So here we are on trip #2 to South Sudan, and I haven’t even written anything about trip #1. Oops. So here’s a quick summary of our story…
In March 2012, my husband Eric felt led to establish a ministry out of our local
church, Rich Creek Baptist in Spanishburg, WV. We were open to anything, but thought the ministry would revolve around evangelistic preaching, church
planting, and with the possibility of one day going overseas to train national
pastors. He entitled the ministry “Blind Faith Ministries,” due to the fact that
he is completely blind.
In the end of April 2012, we were in a missions conference that we weren’t “supposed” to be in. But it was on that night we found out that South Sudan was a new nation, and that they were begging for missionaries to come there.
I was stunned. South Sudan? A new nation? The last time I’d heard anything of Sudan was when I was a senior in high school, doing my senior research
project on the severe persecution of Christians in that country. And now they
were open to the gospel? My interest was sparked, to say the least.
On the way home, Eric asked me if I’d heard what the missionary had said, as it was such a brief statement, one could have easily missed it. Heard it? I don't think it could have been any louder if it were shouted through a megaphone. He said he thought we ought to pray about it and maybe check into taking a trip there…in June. June 2012. A little over a month away.
I nearly died.
June!? I thought that was a little soon, but circumstances fell into place and before I knew it, we’d made connections with another group who "just happened" to be taking a trip the same time we wanted to, in June 2012. God
was speaking loudly, and we just held on for the ride.
So in 44 days, we went from having no idea that South Sudan was even its own country, to standing at the airport…waiting to fly to South Sudan. I must say I’ve never witnessed God moving so evidently in my own life. He just kept providing, kept opening doors, again and again and again right in front of
my face. Keep in mind, we had no money to take this trip with, and in a month and a half, God helped two newlyweds without a clue what they were getting themselves into prepare for a trip thousands of miles away, and raise thousands of dollars to take it! (Who’d have guessed flying to and living in a third world country was so expensive?)
Thus the adventure began.
We stayed for nearly six weeks, one week with other Americans, then the rest of the time with nationals from the country. God moved mightily and we watched in awe as people eagerly responded to the good news of Jesus Christ. We visited so many places…schools, orphanages, prisons, military barracks, door-to-door, in the streets, even a blind school. What a life-changing experience it was. What a mighty Savior we serve.
And now, we’re back for three more months. Missionaries to South Sudan, Africa. Raising support to stay. Can’t wait to see what God has in store.
My encouragement to you for the day, as cliched as it may seem is this: don't limit God. He CAN do ANYTHING. Follow Him in the little things. Follow Him in the big things. Just follow Him.
Oh, and another thing. Whatever it is that you think will hold you back from serving Christ, begin to thank Him for it. A weakness, a handicap, bad childhood, bad circumstances, whatever it is. I watched my husband do this, and wow...
You see, my husband is TOTALLY BLIND. Has been for nearly six years. But God chose to use that "handicap" to open doors like you wouldn't believe here in South Sudan. God specializes in using unlikely things and people to accomplish His will.
So don't give up.
Don't give in.
Just follow Him where He leads...work, school, the grocery store, or Africa.
Don't be afraid. Don't grow weary. Just follow.
church, Rich Creek Baptist in Spanishburg, WV. We were open to anything, but thought the ministry would revolve around evangelistic preaching, church
planting, and with the possibility of one day going overseas to train national
pastors. He entitled the ministry “Blind Faith Ministries,” due to the fact that
he is completely blind.
In the end of April 2012, we were in a missions conference that we weren’t “supposed” to be in. But it was on that night we found out that South Sudan was a new nation, and that they were begging for missionaries to come there.
I was stunned. South Sudan? A new nation? The last time I’d heard anything of Sudan was when I was a senior in high school, doing my senior research
project on the severe persecution of Christians in that country. And now they
were open to the gospel? My interest was sparked, to say the least.
On the way home, Eric asked me if I’d heard what the missionary had said, as it was such a brief statement, one could have easily missed it. Heard it? I don't think it could have been any louder if it were shouted through a megaphone. He said he thought we ought to pray about it and maybe check into taking a trip there…in June. June 2012. A little over a month away.
I nearly died.
June!? I thought that was a little soon, but circumstances fell into place and before I knew it, we’d made connections with another group who "just happened" to be taking a trip the same time we wanted to, in June 2012. God
was speaking loudly, and we just held on for the ride.
So in 44 days, we went from having no idea that South Sudan was even its own country, to standing at the airport…waiting to fly to South Sudan. I must say I’ve never witnessed God moving so evidently in my own life. He just kept providing, kept opening doors, again and again and again right in front of
my face. Keep in mind, we had no money to take this trip with, and in a month and a half, God helped two newlyweds without a clue what they were getting themselves into prepare for a trip thousands of miles away, and raise thousands of dollars to take it! (Who’d have guessed flying to and living in a third world country was so expensive?)
Thus the adventure began.
We stayed for nearly six weeks, one week with other Americans, then the rest of the time with nationals from the country. God moved mightily and we watched in awe as people eagerly responded to the good news of Jesus Christ. We visited so many places…schools, orphanages, prisons, military barracks, door-to-door, in the streets, even a blind school. What a life-changing experience it was. What a mighty Savior we serve.
And now, we’re back for three more months. Missionaries to South Sudan, Africa. Raising support to stay. Can’t wait to see what God has in store.
My encouragement to you for the day, as cliched as it may seem is this: don't limit God. He CAN do ANYTHING. Follow Him in the little things. Follow Him in the big things. Just follow Him.
Oh, and another thing. Whatever it is that you think will hold you back from serving Christ, begin to thank Him for it. A weakness, a handicap, bad childhood, bad circumstances, whatever it is. I watched my husband do this, and wow...
You see, my husband is TOTALLY BLIND. Has been for nearly six years. But God chose to use that "handicap" to open doors like you wouldn't believe here in South Sudan. God specializes in using unlikely things and people to accomplish His will.
So don't give up.
Don't give in.
Just follow Him where He leads...work, school, the grocery store, or Africa.
Don't be afraid. Don't grow weary. Just follow.
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