Rebuilding Southern Sudan: Church and Nation

Here an update from Jimmy Cox, Rebuilding Southern Sudan: Church and Nation

REJOICE WITH US as we commemorate God's faithfulness
one year after the plane accident of April 26, 2008

Below, our team members who experienced the trauma of a plane crash in South Sudan last year share their reflections of God's goodness through this experience. Take time to read the attachment & rejoice with us.


REFLECTIONS by Barb Hartwig – ministering in Doro, South Sudan
April 26th, 2008, I was anxious to be on my way home for furlough. On takeoff, the plane got up to tree top height, but went into an aerodynamic stall. The plane flipped over in a gully at the end of the airstrip. Miracles: we just missed a big baobab tree on the ground; the way the plane flipped nose to tail meant no fuel leakage and no fire; an unknown Sudanese man appearing soon afterwards to cut Sandy’s seatbelt and carry her out of the plane; a UN helicopter came to evacuate us out of Doro to Malakal that evening; a retired SIM hand surgeon temporarily in Kenya operated on my hand; etc.

I have had three other close calls in Africa over these years, but this was the first time I was injured. If this was some kind of test of endurance or commitment to work in South Sudan, then I conclude that I am even deeper committed to do just that.

This miraculous survival gains more perspective for me because just 25 days earlier at Doro, we had the sudden tragic event of (missionary) Dr. David Masters’ death. There was no evacuation or survival that dark night in a hot tent. God’s sovereignty in whether we live or die has been brought home to me this past year anew as I have reflected often on both of these events. We must be ready to live or die, and count it God’s will for some purpose when things go wrong. The devil would try to thwart us from serving God. But in the end, victory and glory belong to our heavenly Father when we carry on no matter what.

REFLECTIONS by Claire Meckler – ministering in Malakal, South Sudan
As I reflect on the events of April 26/08 I continue to be very, very grateful(!) and amazed(!) that I had NO serious head or spinal injury. By the Lord's mercy I can still move, walk, talk, think, live, and serve Him. Because my life was spared, I am now able to continue to seek to help people of Southern Sudan learn to love the God who watches over and cares for them as well.
I am re-reading the book by Rick Warren, "The Purpose Driven Life." Because God has granted me an extension of my life, I feel He certainly has purposes for me to fulfill-- and I am driven by grace to maximize whatever gift of days are remaining. I've personally re-titled this chapter of my life with the prayer for it to be "Grace Driven, Purpose Filled" to capture more vividly the attitude of gratitude that motivates me--
"...Be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart, for consider what great things He has done for you." (I Samuel 12:26) I can be whole hearted, not simply because I am whole bodied, but because I serve an awesome God worthy of all my heart and soul, mind and strength.

REFLECTIONS by Debbie Sardo – currently in the U.S. for physiotherapy treatment

The plane took off for my return to Thiangrial. Who would have ever thought several hours later, I would be wondering if I was going to live, or if I was ever going to be able to walk again. As I realized that the plane was going to crash, there were two immediate thoughts that came to mind: “I am probably never going to see my family again on this earth” and “this is really going to hurt”. Then God’s peace that passes all understanding covered me. His mighty hand was upon us. We were on Holy ground.

There have been giants I have had to face: being able to fly again & the healing of my body. But I do not face them alone; I face them with God. Was this a test of faith or endurance? I can’t answer that question but I have committed my life to my Lord and Savior, and said to Him “whatever, wherever and whenever, Lord.”

My commitment to serve God in Sudan (or wherever He leads) is even stronger than it was before. Satan will try anything to stop the advancement of God’s Kingdom, but he can’t win. In Jesus name I will press on until the day He takes me home. I have been able to join Jesus in His suffering and I would not ask for anything in the last year to be different, As I continue to heal, I embrace the pain and thank God. I have seen more of Jesus and grown closer to Him. Even when things in my world rock, my foundation (Jesus) never waivers. His Word sustains me and His grace is sufficient!

Accelerated Learning Program Graduation

from: Tohru Inoue


As we flew over the arid section stretching along the border with Ethiopia one could really appreciate the vastness of the country. Land would stretch on for miles in either direction with no signs of people. As we made our way over to our destination, the mighty river Nile started to appear. In the distance, one could see the belt of green bordering either side and firmly in the middle of the river. The caravan plane circled over the village. As it banked to its left, I was able to peer down into the waters of the river. Birds could be seen flying below. As the plane banked some more, the glitter of the sun off the river made it sparkle. There is so much life and vegetation along this Nile corridor. However, as you move several meters away from the river the land is but a flat and seemingly desolate place. Green turns to brown.

We landed on the long airstrip constructed by the oil company during their surveys: now completely abandoned. It’s roughly a 40 minute walk from the airstrip to the compound where we have set up. We walk along the Nile where we are told there are hippos and crocodiles. As you walk away from the banks of the river the dry cracked ground stretches on forever. Bones of dead cattle that succumbed to the elements are strewn on the ground: a section of the skull here and the ribs there. The trees do not offer much shade there. They are acacia trees, primarily good for making charcoal which have thorny branches.

The main event we went in to witness was the graduation of the first set of students from the accelerated learning program. This community living along the Nile had really embraced the project and the teachers that had spent up to three years of their lives there. A bull was slaughtered the day before the celebration and would become the feast for the following graduation day. The students worked hard setting the stage for the celebration. Guests of honour would include representatives from the county commissioner's office, the education minister and others from the government and civil society associations.

The day began slowly and reaching noon, we were underway. Guests started pouring into the building that was constructed for the school. A choir started with song and I opened our time in prayer. Speeches were given and encouragements flowed both from the community members and the dignitaries to keep each child in school. As the diplomas were passed out, the women would yell their distinct Sudanese cry of joy! The student with the highest score was given a gift. To our great joy, it was a woman who had taken top marks. In a country that has seen so much discrimination against women, it was a great achievement. As the name was announced, the father jumped to his feet with pride and pumped his right fist in the air. It was a touching moment for all!

As we closed up the ceremony, it was a bitter sweet moment for the teachers there. As we all walked to the airstrip, many cried the whole way there. As we sat and waited for the plane to arrive, some slumped on the dry cracked earth, I could appreciate how much the people loved our teachers and how much the teachers loved the students. As a visitor in there for a total of five days, the scene was touching and also made tears well up.

There are some amazing things going on here and we are grateful for the opportunity to witness these historic moments.

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Please pray for:

· Safe journeys as we travel;
· More workers in the field: need water technicians, agriculturalists, veterinarians, educators, HIV/AIDS ministry people, builders, administrators, etc.
· Good relations with community leaders and the churches where we work;
· Our support of the missionaries in the field!