for them? What will it take? How do we go about it? I wish I had ready answers.

I’m learning that some tragedies don’t need quick fixes. Children are delicate, needing careful attention and expert intervention in times of grief. These kids need help now. Who has what they need?

For anyone struggling with loss of any kind, a strong social support group can contribute positively to alleviating some of the most challenging aspects of grief. But that’s if the group is gracious enough to own the issue(s) and embrace the broken pieces of the grieving, as they manifest.

I remember the experience Dr. Esther Kiyingi, a missionary of CMFI South Sudan shared with me some year ago. She left Yei for Uganda to go have her baby but lost the baby due to birth complications in the delivery room.

On returning home to South Sudan, the women rushed out to welcome her and the new born. She told them what happened. Their ululations of joy instantly turned to wailing.

She said, “…one of the women came to me, put her hand around me and said, ‘now you are one of us'”. This was a kind of initiation, by which her person and purpose could rest among these women and thrive.

1Thess 4:13 says we are not to sorrow like those without hope. This suggests that some behaviors and thinking patterns after a loss could be helpful or harmful. As I reflect on mourning, I’m wondering what the better path to travel while mourning is. Among the helpful options out there, how can one know which suits them best without groping long-term in the cesspits of grief?

Time is not a healer, God is. We must spend time meaningfully while grieving and hope to learn now or later, why and how today’s tragedy was heaven’s intervention and righteous response to a cry for help, mercy, justice…, for all who love Jesus.

God’s wisdom will always vindicate Him. He yearns for His children to trust Him and learn to huddle tightly in times of sorrow.

Lord, heal Pastor Tom and family. Teach us to trust you and show us how to be better healers in this broken world.

I’ll be in Rio 2016 with Santino

It’s a tough season for many South Sudanese and those that have a stake of any sort in the land.  Yes, we are at it again, shamefully showcasing our scars of war with mounting statistics of deaths and the displaced. The presence of active PTSD has us. Thus, Olympic Game’s fever may grip only a few souls there now.

But there’s beauty hidden in the rubble. Pure joy lies along the path of destiny for this great nation, waiting to distill through the troubled cracks and soothe many hearts of prolonged sadness and mourning. The God of heaven is undertaking for us.

As South Sudan lifts from its present despair, shunning the dark clouds of war and unparalleled economic difficulty, to send forth for the first time, three athletes to Rio 2016 Olympic Games; I’ll be accompanying them, making my first ever appearance too, at an international game’s event, on my knees.

Guor Marial will participate in the Men’s Marathon, Margret Hassan in the 200m & 400m women and our own local boy, Santino Kenyi will ignite the tracks in the 1500m men.

Can any good thing come out of South Sudan? Well, that’s why I’m headed to Rio. Santino Kenyi gives me the impetus to respond with a resounding YES!

It may seem like little or nothing, but Santino, probably more than the other team mates, represents not just a nation in crisis that desperately needs something to celebrate; he carries raw hope for a great number of youth in Yei, who know him in a very personal way; whose abilities and skills are yet unknown, untapped and may never be seen nor celebrated. This is Santino’s first Olympic Games appearance. It’s no mean feat.

His first ever competitive event was at our unknown Yei Secondary Schools’ Mini-Marathon in October 2012, at the Freedom Square in Yei, where he came in 3rd and then 1st in the subsequent two editions, 2013 and 2014.

Together with 19 other winners (first ten boys and first ten girls), they enjoyed a full year’s secondary school scholarship privilege and cash their victories accorded them. But more than that, Santino met Jesus in the course of our connection and became a born again Christian. I introduced him here, with hope we’d be where we are today, at the threshold of history. The story continues…

This lad, is my primary motivation as I head to Rio this season. I’ll be following him on my knees, as he trains and competes. Please join me…

What will winning a medallion of any class or colour at Rio 2016 do to our morale in South Sudan now?

Imagine singing our National Anthem there, as one of these three national champions get to stand on the Gold Winners’ Podium in Rio, with the flag of South Sudan caressing the breeze… We’d simply annex paradise with wordless songs of ecstasy.

Tears of joy, like a multiple tsunamis will flow wildly through the country, and probably every black person on earth would claim South Sudanese nationality for a day. Loud ululations would rent the calmness of many a night. Even if it’s just for a season, we’d sleep and wake with a proud smile; and hopefully, enduring peace. Please allow me to dream, it’s my inalienable human right.

Santino is the product of a dream that has come to be. But there’re others like him; Reida Keji, Grace Betty Bangu and Mabel Mercy and Emma Bamongoyo; who maintained steady victories over the years in the same students’ sport event that produced Santino but haven’t made it to the big stage.

There are other Santinos waiting to be revealed, sparring in hope for their time to be served fresh on the world stage. The nation of South Sudan is greatly blessed with huge potentials among the youth. Among other things, our ministry strives to discover and disciple them, to engage and accomplish their destinies.

Pray with us for an enduring peace that we yield meaningful infrastructural development. We need sport coaches. We need sponsors. We need long-term workers, who’d sit with these youth, monitor their progress and help steady their kingdom journeys. I’m their voice here, calling on you and responding to your fears and doubts with, “Come and see.” (John 1:39)

May Santino and this team in Rio 2016 excel! May their journey to Rio 2016 provoke many and open doors for others to be discovered and discipled. May their victory give the peoples of South Sudan reasons to believe and trust God for a better and brighter tomorrow; in Jesus name! Amen!

Look for us in Rio 2016; pray for peace and progress in South Sudan.

Convinced beyond all doubt – matters from my last mission trip Pt 2

Discipleship is hard work.

In an age that seeks to simplify everything, discipleship with the narrow way ideology seems increasingly illogical. Selfishness (it has many fancy names now) is a core characteristic of the broad way mindset and every attractive.

The temptation to stop loving, to stop caring and interceding, was real on this last trip. As legitimate as my reasons were, they failed the test of love because there’s long-laboring, longsuffering and tears, in the destiny of true discipleship.

  1. I was convinced on this trip that- Teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, demand spending quality private time with the disciple. 

I saw in many ways and took note, that discipleship thrusts with potential for lasting fruit must be anchored in love. Love that’s willing and able to suffer long and while in that suffering mode, still show kindness. (1Cor 13:4) That’s tough!!

This lesson on love was driven home for me as we cast out demons from one of the girls at the Young Leaders’ Camp here in Yei. She was violent, kicking, cursing out and ridiculing us. Some among us got hit several times. Some wanted to engage the demons in a Q&A session and others seemed to channel their anger at the girl in a physical way.

I had to lead this team, so I asked the them to follow my commands. I knew I had two tasks. Free the girl from the demons and show these youngsters how to do it effectively.

Several minutes into the battle, the Lord said to me, “You’ll be limited in power without my love flowing from your hearts.” It seemed like a bomb exploded in my spirit as the scripture, “For the love of Christ constrains us…” (2Cor 5:14) gripped me. Then I said to myself, “This one may take me the whole night but I’ll stick with it because the love of Christ constrains me…”

As soon as I quoted that scripture to the hearing of the team, other scriptures referencing the love of Jesus began to fly. I knew the battle was over. The demons began to react more wildly and quickly left her. She regained consciousness and asked for water to drink.

The DNA of the Father is love. Discipling or doing spiritual warfare without re-establishing this truth in our hearts will be futile.

  1. I reaffirmed again that, identifying and accepting our vulnerabilities is helpful for sound spiritual formation. Sadly though, because we dread uncertainties in relationships meant to help us grow; vulnerability and true openness seem too risky a venture.

You may not be your “best” self now, that’s okay. Who is? But you see, vulnerability is far better than giving up on where and who we are today.

We should courageously begin to explore and expose the hidden matters of the heart; using them as aids to discover the truth about the love of God, the perfect example of a father and the power of His light.

I asked a few friends on this trip, “Who are you in the heart and hands of the Creator; the Potter?” I was thinking of God’s illustrative lessons and message to and through Prophet Jeremiah. (Jer. 18:1-6)

At this Young Leaders’ Camp 2016, we saw and wrestled with the cloak of shame and the feeling of helplessness that loomed over these young leaders as we explored matters of the heart. Many had a hidden mess and needed to know that condemnation is not God’s way of addressing our brokenness.

 

That feeling of unworthiness though good in itself, is so often manipulated by the enemy, breeding shame and a feeble repentance, where safe people are absent or distant. Like a beautiful statue that’s wrongly erected, we struggle to receive the unfettered grace of Jesus because the devil’s lies have hijacked our view of God.

Having traveled this road that led to nowhere before, bullying myself to no avail, I was able to help these young lads understand that God is not only for us but also with us right in the mess. Many met me after that final devotion to say thank you.

It remains my goal with these students’ camps, youth conferences and ministry in general, to create an atmosphere for authentic fellowship and relationship; where a weak believer and the vilest of sinners could come in and meet the same Jesus that ate with sinners; not a legalistic and religious Jesus that asks them to cleanup first before they come.  

  1. The dearth of spiritually mature older women is a great handicap in our discipleship thrust among the young ladies. Also, the challenge of “what next”, after these Camps and Conferences, with respect to re-entry into their local church and an enduring growth there.

Listen to Brother Kolo reflect on the benefits and challenges from the Young Leaders’ Holiday Camp 2016.

Reflections of the Young Leaders’ Holiday Camp 2016 from Uche Izuora on Vimeo.

Some years ago in my blog: Where Are The Women?, I highlighted the challenges with this need and solicited the help of any that connect with our desire to bring life-giving discipleship care to the female folk in this region.

While we look for quality short-termers, we need a long term plan for these challenges.

  1. I am convinced beyond doubt that partnership is far more than just being friends. True yoke-fellows suffer together, fall or stand together and succeed as a team.

A competitive spirit is a delicate and difficult gift to manage. The “us versus them or I versus him/her” disposition to life can be destructive, if poorly used. Comparisons soon become “normal” as the heart is deceived into believing that  “always winning” is God’s only way or that “doing it better than them, makes me better than them”.

I learnt much from observing the young leaders’ Platoon group formations and their performances at the Holiday Camp. Sometimes, people we think are with us may be silently and/or secretly against us and people we think are against us are poised to give their all for us. In His wisdom, God sometimes keeps us from discerning the difference between our confidants, compatriots and comrades, so we can learn lessons in loyalty, love and trust.

God blessed me with some great true yoke-fellows on this trip who suffered with me (some secretly and silently), accepted my faults as ours and made celebrating our victories a thing of beauty.

I’m tempted to mention names and detail their efforts, but I won’t. May the All-Knowing God of all grace, whose records never lie, keep these men and women until we lay all at the Master’s feet.

“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things; to Him be glory forever! Amen.” Rom 11:36

Convinced beyond all doubt – matters from my last mission trip

It has always been my desire to learn from every life experience. Sometimes it’s hard, when the lessons border on mistakes made in relation to dealing with people. Words are said that leaves the ear ringing and certainly now, can’t be unsaid; actions and reactions expressed that leave a mark, a scar or worse.

Every trip I’ve made to then Sudan and now South Sudan is distinct. Like a music CD with various tracks, each song having its own rhythm and message; each thrust into this land with great potentials and great pains, continues to teach me much.

There were several reinforced convictions and lessons too, from my last thrust. Here are a few.

  1. Leadership is tough and messy. Many platforms offering opportunities for influence with eternal consequence are grossly undervalued, making the blessedness of leadership in those areas seem like a curse to those seeking immediate return on investment.

As days turn to years and our children grow, we can’t force maturity on them or simply expect them to be emotionally and spiritually healthy, without deliberate effort in that regard. This thing takes time and it’s expensive!!

“Where no cattle are, the stall is clean, but much gain is by the strength of the ox.” Prov 14:4

Leadership is messy and carries a great deal of pain. But there’s gain down the road, if the oxen are well taken care of despite the mess they make. The future we seek hangs on our ability today, to identify divine opportunities in ridiculous places or people, nurture them and trust God for a flourish.

I learned that taking responsibility for errors or lapses in leadership can be hard, especially when it seems one gave it their best. Though devotion and incompetence can mix well, the resultant fruit of their union may leave a sour taste in the mouth. It’s humbling to ask for help in matters you are expected to be an expert in.

Lord Jesus, help me know and acknowledge sooner than later, the things I know in part and understand in part. Please teach me how to be more gracious to others while I hope for enduring fruit from relationships that have me in charge.

  1. There are no shortcuts to learning how to read. There are many steps involved. The first is- start with the alphabets, then reading and the last step is continue reading.

Building a Reading Culture; as a presentation topic has featured in our last two Teachers’ Conferences and intentionally so. I discovered a relationship between reading skills, assimilation and obedience.

Reading is better taught and perfected from formative years. Seeing that many here didn’t have that opportunity on account  of the long civil war, it’s such a huge challenge resetting or should I say, refocusing mature minds on the basics of phonetics and its intricate yet, interesting forms.

There’s no backing down from this thrust here. We’ll continue to create platforms to help people develop a reading habit that can change their lives. If you have ideas that you believe could work, please let’s talk.

The video below has Jennifer, a Head Teacher in one of the nursery/primary schools here in Yei sharing her experience at this Conference, with respect to the topic on Building a Reading Culture. She has quite a story I’d be telling someday.

What Jennifer learned about reading from Uche Izuora on Vimeo.

  1. Investing in the training of school teachers in South Sudan is undeniably beneficial for national development and far more strategically crucial to the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom here, if purposefully and properly managed.

Our thrust in this direction has been phenomenal to say the least. Thanks to God and the determination of Rev. Yemi Ayodele. The testimonies of changed lives among these sponsored school teachers propel our convictions and deepen our resolve. They know and we know, life will never be the same for many of them.

What we are doing with those we are offering scholarships at the Yei Teacher Training College has never been done here before. Giving them opportunity to acquire perspectives beyond teaching skills, we’ve engaged them in marriage counseling, discipleship, missions and PTSD training, deliverance… I introduced Alemi Jackson here. I’ll be introducing some others on this space, when the first set of 25 In-service teacher trainees graduate in December 2016; God willing.

A fresh set of 18 trainees have been admitted this 2016 for a 3year certificate program. From their comments, it’s like they won the national lottery. The future will tell. We need partners who’d make this thrust more productive and enduring. Please ask me how.

  1. The best and worst of ourselves manifest while on a Kingdom adventure. The challenges waiting to be engaged on the narrow path where the Lord walks and works, are meant to squeeze out the greatness hidden within us.

In my blog- Made For Adventure, I alluded to this. On this trip, I met several folks who didn’t even know their gifts and abilities, needless to say how they’d make a difference with them, silently impact many. It was a joy, for example, to see how Ms. Mai and Mr. Scott Taylor from Water of Life Community School in California, made their gifts and years of experience count for the Kingdom.

We didn’t know how the grace they carry would thrive at the Conference in Yei as we prayed and planned their visit last April. But looking back now, I can testify with joy, convinced beyond doubt, that we all need an adventure to help us discover for ourselves, key components of the mysteries of the Kingdom Jesus was talking about.

Jesus said, “…these signs shall follow them that believe…”  Mark 16:17 To follow, presupposes that there’s a going somewhere, by those that believe. Many are gifted with the ability to heal diverse sicknesses and diseases, to witness powerfully for Jesus in many ways and do much that they can never imagine possible, until they are going.

Don’t get me wrong. You need not leave your region and come to South Sudan. NO! You need of necessity, to leave your comfort zone to where the discomforts of life will usher the Jesus in you, to the needy world.

The trash within us come to light outside the church walls. God never shies away from the rubbish inside us, He’s laboring to transform them into treasures, to the admiration of His angels and shame of principalities and powers of darkness.

I’m convinced beyond all doubt, that God wants us to see His hands working in and around us, using everything the enemy is throwing at us as tools, to fix our past, steady our current steps, give us momentum for the duties assigned to us and finally, present us holy to Himself in the end.

End of Part 1 of 2

Alemi Jackson – First Fruit of a Worthy Vision

When in 2011 the Lord began to stir my heart to start a Teachers’ Conference in Yei – South Sudan, I had a pretty clear idea what could result if the objectives were realized. However, I didn’t know how soon the anticipated fruit would arrive.

Through much difficulty, we held the first Teacher’s Conference in 2012 and in 2014, the incredible need for trained teachers hit the conference like a storm.

The Principal of Yei Teacher Training College, Mr. James Kepo, who was one of the facilitators at the Conference rolled out staggering statistics of untrained and trained teachers in the nation.

Following Mr. Kepo’s very thought provoking and passionate call to those seeking training at that Conference, 73 untrained teachers applied and were eventually vetted for the scholarship awards. Sadly, only 33 qualified for admission. This was another huge surprise for me.

We not only had untrained teachers, we also had “un-trainable” teachers, those whose O’Level results didn’t meet the standard required by the College; yet, they have passionately pursued this noble career, some for over 15years!

Among the 33 that got the scholarships, thanks to Rev. Yemi Ayodele, 3 opted for the full-time program (Pre-Service), which would run for two years. One of them was Alemi Jackson.

“My name is Alemi Jackson. I am a student at Yei Teacher Training College who has been enrolled for Pre-Service Teacher Training Program that runs for 2years in certificate level and 3 years in diploma level. I joined this 2014 and will finish in December 2015 or the following year hopefully.

On successful completion of this course I want to serve the people of this nation South Sudan in education so that the country may realize change through the education that I’ll instill in the children.

My ambition is to explore in teacher education to the highest level possible in order to attain a deeper understanding of education, so that societies will be transformed through my efforts. Later on, I would embark on agriculture studies because the nation is starving due to the lack of the knowledge of agricultural practices, and I am hoping that when I attain this education I’ll be able to deliver this knowledge to the people so that they can become self sustained hence creating food security.

Finally, I would like to get a deeper understanding of God so I can bring positive influence to the poor attitudes and bad cultural beliefs of our people.

Big thanks to the Almighty God and to those who have joined hands to fund my education. Blessed are the hands that give. May they receive more in Jesus’ name. Another big thanks to Rev. Yemi Ayodele and Pastor Uche for standing firm with us.”

Jackson completed his certificate program at the YTT College as the best overall student and graduated last December. We’ve offered him an automatic scholarship to pursue his Diploma at the same College. But he aims higher. He wants to go to a University. He is currently awaiting his result from Uganda and Rev. Yemi has given his blessings to his quest.

The best news for me about Jackson is that he gave his life to Jesus at that 2014 Conference.

He said, “When I attended the 2014 Teachers’ Conference in Yei, I didn’t know Jesus. I was a teacher in one of the schools here in Yei and life was bad. When I heard of the Conference, I didn’t want to attend, but somehow, I went and looking back now, it was God’s intervention in my life.

At the Conference, I heard the word of God and it pierced my heart. On top of that, I got the chance to attend YTTC, as Rev Yemi offered us scholarship. I couldn’t believe it. In one day, my life was being totally transformed and heading in a new direction.

I received Jesus that day and till today, have continued to love and serve Him.”

I introduce Jackson here with great joy, relishing the reward of perseverance and faith.

He is the first fruit, but will by no means be the only fruit.

Hear him: 

When God hits the Pause key

***I’d published this piece awhile ago and feel led of God to release it again, convinced that someone somewhere needs it, just like I do.***

In the past few weeks, I’ve met several precious souls who, like me, are in that seemingly dreadful state where we’ve been cornered by Abba’s gentle command to wait. Their complaints, fears, and anxiety spoke to me a lot.

Waiting often unnerves the emotions and impatience can tempt us to throw our obedience to the wind and press us to just do something.

Surrendering to God can sometimes bestow a feeling of helplessness that traumatizes the soul. This traumatic feeling could be a sign that something is wrong within us.

God always longs to pry our hearts from childishness and our hands from directing that immaturity into potentially injurious places or people. Spiritual tantrums which are common in moments like these are witness to the presence of fear.

Independence is power. But power, without learning lessons in control, is a good recipe for confusion and utter destruction. Much like wealth without the cross of Christ.

A friend asked, “Uche, God gave me a brain useful for analyzing issues. Waiting like this seems utterly unreasonable and ludicrous. Don’t you think we are over-spiritualizing this thing?”

If you’ve been here, you’ll agree it can be tough letting patience screw us towards perfection. James 1:4

Maybe that’s why God had to intentionally put Adam into a deep sleep (Gen 2:21) before He could produce the wonder he named Eve. 

It can be very frustrating, waiting without knowing why or what next. Something in us craves for explanations because we want control. We want to analyze the issues ourselves and judge the choices others are making that affect us.

Faith is not logical, but thankfully, the common sense of our faith suggests we are giving our preference to a God whose ways are beyond our imagination. He knew the end before He began the beginning.

Lazarus had to die, and Jesus said, “I’m glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there…” John 11:15 Really?? He may seem to be missing around you now, but He’s NEVER absent.

As his two sisters, friends, and neighbors waited for Jesus, they watched him suffer in silence and eventually die. One can only imagine their excruciating pain and confusion. Jesus knew all that and still waited for His friend to pass away. But how did that story end? Jesus said to Mary, “…If you believe, you will see the glory of God.” John 11:40

God’s relentless work to bring us and keep us at that place of rest and waiting, must challenge our faith and press us into earnest longing for His glory more than our comfort. The big question is, do we implicitly trust His fatherly love and leadership?

“They went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either.” Acts 16:6-7 [The Message]

This team of powerful missionaries was stopped twice by the Holy Spirit on their way to doing great works for God. Two different directions were blocked on a single trip. For those of us who want to push through with our own agenda, this is an instructive story, isn’t it?

They were sold out to the task given, but they needed divine directions for maximum fruitfulness. Why did God stop them? He doesn’t owe them an explanation.

He’s the LORD of the Harvest. If we keep missing that, we’ll struggle endlessly to hear Him or relinquish full control to Him, even in matters in which we consider ourselves experts or in situations where we are certain of the outcome.

When was the last time God stopped you from saying or doing what you believed was right?

When last did He impede you from pursuing an opportunity you felt sure was ready to be taken?

His work in guiding and guarding (and even gagging) us serves to build our trust, love, patience, self-control, and meekness. This will ultimately strengthen our relationship with Him and others.

“Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all…” Proverbs 3:5-7 [The Message]

Let our surrendering be joyful and may it grant God that platform He seeks, to reveal His matchless wisdom and glory.

Two Struggles, Multiple Lessons

I sighted Sabina stumbling towards the finish line, where I was handing out the winning cards at the 2015 Yei Students’ Marathon last October in South Sudan and was pained when she eventually collapsed,  some 15-20 meters from the finish line.

Screams in various cords and calls of, “Get up! Get up!! Get up!!!” from sympathizing onlookers charged the Square as Sabina lay there, motionless.

Someone rushed to pick her up, but I protested; as we all watched with much concern.

She would have been the 8th girl across the line had she managed to maintain her unsteady steps for just a few more seconds. By the time she recovered, lifted off the ground and stumbled across the line, she’d missed the last scholarship position. Ten slots were at stake for girls. She came in 14th.

I didn’t know how strongly she contested for the laurel until I looked through the pictures; thanks to a masterful work of photography done by a dear disciple.

From the shots, I observed that Sabina led the girls for most of the race. But something began to go wrong about 500m to the finish line.

 

She’d blasted off the start line with others chasing…

Sabina was fast, she led early and far into the race. But the Race of Life, like this Marathon, is not about speed.

It’s worthy of mention that this other girl, seen here running beside Sabina, eventually won the first position. They tagged along for quite a bit.

At this stage, Sabina began to slow down. Something was wrong. The official seen in the photo was encouraging her… offered some water to cheer her but…

Sabina stumbled to a fall with the finish line just steps away. She lay there for a few seconds that seemed like hours… as other girls ran past her.

Sabina, gutted. Inconsolable. Medical attention couldn’t assuage the shame, nor stop the tears. It was over.

What happened to her? What kind of help did she need but didn’t get? What could she have done better?

Finishing strong has always been one of the key lessons from these marathons over the years. This one carried a heavy punch.

I went in search of Sabina in her school and found her. In the presence of her Headmaster, I asked what happened during the race.

“As I approached Freedom Square (where the race ends), my head began to ache very badly and I struggled so much to maintain my balance. Eventually, I fell and it became so hard to get up from there, but I managed to…”

This girl is definitely a talented athlete but needs coaching. I encouraged her, assured her of my support, invited her to the Winners’ Party and then, gave her the news she wasn’t expecting.

“I’m going to give you the scholarship you missed.”

 

She was beside herself with joy. Despite her obvious shyness, she couldn’t hide her excitement. I’ll not forget her jubilation and the many thankful remarks.

Grace will always provoke heartfelt worship. That’s what God desires and deserves.

Sabina got off the ground and claimed the 14th position that meant absolutely nothing to her. But she won my heart by just finishing.

Mambo Paul’s testimony of this same Race was different.

He came 6th among the boys and told the story of his struggle and awesome determination to win something at this Marathon.

“As I was going to the Freedom Square to participate in the Marathon that morning, I hit my big toe on a stone and hurt it very badly. When I arrived at the Freedom Square, I immediately went to the medical team for treatment. I was very sad that I’d not even started the race and I’m already injured. But I determined to run, though I felt I might not make it because of the pain from the wounded toe.”

“Soon after the race began, at the Red Stage, I hit the same toe on a stone again and blood was flowing freely from it. I think because I was among the race leaders at that point, I felt encouraged to endure the pain till the end…”

“I was thinking of the scholarship as I ran. I don’t have anyone to pay my school fees, so I had to really struggle to make it…”

“If you were not among the front runners, would you have continued when you injured the same toe a second time?” I asked.

“I don’t think so sir.” 

Mambo’s toe was still in plasters as we celebrated at the Party one week after the Race. 

At the Winners’ Party, I used these two stories to underscore the reoccurring lessons of the Race of Life.

Like Sabina, we may tire-out, faint or fall; tripped-up by some internal or external injury, feel the shame of being grounded and seemingly left out or surpassed by others.

Nevertheless, like Mambo, we must determine to rise above our present setbacks or pains, and finish the race of life set before us.

Enduring till the end is far more important than the beginning and everything else in-between.

With our eyes always set at the end… the big picture, the Lord Jesus Himself as our Ultimate Prize, we can finish well. They got the message. 11 of 18 winners that attended the Party gave their life to Jesus that afternoon.

 

May their faith stand the test of time. May these tender steps make an eternal difference, beyond our wildest hopes and prayers.

Even so Lord!