Mission News

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2022

Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Brothers & Sisters in Christ across the Christian Churches & Churches of Christ:

Paul Douglass and Dr. John at Oregon City Falls

For those we have met, fellowship, chats or talked, ate a meal with or even lived together at your peaceful homes, or those precious gifts given me and my family, may the blessings and Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ come upon you.

There are no more words left in me that describe your love, kindness and hospitality. I am blessed to say that this kind of fellowship has been my taste of a contagious and lasting love in Christ during my visit to United States between September 15 and December 07, 2022. This kind of feeling can only come from God. The Bible tells us that there is happiness for those who trust in God (Psalm 34). Indeed, I left my son behind with a broken thigh and through prayers, I am glad to inform you that he was able to walk straight again after 12 weeks. You prayed for my visa and it was provided through His merciful gift. My spiritual retreat is a thing of the Lord. I am overjoyed in the Lord with all we received from you. Thank you.

From Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport when I saw Bev coming out of the car with Dale it was like a homecoming. The excitement on their face about my safe arrival was obvious. As we drove away from Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport, one thing stood out, the network of roads, the lakes, the green and colorful trees of Minnesota (now, cold, snowing and dry frames of trees), the bridge over Mississippi river and Then the farms (corns and soybeans), an amazing scene. I have never seen something large like that for corns/beans before.

I continue to be amazed and left wondering at shopping malls, restaurants, homes, schools, churches name them. Thanking God of Bev & Dale for being such wonderful sister and a brother in Christ. I have never been hesitant to ask and I always get my answers back with kindness and comfort.

Not so much time, but met, spoke and relate to so many brothers and sisters on our way to and from the churches in various states; the state of Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Oregon, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, and others which I cannot differentiate. I have been to many homes most of our visit. The welcoming prayers, the meals, the chats, the testimonies we shared among one another were amazing. I wished I could readout the names in pair and couple of families that I have shared homes with but our Lord has their name registered in the book of life. I only have to say thank you for an overwhelming hospitality and generosity accorded to us during our visit to your homes and to your churches.
God bless you.

Wow! How amazing I felt. I felt like I have visited everywhere in the USA. 10 years ago (May 2012), Paul Douglass (at his about (85 years old) was in Nairobi. Since then he is never seen coming back to Africa. I got no idea what to tell him, where to begin, what does he remember? Who knew from South Sudan that Paul continues to drive a car. He welcomed us to his house at Gresham, OR and made me a hot cup of coffee. No words would describe the joy we felt after greetings full of long hugs and smiles. I still feel the Paul Douglass in him that we call “father Paul” by many South Sudanese. To my surprise, Paul still carries with him around his surrounding a volcanic stone he collected 20 years ago from Malek-Alel (the village bear the stone name). We love Paul. We love the service God called him for in Sudan about 35 years ago. Everything about Paul is about South Sudan and the people of God in the States. God bless him. Is it not wonderful how God work? The connection. The unity. The care. The love and the leadership that he provides for the nourishment of His flocks. Sister Bev and Brother Dale did so very well. It was great that even without proper preparation of my trip, we were able to see in persons many of you who by faith in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ have been a huge support in prayers and in all finances that have support a ministry that has started as two men meeting in Khartoum Sudan (a land that was declared Islamic state) to the today’s multitudes of congregations in a newly found home to people who suffered religious oppression for over 30 years. And now the compassion is undescriptive with profound impacts. Thank you.

Warm American Hospitality for Dr. John

By the time you read this, Dr. John will be back home in South Sudan. Thank you so much for the warm hospitality of so many Christians across the United States. During his nearly three months stay we visited 20 churches, one school group and several lunches or dinners, International Conference on Missions, and an IDES meeting in 14 states. God was gracious to us as we travelled well over 6,000 miles plus an airline flight to the Pacific Northwest. We are disappointed that we were not able to see more Christians while Dr. John was visiting. Next time…

Lunch in Vancouver WA

Generosity Fuels SSAM Constructions

Just as Dr. John arrived, in the US, FAME (Indianapolis, IN) sent $23,500 for an addition onto the Malek Christian Hospital. Construction will begin soon. Another lady blessed SSAM with funds to build a church building in Pananthony. God is so good!

Overlooking the Columbia River Gorge

Thanks to Bev & Dale for the care and for making me feel at home. My days away from my family were made much shorter than I thought because of them. I have so many new things to learn and experienced through their generosity, patient, love and kindness. I can never repay but to carry along in my heart. In as much as I wanted to be back to South Sudan to see my family, we have shared so much in common and we were almost used to each other already. I leave you love and blessings in Lord’s Mighty name! Amen!

Dr. John with Bev's grandchildren, Whitewater State Park, MN

Northland Christian Church, Kansas City, MO

First time experiencing snow

Bev and Dr. John present the SSAM booth at ICOM

Westside Christian Church, Roseburg, OR

Dr. John is Coming to the U.S.

When the SSAM team was in South Sudan in January, 2022, we discussed the possibility of Dr. John coming to the States. The process has been long; but by the time you read this newsletter, Dr. John should be in the United States.

Dr. John with his sons, Marshal (L) and Ethan (R)

Dr. John has been granted a one-year long visa; he can stay in the States for three months on each visit. It will be possible to extend another year when there is a need to travel again.

To quote Dr. John, “This opportunity is so profound. I am excited and I can’t express in words how grateful I and local team are about this. I will bring the SSAM Christian’s gratitude in person to the USA and tell everyone in pictures and in spirit. The ministry of Christ has no borders indeed, and we need one world that praises and glorifies the name our Lord Jesus Christ. I am not forgetting that my coming to the USA is a miracle. I got to come in the time of COVID-19 pandemic backlog where people wait for more than two years to travel overseas.”

Our delegation will be traveling between September 10-14. And the three-month period will begin upon his arrival. Church tours can begin the third week of September. “I am the only Christian religious leader traveling with the government delegation to the US”, said Dr. John recently. As you can see from our following schedule, we are going to be very busy. If you would like to have us visit your church and we can fit it into the schedule, we would be very happy to come and have you meet Dr. John. He will tell you fi rsthand how things are going in South Sudan.

If you would like to help with the extra expenses with Dr. John and his travel, SSAM would welcome your financial help. Here is our schedule:

September 18 a.m. – New Testament Church, Keokuk, IA
September 25 a.m. – Church of Christ, Superior, NE
September 28, 7 p.m. The Church in Loveland, CO
October 2 a.m. – Central Church of Christ, Gering NE
October 9 a.m. – Hope Summit Christian Church, Rochester, MN
October 16 a.m. – Westside Christian Church, Roseburg, OR
October 23 a.m. – Harvest Christian Church, Troutdale, OR
October 30 a.m. – Northland Christian Church, Kansas City, MO
November 3-5– International Conference of Missions, Columbus, OH
November 11 – IDES Board meeting, Noblesville, IN
November 20 a.m. - Church of Christ, Concord, MN
November 28 a.m. – Church of Christ, Kasson, MN
December 4 a.m. - Worthington, MN Christian Church

Report from Dr. John

It has been a trying time for the Christians in South Sudan. We are thanking God that many are fighting through several obstacle to serve the Lord in different capacities. Some by administering healthcare services at Malek Christian Hospital; some by preaching the good news in their community, some by offering counselling services to the most hopeless.

Students meeting at the Aweil property

The Aweil Bible College will reopen after students and teachers requested a short break to be home with their families during farming seasons (June — July).

September 4: Hello Sister Bev, I am at the hospital now with my son Marshall. He fell and his friend fell onto his thigh which resulted in a thigh bone fracture. We are requesting your prayers as we prepare him for a bone surgery. As of Tuesday, September 6, Marshall has had surgery to set his femur bone and will be in the hospital three days and will continue physical therapy at home.

Matuic Church of Christ

The roof of the Matuic Church of Christ recently collapsed due to heavy rain. The members of the congregation have been busy making bricks for their new structure and are asking for $10,000 to put a metal roof on their church building.

Bricks made by the Matuic Church of Christ for their
future building drying

Matuic Church of Christ meeting outside now

Can You Help Matuic?

Any gift you consider will help reach our $10,000 goal for a metal roof.

Luka Chan, Aweil’s New Principal

Aweil Bible College has appointed Luka Chan as their
principal after the passing of Anthony earlier this year

Civilization Is Coming To The Bush

Wayne preaching in a village with Joseph translating

When I visited several “bush villages” last January, Dr. John said to me on more than one occasion, “Wayne, civilization is coming to the bush.” I pondered the meaning of his statement each time he
spoke it.

The application of his observation became clear to me when I met a man who made ad hunted with his spear to provide food for himself and his family. In that same “bush village” (with no road to get there), the first cell phones were in use. Then I began to see the great challenge facing SSAM and the country of South Sudan. Rapid change! This rapid change would possibly skip the slower development of the “Little House On The Prairie” books. Or the pioneers in the Oregon Trail days. Or possibly even skip the developing days of the 1900-1940’s.

As I have reflected on Dr. John’s statement, I believe SSAM is in good position to meet and to even thrive during the challenges that lay ahead for four reasons:

1. SSAM is committed to always preach, teach, and live God’s Word as evangelists, ministers, teachers, and disciples of Jesus. Sharing Jesus through the written word of God is our #1 priority. The fruit of this is seen by the fact that church number 34 and 35 have been planted in the three months since my return. Please pray for our evangelists, ministers, and our Bible College in South Sudan.
2. Prayer is our first response to any crisis and situation in South Sudan. God blesses people who pray and pray a lot! In South Sudan and here in the USA, God has blessed SSAM and helped us to rise to meet all the challenges in the past and we trust Him to do the same as we seek Him in prayer!
3. God has blessed SSAM with visionary leadership in South Sudan. Dr. John, Paulino, and Joseph are strong, time tested and visionary leaders. Their vision for a church in all eleven states of South Sudan is remarkable. Dr. John envisions a strong central office, church, and 2nd Bible College campus in Juba. We currently have the property. Money is our only hold up. This vision alone will help train more leaders to take the good news to diff erent locations and strengthen existing churches with young leaders to smooth the transition of the civilization coming to the bush. The Team in South Sudan has other leadership goals as well but let’s accomplish one at a time. More than $120,000 extra is needed to build a fence and begin small buildings on the large Juba property. Would you please pray for God’s provision?
4. Finally, as I reflect forward on rising to meet the new changes in South Sudan, God has placed the right leaders for the right time. Not only in the country, but by giving us our “Esther” here in the USA. Our Executive Director, Bev Meyer is the daughter of the mission’s founder. I believe God has put her in place for “such a time as this.” Please pray for Bev as she visits churches, individuals and seeks to bring the Word of God to South Sudan.

Thank you for Partnering with SSAM! I pray that you might recommit yourself even stronger to support the great evangelism that is taking place through SSAM. Please also pray for new partners to join the harvest.

Your fellow servant of Jesus,
Wayne Rowe, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, SSAM, USA

Update on the Ministry, New Churches & Baptisms

We recently went to the new church called Dong- Abel Church of Christ in Aweil Central County. This
county is a home to the Luo Tribe, one of the major Nilotic Tribes. The congregation came out in a great
multitude. Twenty-seven people were baptized into Christ. There were some of the members who would
have been baptized but the distance was far from the water pond where baptism was taking place. I had to drive two groups of 13 and 14 members to be baptized by Paulino. The other members of the church will be baptized soon.

Two more churches at Paulino’s area and another behind Malek Churches’ openings will be officiated in the subsequent months.

May the name of the Lord be praised! And it is in our prayers that the congregation and members of Dong- Abel community will get safe drinking water (Water Well and installation of fi lters). The water where we were baptizing the members was also used by the community as a source for drinking and cooking water as well as for the domestic animals.

We conducted mobile medical services along with today’s visit and 175 people were treated for various ailments.

Panthony Church of Christ makes our 35th Churches of Christ in Aweil. We request prayers for the church’s growth.

We shared prayers/sermons with congregation today at Panthony Church of Christ. The new church is
made up of about 500 members. The church is led by one of the elders of Malek Church of Christ and ABC
graduate evangelists. The church has exceptional leadership through the church elders who mobilized
the local community to build their worshiping shelter. They are currently requesting financial support from
SSAM team to help them complete shelter before intensive rainfalls. The area lacks appropriate trees
for shade. Only palm trees are available in the area and children are at risk of palm trees fruit falling on
them. The money will be used to buy mahogany poles that will hold the roof above the walls and silk or nails
and expertise to roof and thatch the church shelters. This will motivate their faith. Our own faith is therefore challenged to look for support in their behalf, and I pray that this report finds you with a congregation that may have hearts who can support this great team.

Yours faithfully in Christ, John.

UPDATE ON DR. JOHN'S VISA

I was directed today (Friday, April 15th) to start the online visa application, which went well. I am now waiting for possible interviews on dates being communicated soon by the USA consulate in Juba. I am quite sure about its success, but I don’t want to exaggerate.

Dr. Ting still works at the World Bank and continues to travel
to the USA to see his family members and he thought that
I will not have trouble going to USA as long as my mission
to the USA is sponsored by the USA team of the same
organization in the country. I am waiting to report the real
information after being called for an interview.

Tuesday, April 26th “My application number was recorded
in the USA. I am promised to have an interview within two
weeks for either 3 months visa or 12 months visa. The cost
will be determined based on the period given to me by the
consulate of the USA.

Water Wells Drilled In Uyoon & Dong-Abel

The two communities of Uyoon and Dong-Abel Church of Christ are so overwhelmed with the support by SSAM and friends of SSAM. The well drilling at Dong-abel attracted the attention of the county commissioner Hon. Natalie and the minister of Agriculture who were equally concerned with the issue of safe drinking water in that area. They both showed joyfulness for the gift by SSAM and friends of SSAM in the USA. This well had to go 94 meters deep (308 feet). The joy and excitement seen on the residents and our church leader’s faces was beyond description. We will be sharing gospel in this village we will be sharing pictures of community members using the well periodically.

All we can say for now is thank you as we praise the living God for faith, mercy and kindness through our brothers and sisters in the USA, and in particular, the SSAM team and IDES team for such a positive action by faith. God bless you all abundantly.

Water Well!

Anthony, ABC Principal

We were saddened to learn recently of the untimely passing of Anthony, principle of Aweil Bible College. From Dr. John, “Our team and the church stood with the family during burial, funeral. The support that was sent in an amount of $1200 was also delivered to the family in the form of food and cash to sustain the family for some time as Anthony has left a gap of responsibility at family level and the mission. In the midst of their grieving, Anthony’s family and relatives are so happy to God that they have friends like you. They are sending back their gratitude for having stood with them during this difficult time. God takes and God gives. May the
good Lord rest Anthony in an eternal peace”.

Food delivered to Anthony's family by Joseph, Kuot and Paulino

Trip to South Sudan

—BEV DOUGLASS MEYER
Our trip to South Sudan was filled with a
lot of “firsts” for me.

Dr. John and Yournew

David Stine and Randy Jones from IDES (International Disaster Emergency Service, Wayne Rowe and myself were able to be in South Sudan ten days. While there we visited five remote villages, four of which I had never visited and in each of those four villages, I was the first white lady to ever visit them. In those villages we were not only able to distribute food and medicine, but we were able to share the gospel and worship with them as only the South Sudanese know how. We thought we were going to bless and encourage the people there but instead we left their village being the ones blessed and encouraged.

We were able to visit with Yournew in Juba and visit the property SSAM purchased quite some time ago. The property is in a prime location and will eventually have a church building and become the headquarters for SSAM in Juba. A first priority is the build a fence around the parameter to prevent squatters from building on the property.

“I saw Jesus while I was in South Sudan”

— DAVID STINE, IDES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Recently I was in South Sudan visiting IDES Partners, South Sudan African Mission (SSAM). IDES provided funding for food distributions and mobile medical clinics in remote villages across northern South Sudan. Throughout the week we worked closely with SSAM Team Leader, John, who is also a medical doctor.

Dr. John was born in one of those remote villages. While his story of coming to Christ, becoming a doctor, and leading the team in South Sudan is an incredible one, what I was most impressed with was how he treated the patients he and his team were caring for. I’m not just talking about how he medically cared for people (it was obvious his team was very professional and capable). What stuck out was how he TREATED the people.

I commented to Wayne, one of the team members I was with, how impressive it was to see Dr. John’s humility and the way he truly cared about the people he was helping. Wayne responded, “He is being Jesus to them.”

He really was. And by many standards he could have had a different approach. You see, Dr. John has a high level of education; he has traveled to numerous countries; he leads a well-known and respected organization in South Sudan. He could have been consumed by his own selfimportance.

But I was struck by his humility. When he told of people relying on witchcraft to cure them, or of basic medical care that was unknown in some of these villages, it was never with an air of superiority. It was with genuine care, love, and hope for his patients.

During these mobile medical clinics, he was also very busy. He had many responsibilities and executed them all with excellence. However, when someone wanted a word with him, he looked them in the eye and talked with them. When a momma wanted him to look at her baby, he stopped what he was doing to play with the baby, check the little one’s temperature, and wipe the baby’s nose. He treated everyone like Jesus would have treated them.

Galatians 6:3 says,
“If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself.
You are not that important.”

By all standards, Jesus, even while in human form, was far superior to everyone he came into contact with. He came from greater riches, had far more knowledge, and was much more powerful than every person he met. Yet he treated everyone with compassion; he played with children, he fed the hungry, healed the sick, and touched the untouchable.

Dr. John’s wife, Victoria, helping with a village medical clinic.

Do we look down on others? Do our degrees make us more important? Are we too busy to stop and talk with those who need a few moments of our time?

I hesitate to compare Dr. John to Jesus, but at the same time Jesus is exactly who we should be trying to imitate. Dr. John’s example of compassion and humility was refreshing to see. It also serves to challenge and encourage us to consider how we treat those who might be considered “lower” than we are.

Because as Christians, we’re called to care for others as Jesus did.

Dr. John to the US?
We are working on the necessary paperwork to allow
Dr. John to come to the States for a visit this fall for ICOM
and to visit churches. Dr. Ting, a South Sudanese, while
in Juba said there should be “no problem” getting the
necessary visa for Dr. John to visit. If your church would
like to have Dr. John come, please let us know.

Village Testimonies

The team reports a few testimonies from the villages in the benefi ciaries’ own words:

Mary Awut Achuil from Uyoon Church of Christ reported, and I quote, “this food is of great help it will take me for seven to ten days before I resume eating the of trees leaves it is very hard getting food this time around it has to be purchased of which I am unable to buy it. I am an elderly it is hard for an elderly person like me. I thank SSAM and their friends from that organization full of love of God (IDES) for providing me with is food.
May God bless you all.”

Another elderly woman by name Mary Agul Pel Tong said those words, “I am speechless on how to thank you all. I was so sick but was treated through the medical mobile clinic. People prayed for me and I feel that I am healed now and the food I received from the church today will cure me completely.
God bless you all.”