Category: Ministry

The peace agreement signed in August 2015 brought to an end the South Sudan civil war that ensued on 15th December 2013. When I read through the agreement, I was apprehensive.  Critical components of the binding document created inescapable uncertainty and the possibility of war. 

The one question I asked on several fora was, “Can any of the two principal leaders at the center of the commotion concede victory at the ballots in 2018, when they didn’t lose at the battle front?” These are men of war, men whose youth and years are consumed by suspicion, betrayal and bitterness from generations past.

As I chewed on this matter, I had a witness in my spirit that peace was going to come through a rather tough path. So I determined to seek a temporary place in Koboko, a town in northern Uganda, some 80km from my location in Yei, where I could quickly retreat to, in the event of anticipated trouble come election day in 2018. I was close to signing a land lease agreement with a village in Yei that had accepted in principle to give us a large piece of their land for Ministry. 

On 1st January 2016, I got a call on my cell phone while leaving the beach in Lagos with my family. It was a number I didn’t know calling from California, USA. 

“Hello am I speaking to Uche?”

“Yes this is Uche.”

“My name is Jerry Musgroove, do you remember me? You were with us in California last summer…” (I met this awesome man of God through a mutual friend, Pastor Glen Totten.)

Yes I remember you Sir…

“The Lord gave me a word for you and asked me to call you now and deliver the message to you. I was concerned of the timing, as I don’t know which part of the world you are in now. But the Lord said to call you now. Is it a good time to talk?”

At this point, I pulled over.

“The Lord said to give you his word in Isaiah 43:18-19. He read it, “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

I was pleasantly surprised on many fronts. There’s no way I could appropriately process this scripture in the light of my present realities as at that time but the word was profound, to forget the past and be ready for something new.   

On my first trip of the year to South Sudan in March 2016; I arrived Kampala and needed to see my bank account officer. I casually mentioned to her that I was thinking of getting a place to stay in Koboko. I explained why and she shocked me. 

“Uche, the Regional District Commissioner of Koboko just left that seat you are sitting on few minutes ago. Do you want me to call her for you?”

I met the woman that evening, took her counsels and directives and headed out same night to Yei en-route Koboko. My journey into new things and express accesses in Uganda had begun. I didn’t even know it.

I met Brother Joseph Dradria few days later in Yei. Our connection was awesome as we shared common passions for ministry. I muted my plans for Uganda to him and why. He promised to assist. His assistance has proven to be heaven’s arrangement.

I rounded up that mission trip scheduling a meeting with another community in Yei, that had agreed to give us land for ministry. The date for signing the deal was set for the 20^th of July 2016. I’d bought my flight tickets all the way to Yei. But the second civil war after 2011 independence began on the 8^th of July.

I made my trip as planned but stopped in Arua, knowing I couldn’t proceed to Yei. War had broken out. My ministry partner in Yei, Pastor Stanley was mobilizing an audacious pullout from Yei with the Dreamland children, staff and other families. Death was at the doorsteps there.

While in Arua, I scheduled a meeting with a gentleman that is responsible for NGO/ government relationships in Koboko. He arrived at the meeting venue while Bro Joseph and I were waiting for him and to my amazement, I learned that Brother Joseph had led the gentleman (Simon) to Christ some years back.

From then on, doors began to open in rapid successions as I met several key leaders in the region, building relationships, studying the new realities on ground and listening to the Lord. One such leader is Rev. Dennis. He was introduced to me by Brother Joseph. 

In a meeting with Rev Dennis Ruhama, where he’d invited the Bishop of Madi and West Nile Diocese in the Church of Uganda in December 2016, I articulated four core areas of ministry I sensed the Lord was leading us into: –

Responding to the refugee crisis is new: – Through the support of Adventures In Missions, Parakletis and other friends, we are responding to the immediate needs of refugees and supporting their dreams. But more importantly, we are building structures that’d sustain these support initiatives. Click here for some updates and please like our page.

The direct outreach to Muslims is new: – Through the support of Norm Brinkley and friends, we brought the training- Encountering the World of Islam to many key leaders in Arua in April 2017.

Responding to the development needs of the youth and students from South Sudan in a refugee setting is new: – Building the Greater Hope ideology within the schools in the refugee camps is a strategy for youth development we are incubating. But there’s more, so much more.

Capacity building within and outside the church is new: – The need is overwhelming and the opportunities are rife. For an enduring missions’ thrust beyond the region, a deliberate effort at empowering the clergy and grooming professionals to see beyond the pay package is critical.

We are thankful and delighted to know the Lord is the One doing these and has graciously invited us to join Him. Nothing can be more satisfying! He said, “I do a new thing…” We are following His leadership, knowing He is here and we’ve relocated.

By God’s provision, through many friends and the tireless efforts of Seth Barnes and the team, we’ve bought a piece of land for our ministry base in Arua. We shall make our home here, train and host teams of volunteers and launch from here to everywhere.

As we render assistance to important concerns especially among refugees now; building sustainable channels for lasting ministry impact, constructing the proposed base and raising teams of volunteers to connect with a wide array of ministry opportunities in the region are core priorities presently.

We need volunteers, human and material resource managers. We need workers committing to women, children and the youth. We need medical aid workers, teachers, micro business experts, media assistants and as many as would commit medium to long term. We need funds for these.

It’s a new path, a new work and walk, all in the same direction and destination.

We invite you to join us and stay the course as we continue to bring the Kingdom where it’s needed.

Discipleship is hard work.

In an age that seeks to simplify everything, discipleship with the narrow way ideology seems increasingly illogical. Selfishness (it has many fancy names now) is a core characteristic of the broad way mindset and every attractive.

The temptation to stop loving, to stop caring and interceding, was real on this last trip. As legitimate as my reasons were, they failed the test of love because there’s long-laboring, longsuffering and tears, in the destiny of true discipleship.

5. I was convinced on this trip that- Teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, demand spending quality private time with the disciple. 

I saw in many ways and took note, that discipleship thrusts with potential for lasting fruit must be anchored in love. Love that’s willing and able to suffer long and while in that suffering mode, still show kindness. (1Cor 13:4) That’s tough!!

This lesson on love was driven home for me as we cast out demons from one of the girls at the Young Leaders’ Camp here in Yei. She was violent, kicking, cursing out and ridiculing us. Some among us got hit several times. Some wanted to engage the demons in a Q&A session and others seemed to channel their anger at the girl in a physical way.

I had to lead this team, so I asked the them to follow my commands. I knew I had two tasks. Free the girl from the demons and show these youngsters how to do it effectively.

Several minutes into the battle, the Lord said to me, “You’ll be limited in power without my love flowing from your hearts.” It seemed like a bomb exploded in my spirit as the scripture, “For the love of Christ constrains us…” (2Cor 5:14) gripped me. Then I said to myself, “This one may take me the whole night but I’ll stick with it because the love of Christ constrains me…”

As soon as I quoted that scripture to the hearing of the team, other scriptures referencing the love of Jesus began to fly. I knew the battle was over. The demons began to react more wildly and quickly left her. She regained consciousness and asked for water to drink.

The DNA of the Father is love. Discipling or doing spiritual warfare without re-establishing this truth in our hearts will be futile.

6. I reaffirmed again that, identifying and accepting our vulnerabilities is helpful for sound spiritual formation. Sadly though, because we dread uncertainties in relationships meant to help us grow; vulnerability and true openness seem too risky a venture.

You may not be your “best” self now, that’s okay. Who is? But you see, vulnerability is far better than giving up on where and who we are today.

We should courageously begin to explore and expose the hidden matters of the heart; using them as aids to discover the truth about the love of God, the perfect example of a father and the power of His light.

I asked a few friends on this trip, “Who are you in the heart and hands of the Creator; the Potter?” I was thinking of God’s illustrative lessons and message to and through Prophet Jeremiah. (Jer. 18:1-6)

At this Young Leaders’ Camp 2016, we saw and wrestled with the cloak of shame and the feeling of helplessness that loomed over these young leaders as we explored matters of the heart. Many had a hidden mess and needed to know that condemnation is not God’s way of addressing our brokenness.

That feeling of unworthiness though good in itself, is so often manipulated by the enemy, breeding shame and a feeble repentance, where safe people are absent or distant. Like a beautiful statue that’s wrongly erected, we struggle to receive the unfettered grace of Jesus because the devil’s lies have hijacked our view of God.

Having traveled this road that led to nowhere before, bullying myself to no avail, I was able to help these young lads understand that God is not only for us but also with us right in the mess. Many met me after that final devotion to say thank you.

It remains my goal with these students’ camps, youth conferences and ministry in general, to create an atmosphere for authentic fellowship and relationship; where a weak believer and the vilest of sinners could come in and meet the same Jesus that ate with sinners; not a legalistic and religious Jesus that asks them to cleanup first before they come.  

7. The dearth of spiritually mature older women is a great handicap in our discipleship thrust among the young ladies. Also, the challenge of “what next”, after these Camps and Conferences, with respect to re-entry into their local church and an enduring growth there.

Listen to Brother Kolo reflect on the benefits and challenges from the Young Leaders’ Holiday Camp 2016.

Reflections of the Young Leaders’ Holiday Camp 2016 from Uche Izuora on Vimeo.

Some years ago in my blog: Where Are The Women?, I highlighted the challenges with this need and solicited the help of any that connect with our desire to bring life-giving discipleship care to the female folk in this region.

While we look for quality short-termers, we need a long term plan for these challenges.

8. I am convinced beyond doubt that partnership is far more than just being friends. True yoke-fellows suffer together, fall or stand together and succeed as a team.

A competitive spirit is a delicate and difficult gift to manage. The “us versus them or I versus him/her” disposition to life can be destructive, if poorly used. Comparisons soon become “normal” as the heart is deceived into believing that  “always winning” is God’s only way or that “doing it better than them, makes me better than them”.

I learnt much from observing the young leaders’ Platoon group formations and their performances at the Holiday Camp. Sometimes, people we think are with us may be silently and/or secretly against us and people we think are against us are poised to give their all for us. In His wisdom, God sometimes keeps us from discerning the difference between our confidants, compatriots and comrades, so we can learn lessons in loyalty, love and trust.

God blessed me with some great true yoke-fellows on this trip who suffered with me (some secretly and silently), accepted my faults as ours and made celebrating our victories a thing of beauty.

I’m tempted to mention names and detail their efforts, but I won’t. May the All-Knowing God of all grace, whose records never lie, keep these men and women until we lay all at the Master’s feet.

“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things; to Him be glory forever! Amen.” Rom 11:36

It has always been my desire to learn from every life experience. Sometimes it’s hard, when the lessons border on mistakes made in relation to dealing with people. Words are said that leaves the ear ringing and certainly now, can’t be unsaid; actions and reactions expressed that leave a mark, a scar or worse.

Every trip I’ve made to then Sudan and now South Sudan is distinct. Like a music CD with various tracks, each song having its own rhythm and message; each thrust into this land with great potentials and great pains, continues to teach me much.

There were several reinforced convictions and lessons too, from my last thrust. Here are a few.

1. Leadership is tough and messy. Many platforms offering opportunities for influence with eternal consequence are grossly undervalued, making the blessedness of leadership in those areas seem like a curse to those seeking immediate return on investment.

As days turn to years and our children grow, we can’t force maturity on them or simply expect them to be emotionally and spiritually healthy, without deliberate effort in that regard. This thing takes time and it’s expensive!!

“Where no cattle are, the stall is clean, but much gain is by the strength of the ox.” Prov 14:4

Leadership is messy and carries a great deal of pain. But there’s gain down the road, if the oxen are well taken care of despite the mess they make. The future we seek hangs on our ability today, to identify divine opportunities in ridiculous places or people, nurture them and trust God for a flourish.

I learned that taking responsibility for errors or lapses in leadership can be hard, especially when it seems one gave it their best. Though devotion and incompetence can mix well, the resultant fruit of their union may leave a sour taste in the mouth. It’s humbling to ask for help in matters you are expected to be an expert in.

Lord Jesus, help me know and acknowledge sooner than later, the things I know in part and understand in part. Please teach me how to be more gracious to others while I hope for enduring fruit from relationships that have me in charge.

2. There are no shortcuts to learning how to read. There are many steps involved. The first is- start with the alphabets, then reading and the last step is continue reading.

Building a Reading Culture; as a presentation topic has featured in our last two Teachers’ Conferences and intentionally so. I discovered a relationship between reading skills, assimilation and obedience.

Reading is better taught and perfected from formative years. Seeing that many here didn’t have that opportunity on account  of the long civil war, it’s such a huge challenge resetting or should I say, refocusing mature minds on the basics of phonetics and its intricate yet, interesting forms.

There’s no backing down from this thrust here. We’ll continue to create platforms to help people develop a reading habit that can change their lives. If you have ideas that you believe could work, please let’s talk.

The video below has Jennifer, a Head Teacher in one of the nursery/primary schools here in Yei sharing her experience at this Conference, with respect to the topic on Building a Reading Culture. She has quite a story I’d be telling someday.

What Jennifer learned about reading from Uche Izuora on Vimeo.

3. Investing in the training of school teachers in South Sudan is undeniably beneficial for national development and far more strategically crucial to the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom here, if purposefully and properly managed.

Our thrust in this direction has been phenomenal to say the least. Thanks to God and the determination of Rev. Yemi Ayodele. The testimonies of changed lives among these sponsored school teachers propel our convictions and deepen our resolve. They know and we know, life will never be the same for many of them.

What we are doing with those we are offering scholarships at the Yei Teacher Training College has never been done here before. Giving them opportunity to acquire perspectives beyond teaching skills, we’ve engaged them in marriage counseling, discipleship, missions and PTSD training, deliverance… I introduced Alemi Jackson here. I’ll be introducing some others on this space, when the first set of 25 In-service teacher trainees graduate in December 2016; God willing.

A fresh set of 18 trainees have been admitted this 2016 for a 3year certificate program. From their comments, it’s like they won the national lottery. The future will tell. We need partners who’d make this thrust more productive and enduring. Please ask me how.

4. The best and worst of ourselves manifest while on a Kingdom adventure. The challenges waiting to be engaged on the narrow path where the Lord walks and works, are meant to squeeze out the greatness hidden within us.

In my blog- Made For Adventure, I alluded to this. On this trip, I met several folks who didn’t even know their gifts and abilities, needless to say how they’d make a difference with them, silently impact many. It was a joy, for example, to see how Ms. Mai and Mr. Scott Taylor from Water of Life Community School in California, made their gifts and years of experience count for the Kingdom.

We didn’t know how the grace they carry would thrive at the Conference in Yei as we prayed and planned their visit last April. But looking back now, I can testify with joy, convinced beyond doubt, that we all need an adventure to help us discover for ourselves, key components of the mysteries of the Kingdom Jesus was talking about.

Jesus said, “…these signs shall follow them that believe…”  Mark 16:17 To follow, presupposes that there’s a going somewhere, by those that believe. Many are gifted with the ability to heal diverse sicknesses and diseases, to witness powerfully for Jesus in many ways and do much that they can never imagine possible, until they are going.

Don’t get me wrong. You need not leave your region and come to South Sudan. NO! You need of necessity, to leave your comfort zone to where the discomforts of life will usher the Jesus in you, to the needy world.

The trash within us come to light outside the church walls. God never shies away from the rubbish inside us, He’s laboring to transform them into treasures, to the admiration of His angels and shame of principalities and powers of darkness.

I’m convinced beyond all doubt, that God wants us to see His hands working in and around us, using everything the enemy is throwing at us as tools, to fix our past, steady our current steps, give us momentum for the duties assigned to us and finally, present us holy to Himself in the end.

End of Part 1 of 2

This year’s Yei Teachers’ Conference ended last weekend and what a great time we had. Thanks to God for bringing us this way and this far in three years.

Our objectives have remained the same.

Without warning and in an awesome way, God took us to the next level as we engaged vital elements of personal development and Kingdom advancement at this year’s Conference.

The challenge of untrained teachers sprang to the surface almost immediately. We were amazed to see that many of the 140 teachers attending the two days Conference had no formal training.

“The reality is that more than half of the teachers in Yei and in the Nation as a whole do not have training of any kind in this profession…” said Mr. James Kepo, The Principal of (YTTC).

Yet, it was stated and rightly so, by the authorities in charge of education here, that Yei as a County, ranks highest in education in the Nation. It also hosts the Nation’s flagship teacher training college; Yei Teacher Training College (YTTC).

Stirred by this worrisome reality, one of the facilitators, Rev. Yemi Ayodele offered to help sponsor teachers who are willing to go for training in the Training College. 59 teachers joyfully and promptly registered for the two year training. The process of their admission, sponsorship and eventual training is underway. Praise the LORD!!

The presentation of Norman Brinkley, one of the facilitators from USA, hit home when these untrained teachers stood up. With a Mango fruit in hand, he said, “There’s only one seed in this mango fruit, but you cannot count how many fruits are in this mango’s seed.” Indeed, we cannot imagine how the proper training and discipling of one teacher can impact the entire nation. This idea motivates us!!

The needs highlighted during this conference where overwhelming as usual. From overcrowded classrooms (average of 100 children per class), substandard books, poorly furnished labs, zero IT skills (over 90% of the teachers present have never used a computer), to poor learning environment etc, education here seems a big joke.

During their presentation, Leslie Totten and Arden Schlecht, both educators from the USA, gave writing assignments to the teachers. Their feedback revealed the great need for training in communication and personal development skills.

The determination of these teachers, despite the huge difficulties and seemingly insurmountable challenges is a tribute to their devotion and passion.

One of the teachers went home with a brand new laptop and four others will be getting theirs any day now. Thanks to Engr. Adeolu Odusote for facilitating this and for his powerful presentation on the usefulness of computers in this era.

When Glen Totten, another facilitator from the USA introduced his training on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, we didn’t know what to expect. With many teachers and pastors in attendance, his session at this Conference threw light into dark areas of our lives needing God’s immediate intervention.

As he unearthed the challenges of  PTSD and highlighted its signs, the hall of meeting was charged with emotional pain from many years of unspoken and unaddressed trauma.

During the practical session that involved freely sharing our traumatic experiences, three ladies who’d been deeply traumatized fainted. This provoked all sorts of emotions and reactions from participants.

Almost everyone present needed healing from trauma and stress related issues. Many wept quietly. The history of the South Sudan is tainted with pain. The hurts are very deep and have festered for so long.

This conference aims to be a vessel through which emotional healing could reach teachers. Even so Lord!

The written evaluation of the conference by the teachers witnessed to an awesome event that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

The spiritual edge of the meeting was not in doubt. It was clear from the start that we sort the salvation of  these teachers. In the end, 62 of them stood to receive Jesus as Savior.  20 schools indicated their need for a weekly Staff fellowship and wanted us to come help them start it. 7 more primary schools wanted their own students’ fellowship. Praise the Lord!!

The testimonies of many changed lives are in the destiny of this Conference. The remarkable comments of these very delighted teachers will be posted at a later date.

Their salvation is the first step to an awesome school year for us as we plot their discipleship process. For them, a journey into eternity with Jesus as All in all has started.

May Jesus get His due from their efforts and ours, as we seek to disciple the Nation together.

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 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.

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.

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. 

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.

A school teacher supervising 500 students daily has greater influence
than most pastors anywhere. I confirmed this in a memorable encounter with a
class of 110 children in Yei last month.

A child lay crying on
the dirt floor in the Baby Class of the school where I live and I went to see
what was wrong with him because his uniform was messed up, covered with dirt.

“He’s being very
stubborn and disturbing the class.” The teacher said.

I picked him off the
floor and tried to intervene. As I dusted him up, I asked him to apologize to
the class. He refused. I pleaded, he didn’t respond. I then turned to the class
and asked his classmates to say they forgive him, they didn’t respond to me
either.

It suddenly dawned on
me that I was not connecting with these kids and I asked their teacher to help
me.

She turned to the class
and spoke their language,
with some unique call-outs. Instantly they responded. What I struggled to
accomplish in 5mins, this lady achieved in seconds. It was instructive for me
and I promptly used that opportunity to drive home my message on the power and
influence of  teachers to that class teacher. She got it.

The student population
in Yei has doubled within 2years but same cannot be said about the teachers and
especially their capacity to impact knowledge. They know this and seek
assistance.

The Planning Committee
for the Yei Teachers’ Conference is working assiduously to gather other
teachers to a weekend of training, instruction and discussion in May 2013. This
will be our second conference for school teachers. I’m impressed with their
preparations for this conference.

Our ministry is youth
based. Students are our primary targets and as such, working closely with
teachers is a strategic necessity.

With this conference
and our ministry, we aim:

1. To see that our
overall outreach to the youths (most of whom are students and make-up over
70-75% of our church members) is amplified on account of our meaningful
connection with the teachers.

2. To facilitate a
deliberate collaborative effort between school teachers and other faith-based
ministries like ours. Thereby providing spiritual leadership and counsel needed
to guide student morally.

3. We are looking for
individuals and corporate faith-based teacher-trainers and educators; who are
willing to come to South Sudan for a season, to offer training to our teachers
as part of their contribution to the building of this new Nation and service to
God.

4. We long to see
teachers in Yei and South Sudan make eternal commitments to follow, love and
serve Jesus Christ, thereby become fruitful participants in God’s redemptive
Kingdom purpose. Thus, this Conference will always have an evangelistic thrust.

5. We long to see well
trained and discipled Patrons and Matrons of the fast growing Christian student
fellowships. Teachers, who not only teach well but also model godliness and
take the lead in our many student meetings from term to term.

We are gathering a team
of instructors and ministers for this Conference, seasoned teachers and teacher
trainers with many years experience in the education sector. They are coming to
invest their grace and gifting in the Nation of South Sudan through the
teachers and the students under them. Please pray for this Conference.

We dream of a day when
every school in South Sudan will have teachers who love and obey Jesus on
account of our ministry. Teachers, whose perspective of their profession
shifted from wage earning to a call, because they bought into our vision.

We are building
relationships with teachers in Yei and praying God, in His masterful ways to
weave our ministry with theirs for maximum impact among the youth of the land.

Please stand with us. 

It’s been a season of pure fun,
fueled by suspense, uncertainties and raw life ministry realities as we went on
our first family mission trip, visiting Yei in South Sudan via Uganda.

Planning and preparing for this trip made us stronger as a family. Not just because the children for the first time fasted and prayed for three days straight but the overall sense of purpose and focus was remarkable. 

Our road ride into Yei from Uganda was incredible. I’ve had several
challenging rides on that road, but this outclassed them all. In retrospect,
the presence of my family made a huge difference as to what levels of danger I
could tolerate with them present. There’s a vital lesson here.

God answered us at every turn during this trip and proved His word true in ways we’ll not soon forget.

From provisions that came in all within
the week of travel to the very last day of this trip, to provision of the taxi driver
that took us from Koboko village into Yei, who masterfully waded through the
muddy roads and ditches, the flight out of Yei that saw Ed and Othniel sharing one seat, we could never have planned it like this.

The Students’ and Youths’ Conference, our ministry to the youth and Sola’s connection with the young ladies were all profound. We were overjoyed every evening as we reflected, debriefed
and prayed.

The children blended in so well, as most
children their ages do and made friends everywhere. Their outgoing nature and
good manners made a clear statement. “Your children are well
behaved…” was a comment we heard often. We were proud parents. 

They learnt a new song in Arabic – “ile ita Yesu ile ita…” meaning “It’s only you Jesus it’s
only you…” Truly, truly, so true!

When Gift, now 16, whom we took
into our home four years ago was serving the kids in Dreamland and reading to
them, tears of joy moistened my eyes. She came into our family unable to read or
write. Here, she’s ministering to these less privileged children and making a
difference.

You know you’ve hit the bull’s-eye in any family trip when the kids begin to use lines like, “When we come again…”  in several sentences. Gift, Ed and Othniel made several promises to their new friends, assuring them of their return. We’d certainly be back.

Though short, this is by far, one of my best
mission trips in many ways. Once again, the presence of my family was key.

We have several notable
testimonies of tears of sorrow turned into tears of joy, of hope restored, of prayers answered and of needs met. We’ll be sharing them later and reflecting on the lessons learned.

When Sola said, “God’s giving us
a glimpse of what our ministry here could look like when we finally settle
in…” She took the words right out of my mouth.

We’ll post a few pictures later to help you
connect with the fun we’ve had. But for now, please join us to appreciate God for all He’s done with and for us.

As we employ our gifts and grace towards building a new nation in South Sudan, we are strongly
persuaded that the quality of teachers here are the yardstick that measures the achievements and hope we envisage.

Despite severe oppositions and ridiculous comments against this Conference from some quarters, we decided to proceed with it and
gathered teachers in Yei on the 5th of May. We tagged the conference, “The
Teacher: An agent of change.” Eighty teachers attended, along with many
members of the community. We had a memorable experience.

Mr. Kepo James, the Principal of Yei Teacher Training
College, and Rev Johnny Anikpe made wonderful presentations and moderated the
discussion sessions. We cast the vision for the Conference and shared our expectations, listing eight reasons why
we believe our gathering at this time is not only essential, but
non-negotiable.  

Here are five of our eight perspectives:

1. As a Christian body, we’ve
come to see that our overall outreach to the youth (most of whom are students
and comprise over 80-85% of our members) is very limited because a vital agent
(the school teacher) is not fully involved.There needs to be a deliberate and collaborative effort between
school teachers and Christian ministries.

2. We are convinced that our
discipleship work within the schools will be more fruitful if we connect
with a few teachers, lead them to Christ, and train them to both mentor and
model truth to their students. A single teacher speaks to more
students weekly than any pastor here.

 3. We told them we are interested in their development to the extent that
we’ve made (and are still making) contact with some individuals and
Christian-focused teacher-trainers and educators who are willing to come to
South Sudan to train teachers, as part of their contribution to the building
of this new Nation.

4. We made it clear that we want
to see teachers in Yei and South Sudan make deliberate eternal commitments to know,
love, follow and serve Jesus,  thereby become active participants in God’s
redemptive Kingdom purpose in the schools.

5. We proposed an Association of
Christian Teachers that could:

c) Make it possible for teachers to meet
regularly for talks, to share information on available courses, and to sharpen one another in
their profession.     

At the end of this Conference, ten teachers gave their lives
to Jesus. We are following up with them now.

Imagine what could happen if all of them kept the faith and
became Christ’s hands and voice in their schools.

If you have a call or a passion to instruct teachers and
equip them. We need to connect with you. There’s a great ministry waiting
for you here in South Sudan.