May 2009

The Gift of the Gospel

In an extremely generous bequest, the family members of the Lord’s church that meets on West Olive Avenue in Peoria, Arizona have left a fantastic gift to be used in supporting mission evangelistic efforts throughout the world. Money from this fund is distributed to at least four mission points annually over the next 9 years consistent with the desires of the family. This year, a substantial portion of the distribution has been designated for The Sudan Project.
Rather than just holding these funds in a bank or using them to build on additions to buildings, the proceeds are to be used evangelistically.
Twenty preachers per session will be trained and provided to villages eagerly awaiting preachers. This means that over a possible period of 10 years, the bequest of this couple will fund the training of at least 200 new preachers and be responsible for innumerable baptisms in Sudan!
What greater stewardship could a Christian arrange for his earthly possessions when he no longer needs them than to give the gift of the Gospel? And what wisdom this family has shown in using this inheritance so wisely!
If you might also be interested in The Sudan Project including as one of the beneficiaries of your will, please contact us at (615) 470-5032 or don.humphrey@comcast.net.

The Dangers of Darfur

Most of you are aware of the shocking media reports concerning Darfur and the consequent expulsion of many humanitarian organizations from Sudan. Many have asked how this is affecting ourwork.
Most people still do not realize that, as part of the peace settlement of the 20-year Sudanese Civil War, South Sudan is now a semiautonomous state. It is politically separate from Sudan, of which notorious Darfur is part.
Sudan is the largest country in Africa--much larger than Texas! South Sudan will hold an election in 2011 to determine if its separation from the northern part of the country will become permanent,as we hope.
Basically, North Sudan,where Darfur is located, is “Muslim.” South Sudan, where our work is centered, is considered “Christian.”
The area of Darfur is a long way from South Sudan. So the events you hear about in the media now have little, if any, affect on the people with whom we work.

The Challenges of a Destroyed Country

Imagine living in a country where there are no longer any paved roads, no schools, no telephone service, no government services, no dependable banking system, and no electricity except in the downtown area of the capital. The basic infrastructure of South Sudan was completely destroyed by the enemy during the civil war and will take a long time to rebuild.

Until just recently, if we needed to send money to our workers, it was necessary for them to make a difficult journey of a day and a half to Kampala, Uganda to receive it,and then another day and a half journey home. Don't forget to include the expense of finding transportation, meals and lodging for the entire time--plus the dangers of carrying a large amount of money on public transportation!

A few months ago, we finally succeeded (with the help of Healing Hands International in Nashville) in obtaining a government permit to electronically wire money to bank accounts in Juba,South Sudan.This has been a great help to our workers as it saved them from having to travel to other countries to pick up their paychecks, and money could be transferred quickly for special needs.

One of our Sudanese workers and future teachers in the preacher training school is Kennedy Shuruma, who is supported by the church in Turlock, Calif. On their behalf, we recently wired $7,300 funds to his bank account in Juba, South Sudan.

When the transfer was sent, we emailed Kennedy that it been done. It usually requires 7-10 days for money to arrive in Sudan. When the money shows up in his account, he e-mails us back that he has received it; and we all breathe a sigh of relief. This last time, however, in the time between the arrival of his money in his account and when he went to withdraw it, the bank failed; and no withdrawals were allowed! Such is the state of banking in South Sudan!

It Takes All of Us!

Many partners help support our attempts to spread the Gospel among the people of South Sudan.Donations keep this work going and make it possible to accomplish great things for the Lord. We deeply appreciate your faithful prayers, interest and fellowship in this work.
Our primary goal in South Sudan is to preach the Gospel to as many as it is possible to reach, but we cannot ignore hungry bodies. Feeding the hungry, clothing the poor,and helping to heal the sick are also part of showing compassion as Jesus did. This also proves to those we are asking to listen to the story of the Gospel that we really care about them and that they are Our primary goal in South Sudan is to preach the Gospel to as many as it is possible to reach, but we cannot ignore hungry bodies. Feeding the hungry, clothing the poor,and helping to heal the sick are also part of showing compassion as Jesus did. This also proves to those we are asking to listen to the story of theGospel thatwe really care about them and that they are more than just numbers to us.
We truly need each other to successfully carry out the Great Commission. Some will go and do the work, but they cannot do that unless someone sends them. The Great Commission is not only for those who GO but also for those who SEND. God bless all who labor in the many aspects of taking the Gospel to the whole world.

Help Us Share the Sudan Story

Sudan is in the news nearly every day. Everyone knows about the atrocities suffered by “the lost boys of Sudan” and about “Darfur.” But few know about the thousands of Sudanese refugees who were converted while refugees and who are struggling to establish churches in their home villages when they return totheir ancestralhomes.
Even fewer knowthat South Sudan is now one of the most receptive areas of the world to the Gospel.And less yet know about the visionary work that is planned and now being implemented to establish theNewTestament church among these spiritually hungry people.
Everywhere we travel, people ask questions about Sudan and are excited to learn how eagerly the South Sudanese are accepting the Gospel.
There is another side to the story, though, and that is how thousands more could be saved if we only had more preachers.
We are willing to share the story of “The Lost Souls of Sudan”at no cost to you.Your congregation will be thrilled to know about the work of the Lord being done there and the possibilities of what can be done. If you care about the lost and would like to hear this
story,please contactDon Humphrey at don.humphrey@comcast.net or (615) 470-5032.You will be glad you did!