Jon’s latest South Sudan Phone Update - April 10, 2014

It was so good to hear Jon’s voice on April 10, 2014 he was upbeat and honest about how busy they have been, stating over and over how he has his struggles and burdens, but how much he loves it there & that God is good through it all! 

SURVEYING THE LAND - They have been very, very, busy,  spending extensive hours each of the past 8 days doing necessary survey work on the farm (Arco) with a gentleman, named Brian McKay, who is a part of the team that went over in March. Jon says that every day they tromp over miles of farmland, which he says is massive and so beautiful, and he hopes will one day be the place of his future home.  They had almost completed walking the outer boundary after all these days and now they will spend another week or more, walking it yet again, pounding boundary stakes in as they go. He said, “I am not complaining mind you. I absolutely love it. I feel like I’m back in Disaster Relief Training, as we’re in the wilderness, miles from the nearest person, with a 40 lb. back pack trekking in and out daily.  Brian has been training Jonathan and another young man, to use the surveying equipment asking them to lead the way and figure it out. 

BRICK PRODUCTION has waned because of the current political upheaval in the north of South Sudan and it’s effect on economic development, but Jon said they recently made some contacts that were interested in bricks. PRAYing for the Lord, to order this, bringing forth business and the the provision for needed materials and all that is needed to go forward. 

They were not able to purchase DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM before heading to South Sudan, but Jon feels that is God ordering their steps as the surveying is consuming alot of their time and the wet season is starting. 

He asked us to PRAY that God would provided for three things:

1.)  The training course he & Roger want to take June 22-27. EQUIP International in NC. offers a week long intensive called Farming God’s Way, taught by missionaries who have farmed and methods of drip irrigation in 3rd world countries, in hopes that he can learn more about it before he returns in late summer or early fall, as the Lord leads. 

Farming God's Way/Intro to Foundation for Farming This is a course in which the principles Foundations for Farming and Farming God's Way begun by Brian Oldreive in northern Zimbabwe will be presented... The use of various forms of drip irrigation will also be discussed.  While these methods will be covered, basics in agriculture will be the emphases for the class because it is of vital importance to understand the nutritional needs of plants and the conditions needed for them to flourish.  The participant will leave with a better understanding of not only how to grow food, but also how to integrate the information into a method of Christ-centered discipleship.

2. The needed DRIP IRRIGATION equipment to set up a trial area of the farmland before the dry season in October.

3.) PRAY also for more permanent workers on the farm (Jon would like to be one of them) as they need dedicated people to work the farm on a regular basis.

Jon also finds that people come to him for basic medical attention and as Robert Kirkman said, First World medical training does not adequately equip you for the needs presented to them in South Sudan and he has a background as an EMT. Jon and Robert Kirkman hope to be in the US for the late October(19 - 31)  Missionary Medical course through EQUIP International so they can be more appropriately equipped to help as needs arise. Thank you for PRAYING for the Lord to order their steps and provide, so they can follow through on this training.

Missionary Medicine Intensive (MMI)

MMI is a two-week course designed to equip missionaries with diagnostic skills and appropriate treatments. MMI enables the missionary to do physical exams, and to process the information gathered to come up with an accurate diagnosis, and a recommended treatment.

Something to PRAY for is on Wed. evenings, William has begun a discipleship course of FOUNDATIONS IN THE FAITH & the Word & lots of people are coming.  The need for a strong foundation is great in a country that has been ravaged by war & families surviving in refugee camps. Now God has them in a more stable place where they can grow in Him. 

We will be setting up a speaking itinerary for after Jon returns, Memorial Day, May 26.  If you would be willing to have us, as a family or with William & his family, to share at your church or if you would be willing to host us sharing with some of your friends in your home, please let us know!

In him Who keeps us, Roger, Patty & Emma

PS. We happened to call last night (4/14)  to ask William a question and Jon answered and said a number of things had happened to make it a particularly difficult day. So thank you for your continued prayers for all there in Borongole. So thankful we could pray with him and entrust all into God’s sovereign care.    www.operationsnehemiah.org

2nd Trip ~ Episode 13: Foraging, A Multi-Generational Skill

Ingoni Everyone!                                                                  

    With less than two weeks until my return to Africa, reality is
beginning to set in and I am getting excited! I can't wait to get back to
Borongole and the adopted African family that are my dear brothers and
sisters in the Lord. The next two weeks will be full of personal study, speaking engagements, last minute shopping, packing, and fellowship with
friends before I leave. 
     I appreciate your prayers for all the preparations that need to fall into place. Please pray also for the Levi's, as there is much they are waiting on the Lord to provide before they leave as well, and much that needs to be done as you pack up a family of 8. God has been so faithful in the past, we trust Him to order all of our steps.

     In past episodes I have mentioned the resourcefulness of the people of South Sudan. While I was there, I observed a clear example of this resourcefulness in the use of native plants and trees for a multitude of uses. Taking a walk in the bush wasn't just exercise and exploration, but a nature lesson.

    On a trek through the bush with William Levi, founder of Operation Nehemiah, I was blown away! Every few minutes he would point out a tree or bush with incredibly practical uses.    
   "This is the Alwa tree which we gather oil from."
    "When the bark is peeled of this small tree, you can use it for rope!"
    "Mothers will wash babies in the water soaked with this plants leaves."
   You would stumble upon wild Aloe (hopefully not literally, they have thorny spines!) and encounter different varieties of wild fruits that would satisfy hunger and quench thirst very effectively. On my first trip I remember a four hour hike I took with men from our village. We didn't bring breakfast or lunch with us into the Bush, instead feasting on a yellow, Cherry-tomato-shaped wild fruit called Esu. It had a delicious tartness to it and fully satisfied me until my late evening meal, several hours later.
   Several staple South Sudanese dishes come from wild edible plants out in the bush. I would frequently see my adopted mama and sisters walk out of the village with gathering baskets on their heads. An hour later those baskets would be full of wild greens or bean pods. On those days I knew I could look forward to a delicious meal of Asobi or Cheroko for dinner.
     Another great example is the African tooth brush. From the bark or stem of a few different species of tree are natural chemical components which will clean and whiten your teeth! These varied kinds of trees are very common and you are able to brush your teeth wherever you are. The people of South Sudan have the whitest and straightest teeth I have seen and many people primarily use these "natural" toothbrushes. A stick or piece of bark is more efficient and available than any tube of "Colgate" that you could buy at the store!

    William and his older siblings came from a generation that were raised in South Sudan before the war. Childhood was full of sustenance agriculture, hunting, and animal raising with their families. They grew up being educated in the wilderness lore and woodcraft that has been passed down for generations.
      Fast forward to those 30 years old and younger. Before and after they were born, resurgences of warring violence chased their family into exile. Growing up in refuge camps in Uganda gave no opportunity to learn knowledge of foraging and the natural resources here that are so helpful.
   
     As I reflected on this it became clear that in a few generations this knowledge and skill will be lost. The younger generations of South Sudan would be losing a wealth of information, which would be a great shame and put them at a disadvantage. This concern has grown, in both myself and William, a desire to preserve this natural heritage. Beginning this trip, we will begin to record, study, and document the various foliage and flora, along with its practical uses. The long term goal is to have a field guide specific to South Sudan, where the use and knowledge of useful native plants, trees and shrubs can be passed on to the future generations of South Sudan.

    "And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food...  The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it."
                                                                                 Genesis 2:8-9a, 15


Rubanga Cola nito (God be with you)!

~Jonathan Lueken with Operation Nehemiah 

2nd Trip ~ Episode 12: The Bend in the Trail and Path Beyond

Ingoni! Nichwi? (Hello! How are you?)

   It is a chilly, but beautiful day here in New England. I was incredibly blessed this week to purchase my airline ticket for the trip to South Sudan on March 23rd. Today (Friday) was the final deadline and as of Tuesday I had only half of the amount. That very morning I received a letter and a gift from someone in Afghanistan that covered what I thought was the full price. 
   Two days later, I began the process of purchasing and realized I was still short. God already had it covered and unbeknownst to me, an anonymous person had given an unexpected gift which they left at a church I recently shared at. It covered the remainder of the cost and was a reminder of God's faithful provision wherever He is leading us. Where the Lord guides, there He provides.
   Please pray for:
   -The ability to purchase and bring over a Drip Irrigation system which will enable cultivation in our farmland to continue all year round.
   -The needed trip expenses (visas, fuel for the vehicles picking us up from the Ugandan airport, accommodations during travel, and personal gear needed on the ground) for the two months for myself, the Levi's and Surveyor Brian McKay who will be a part of the team.
   -Donated goods and items to bring with us for the people of Borongole (our village). We will be receiving these until our departure.

    Two trips and six months in Africa has already taught me a lot. As I discovered the needs and work to be done in South Sudan, it was a time of  personal exploration and discovery of the place where God has directed me.  

    As I grew up I often wondered what I would do and where I would be as an adult.  Being home schooled, I would do extensive research on prospective careers and jobs. This often lead to confusion as each possibility never had the full scope of the various interests and desires I had been given. With a love of the outdoors and physical exercise, a desire to do both agriculture and wildlife study, a deep interest in history, and a God-given yearning to serve Him with my life, I was often perplexed. Was there such an occupation or place that encompassed all these things?
     Certain paths and opportunities would open before me, which included Disaster Relief training and a Bible training, however, the bigger picture was still around the next corner. 

    Living and working among the South Sudanese was where the light went on. I realized that my whole life I had been prepared for long term work in Africa and I was more suited to living in a rural African village than back in America. All the training, reading, and learning opportunities shaped me for a life I could have never anticipated. 
   I have the opportunity to be involved in agriculture on a regular basis (see "Episode 9: A Day on the farm") and enjoy invigorating hard work and extensive "footing" around with my South Sudanese brothers. And we are always outdoors except when we sleep or when it rains.
   The flora and fauna of S. Sudan is beautiful and abundant, with much room for recording, studying, and documenting the wildlife for the next generation of Africans (we will begin documenting local plants and trees this trip, so that those who have lived in refuge camps will have the knowledge of the various uses of edible plants, etc. that previous generations have known). 
   The Nehemiah Lighthouse conference center project will be highlighting and rediscovering the history of that region and there is the daily opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ on our gospel radio station. 
   The people who I have the privilege to live and work alongside are the most kind and grateful I have ever met. I now consider each one in our village to be my own brothers and sisters and have been unofficially adopted into Pastor Michael and Katherine's family (William Levi's brother and sister-in-law). I am very thankful to see how God placed these desires in my heart, had a plan long before I knew of it, and was preparing me the whole time.

 "There are secret and invisible things that God makes known to waiting souls.."

                                                                            Thomas Manton

   This all sounds very wonderful, but I have already seen that having a very fulfilling work is not necessarily an easy one. Life anywhere is not a bed of roses (or maybe it is since roses have thorns!). In my previous trips, I have experienced more difficult physical, emotional, and mental challenges than anywhere else. I have had work days of brick production where I felt I was receiving a military smoking (punishment by insane exercise). Tears have come to my eyes at the tragic loss of both young and old. Seeing blatant corruption and greed causes deep frustration. Many of my beliefs were challenged by what I saw and I had to dig deep in study and prayer to solidify the truth in my own heart. I was grieved by observing negative influences and the violence that are coming into the communities of S. Sudan and it has had me on my knees before the Lord Jesus, the only One who can reverse them.
    
   South Sudan is a place of great problems and great potential and only Jesus can meet all the physical and spiritual needs that are present. I am just thankful to be following the path that is set before me and walking it with my Lord and Savior. 

      "Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life."                     Mark 10:29-30  

2nd Trip ~ Episode 11: When treatable illness goes untreated

Ouida (Good Morning) Everyone! 

    I hope you are all doing well. I was blessed this past week to receive a clean bill of health from the doctor and will not have to deal with Hepatitis A again. It has been nice to resume normal exercise and other activities, including the availability to travel and share about South Sudan. 

      I often reflect on how as an American, I take health for granted. Here we have medical aid a cellphone call or short ride away. The common illnesses which affect us on a daily basis are the flu and the stomach bug. The options for medicine are abundant and can be available anytime of the day or night. We should be very thankful!
      The stark contrast is clearly seen in third world Africa. The seriousness of the common diseases, such as Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis (Both A and B) and Malaria were both felt and seen by myself. In four months time I would contract 
Malaria at least twice and was more seriously ill than I have ever been. In a two week period, eight different individuals from our village in South Sudan had Malaria or a combination of that with Typhoid! 

     There was an incredibly sad and sobering occurrence which illustrates this great need. I became buddies with seven or eight year old Wani. I spent many afternoons practicing my futball skills, trying to keep up with my South Sudanese 

friends, who are all world class soccer players. During these practice sessions Wani would come along and I found that he could play circles around me! Along with his younger brothers, we would often play together and I so enjoyed his energy and enthusiasm. He was a hardworking little boy and very active in the Church's choir and also loved Jesus.

    In the month of December I heard that little Wani had come down with what they thought was Malaria. His family struggled to get the proper tests and were only able to treat it cheaply, as a mild case. Two days later little Wani was deathly ill and rushed to the hospital 45 kilometers south. Coming back from a futball match one evening, my friend Gabriel told me the awful news. At the hospital, they discovered the illness was yellow fever and by then it was too late. He died three days after succumbing to the disease. It really broke my heart. 
   Funerals in South Sudan are very long and require a lot of formal family discussions over arrangements, many lasting over a week. Extended family members and friends will camp out for several days. I felt deeply for the mother who was continually reminded of the loss by an African grieving tradition. Every time any woman approached the grave to sympathize, she would give a piercing, sobbing wail. Many people showed up a week after the burial and those expressions of grief must have been very hard for Wani's mother to hear continually.

    In 2005, Operation Nehemiah established a Medical Clinic in Borongole. Over the years we had three different doctors trained and who worked there for a short while, but eventually were all drawn elsewhere. At the time of this sad event, our clinic had been unmanned and unequipped for the needs there. The nearest clinic was a mile away and had only limited resources. 
     The importance of having free diagnostic testing for common diseases and emergency medical care in our village is vital. One of the thrusts of the coming March thru May trip will be to get the clinic established and running. Already three men from the village have been sent to receive month long medical training and will help start up the medical care under the eye of the public health officer by April.  With guidance from the Lord and much prayer, we are committed to keeping our community from giving up needed medical assistance because of poverty or want. No one should die of yellow fever! 

   Please pray for:
      
   1. For this coming trip, as are looking to supply them with Rapid Diagnostic Kits, a Microscope for testing, medicines and First Responder/First Aid supplies from the United States. 

    2. We also need to replace our ambulance in order to provide transportation to the regional hospital for those requiring critical care. Our ambulance, purchased in 2003, is no longer road worthy. We want to purchase an “E-Ranger” (Motorcycle with sidecar) from South Africa. 80% of the people in Eastern Equatoria live in remote areas with no roads. An E- Ranger vehicle would provide accessibility to these areas, enabling us to provide them with on-site emergency care and transportation.

     Thank you for your support and prayers!   "... pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16

2nd Trip ~ Episode 10: A Day on the Farm

                                                                                                                       Sept 2013- Jan. 2014

    The village Farmland is in the bush, 5 or 6 miles from the village of Borongole. In the last several months it has become my favorite place in the world! After bumping along a rough African bush road (if you are driving), you come to a ford crossing a small stream and are welcomed by a sign to Beth Israel Farmland. Continuing on, a small field of sorghum with interspersed banana trees appears on the right. Fairly soon, the water tower to the Solar powered Well comes to view and the smell of Orange blossoms and Mango trees greets you. This is Arko (Madi word for farmland or Garden)! Since, the work on the block making was very time consuming, I didn't have any opportunities to visit this beautiful place until the first week of this new year.

   On that day I accompanied my good friend Deziga, the tractor driver, and his wife Annette for a day out in the field.  That morning, striking white clouds were displayed on a vividly blue sky, as the faithful tractor rolled out of the village and drove 5 miles towards the Garden. God blessed us with a beautiful day and the weather was truly perfect. 
    The first crop of the day was bean pods harvested from a wild edible green, called Asobi. We hand picked these and collected them in a sack. These little beans are made into a sauce that looks like split pea soup and is quite delicious. While Deziga and I dug up Cassava, Annette was cooking our lunch right there in the bush over a small fire. The resourcefulness of these people often astounds me. Using cooking oil, salt, an onion, a tomato, and some pasta she made a sauce which was poured over rice. Though not necessarily healthy, it was tasty and filling, especially after hand-excavating the starchy tubers of the cassava plant. Three of us shared a lunch using the African fork, our hands.
    The next crop was a smaller variety of Sorghum called Sorenna, a main ingredient in a few South Sudanese breads. This plant grows only four feet tall while normal Sorghum can reach 12 feet! It took two hours for our trio to cut the tops of 
the stocks and fill the large bag with the laden seed heads. Before heading home small acreage was plowed up and a snack of cooked Cassava was had.
  
   It is true that we spent quite a few hours in the hot African sun and did some hard physical labor which can tire you out. We also needed to jump the tractor 3 times with a battery brought for that purpose. Some people might think this to be a hard and taxing day. 
   I found it to be one of the most relaxing days ever and enjoyed some great conversation as we all worked together. This lifestyle is simple and the majority of the food comes directly from the soil. An agrarian society might be considered backward in this fast moving and technologically advanced, 21st century America, but I am not so sure that is true. The hectic days and worry over our many possessions seems to cause a multitude of health problems here, even though we have access to every medicine possible.
   It is true that South Sudan could really use many helpful technologies that would improve medical care, sanitation, etc. However, it seems to me that a simple life of growing and raising your own food is the way God intended it to be and something we can move towards. 
      "And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so."   Genesis 1:29-30

   I find God's balance in the words found in Proverbs 30:7:
     "Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,
lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God."

     The crops I described above were the last crops to be harvested as the dry season was setting in. The reason they were the last, is that though there is a water source, we have as yet no drip irrigation to enable cultivation in a season that doesn't receive a drop of rain. Many people in South Sudan find themselves at a shortage of food because many of the staple vegetables, starches, and legumes are unable to survive in the parched soil.
    One of the goals in this coming trip is to install a drip irrigation system in our farm. I will be directly involved in this project and our desire is to give these families the ability to feed themselves and also provide a source of income all year round. We are now raising funds to bring a complete drip irrigation system with us, which I will be helping to install once I get on the ground. 
      Please be praying for:
     ~The Drip Irrigation project, that we would be able to bring all that is needed over and have the wisdom, knowledge, and ability to install it properly.
     ~The people in our village and surrounding community will struggle this dry season, as an extended rainy season inundated our fields and caused staple crops like Cassava and Peanuts(groundnuts) to take a big hit. 2/3 of the cassava was rotted by excess rain! This means that some of these foods may need to be purchased from Uganda. I know that God will provide for all their needs according to His riches and glory.

2nd Trip ~ Episode 9: A Close Shave, Sudanese Style

 Sept 2013- Jan. 2014  
We are all probably familiar with the saying, "Expect the unexpected." This saying is especially true in Africa, applying to situations both big and small. I learned this lesson in a rather small thing, but it was humorous and humbling at the same time.

     After two months of living in our village of Borongole, my hair was getting a bit long. Making heavy-duty physical labor, under the African sun, hotter than usual. I asked my fellow missionary and co-laborer, Robert Kirkman, to give me a military style hair cut, short, but not too short. Trouble was encountered when his battery-operated trimmers wouldn't cut it (haha). My South Sudanese friend, Irahma, offered his heavy duty buzzers and said he would finish the job. I requested that he leave some on top and then sat down for the most painful hair cut of my life. While gritting my teeth and my eyes closed, I thought a hedge trimmer was being used on my head. Evidently, my hair is pretty thick and tough because Irahma kept saying "Tee Bee Okpwo!" (Hair is hard or strong!)
    In the African concept, no region of hair is shown partiality and all hairs are created to be equally.... shaved off. Half way through I took a break from gritting my teeth, opened my eyes, and asked for a mirror. There I beheld half of my head almost completely shaved! By that time it was just a matter of waiting while the other half was made level. I now had a very tan face and a very white head, which had not been exposed to the sun to such a degree before.
    Peoples comments were mixed. Some said I truly looked African and my adopted S. Sudanese father and mother said, "We now can really call you our son, because you look like one of our children". Most others laughed or asked, "Who spoiled your hair?" A friend of mine and one of our radio presenters said that he could't help laughing every time he saw me.

    Leading up to that incident, I was taking pride in my appearance. My African tan and the physical fitness I was gaining from hard work and frequent soccer games was beginning to fill my head. I needed to be humbled in order to get the right perspective.
     I learned an important lesson: Taking pride and finding satisfaction in our appearance is a dangerous thing, as it can be changed in the blink of an eye. These things are very shallow and will not last. They can be taken away in any number of circumstances. 
     Pride will puff us up and make us feel good for a little while, but we will be deflated quickly. I realized that life is not about ourselves, but how God can use us to serve and bless others. Phillipians 2:3-4 declares the attitude that blesses others and is a blessing to us in the process:  "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."
    Humility is a lesson that keeps us safe and satisfied in God. I needed a funny looking haircut to remind me that it's not about me.

Episode 8: A Zeal for God’s House

        A warm summer greeting to you!  This will probably be the last African Adventure for awhile, at least until I come back from my fall trip, departure date to be determined.  

[JON LEFT SEPT. 20, 2013 WITH A ONE WAY TICKET W/ ROB KIRKMAN TO WORK ALONG SIDE THE MEN OF BORONGOLE IN THE BRICK MAKING ENDEAVOR MENTIONED ABOVE. THE MACHINE’S ARRIVAL HAS BEEN DELAYED, SO THEY MAY NOT ACTUALLY START THE BRICK MAKING UNTIL NOV. BUT THEY HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY PREPARING THE LAND, BY CUTTING DOWN TREES, REMOVING ANT HILLS, ROCKS & 8 FOOT SUDAN GRASS & MOST IMPORTANT BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.]

     Growing up in America I always thought that if church started later than15 minutes past the set time, it was a big delay. That was until I travelled to South Sudan & lived among a church community that runs on African time. I discovered that a starting time for the service is more of a guideline than an actual rule. The Beth Israel congregation would begin to trickle in around 10 AM. If the service started at 11:30 or 12 we were doing pretty good! "Better late than never" applies there in a real pertinent way. Even with the late start it was encouraging to see our small church building packed from front to back with families by the time corporate praise was lifted up.  Africans express their love for the Lord in a free and beautiful way. I don't think it ever crosses anyones mind what the neighbors in the other pew will think. From my vantage point, it seemed that only the Savior's opinion mattered. African praise songs and Hymns in Madi are sung acapella, accompanied by clapping & often joyful dancing before the Lord. It was natural to close your eyes as you joined in the worshipful chorus & be alone with Jesus.

     The hunger for the Lord is shone forth in so many ways. Testimonies given by people from the congregation, public prayers of healing & strength in trials for brothers & sisters in the Lord, generous giving with very low average income, & not wanting to leave the Lord's house! An average service lasted 4 hours & there was no rush afterwards to get to afternoon plans. Toddlers to seniors sat together for a few hours or longer. 
      An example of this is the day I was baptized with 34 others. There was a preparatory Baptism service, the Baptism itself & a post service which all total lasted for 7 hours. This did include a 2 mile walk one way to the Baptism site & by 5 PM, I admit, was getting hungry & a bit sore from sitting down. Going without lunch, I am sure many others felt the same way. Pastor Michael Levi explained that though peoples stomaches might be rumbling, there were some important things from God's word that needed to be covered & so we were going to continue. People value the Bread of Life so much that they will stay as long as it was being given to them. Our time always ended with some joyous singing & dancing. In case you were wondering, I did join in the dancing, though I had to throw aside my American respectability & be willing to look like a fool for the Lord (my african dancing isn't that good yet!).

    My prayer for myself & for us all is that we would have a zeal for the Lord that would surpass and suspend our own selfish desires.   Rubonga cola nito!  (God bless you!)   ~Jonathan Lueken

Episodes 7: Made for Work: Recovering the Work Ethic in South Sudan

   

  I am very thankful for the countries that sheltered South Sudanese refugees during the decades of civil war. Countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Israel, & the US gave safety to millions during times of persecution & armed conflict. Some lived in exile for 20 years & unfortunately, this brought some negative effects & mindsets that are being dealt with today. 

      Humanitarian organizations & the UN would send food & various supplies to refugee camps in Uganda & Kenya that were needed! However, as the people had no space to grow their own food & work, they were continually receiving things, until handouts were just expected. There was no need to work & so a passivity set in with the attitude, "Why try to better our own condition, if everything will just be given to us?" When William asked for volunteers to go & re-settle South Sudan in 2004 the response was, "I won't go until the UN brings a truck to my door & drives me there!"  William responded, "You escaped during the war, the UN didn't bring you out."  In addition, the lack of activity & cramped living quarters in the refuge camps perpetuated the habit of alcoholism & just plain idleness. Unfortunately, US Government Aid & the UN has also brought in godless agendas, such as gender & sex education, abortion, etc.

       I might have mentioned that South Sudan is a very fertile & fruitful land, with the capability to grow from carrots to coconuts & everything in between. After the 2005 ceasefire agreement the people began to come back to their native country. After a couple years of resettling, villages were still hungry & there was a lack of food. Operation Nehemiah has diagnosed this problem, in many cases, as a laziness & unwillingness to work. We are trying to instruct the people that waiting for food delivery trucks will only lead to want, while working the land beneath them will provide for their families. 

"For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command & exhort thru our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness & eat their own bread." 2 Thess. 3:10-12

     In the village of Borongole, I myself have seen a turning towards the Godly ethic of hard work. When William Levi was ordained as overseer of the Beth Israel Church, the whole village was in busy preparation weeks beforehand. When grass needed to be slashed or dirt moved, you would see children, young people, & adults side by side with tools in hand. On Saturdays, the young men of the village would eagerly spend the whole day planting & hoeing out in the Farmland & I had the privilege to work alongside them. The desire of Operation Nehemiah is to see the South Sudanese people pursuing self sustainability, only dependent on the Lord God. Slowly, that is beginning to happen in our little corner of Eastern Equatorial State, South Sudan.

    I would appreciate your prayers for the special project I had mentioned before, as God has given us another step towards self sustainability in Borongole itself. We are purchasing an Industrial Brick making machine to be run by the men of our village. Not only will this machine provide bricks for personal building needs, but be sold to the surrounding communities & be a regular source of income that is raised in South Sudan! The funds could be provied in a month or two, for the purchasing of the machine. As soon as this happens, I will be flying over for three months duration. Robert Kirkman (Hannah Levi's dad, & head of the medical missions of Operation Nehemiah) along with myself will work with the brick making crew to get this initiative off the ground. I will be a foremen, having the opportunity to work alongside the men & once again live among the people there. This trip could be as soon as August or September, all in the Lord's timing.  I am very excited and blessed by this coming opportunity!  Please pray for: 

~God's perfect timing for our trip and provision for all the extra expenses of travel and extended living there. 

~For a unity among us on the ground, as we work for the Glory of God in all we do.

~Wisdom as I prepare for an opportunity to love and minister to the people God has set before me.

Episode 6: Being Like the Little Ones

     

   In any village in South Sudan there are a few elements which seem to be always present. These include: a smattering of tukkells (African huts), herds of goats, chickens, & women walking around with 50+ pound water cans on their heads.  I would be amiss, however, if I left out the most present element in African village life. No matter where you are, there are always hordes of children! These adorable & often dirt covered children steal your heart as soon as you see them. There is such joy in their countenance, especially when they see a white face that is coming to stay among them. Wherever I would go I could expect a group of young children to run up, laughing, waving hello & wanting to shake hands. It made you feel like a celebrity because they were just excited to see you! The way that Africans express themselves is most commonly through laughter & the children were no exception. I loved greeting them in their own language as I could be sure to expect peals of joyful laughter when I did. 

     There was one little boy in particular who really pulled at my heart. He was a part of a polygamous family, of which there are many in the surrounding communities near Borongole. Polygamy is still a big issue in South Sudan & I could always tell the children who came from these relationships. Alex was always wearing tattered, threadbare clothing & in a perpetually dirty state. These children were left to their own devices & would hang around the village playing & following you around. Even hardworking fathers who had multiple wives, were overwhelmed & couldn't possibly cover their family’s physical & spiritual needs properly. The Beth Israel Church is reaching out to these families & addressing this issue through discipleship & prayer.
      I remember my first day in South Sudan. I was setting up the Levi's water filter system when I noticed a small group of boys peering at me from behind a  tree. Alex spoke up first & asked in a thick african accent, "Whats your name?" 
I answered, "My name is Jonathan." There then came hysterical laughter from behind the tree.
He responded "Hello Jonathan!" More laughter.
      One day I took a walk with the Levi's & the ever present crowd of village children. We stopped as William began sharing the gospel with a man near his hut. As I stood listening, I felt a small hand slip into mine & expected to see one of the Levi children. It was Alex & the whole time that we stood in the sun he didn't let go, despite the sweatiness of my hands. In the following weeks we had fun times kicking the soccer ball & him hiding from my camera. 

The innocence & love that these children show really humbled me. As adults we learn to guard our emotions, don't open up too much, in order to protect ourselves from being hurt. The little ones of South Sudan greet you with a warm smile & accept you without any reservations. There is an unconditional love & acceptance that isn't based on what you do, but on the who you are to them.
Jesus instructed his disciples in Luke 18 when  “they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them to Him & said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 
    As Christians we must receive others that we meet with the openness of a child. Not as a hindrance to our schedule, but as someone who we have the privilege to love & interact with. Lord Jesus, change our hearts to be more like You!

      The scheduling for my fall trip is up in the air. Depending on the development of an exciting project that is prayerfully being considered, I could be there for a couple months as opposed to two weeks. I am looking forward to the prospect of an extended stay in South Sudan! Thank you so much for your prayers, they are very appreciated. 

Episode 5: When it Rains it Pours

      I have always thought that gray clouds & overcast skies had a couple meanings. You could expect either rain or just a cool & cloudy day. Growing up in New England a storm would include light to steady rain, with the occasional downpour or thunderstorm. Traveling in Africa during the rainy season, however, gave a whole new definition to the word "Rainstorm". In South Sudan, dark & stormy clouds is a guarantee for a deluge. You were never sure if it would just be a torrential rain, or a loud, blustering electrical storm of epic proportions! You always ran for cover because there could be 3 inches of water on the ground in seconds.  This cataclysmic nature of daily weather made for some interesting situations. Getting out & in from the farmland (6 miles away from the village) was always an adventure. Once, a commonly crossed bridge turned into a rushing torrent that had to be jumped & waded through on foot. On one of the more hair raising times, a few of us had to race a tropical rain storm to the village, on a tractor. Driving 18 miles per hour on an African bush road is the recipe for a bumpy ride! 

      I always marveled that, a few hours after a tropical storm, the ground would be completely dry. The volume of rain always amazed me & yet the ground soaked it up like a sponge. For awhile I wondered why so much rain was received during those wet months. It seems obvious, but It is simply God's provision & compensation for the months of dry weather (October thru March). He provides an abundance of H2O that enables a tropical & fruitful abundance to spring up. This in turn gives growth to the many different crops which feed the people. The concept of mixing water with dirt, then food grows up totally blows me away! God's wisdom & the beauty of His design always amazes me. Even in this sin-tainted & imperfect world (Romans 8:20-22), God's fingerprints are clearly seen.  Just like the predictable tropical storms of Africa, the Lord's provision for each of us is faithful & consistent. He knows exactly what we need & the perfect timing for it.
  "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."  ~ 2 Corinthians 9:8

      One future plan for our work in Borongole, South Sudan, is to find a way to collect the excess water during the rainy season. The stored water could then be utilized for irrigation and many other uses, especially during the dry season.  Another important development, is to look into ways that our village can raise money from the work of their own hands, in order to promote self-sustainability. Please pray as research is currently being done here, to enable our ground team to start a business there, which will provide income for them, as well as, fund other initiatives of Operation Nehemiah. We are very excited about this possibility... more details to follow!

Episode 4: Family Time, not Meal Time

   

    Many people view Africa in the light of it's third world status and seeming developmental backwardness. In South Sudan & other African countries, their isolation can be a blessing in disguise.They have held on to values & foundational principles which North America has lost. I was incredibly refreshed to find that the value of family is very ingrained in the culture of South Sudan among believers in Christ. There certainly are still abuses that go on in the family, like everywhere else, but in general the family unit is strongly held together. Respecting your mother & father is taken seriously by the young people & everyone really cherishes time together. 

       The place where family togetherness is most obviously seen is during family meals. In village life, food & having to eat was secondary to being together. There, If you did not have time to sit down & talk over the community food pot, then you might just skip the meal. In the course of a day's work, we would often purposefully miss meals until a time to gather together arose. 

        Eating South Sudanese style is quite the experience & basically every little boy's dream. The family or friends sit in a circle around a large pot & tray. The pot will contain some source of protein (goat, chicken, fish, beans, or beef) in a sauce & on the tray, rice balls or a South Sudanese bread. After prayer, everyone breaks a piece of bread or rice with their hands & dips it into the community pot. You guessed it, Africans don't use silverware & my friends over there were quite surprised to find out that westerners only use utensils! I know most germ conscious people are squirming in their seats right now, but it really is a bonding experience & quite fun actually. Over the meal is a general flow of conversation on all subjects, where everyone contributes. Serious & sober minded discussions take place, as well as good natured humor & a laughter which is contagious. It certainly is a joy to share a meal with people who become just like your family & want to spend time with you. 

    Please pray for the people in South Sudan that the Beth Israel Church is reaching out to & the problems that they struggle with. These include alcoholism, laziness & abdicating of responsibility among fathers, brewing of beer among women for income, & parents avoiding the hearing of the Word at Church. Often mothers or children have to walk to church alone while father, mother, or both are at home, drinking or making money off a cheap alcohol that just continues a destructive pattern. God is beginning to do a work in our village & discipleship is taking place through the Church, corporately & one-on-one. (See testimony below) 

Thank you for your prayers & support as God rebuilds the family & Church of Christ in S. Sudan, & the nation.

Erminia is a former refugee who lost her husband & six of her eight children during the war. We first met her in 2009 in our Mission Compound at Borongole. At that time, she was busily pumping water to brew liquor for income. Driven by poverty into a life of debauchery, she was known in the community as a drunkard & a prostitute. Crowds of godless men would flock each evening to her hut for a bottle of liquor & to take advantage of her vulnerability.
 The Church building is directly in front of the water pump, & each Sunday we would invite her to join us on our way to worship. She was not interested in the things of God, & would spend the morning sitting at the well, loudly mocking churchgoers as they passed by. Pastor Michael & his family ministered to her needs & faithfully prayed for her every day for four years. Erminia eventually began to see her miserable condition as a result of her sinful nature. The Lord’s mercy then caused her to understand her need of Christ, & this year Erminia turned her life over to Jesus.  She has rejected her past life, stopped brewing alcohol, & embraced  a new life as a transformed woman of God.  With the encouragement of our church family, she began using her talent as a hairdresser & is now able to support her two children with dignity. She is known for artistic & tasteful braiding designs throughout the community. Erminia was among 30 people that we baptized on April 21, 2013. Her beautiful smile radiates the joy of the Lord. 

Episode 3~ Gordon Mountain: Building on History

   

 Parongara (Good Afternoon) Everybody,  Hope you are faring well on this last day of May 2013!

      During our trip, standing on Gordon Mountain for the first time was a very special moment for me. You have an almost 360 degree view of the surrounding countryside. This stunning view turns from a brownish gold in the dry season to a lush, dark green as the rains come. I looked down upon the spacious and winding banks of the Nile and saw the massive mountain peaks which decorate the border of South Sudan and Northern Uganda.

      All of a sudden a realization hit me. The very ground on which I stood was a piece of history! Visiting that same hilly range in 1873 to 1880, you might have seen General Charles Gordon, looking glass in hand, observing everything in view from this his southern outpost. The devoted Christian and Governor of Sudan would have seen Africans fishing for Tullapi in the longest river & cows being grazed on the surrounding hills. Here also, the battle which stopped the Islamic forces from taking South Sudan in the recent Civil War was decided in the valley below. 

     As I took teams up and worked in surveying & fencing through March & April, the blessings of this property were very apparent. Good quality stone is scattered all over & will be used to construct all the buildings for the future conference center. This high point of the country is frequently visited by tourist taking in the view & is right off the only paved road in South Sudan. Nehemiah Lighthouse Conference Center will be seen by everyone entering South Sudan from Uganda. The beacon we intend to put up on our main conference building will symbolize a "City on a Hill", which we desire this place of discipleship to be. 

      On the same ground where physical battles have raged & enemies have been patrolled against, a spiritual battle is waging. The pastors who live & work in Nimule (the Border town that the mountain overlooks) have attested to the battle in the hearts of men there. WItchcraft & many forms of paganism are common. Please pray for our Brothers & Sisters in Christ & that Nehemiah Lighthouse is built to be a center of prayer & a training ground for the soldiers of the cross.

    Surveying for our deep well begins in the next couple weeks! God is on the move and we appreciate your continued prayer as the project progresses. Already God has provided $8,000, which is 1/3 of the money needed for the well and we are believing God to provide the remainder so that we can begin construction by the end of the year. [THIS NEED REMAINS AS THE MEN OF THE VILLAGE CURRENTLY FOCUS ON THE NEW BRICK MAKING ENDEAVOR TO HELP REBUILD THEIR NATION. PRAYING FOR GOD’S PROVISION AT THE PERFECT TIMING AS HE LEADS STEP BY STEP, DAY BY DAY.]

Episode 2: The Path of Least Resistance

     In South Sudan there is currently very little infrastructure. Therefore all the agriculture and farming that is taking place should be defined as pioneer farming. Just to drive the 6 miles out to the farm from Borongole is an adventure in and of itself. Plowing the land requires one person to operate the tractor/plow and two others armed with Axe and Punga (Machete), to chop and hack down the various stumps and trees scattered across the landscape.  I had the privilege to be very active with the farming and became good friends with the our Agricultural Director, Arama Stephen. We worked together a lot and this one day the two of us assisted our tractor driver in plowing several acres of land.

     After four hours of Axe & Machete wielding, I was willing to keep working, but my energy was flagging. Talking a break, Arama & I took a survey of the far periphery of our fields. Lagging behind in my tiredness, I was not paying attention & forgot two important things:

1. Always pay attention to where you walk in the African Bush. 

2. In the outer field perimeter, our resident Hunter set traps for the WIld Pigs who pillaged our cassava & other crops. Two thick walls of thorns direct the victim to a convenient pathway. In this opening, a cleverly hidden wire noose hangs which will close around the animals neck, tightening as they run forward.

    In one moment I was sluggishly walking along & the next, something began to close around both ankles! I immediately stopping & called out,  "Arama, I am caught in a trap!"  Stories of wild antelope traps, which can take a man's leg off, crossed my mind. When the wire noose was loosed from my legs, I was very thankful it wasn't the antelope variety. After my initial concern, it was actually quite funny & Arama said, "You got caught in a Wild Pig trap!" 

I responded, "The hunters caught a pretty big animal!" I took a look at the easy path between walls of low briar & bramble. My friend then said, "You thought just like the pig, going the way of least resistance." We both had a good laugh.  

    A humorous incident, but also a very good picture of how we can fall into temptation. It is easy to get tired & not want to try any more.  Like a clever hunter, our adversary also looks for those who have given into apathy. They feel like they can't struggle against the tide & fight the corruption which bombards them everyday. If you are a follower of Christ you will be opposed. 1 Peter 5:6-11 says: “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, & settle you. 11 To Him be the glory & the dominion forever & ever. Amen.”

   The bottom line is we cannot stand against sin in our own strength. We need to humble ourselves & cry out to Jesus on a moment by moment basis. If we struggle in our own strength or just give up, we have lost sight of the Only Path to safety. There are a lot of temptations, sin issues, relational struggles, false accusations, & various trials which come up on a daily basis. Looking to the Lord keeps us from the way of least resistance, where the traps are.        

    There will also be many times where we do walk into the wild pig traps of life & there we must also cry out to Him. The Good Shepherd will leave the ninety-nine to seek out the one.   

   "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Mathew 11:28-30      

 Etchu Rubongani (Praise be to the Lord)!