“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord. And all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lord’s and He rules over the nations.” (Psalm 22:27-28)
This was and is my prayer as I left Sudan that the people of Sudan will turn to the Lord and remember Him at this time. It was very emotional for me to leave the village I am living in Lopit , South Sudan. Everyone asked me as I was walking down the path in how many weeks I would be coming back. I could not tell then because I do not know. Most mission organizations pulled all their missionaries out of Sudan for the referendum that is happening now.
What is happening in Sudan?
The truth is South Sudan has been fighting for independence from the North since the 1950’s. The last six years have been a cease fire from the civil war between the north and the south. The referendum is only for the people living and registered in the South. They have the freedom to vote for separation or unity. There are many tribes in South Sudan and many do not know how to write so the voting paper has two pictures and they can place their finger print next to the picture they want to vote for. The one picture is of two hands clasped together and the other is one hand help upwards. Most people I knew in Sudan would tell me “Viva Separation!” The main problem that could cause a war in Sudan is the oil fields in Abyei region which are on the border between the North and South. The elections began on the 9th Jan 2011 and will run for one week. According to the news and officials the results of the elections will only come out four weeks after the closing of the polls.
The closing of the schools
On the 10th December we had a combined closing ceremony of the Kindergarten, Primary school and Secondary school. Each of the school principals was asked to give a speech in which I gave my thanks
to the staff who had been dedicated and faithful in teaching the children so well. I was proud to give certificate to the children and 8 children we successfully promoted to the first Primary School class. The ceremony was well attended by the chief, medical staff all teachers, men leaders, pastors and women. It was a very memorial day for us all.
Cath’s team
Christmas time in Sudan is very special time for me as many people are bringing in their harvest from the fields and we had good rainfall 2010. We are thankful to God that all families had a good harvest and have food for their families for the coming year. During this time most people are in the villages and it is a wonderful opportunity for evangelism. Clayton and I had made a Moses film in the Lopit language, with song and dance and all the traditional keys that would help them to understand God better. So
we showed the Moses
film as a tool to convict them of the false gods they are following and then we showed the Jesus movie in Lotuho language which they all understand. The team were an incredible support, each one playing a vital role as we travelled by foot or by car from village to village presenting the films. Clayton and Daniel travelled with pastor Beda and a bible student Oghisa from Ohilang went by foot to villages to the West of Ohilang. Myself, Andre, Susanne and Lisa used my car and showed the films in other villages to the east of Ohilang. In total we showed the films 10 times. Please pray that the seeds sown in this time will remain and will flourish while we are away. Below is
a picture of the Andre, Lisa and Susanne who helped carry all the film equipment from village to village.
The team also helped in practical ways. Andre removed a section of roof frame that was completely eaten by termites and built a new frame to support my roof. The ladies took over in the kitchen and they were such a blessing. Susanne is a children’s nurse and she was able to help treat a serious eye infection of a boy named “Imiri” in the village. Lisa loves to teach so she spent time in my garden teaching the girls. I thank God for each of them and the time we spent together in Sudan over Christmas and New Year. Daniel and Clayton were able to drive my car out of Sudan to the DIGUNA base in Nairobi. Praise God they went across the border with no problems. There were a number of mechanical problems along the way so it is good that it is now in Nairobi and the DIGUNA men will service it and have it in good order when I return. I am very grateful for their help.
Cath’s future plans – are in Gods hands
For now I have had to leave Sudan because of the referendum and I have decided to go to South Africa in this time. It seems my body has been continually fighting malaria and we suspect that it may be in my liver or kidneys. My mum has booked me with specialist in South Africa to get this properly tested and treated. I will also continue to study theology – The Historical Books of the Bible through the South African Theological Seminary and I have major assignment hand ins on the 30th January 2011.
I will also spend the time doing a report back of the work in Sudan in my dad’s church in Johannesburg and my church in Cape Town, Meadowridge Baptist Church. I have no dates of when I will be speaking where as I wanted to take time to sort my health out first. As soon as I have more information I will email it to all my South African friends and supporters. Around mid February I hope to return to Kenya where I will wait for my leaders to approve when it is safe to return to Sudan.
Please continue to pray for the Lopit people, their safety and their eternal salvation as well as for me and my health.
Thank you for your love, prayer and support
