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)!

Episode 1: BACK HOME

                     I had always thought that New England had the World's worst, aggressive drivers. Spending my first day in Kampala Uganda opened my eyes to the phenomenon of African Driving.  Not only are there no seatbelt rules, there are no driving rules altogether!   

Picture a Boston or New york City intersection at rush hour. Turn half of the vehicles cramming the road into small motorcycle taxis (called Bota Botas) and add half a million pedestrians on the scene with plenty of resulting foot   dust. Once you have that in your head, remove all rules of the road and introduce Mario Cart driving techniques to every motorist. To say this recipe makes for chaos is an understatement. 

       On the main Highway through South Sudan, there would be an average of twelve vehicle wrecks in a couple hour drive. 

     While in Kampala, TImothy Levi (Operation Nehemiah’s Field Director) and myself were on a mission to pick up some supplies for our mission compound in South Sudan. In order to get into the market we had to take a Bota Bota. So the driver and the two of us get on a small motorcycle and begin weaving back and forth, missing and being missed by other vehicles frequently. It was slightly thrilling, though I was seeing my life flash before my eyes every few seconds.  The Bota Bota ride back became even more interesting. There was a large printer box between Timothy and myself, and Timothy had a large spool of cable hanging from his right arm on the right side of the motorcycle. It was exciting!

       This experience (among many during my time in Africa) really showed how transitory life is. As a young man, I can be tempted to boast in my strength or endurance, but life can be taken away so quickly! Wherever you are, even in the relative safety of your own home, we cannot insulate or completely protect ourselves. James 4:14-15 says:

 "whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” "

     The only true safety and eternal security is found in the Lord Jesus. The only work or accomplishment that will last is done as Jesus is working through us, giving us the grace to to obey and do His will. In our own strength we are powerless, but "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,". 

(Spring 2013)