Human Error: Lessons from the Students’ Marathon 2013

We all make bad calls now and again. Poor judgments are silent reminders of our humanness. Unfortunately, some honest mistakes have claimed innocent lives, destroyed age-long relationships and even destinies.

Sometimes it’s the quest to do or be someone of significance that will create the opportunity for a jumbo size goof in public or in private.

At our last Students’ Marathon, we had our share of the bitter lesson of human error.

The teachers collating the results from the racers were having difficulty, so more hands joined them to assist and get the job done speedily.

Suddenly, our priority, though unspoken, shifted from getting the correct results to ending the event quickly. The urgent overthrow the important and the stage was set for chaos.

Once we got what we believed to be the result and the winning school was announced. Confusion stepped onto the podium.

A teacher from the school that was announced to have taken the 2nd place protested and demanded a recount. He vehemently insisted and we obliged. With shouts of No! No! No! from the crowd, it couldn’t be messier. But calm soon returned.

An independent observer came over to conduct the recount and sort out the messy arithmetic.

While this was going on, the school that was announced winner located at one corner of the stage, had the Trophy in hand and dance steps on their feet.

I was so sure this teacher demanding a recount was wrong. In fact, at some point I prayed he would be wrong. The embarrassment of being wrong should be his not ours, as the organizers.

Thanks to God, he was right.

An error had been made. 4 points made the difference between the two schools and we had to retrieve the Trophy from the school wrongly awarded and give to the rightful winners.

I was happy and sad at the same time. Sad that we sacrificed the important for the urgent and created unnecessary confusion but happy that the actual winners were the ones celebrating.

With every human error, we stand at the threshold of discovery. We may discover many whys and hows and hopefully, who and where we are in God and in the hearts of those with whom we have to deal.

Our interpretations of justice may be skewed based on our perceptions, ethics and other parameters. These are not the truth in themselves but may hold fragments of the truth. As brilliant as we think we are, we have blind spots.

The blessedness of human error should point us to the One who has never said, “I am sorry” to anyone. His plan is to make us perfect. No agenda can outclass that! He’s still working.

I apologized profusely to the audience and the school wrongly awarded the Trophy in particular. I subsequently asked the Sport Department of the County to write a letter of apology to this school. It was as painful for us to apologize and write them as it was for them to accept. They felt extremely undone and embarrassed and rightly so.

Problem is, if an apology or even a jail term for a crime committed does not suffice, something ominous is behind the curtain and if not arrested, a more catastrophic event looms.

Some people will rather you don’t question them, cross them or have reasons to say, “I’m sorry”. Some others are just too scared to be wrong. They handle offense or rebuke poorly and thus have fragile relationships.

As perfect as God is, He accepts apologies from mere mortals like us and doesn’t withdraw His gifts, callings and privileges given prior to our goofs. (Romans 11:29) If only we can relate to others like that.

Are you still beating yourself up on account of a recent mistake? The consequences may not vanish as you may wish but the steadfast love and grace of God is fresh every day.

You may be struggling to accept someone’s apology for wrongs done to you. Watch out for pride, it lurks in the darkest places with the false promise that “all’s fine”, when in fact, all’s wrong.

To be human is to live with a known or hidden weakness and be humble therewith.

Your dance steps may be goof steps, but if they’re from the heart to the Lord, He’ll receive them as delightful offerings.

Enjoy this video clip of the victory dance from the winning school at the Yei Students’ Marathon 2013.

Our golden girls on display

Most times, competitive sport events are like a biscuit. You can’t always predict how it will crack when you break it.

This year’s Marathon which was postponed to the 12th of October,  was for good reasons. An all schools National sports event clashed with our earlier date in June. The delay should have afforded prior registered racers ample opportunity to prepare, or so we thought.

To my utter amazement, many did not prepare.

The school that won the Commissioner’s Trophy last year came with a large squad of 75 registered runners but only one was among the first 10 girls.

This blog is about the golden discoveries of this year’s marathon and the lessons we are learning from them. 

Edina 10meters from the finish line

Edina Singajo is a 22year old first year student of Yei Public Secondary School. She got married at age 17, while in primary 5 and had her first baby in 2010.

Her diminutive physical appearance completely betrays her incredible talent.  She came first, arriving several seconds before the second winner.

Her schoolmates who know her story could not believe it. Even her sports master was shocked at her and the performance of his students. Their school, Yei Public Secondary School, won the Commissioner’s Trophy.

Edina said, “I’ve never run a race like this, in fact, I’ve never done sports in school but our games master asked me to register and run. He forced me to do this and now, I’m a winner.”

And there was also Grace Bangu, a 17year old second year student from the same school. She came in 3rd last year, but 4th this year. “Just like last year, I didn’t prepare… I think I would have come first if I prepared.” Was her candid confession.

I’d spent hours in the various schools, emphasizing the importance of adequate preparation  as a prerequisite for glory and greatness. The race of life demands this. But these unknown and “unprepared” girls emerged as winners of the Race of Life Marathon 2013.

God, what is the lesson here?

When men operate in the area of their primary gifting, engaging the essence of their existence by the mercies of God, uncommon grace flows effortlessly to and from them. Truly, a man’s gift (ability) will make room for him and set him before great men. (Prov 18:16) 

Others may struggle and strive, but the call, laden with its necessary grace, makes the difference. This, certainly does not understate the need for preparation.

In this year’s marathon, raw talent underscored enabling grace and we watched in awe, learning Kingdom lessons.

This was the same story for 8 other boys and girls who came-in among the first 10. None of them had ever run a race of this distance before, neither did they prepare for it as was required.

I’m overwhelmed at the abundance of gifted sports boys and girls in this new Nation South Sudan. Many more are waiting to be discovered and displayed on the world stage for God’s name sake.

We are in this all the way. Praying to find them, to disciple them, to expose them and unleash them to sound the fame of our Lord who has graced them.

But we need help.

As I congratulated the 20 winners during Winners’ Party the next day, I wished it was someone else giving the charge and motivating them. Someone who has been in the sports arena at the highest level and knows the joys of winning and the pains of defeat. Someone who could take these twenty lads from our hands and lead them to a great future that may be theirs in sports.

Nevertheless, these overjoyed youngsters heard our vision for a Christian sports club and bought into the idea immediately.

They knew our promise to pay their school tuition fees in the coming academic year would not fail, God helping us. But more than that, they understood we were pressing for something beyond scholarships. We are longing for lasting relationships with them, that would have eternal benefits.

As we continue to pray for sponsors for this vision, we’ll be patient until the God ordained partners appear, and take this event and its products to the next level.

There’s gold among the ruins in this land. Come and access the open shallow mines here and you’d be awed like we are, what you’d find.

It’s not a “price-less” faith

I received the invitation to speak at the Inauguration Ceremony of the new Exco members of Yei Girl’s Secondary School Scripture Union last weekend with delight. I didn’t know what to expect.

Excitement was in the air when we arrived at the school. It was refreshing to learn that the Scripture Union members of this secondary school had planted a Junior Scripture Union fellowship in a neighboring primary school last term.

The elected leaders (the first) of that primary school were to be commissioned along with some of the secondary school fellowship leaders that led them to Jesus, at this Ceremony.

I observed with joy that some of the fellowship leaders in this secondary school were in the leadership of the primary school fellowship that sparked the fire I reported here exactly 3years ago.

This is what we work in the schools for. The message of fruitfulness we press these youngsters to embrace is yielding. Praise the Lord!!!

At the end of my exhortation, 12 girls stood up to make a decision to follow Jesus. I promptly asked them to pick their stuff and meet me outside immediately. I needed to hear of their struggles, encourage them and pray with them.

As we left the hall of meeting, some other girls seated behind, near the exit, giggled scornfully.

Under the shade, I praised the girls for taking this bold step and encouraged them with few more words to continue in the faith, stressing the essentials.

When I asked if anyone had a question or challenge we should pray about; everyone had something to say.

The first complained she didn’t know how to pray and always felt tired when she tried to. I asked if anyone had the same problem and all hands went up. We discussed that.

Next, one said she was ashamed and offended when her friends laughed at her as she stood up to receive Jesus. I asked if anyone else felt the same way. Yes, was every girl’s reply.

Truly, shaming is a cruel weapon in the armory of the enemy and more deadly when deployed by our friends or family.

I spoke to this too and encouraged them.

Then the bombshell.

The next girl said, “I’m a Muslim and I’m afraid that if I become a Christian today, my family will chase me out. But I want to follow Jesus. What do I do?”

I allowed the other girls some seconds to soak-in this girl’s concern with respect to their feelings of shame for the same reason.

“Which is easier, to be shamed for Jesus or to fear for your life, if you follow Him?” I asked.

No response.

I wasn’t expecting any.

Standing up to accept Jesus publicly was the greatest decision that girl will ever make. The consequences and price may be grave but the reward, unimaginably priceless. She had to know that!

As I acknowledged her faith and used her to challenge the other girls, I recalled these scriptures in Hebrews 10:32-34.

“Remember how it was with you in the past. In those days, after God’s light had shine on you, you suffered many things, yet were not defeated by the struggle. 

You were at times publicly insulted and mistreated, and at other times you were ready to join those who were being treated in this way.

You shared the sufferings of prisoners, and when all your belongings were seized, you endure your loss gladly…”

For some disciples today, their decision for Jesus meant the loss of all they ever owned, making nonsense of the thriving prosperity gospel of our day, that promises everything will be fine here and now, and you’d have “double-double“, once you accept Jesus. This is not globally true.

What’s your cross worth? 

What is your faith in Christ costing you?

Reaching the Nuba with Nubians

Early in 2011, I used this blog to introduced Kuku Mahadi, a dear friend and disciple of the Lord Jesus, who has an undying passion for his people in the Nuba Mountains. A detailed story of his kingdom journeys was told by a darling sister, Shannon Morgan – Through Hell To Jesus

Last year, Kuku and a few friends, some of whom are students in different secondary schools in Yei and all from various tribes in the Nuba Mountains, felt led of God to go start a church (Cush for Christ Bible Church a.k.a Restoration Centre), with the vision of taking the gospel back to their vastly unreached peoples in the Nuba Mountains.

They started their meetings under a mango tree and now, a proper shelter is needed as members are well over 120 adults, many of whom are Muslim converts. 

The joyful testimonies of these Muslim converts witness to God’s abounding presence and power among these brethren. Of note is the conversion of Kuku’s mother.

She was a Muslim. Fleeing the ongoing war in the Nuba Mountains, she arrived Yei to the warm embrace of friends and family. Safety was on her mind but God had much more.

She entered a church for the first time, the Sunday following her arrival in Yei. To the amazement of Kuku, who didn’t even know his mother was in church, until he was asked to introduce the new comers. 

Kuku witnessed his mother accept the Lord Jesus there. Now, his entire family, who are taking refugee in Yei are saved.

What a dream come true!

Construction of their church hall is ongoing and funds are needed for building materials to finish the project. We solicit your kind contribution towards this.

There’s also an overwhelming need for training these young focused leaders, in many areas of life and ministry. 

They acknowledge they can’t accomplish their mission independently. If God is stirring your heart to connect with such a young church with a great vision, please don’t hesitate.

Fueled with a passion to reach their people with the gospel, they intend to make a short-term mission trip to the refugee camp in Yida, where civilians mostly Nubians, fleeing the war between Sudanese government forces and rebels from the North Sudanese People Liberation Movement (SPLM-North), are taking refuge. 

Some of these lads were once refugees in Kenya and Uganda, during the Sudan/South Sudan civil war that ended in 2005. They understand the challenges and pains of refugee life.

A population of over 74,000 people, over 18,000 families from many tribes without access to the gospel are now gathered in this refugee camp in Yida. What a strategic spot for Kingdom exploits!! 

God, in His sovereign power, continues to use difficult situations, like displacement of peoples on account of wars or natural disasters, to relocate them where they could be more easily accessed with the gospel. Will we seize the moment and make the many opportunities around the world, like this one, priority Kingdom business?

The aim of these young Nubians from Cush for Christ Bible Church in Yei, is to reach this camp with the gospel and witness Christ to individual families and people groups there. 

Trips like this are at the core of our mission and discipleship strategy. Com’on Jesus!!

If you’d love to make this trip with them or feel led to support their cause, kindly contact Kuku Mahadi – kukukatu@yahoo.com; +211-955-513768; +211-954-321366 or contact me.

Please pray for the leaders of this young church, for deeper intimacy with the Lord and abounding fruit.

May the Lord Jesus continue to receive His due from our corporate labours. Amen!

The South Sudan of My Dreams Pt 1

 

It’s been eight years since my first visit to Sudan, now South Sudan. Today, we celebrate our second Independence and as usual, there’ll be jubilation, many speeches laden with promises, ideas, suggestions, hope and dreams.

On 8th January 2005, South Sudanese all over the world seemed to hold their collective breath all day. Many spent time in prayers and fasting, interceding and hoping the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) would finally be signed the next day and bring an end to 21years of war.

God heard!

We’ve moved on since then and survived various critical moments in this Country. I was here when the news came, “Dr. John Garang is dead” Who can forget the pain of that season?. It’s a great privilege for me, to be connected with this land at this time in its history. I cannot trade it for anywhere else.

Several issues stir my spirit as I pray and dream of this land today, musing over its vast untapped potentials and speculating the many how, who, when, where and why, of inescapable matters in the destiny of this land and my ministry within it. I dare to raise just one in this part 1.

Ethnicity. Can we be truly detribalized?

Whenever we seek to find an answer of conscience, there must be some common ground, an accepted value system or an ultimate rule by which we judge our conduct and choices. Tribes, from which our cultures emerge is it. 

Thus, no man is without a culture and its accompanying biases.We have where we truly feel that sense of belong. Where we are us and the rest are they.

 

As our individual and collective efforts lay the foundations of this new Country, we cannot but ask some very honest and painful questions on tribalism. The ugly flowers of tribalism are not hidden here.

It’s even in places of worship and our continued pretense and feigning ignorance will only make room the deplorable fruits to emerge. The body of Christ in South Sudan must not just speak but act by showing good examples.

It is easier to skirt around the issues, getting close enough to ask questions about why the SPLA went to war, or on Islamization or problems with the North or even query the issues that sponsor chinks within denominational affiliations among churches. But one vital matter capable of stalling our development spiritually and otherwise, is tribalism.

At the root of tribalism is a prideful heart. Oh, how God hates the proud and thus resist them!!

The question, “Where are you from?” is investigating your ethnicity and your answer determines among other things, your rights, your gains or losses. Your advantage or disadvantage, your limits, regardless of merits or the rule of law.

This is not a problem unique to South Sudan. Check your local community and you’ll see it there.

As a Nigerian with deep passion and concern for God’s purpose in South Sudan, I’ve commented several times that Sudan and South Sudan mimic Nigeria in many ways. A close look at the world map will give you a few clues, before you dig into history and get wowed.

Do we love South Sudan or do we love our micro tribal countries within it? Is our allegiance to this liberated land because of a common national identity? What is that identity?

As long as the answer is qualified by some other ethnic possibility, however good that may seem, we will never serve God’s causes in this land with all our hearts nor be able to fully lift it  from the ashes of war.

Does this mean we will always agree on everything? No! But we must develop systems and structures based on equity and respect for one another while creating civil ways to negotiate, debate and implement truth-motivated changes.

What I say today to South Sudanese, I say to all.

This must not slip by us- As long as tribalism or racism is not addressed intentionally from the grassroots, we’ll be at best a country but never a Nation.

I dream of a Nation, whose core values under God, are rooted in the invisible, more than the visible. In truth, morality, accountability, justice, genuine love for fellow men and for God not mere religion.

Should my tribe or nationality undermine my good intentions or limit my aspirations as I dare to dream and serve Christ’s cause in a place like South Sudan? No!

On account of God’s eternal purpose for which He unleashes great grace, ordinary men accomplish extraordinary things for Him. In time, we understand how and why all that happened, occurred.

May the dreams we bear find their place in Thee o South Sudan!!

May all who seek your progress and peace find same for themselves and those they love.

May the roots of the gospel grow deep in Thee and give Jesus His due in our day!!

Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. (Ps 87:3)

South Sudan Oye!!!

Lessons from Yei: Passion minus knowledge

Experts spend a lot of time trying to figure out what makes people successful. They often look at people’s credentials, intelligence, education, associates and other factors. But more than anything else, passion is what makes the difference they say.

While watching some volunteers struggle to serve the crowd and establish some order somewhere I need not name, I recalled my ordeal in Yei, South Sudan, during an evangelical outreach at the Freedom Square.

A crowd of over 1000 had gathered that evening and the stage was set. 

An evangelical Karate team from the USA and another team of ministers led by Daniel King and my friend Greg Ford came pumped to preach the gospel and lead many to Christ. It was a memorable time.

The worship band were doing their thing on the stage as the crowd grew larger. The demonstration show by the martial artists involved smashing bricks and hard wood. We observed it could be dangerous to have the crowd too close to the action.
 
So one of the guys asked me to tell the crowd to back away from the stage. Their concern was well understood. An accident there could result in law suits and someone’s fortunes could change for better and for worse in a second.
 
As calmly as I could, I explained to those in front, the danger they faced by standing too close and pleaded with them to take a few steps back. But those behind wanted to come to the front to get a better viewing spot and when those in front started moving backwards, the scene became chaotic.

In my frustration, I jumped in front of the crowd from the stage and feeling like the biblical Samson, I began to push them back, using a tree branch I picked on the stage. 

That act was stupidity at its finest. I still shudder at my ignominy that day. The drama I offered was a prelude to the main event.

They rushed forward the more, pressing hard on me; some laughing, grinning scornfully right in my face. With teeth gritted and adrenaline pumping, a mini war ensued. With their number and strength, I didn’t stand a chance. 

But passion, mixed with a ting of anger went into overdrive and I pushed these folks with all my strength and at some point I thought I could really push them all the way and gain 10 meters.  

My willpower was as strong as my passion, if not stronger. Just then, hot gas discharged accidentally from my buttocks in rapid succession and I knew I’d reached my limit. 

My embarrassment was profound. I left the stage gasping for air. One of the international guests came to me and said, “Hey Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger, I really thought you’re going to gain us a yard or two there.” He joked. 

Then it hit me. You may have great passion and really work towards noble results, but that hymn says, “The arm of the flesh will fail you; Ye dare not trust your own.” 
 
As we grow older, we should grow wiser. Sadly, it doesn’t always follow. Zeal for matters we are passionate about may continue to soar but lack of wisdom may betray noble Kingdom quests and the flesh, without warning, will pop up and take center stage. 
 
Peter once said, “I go a fishing…” (John 21:3) James and John said, “Lord, do You desire that we command fire to come down from Heaven and consume them…” (Luke 9:54) and Martha labored passionately, waiting on Jesus, but didn’t get the credit she felt was due her.
 
Passion without heavenly wisdom (James 3:17) will not only make a good comedy but could cause irreparable damage. I’ve seen that one could make honest mistakes with eternal consequences while fired up with passion in the pursuit of honorable causes. 
 
One of the greatest tragedies in ministry is doing the right thing the wrong way and for the wrong reason, with no one to correct you.
 
Even in the abundance of knowledge, where the heart is void of love, grace and patience, a religious leader with serious anointing could operate endlessly as a demigod and never know it.
 
We’ll all need help sooner or later and must never be ashamed to ask for it. Sadly, insecure leaders detest correction and hardly delegate duties. They soon pay dearly for it.
 
Asking and answering the question “why…?”, is so vital, as we strive to serve God by serving men, especially the unreasonable ones.

How to poison someone successfully

A poison, when ingested, destroys your system. It doesn’t really matter how it enters. The dose administered determines the outcome and death is the ultimate goal.

To administer it successfully, you need an ignorant target, perfect timing, and a good measure of hate.

Taste buds learn to adjust to whatever is frequently served and so do our hearts invline to whats often passed or pressed into it. The tragedy is exacerbated if the waiter or waitress is someone you love or respect.

If you really want to poison someone successfully, serve them gossip.

Gossip is of the deadliest of poisons and the cure is neither easy nor cheap.

Like the sin of pride, gossip operates in stealth mode and a little is more than enough. Like sugar, addiction easily occurs.

It kills both the rich and the poor, the weak and the strong, the smart and the stupid, the good and the bad. But the damage it does to the Christian’s heart and the Body of Christ is as terrible as death itself.

Not many things we hear are sweeter than hot, juicy gossip. Unlike music, you don’t need to learn the lines or remember the rhythm to thoroughly enjoy it.

The potency and spread of gossip depends largely on the person at the center of it. Call him/her, the object. The higher up the public or family ladder the object is, the better.

Once served, it immediately deposits a weight on the heart. To deal with the load exerted, you must relieve it by sharing it with someone you trust or deliberately purge it from your system. The latter could take time.

You cannot gossip with someone you don’t trust, about someone you know. It may seem gossip is a good trust-builder, but many we choose to gossip with often don’t keep our trust. Like us, they spread it and often spice it up.

For some, gossip is ingrained in their culture. For others, it’s a lifestyle. Sadly in all, it’s their way of dealing with their own broken lives. Even when a guilty conscience spotlights their despicable conduct, many choose to only mollify their conscience with a quick prayer.

The fun derived from gossip delights the sick soul in three ways. First, the thrill of seeing the hearer awestruck and totally mesmerized; then, the contentment of feeling morally superior in comparison with their victim. Lastly, the burden is eased, albeit, a little.

Secrets make gossip a powerful tool for manipulation in every community. The people you gossip with become part of an exclusive clique, a small group where everyone is a chief facilitator.

The use of gossip that has befallen the Body of Christ is an immense tragedy. Innocent souls are poisoned daily with accusations against others, that often cannot be proven. We lack the ability to simply bury the weaknesses of our brethren because we have no love in our hearts to beget humility.

Our loved ones can serve us gossip innocently, but how we deal with it reveals our maturity. People that truly love us will not gossip about us. Rather, they’ll confront us with what they heard, with an “it-can’t-be-true“ disposition.

Do you seek to justify your weakness by dissecting the lives of others? Or do you care enough to seek the truth and pray silently for God’s mercy when the worst is confirmed? The broken pieces of our brethren should not be found between our teeth.

“When a leader listens to malicious gossip, all the workers get infected with evil.” (Proverbs 29:12)

How do you deal with a tale-bearer when s(he) is your leader, an elder or someone you respect?

How does culture help or hinder our quest for freedom from gossip?

Are you suffering from the wounds of gossip? David was “unfazed by rumor and gossip.” He is described as “trusting in GOD with a ready heart, spirit firm, unperturbed, ever blessed, relaxed among enemies… Lavishing gifts on the poor– A generosity that goes on, and on, and on. An honored life! A beautiful life!” (Ps 112:7-9) The Message

Examine the toxic level of things you’ve heard about people around you and if you are tempted to stop loving and esteeming them better than yourself (Phil 2:3), purge yourself quickly. 

Don’t assume you are immune. Remember, “The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person’s innermost being.” (Proverbs 18:8) God’s Word Translation

Lord Jesus, deliver me from gossip and those that love it.

Overwhelmed and Overjoyed: Yei Teachers’ Conference 2013

When I arrived Yei and
saw the state of preparedness of the teachers for their Conference, I was
overjoyed. I knew we’re headed in the right direction by asking them to plan
it. Though their budget was in the sky, I loved the fact that a group among them worked hard without my direct supervision.

The
Conference has come and gone, but reporting its outcome has been challenging, as
I keep getting stuck trying to process the overwhelming reality and information
gleaned.

How
could it be that most of these teachers were unable to express themselves in
written form? What caliber of students will this kind of teachers graduate?

The
theme they chose for the Conference bordered on eradicating illiteracy. They knew their problem but did we?

Halfway
into the meeting, it was clear that most of the 125 teachers present from over
30 schools, which represent less than a third of the teachers in Yei, were
functionally illiterate. Worse still, the vast majority have no formal training
and when asked said they’d rather be working another job that paid better. Why
not!!

So
how can a transformation from hireling to call-minded
mercenary happen for some of these teachers? What could initiate
it?  Isn’t the greater challenge more of a heart issue than just the
inability to read and write properly? Or is it a lack of infrastructure?

How
can they be trained? Will the education policies being developed be able to address these issues effectively? What of implementation? Who will
implement? The reality is overwhelming. 

How
can the Church help? 

The
Conference was a success. In terms of content and delivery, the facilitators,
created an awakening that forced all to re-evaluate their skills, rate their
literacy and seek for solutions.

It
was a very practical meeting, as the presentations were narrowed to the need
for self-discovery, self-development and the teaching profession as a call.

The
evangelical edge of the Conference was not blunt. Some teachers have pledged
to start a Christian Teachers Fellowship in their schools. We’ll report their progress in future.

A
Planning Committee and the County Education Department are making meaningful
suggestions and plans for the next conference in 2014. Planning has already commenced.

Dr.
Catherine, a sound Christian, was the chief facilitator. She’s a professor in
Educational development in California, USA.

She
visited Yei in February this year with her entire family, to discover the state of
education in South Sudan and subsequently see how she can help. I persuaded her, to return this May for the Yei Teachers’ Conference and she did the
unthinkable.

Dr.
Brinkley came by road unaided, from Kola in Kenya, with her three young sons
(the youngest is 3!!) just for this Conference. Her sacrifice and courage underscored the
meaning of passion. They traveled for 36hours to make
it to Yei from Kola, which included an all night ride from Kampala to Koboko in Northern Uganda. Her husband, Timothy, seen here with the family was not with them on the journey.

She
scoffed at the risks on account of her goal; came prepped and pumped for
this Conference in a way that greatly inspired me. Leaving nothing to chance,
she arrived with four different presentation materials for 500 participants!

We
still seek and solicit the assistance of Kingdom-minded believers like Dr.
Catherine, who long to make a difference where it will matter more. If you
connect with this, may God lead you our way. 


Mrs
Kemi Oloketuyi, a school teacher and the proprietress of Creative Academy, an
established nursery to secondary school in Lagos, Nigeria; despite the negative news in the media about South Sudan, also came.

Passion
for the glory of Christ in the nations mocks death and redefines suffering
as funful opportunity. 

I salute these women of great grace and
courage. Their response to God’s call here has created more opportunities for
others to step in. May they not miss Abba’s embrace in the end.

Retired
school teachers, teacher trainers and people passionate about how education
could be used to advance God’s Kingdom in a place like South Sudan, have much
to give and also to learn from here. Please ask me.

From South Sudan to Sri Lanka and beyond

Sri Lanka!

That’s one piece of wonder and joy that God gifted us last week
at the Yei Students’ Conference in South Sudan.

I met Caroline in February this year here in Yei and when I
asked where she’s from, her answer stunned me.

“I’m from Sri Lanka.”

Instinctively, I knew I had to connect. So I shared my little knowledge of  Sri Lanka, which was just about Monks and Buddhism and then calmly asked, “Are you Buddhist?”

“No, I’m a born again Christian.”

I restrained myself from hugging her that very minute. 

“I need to hear your testimony. It’s a great honor for me
to meet a Sri Lankan Christian in Yei, South Sudan of all places.”

I invited Caroline to the Yei Students’ Conference to share her
testimony so we could pray for her Country. Of the over 700 students gathered,
I didn’t see a hand up when I asked who knows where Sri Lanka is.

Her story tore through the gathering with such power as she
spoke. I restrained tears several times. She gave her life to Jesus while on
campus in Sri Lanka.

She shared of her great trials and persecutions; her rejection
from friends and family, narrating the unparalleled love of the Christian
brethren within her fellowship who sheltered her and finally, how she overcame.

The many deep sighs and expressions of pain turned to shouts of
joy and applause when she recounted how she was received back into her family
after many years, got a job and finally arrived here in Yei where she now works
at Yei Teacher Training College.

She shared some prayer needs for herself and her Country and we
prayed. 

The lessons from her testimony were many but these four stood out.


 1.           Genuine Christian faith will certainly attract pain, suffering,
ridicule and in some places, death. She later said there’s so much more to say but for time. 

2.         We need a tribe that thrives in love to steady, shelter and
shield us when trouble arrives.

3.         Love will always win at last.

4.         Our pains in Christ today will be someone’s gain tomorrow if we endure
till the end.

This year’s Students’ Prayer Conference was different. Aside the
testimony of Caroline, we had more time to pray for many pressing matters.

When Isaac, a student, cast the vision of the Conference. I knew I couldn’t have done it better. We’ve come of age with this and I believe they can sail without me now.

It was really a special moment when a call was made for
representatives of all 10 states in South Sudan to come out for prayers. We had
students from “North” Sudan come out too.

The sight of the representatives from the warring tribes in
South Sudan holding hands in agreement as we all cried out to God to heal our
land was awesome to behold.

In the end, 169 students gave their lives to Jesus. Many of whom
are still in primary schools within Yei.

It’s clear these Students are hearing God’s heart in the prayers
we led them to say.

We are certain our follow-up efforts will not be in vain.

We are confident God will send us help in form of long-term
Teams; on account of the huge discipleship needs these Conferences continue to
present.

We are persuaded that prayer and evangelism movements are
emerging from these thrusts, and news about this Land will change, with God’s
redemptive power on display.

We believe!!!

[We shall post more photos when the internet speed improves]

Maintaining my seven locks

Almost two years ago, I blogged on My Seven Locks, soliciting prayers as I headed back to our pursuit in South Sudan.

I’m forced to revisit some of the petitions in that article as I plot my way towards Yei again.

Those seven locks have grown longer and some have branched out in the last two years, making their maintenance more delicate and expensive.

So once again in no particular order, I’ve listed seven things I greatly desire as I embark on this three month’s trip to South Sudan.

  1. Effective Discipleship strategies: This is no doubt my greatest challenge till date. Many friends and partners have suggested several discipleship strategies that worked for them. Our case is uniquely ours and so is my path among these youths. Pray for me that the Holy Spirit wll lead us into the most productive way of discipling the vast number of young believers in the schools and the churches.
  2. Please pray for a calmness of spirit that can tolerate the weakness of other and withstand external and internal pressures.
  3.  Please pray with me that a kind of unrelenting disposition to difficult issues and negative people, will flood my spirit daily.
  4. Please pray for me that I’d not settle for a peace that comes from understand. That my motives, words and actions will ever delight the Lord, serving as a two-edged sword for defense and for attack.
  5. Please pray for me to learn how best to maximize my time and direct the young lads within my network into their God ordained eternal destinies.
  6. Pray that my temperament will be tampered by the Lord for fruitfulness.
  7. Please pray that an unusual favor that’s God alone to gift will be ours as we search for that permanent site and people of faith that will serve alongside us.

Breathe on me again, Sweet Paraclete!