FOURTH QUARTER 2020 Update
Greetings from Yournew
— October 12, 2020
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ. The Church of Christ has been doing a great
work for the people of South Sudan for almost thirty
two years plus administering and teaching the gospel
to the people of Sudan and South Sudan until South
Sudan declared a state of its own.
Strictly speaking, Paul and Marilyn Douglass, were sent by God
when war was affecting Sudanese. They came and preached
the Gospel of Christ for the Sudanese to know God and they
tried hard to continuously teach the Gospel to the broken-hearted
brothers and sister who had never heard about Jesus Christ.
The intention of Paul to Marilyn during those hard years of war
was to teach young Sudanese to become future church leaders.
I have recognized and took notice that American Communities
stood with their strong support that made our work of the
churches easy for us to take the words of Christ to the people of
South Sudan and beyond.
Since the Church of Christ was established, God has raised leaders who are leading the mission
of Christ effectively and efficiently. Now my role in leadership in the church is to plan, direct,
supervise and encourage young leaders to continue teaching and ministering to the people at their
local churches.
My presence in Juba now is to meet the high-profile leaders in government and the business
community who are not being reached by the young evangelist of the church. When I became
Governor of Aweil State, it gave me opportunity to meet many people from different states who
have no Church of Christ in their respective places. After getting to know them, I shared the idea
of Christ and they were willing to send their young people to Aweil Bible College.
I met with community leaders regarding the plot of land in Juba and they allotted about thirty
spacious plots of land. I have taken the requirements for the land and have sent it to Dr. John. I
believe Dr. John has shared with you the requirements from the community.
We need your continued prayers and support to sustain the Church ministry activities in South
Sudan. You have had support and raised the people of South Sudan to know God. Our prayers
and compassion are with you particularly Bev, Dale, and Steve and Deanna Holsinger so that God
will continue protecting and blessing you to save our people.
Pass my special greeting to Paul Douglass and I wish to get a chance to meet him again.
Love in Christ!
Yournew Wol Kuot, Senior Pastor, South Sudan Church of Christ
Greetings and Update from
Chelkou Church of Christ
I would like to pass a note of greetings from Chelkou Church head of Evangelists Gabriel Ngor. Ngor is
a graduate of ABC in the year 2015. He took part in the gospel at Chelkou Church of Christ which was
planted by Paulino at his home village in the year 2008 and was officiated by the SSAM team in the
year 2013. Chelkou has a primary School which was developed from Sunday School. The school is
currently offering classes from Nursery, and Primary one to Primary Five.
Paulino and the local team at Chelkou
Church and School Farm and Malek Farm.
Though these farms are small in size, we
are excited that we have launched farming
as part of ABC training to empower
community and evangelists as part of
SSAM Participation in the National agenda
for Food Security & Livelihoods.
In June, SSAM responded to the evangelist’s request for
seed to launch a school farm. The evangelists planted
crops of groundnuts (peanuts). Fortunately, their farm
was not affected by the dry spells and flooding. This
farm demonstrated our desire as a national faith-based
organization to bring up students that are self-reliant which
will enable them to sustain their ministry and to plant more
churches. Malek Church of Christ also has launched the
same project of farming, and this year we have started
planting crops (groundnuts and vegetables) as well as
sweet potatoes in our mission compound at Malek.
The head evangelist is thankful for the bicycle given to
him which will enable him to move from door to door
evangelism in the nearby village and this will allow him
to map his area of interest to open up new churches in
the near future. Praise be the Lord who by His name we
are able spread the Good News to the world! Amen.
Evangelists Bicycle Distribution
SSAM Aweil Coordination office purchased 10 bicycles after receiving
generous gifts from brothers and sisters in the USA. The idea of
empowering the village evangelists with bicycles came after they
continued to inspire us with a continuous barefoot walks that take them
hours to days from door to door proclaiming the good news to those
who have never heard before heard the gospel, believed in Christ and
were baptized.
Seven evangelists, two ABC (Aweil Bible College) volunteers and
one MCH (Malek Christian Hospital) volunteer received bicycles.
They praise the Lord for the gift and have committed themselves to
serve our Lord Jesus Christ with might and determination.
The signs say:
“SSAM Gospel
Outreach Team,
Aweil South Sudan.
Thanks SSAM for
bicycles”
teThe evangelists and volunteers happily give thanksgiving and
appreciation to SSAM leadership, generous donors, and wellwishers
for providing financial support to the furthering of the gospel
in the Aweil region in particular, and South Sudan at large.
May God bless the cheerful givers for their support in following Jesus to
where the need is greater.
Local Evangelists’ Perspectives Report
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
The evangelists are forwarding their greetings and gratitude to Christians
and leaders of SSAM at Aweil coordination office and those in the USA.
They have also extended their prayers for the fire victims in Oregon
and California, people affected by COVID-19 and those disadvantaged
people economically and spiritually all over the world.
The team of three evangelists presented joined report to Dr John at
Malek Church of Christ’s Mission Compound.
We would like to report that during these trips we baptized six new
believers into Christ. We are thanking God for the new lives coming to
Christ the Saviour.
God bless all of you for everything.
Evangelists of Aweil South County,
Morise Ateny Bol ,Santino Akol Akok, Santino Maror Baak
Get to Know SSAM Board Member Arch Word
OCTOBER 12, 2020
While I lived in Gresham, Oregon, I was treasurer for the South Sudan
African Mission. I recently moved to Idaho and Tom Santallinas took
over my position. I enjoyed it very much even though I came into it by
accident. The previous treasurer, Herb Oxenrider, went to heaven and I
was privileged to step in and take over his job.
I enjoyed getting acquainted with people through their giving. Some give
as regular as a clock and sometimes a little more than usual. Others are
not as regular, but they made up for it when they would miss a month or
so. I was amazed at the generosity of God’s people; and especially how
they responded to the need for Covid-19 help for South Sudan. Jesus
said that down here we are laying up treasures in heaven. Some people
will have a very wonderful place when they get there with what they
have been sending on ahead.
Paul Douglass with Arch Word
SSAM is especially blessed to have people on the board who genuinely
care about what the money goes for. The directors are sensitive about
the needs of the South Sudanese
people and meeting their physical as
well as spiritual needs. SSAM holds
the local people responsible for
managing their finances. This saves
the salary of a foreign missionary
on the field and teaches the people
financial responsibility.
WHERE WILL SSAM BE?
Because of Covid-19 pandemic, most
speaking engagements have
been cancelled or postponed until 2021.
If your church or mission committee would like a
SSAM update
please contact us |
THIRD QUARTER 2020 Update
REPORT FROM DR. JOHN
— July 8, 2020
Receive our greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living
God. I would like to give updates on the funds sent on June 26...
We have purchased food items, medical supplies and other miscellaneous items with the funds
you recently wired.
We were able to meet with the evangelists and taught them to evangelize the individuals,
families, churches and small towns. We made a map of places where the Word has not
reached. As a result, Michael and Maror went back to the new church at Wathmuok Church of
Christ last Sunday and 20 new believers were baptized into Christ. Praise the Lord!
The training was how to make
disciples that make other disciples as
commanded by the Lord as in Mathew
28: 18–20. Disciple making training
covers scriptures that command us
to repent and believe, be baptized,
keep praying, go make disciples, have
unconditional love, continue to worship
with perseverance, practice Lord’s
Supper, and give and gather, and begin
long term discipleship and the circle
begins again.
All of the evangelists who attended this one-day training did appreciate the initiative and
they want to be trained on a regular basis as this strengthens their faith and motivates their
spiritual wellbeing. They are giving thanks to SSAM and Christians across the churches in
the USA and elsewhere who are thinking about their faith and the condition they are facing.
This training came to my mind after learning that many Christians are depressed because of
the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Many relationships are breaking apart and many Christians
are pulling back to the world due to the difficulties they are facing. Our evangelists are
equipped to help strengthen faith in the members of their congregation through counselling and
household prayers where their spirit will be lifted and then live in perseverance.
The evangelists of the newly opened church at athmuok have requested a bicycle ($300 US)
for their work during the pandemic. It is hard to move between villages on foot during this time.
Sometimes you spend the whole day moving just to meet with an individual who need prayers
but if they are given bicycles they can move freely and return to the family and continue with
the farm work.
In Christ, John, for the team.
Food distribution in Juba
Wathmuok Church of Christ members after the baptisms
Nearly 500 Masks Sent to Malek, South Sudan
— BEV DOUGLASS MEYER
After an appeal from Dr. John for
face masks to be used during
the COVID pandemic in Malek
and Aweil, an appeal was put on
my personal Facebook page for
masks. Once again, you did not
disappoint. I am sure our mail man
wondered what all I had ordered
since packages were being
delivered daily for a while.
There are no commercial flights in
or out of South Sudan because of
COVID but I found out that DHL
delivers to Juba, South Sudan.
500 masks were collected and
sent. The cost to send 22.2 pounds
to Juba was nearly $900 but we
know that it was money well spent. Unfortunately, an additional 250
masks arrived late for a total of 750 masks. I will take those masks
on our next trip to South Sudan.
Dr. John’s Response to Learning of Masks
Coming to Aweil and Malek
Oh great! How awesome it is for us all. These masks will
be used during the rest of the pandemic period by the
lucky individuals who will get them from us. Thank you and
prayers. God bless the beautiful people of God who helped
with this gift to the South Sudanese. We can never forget
your care for all of us.
Morise Ateny Bol’s Thanks
(EVANGELIST AND MALEK COMPOUND MANAGER)
Thank you very much for the great contribution of face
masks for us in South Sudan. We have never had this
before. We are really happy and may God bless you, your
family and people of America. All the evangelists and
communities are very happy, especially in Aweil and Malek.
Covid-19 in South Sudan Update
In March SSAM sent a special appeal letter asking for
financial help for the COVID-19 pandemic in South
Sudan. To date we have received $19,212 plus an
additional $25,000 from IDES (International Disaster
Emergency Service). $45,000 has been wired to be used for
Personal Protection Equipment, food and medicine. We praise
God for the overwhelming response!
Santino and Peter Gadet in Juba
The Church of Christ in Juba is sending their greetings to USA
churches. We are very happy about what you are doing for the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This quarter we have been
progressing well with normal
church activities. We are still
encouraged and pray one of the
days we shall get our own place
for worship.
We are conducting more door to
door evangelism and ten of nonmembers
believed the Church of
Christ and have been baptized.
The Church of Christ continues to
grow in Juba!
Last Sunday we were very
blessed with God’s message from
Church of Christ in Gudele where
Peter Lasu is ministering
Be blessed.
Santino & Peter
PRAYERS REQUESTS & PRAISES
- That God protect evangelists, MCH healthcare workers, volunteers and leaders as they support their
community during this difficult time.
- That God will strengthen the government of South Sudan as 10 states are forming state and
local government at the county level, and that the leaders will be able to help communities
withstand this economical and pandemic crisis.
- That God will bless our friends, brothers and sisters in the USA to continue praying and
supporting their families as well as fellow Christians and communities in South Sudan
and elsewhere.
- That we will be able to continue supporting Malek Christian Hospital even during
COVID-19 Pandemic
- That God provide the leading and vision as we spread His Gospel till no place is left.
|
WHERE WILL SSAM BE?
Because of Covid-19 pandemic, most
speaking engagements have
been cancelled or postponed until 2021.
If your church or mission committee would like a
SSAM update
please contact us |
SECOND QUARTER 2020 Update
Impact of Covid 19 in South Sudan
— BY STEVE HOLSINGER
We have been asked how the Corona Virus has impacted the
people of South Sudan and we thank you for your concern for
our brothers and sisters in South Sudan. Yes, South Sudan is
affected. So far Aweil State has not been hit.
Here is the situation:
Social distancing is nearly impossible — your house for several
inhabitants is 6 feet wide. Hand washing is hard because water has to
be carried for some distance- sometimes as much as 3 miles, and soap
is scarce. Most villages have no medical care. The nearest ICU or ventilator is from 400to 1,000
miles away, in Juba or Nairobi.
We have been sending “extra” funds to keep the mobile clinic operating. Dr. John is teaching
people to practice good hygiene and to practice social distancing as much as possible. Thank
you for your concern and your prayers! The weapons of our warfare have power from heaven
and that power is the South Sudanese people’s best hope. The good news is that dozens of
people are choosing to follow Jesus and be baptized every week. Thank you and God bless you!
A Privilege to Partner with God
— BY STEVE HOLSINGER
To celebrate fifty years of marriage,
Deanna and I went on a “world tour” this Fall to places we have gone over
the last many years. This included Alaska, India, Ukraine and the
Philippines.
World Tour
My friend Sasha Rudenko, pastor of “The
Christian Church of the Resurrection” in
Nikolaev, Ukraine was fascinated by the
pictures I showed him of recent trips to
South Sudan. He had us share the story of
SSAM with five small groups and the Sunday
morning service. This church has been decimated by the Russian invasion of their country. Basically,
anyone who can leave is leaving. The church has lost hundreds of people and the economy is in
shambles. I was astonished when the elders decided to give the entire Sunday offering to SSAM,
as well as twice as much from their savings! Sound familiar? ”Out of the most severe trial, their
overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as
much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded
with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.”
I’ve been asked what will happen to the mission in light of the pandemic. I replied, “We don’t give to
the Sudan mission out of overflow or convenience, we give because it is a privilege to partner with
God in South Sudan. I don’t anticipate a downturn.” Please join us in praying that South Sudan will be
spared from the Corona virus.
Peace is At Hand in Juba
President Kiir and Dr. Machar have come together and now
working hand in hand in Juba to form federal government of
South Sudan. It will not take long before the presidency that
is comprised of five Vice Presidents and a president form the
national and state government. And once the government
is formed at all levels there is likely going a period of three
years of development, national census and election.
We need your prayers that this milestone taken so far by the president and his
opposition alliance will be fruitful for the citizens.
PRAYERS REQUESTS & PRAISES
- The entire world as we deal with the Corona Virus
- Our brothers and sisters in South Sudan who do not have the proper
medical support to combat the world wide pandemic of Covid-19.
- We thank the supporters in the US who have continued to support SSAM
even though times are tough for all of us. Thank you to the churches who
have continued to support SSAM even though their giving is down.
|
March 15: by Dr. John
They move even when roads vanish in thin air and out of thorny
bushes they will find a beautiful crowd, the village congregations
where they will conduct sermons, treat people with minor ailments
and baptize. The team went extra miles in northern Northern Bahr
el Ghazal to worship with the congregation at Matuic Church of
Christ (though our Troop
carrier broke down twice
while on the way going
and also on return.).
Amazingly 34 converts
and new believers were
baptized into Christ’s
Church and more than
200 people received
medical treatment.
Take note: the tour was conducted deep in the remote areas where
it will lessen the team and community’s chance of exposure to the
pandemic Covid-19 outbreak. We are monitoring closely policies
regarding gatherings and infection prevention procedures. We
continue to encourage our team to practice hand washing and limit
hand shaking as well as observe signs and symptoms that may be
suspicious relating to Covid-19
March 24: from Dr. John's Facebook page
Dear Almighty God,
Loneliness is hard. We were meant to be with a community,
not confinement.
Nevertheless, we’re grateful that no matter how alone we are right
now, You never forsake us. And we’re grateful for the technology
that helps us stay in touch with each other irrespective of
geographical location and continent.
Today, please remind us that this enforced social distancing and
isolation will not last forever.
Give us wisdom and strength to withstand this difficult season and
deepen our relationship with You and Your children.
Bless us with faith full of empowerment and with extra knowledge of
Your love, peace hope and joy, because without it this period would
be long and traumatizing.
Fulfill your living promises and be merciful to our land.
Message from Dr. John
- Thank you, Steve and Bev. Thank you everyone that is involved in making the
projects in South Sudan a success.
- I am thankful to the team in Aweil for their love and trust in God. Thank to our
elder brother Yournew Wol who with efforts led the team out of war into a country
called South Sudan. They started the journey when there were no roads to now
where there are cars to move without landmines and fear of intimidations.
- Thanks to the team at Aweil coordination office today, the team at Malek Christian
Hospital, and to the entire community of Malek and South Sudan who appreciate
the work we do in the Lord. The people always pay their honors to our team and
appreciate the impacts we are making.
- Thanks to the American people. Without their support to fund our dreams we could
not do an inch of it.
- Thank you and may God reward you. Remember that your prayers are still needed
for the Word has no ending. Help us again and again and make us servant of our
Lord Jesus Christ and that we remain custodians in our communities. I am proud
to be working and serving my community in the most poor and most remote village
of Malek. The hope I see in us is a blessing from above.
WHERE WILL SSAM BE?
Because of Covid-19 pandemic, all current
spring speaking engagements have
been cancelled or postponed until 2021.
July 26-31 : Winema Week of Missions near Cloverdale, OR
Sept. 20 am : Superior, NE Church of Christ
September 27 am : Northland Christian Church, Kansas City, MO
November 13, 14 : International Disaster Emergency Service
Board meeting, Noblesville, IN
November 19-22 : International Conference on Missions,
Indianapolis, IN @ Booth #1136
If your church or mission committee would like a
SSAM update
please contact us |
FIRST QUARTER 2020 Update
Dukol Church Of Christ
— BY JOSEPH WEL AND PAULINO MALOU IN AWEIL
Dear Christians in the USA, receive our warm greetings in Jesus Christ’s name.
We are wishing you well in the Lord. We would like to take this opportunity to
report to you the baptisms in Dokul Church of Christ.
The church service was attended by 1000+ adults, children and elderly who expressed their
willingness to stand with the church forever. The attendees were Dukol Church members and
visiting Christians from the nearby congregations. Thirty-one converts who accepted Jesus Christ
as their Lord and Savior were baptized. The Congregation of Dokul Church of Christ is requesting
Christians all over the world to pray for these new believers.
The growth of this church is because of the evangelism supported by SSAM. Everyone was
excited and praising God. We as overseeing leaders were encouraged by their warm welcome.
The church extends greetings to all the supporting churches and Christians across the USA.
Baptisms at Dukol
Juba Property Plans and Vision
— BY DR. JOHN AND YOURNEW
Yournew has been in Juba for the last few months. He is following up on the request we (SSAM)
made with the Juba town council to have a property that will help SSAM set up ministry for a New
Testament church (Jebel Church of Christ). This dream is almost coming to reality, with two plots
secured and titled in the church’s name. Juba has many opportunities for SSAM. Juba needs
spiritual and physical healing as much as Malek and Aweil need them. Juba is full of traumatized
children and women displaced from various parts of the country by war since December 2013.
PRAYERS REQUESTS & PRAISES
- Peace in South Sudan and in the world
- The recent converts in Dukol Church of Christ
- The rebel groups will adhere to the peace agreements and end the conflict
- The SSAM leadership in South Sudan and the USA will be guided by the
power of the Holy Spirit and the compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Newly purchased property in Juba will be a start of another New
Testament Church in South Sudan
|
Malek Christian Hospital
Malek Christian Hospital is doing great. The number of patients
is high and the medical supply is behind the demand. The
hospital admits an average of 15 people a day that require IV
drugs and 24-hour nursing care. The government has closed
its nearby clinic and healthcare workers are supporting Malek
Christian Hospital. It is promised that the hospital will become
a women and children’s health center in this area where there
is no other facility. This vision and goal cannot be achieved
by SSAM alone. Last month after our supplies ran out, the
government was able to provide backup from their supplies.
WHERE WILL SSAM BE?
March 8 – Hope Summit Christian Church, Rochester, MN
April 3-4 – IDES Board of Director Meeting, Noblesville, IN
April 5 – Medaryville, IN Christian Church
April 30-May2 –Western Montana Women’s Retreat, Pinehaven Christian
Children’s Ranch, St. Ignatius, MT
If your church or mission committee would like a
SSAM update
please contact us |
General Situation of People
and Christians in South Sudan
Everyone is praying for peace. Failure to agree by
November 12, 2019 was heartbreaking to all the citizens
of the Republic of South Sudan. The wars have caused
catastrophic disaster ranging from home displacements,
human right abuses, poverty and starvation to diseases
affecting the unserved populations at villages, refugee
camps and protection sites within the UN camps.
SSAM areas of operation are not left out of these catastrophic experiences. SSAM
supports our evangelist’s needs and helps them to support communities with
clothing, food, medicine and Bibles. Sometimes we feel so low and saddened by the
needs we see with the people we see among the people we live with, at churches,
at the hospital and within our homes. But the gospel is motivating. It is bringing
hope and we feel blessed to be among the children of God that are extending.
His word to the hopeless.
Currently we are prioritizing the following:
- Shelter at Aweil compound for worship by the population near in Aweil. The
Aweil office is doing the coordination between churches well. It is located at the
central part of the region where we have many churches. Therefore, we need
the worshiping shelter (concrete structure is possible) within the compound for
staff and the community within the state capital. • Continuing support for the students we sent to Wau for nursing course.
- Reopening of ABC early this year. The college will be
introducing nursing and midwifery courses are being
discussed with the county health department of Ajak
(Malek) County and the Ministry of Health of Aweil State.
- Securing Juba Church property with a fence at both locations.
- Continuing supporting the needy with clothing, food,
medicine and Bible teaching.
- Continuing sourcing the Mobile Medical clinic.
We thank God for the friends have in the USA who
unwaveringly maintain their love and support to the
people of South Sudan.
Congratulations to
Paulino Malou
Paulino earned a Bachelor
of Community Education
degree from Uganda Christian
University in Mukono has
returned home and is
prepared to help his people.
It has not been easy but
he thanks God for this
achievement. Thank you
for the prayers and support
toward this goal.
Paulino with his wife and children
at his graduation
SSAM 2019 in Review
— BY BEV DOUGLASS MEYER
2019 was a year of transition for myself and South Sudan African Mission. Ten
years ago I left my job as an insurance agent in Rochester, MN and moved to
Gresham to work with Dad (Paul Douglass) and South Sudan African Mission. I
never imagined that ten years later I would be back in Minnesota and married.
Dale Meyer and I were married March 30th and I moved to Rochester. For the
most part, the move has been good for SSAM. Arch Word (SSAM’S treasurer) has
done a great job doing the Gresham end of things and I enjoy working with him.
Arch does the deposit and then sends the info to me. I still receipt the checks,
correspond with the men in South Sudan and prepare the newsletter. I think the
system is working very well.
I am very blessed with someone like Dale
who loves SSAM and supports me 100+
percent! God has been very good to me!
In addition to the trip to South Sudan
with Steve Holsinger and David
Barber in January of 2019, I visited
nineteen churches and/or conferences
in California, Washington, Oregon,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska,
Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa and Indiana.
