The Magnificent Wonder in Answered Prayer!

How do I begin to describe to you the way I feel right now? I am so full of wonder and thanks, so full of treasures in my heart! Thank you for praying the past month. God most assuredly answered in many specific ways.   

  

Colorado team:  I was so insanely blessed and challenged by the teams maturity in the Lord and their humble hearts toward God and each other. They had a deep willingness to learn and be spent in the service of Christ. They were greatly used by the Lord and blessed Kim and my hearts greatly! We could have never have done these camps without them...They were simply wonderful!

        1 Tim 4:12 "Don't let anyone look down of you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity"  

Ethan and Campers

Nicole and campers

Craft time!

Tim and Campers

Playing soccer.

Nicole, Ethan and Nacorice teaching.

Our last meal with our Colorado group in Nairobi, Kenya

Weather: Being in the middle of rainy season the possibility of rain hindering these camps was in actuality, quite inevitable. Miraculously, for indeed it was miraculous, we had beautiful sunny days the entire first week of camp. 

The second week, as farmers where complaining about their crops drying out we were emboldened to pray more specifically that God would hold back the rain for the teaching and allow it to rain at night. God answered these prayers in that the rain never hindered the teaching and yet gave enough rain at night to keep the crops alive. Our team flew out of Nagishot on Saturday and shortly thereafter the torrential rains began. Praise God for this incredible answer to prayer!!

"Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this." Jer. 14:22

  Health: Even though most of our Colorado team, our national translators and myself struggled with some fowl stomachs, severe colds and general weariness God always provided enough strength to preform the daily duties. No one missed a single lesson, though none could not stray too far from the outhouse. :)

 The sickness provided a constant reminder to lean not on our own strength which was puny but rather to lean fully on the strength of God Spirit which he provided in full measure.

 I am happy to report we are all feeling much better today! 

Hiking to camp #2

Hiking to camp #2

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Cor. 12:9

National support:  Though it's never been done before and everyone was telling us that it was impossible we had AMAZING national volunteer staff for both camps!!!!

While planning for these Bible camps, Kim and I were repeatedly warned that Didinga people, even those in the church, would not freely volunteer their time, energy or services for the church. 

In the past, we have repeatedly experienced and been frustrated by this pervasive selfish attitude.  However, we felt quite strongly that without a call to selfless service, our Didinga church body could never spiritually mature.

So, it is with a very happy heart that I share with you the news of our incredible national participation in both Didinga camps!!! Our translators, junior counselors and cooks all served with their whole body, heart and soul!  In fact, after the first camp, we had young ladies asking if they too could join the service party! 

The national staff far exceeded our expectations and anything we have ever seen in South Sudan – they truly served with joyful spirits.   Praise GOD!!!

Nacorice cooking Gazari (beans and corn) for lunch.

Lojia

Junior counselors: Lololang, Lojia, Lucy Yaya, Lobia

Pointing to our main man: Nacorice.

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.." Eph 2: 19-20

 Unity - It was amazing to see God unify our Didinga/Western team.  Whether it was playing volleyball or UNO, teaching God’s word or hiking with heavy loads on our heads across the hillsides to camp each morning – there was an overpowering spirit of love and harmony amongst the team.  People were truly one-anothering, helping the least of these and doing it all with an seemingly unexplainable joy.

It was one of the greatest joys of my time in Sudan, being a part of this team and experiencing its unity! 

Lomidical taking a picture of the staff.

Well, he got most of us.

All the men Staff.

Our Camp Staff at camp #2

Last meal in Nagishot was a goat feast with all the camp staff.

Everyone playing Uno deep into the hours of the night.

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind."  1 Peter 3:8

 Campers – We had no idea how many children would actually attend camp.  We were hoping and planning for up to 80 children at each camp for a total of 160 little ones.  We were blessed with between 90 to 100 plus campers at our first camp and around 60 at our second. 

Camper Joshua making a candle.

Young campers listening to lesson in camp #1

Playing games outside in-between lessons.

Line up for lunch

          "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" Ps. 96:3

The last couple Sundays at church have been filled with the little bodies of camp children. Many who have never been to church before. We are so thankful for the foundation that the camps brought and excited and hopeful for the opportunities it has opened for further ministry to these children.  

Thank you for praying!