South Sudan and the twist of a success story

Dr.
John Nyikako and I met in Sudan in 2005. It was clear we had a lot in common and became
friends immediately. I admire his passion for God, obedience and commitment to Christ’s fame
amongst his people in the Sudan. Dr. John is Shilluk
by tribe.

He
was privileged to travel to Europe to study; where he acquired a Doctorate in
Agricultural sciences. It was in those student years in Germany that he met
Jesus Christ, through the ministry of the Deeper Life Bible Church; a ministry
borne out of Nigeria and led by a very well respected servant of God- Pastor
W.F Kumuyi.

John
and I shared a lot about our journeys in the narrow way and how we ended up in
Yei. I’ve continued to be amazed that this man, who speaks at least five major
European languages perfectly and had a very successful job in a University in
Europe, could leave that seemingly successful life to return home to a war
thorn village in South Sudan to pursue God’s call.

Dr.
John’s determination to see Jesus get His due from his people led him to
acquire a piece of land in a village called Pisak, some 13miles away from Yei.
He relocated right there into the bush, where he focused on planting assorted
vegetables.

My first visit to the farm in May 2006 was memorable. I met with his first set of workers who were using a few hand tools and watering
cans, laboring over a pretty wide portion of the land. I’ll never forget their joy when we prayed
for rain that evening after a delay that threatened the crops and without warning, the heavens opened over us immediately.

By
2008 when we made the video clip, the place had been transformed. They’d
successfully cultivated 5acres of vegetables (the goal was for 10acres) which was being harvested
and sold in the markets in and around Yei. His vision was and still is God-sized, Kingdom focused and purpose driven. It’s a progressive tale of God in action with a willing
man.

Dr.
John once said to me, “…the money we need to evangelize this land is not
in Europe or America, it is right here and I will prove it.” He’s right,
he’s seen it, dreams it and now, he’s living it.

But
here’s the twist. Unfortunately, in 2009, this almost successful story
of Eden Keepers Farms of South Sudan died prematurely in the village of Pisak
where it was located. Buried under the stinking debris of envy, jealousy and
bitterness of those that thought John was “becoming too big too soon in their
land” and unwilling to bend to their caprices. So, they asked him to
vacate the land, which had a bore hole with overhead water tank, a Green house,
10hp irrigation pumping machine, livestock, living-in quarters for staff among
other stuff. It was a devastating blow.

Nevertheless,
the vision is alive and well. Dr. John has since moved his ministry, African
Revival and Restoration Ministries northward to Malakal in Upper Nile State,
his home state where he is re-strategizing and building from scratch. This time
around, his primary focus is first making and building Disciples of Christ with
a passion for Kingdom advancement and then, engaging the farms with then, to
supply needed grains and vegetables from the very fertile lands of South Sudan.
Here’s another dreamer, with a success story in the making.

Sometimes,
waiting for and waiting on God could be the most active and
productive things we may be doing, while God busies Himself with redecorating
our present setup. “God will not always do what we want but will forever do what is right.” Timothy Olonade

As
you enjoy this amazing video clip, imagine with me what can come out of South
Sudan, if you partner with people like Dr. John, persevere like him and pray
with/for him.

Author: Uche Izuora

I'm inspired by God’s passion for His name in every generation, which provokes global worship through Jesus Christ. Becoming an emotionally healthy and transformative disciple, I aim to mobilize the Church to engage in cross-cultural missions and raise other like-minded disciples who discover themselves in Christ and seek to present and represent Him as Savior and Lord among the nations northward of Uganda. View all posts by Uche Izuora