Episode 15: Fruit Worth Fighting For

Ingoni (hello) everyone!

   It has been awhile since I have sent out an update and for that I apologize. Our family has been busy in preparing and planning for two upcoming ministry sharing trips the last 10 days of Aug. and this fall (cross country). We also welcomed my older brother, Josh,  back last night, who has a month leave at home, after a 9 month deployment in Afghanistan.

    In a week, the four Luekens will be driving up to Prince Edward Island for over a week of sharing about the work of Operation Nehemiah. We are excited to share with old friends and new, especially for the opportunity to be presenting the ministry at a Church summer camp and a church in New Brunswick as well. 

   We're also planning for a tour across the USA which will see us as far west as Arizona. We are looking for opportunities to share about the awesome work God is doing in South Sudan. Let us know if you would like myself and my family to come and share, and we can work it out. Appreciate prayers as we step out and follow God's leading and see Him provide.

   Have you ever heard of the African bug? I am not talking about ebola, malaria, or the host of other diseases that take residence in Africa. This condition seems particular to people who do missionary and relief work for a long time in that continent. There is no known cure. Talking to different missionaries and from my own experience I have become familiar with this "bug" and, I admit, have contracted it as well!

    It starts subtly and almost imperceptibly and takes affect on the mind and heart. You can be in any African country, but soon that place starts to feel like home. The common sights, smells, and noises are what make you think, smile, frown, laugh, and cry, all at the same time. Pretty soon walking for miles isn't an inconvenience. Eating unidentified "Bush" meat becomes an adventure and not a dread of possible pathogenic microbeasties. The ever present herds of chickens and scavenging goats are just part of the rural village scene (I don't necessarily consider goats to provide a good ambience, but "ambience" nonetheless). At this point at least half your heart has been planted in the African soil and the rest will be sure to follow. 

   Here in America I find that two months absence from my beloved South Sudan is enough to get Bad symptoms. I can't help, but compare and find that quantity and ease of acquiring in the west, does not make up for the lack of quality.

     The unequal comparison comes to mind when I think of "Fresh Fruit". The true definition of those two words is this: When you climb up the tree, knock down several mangoes and share the juicy deliciousness with several friends a few minutes later. In addition to the best thing you ever tasted, you get exercise and are challenged by an opponent who wants the mango on the tree as much as you want it off. 

    The Mango Ant was aptly named for its symbiotic relationship with the fore mentioned tree and a soldierly devotion to defend it. It packs quite the bite and one of them would be quite the pain to deal with. Multiply that by thousands and then cover the branches of the tree your climbing with this standing army. I very quickly learned two lessons on my first mango harvest:

    1. Be prepared to endure never ending biting on various appendages and in clothes as you ascend the tree.

    2. Learn how to continually brush your self off with one hand while climbing with the other.

   It may sound pretty miserable, but after a couple forays into the canopy you learn to move swiftly and avoid certain ant covered branches. I now can harvest for over a half an hour without receiving or feeling too many bites. Even with that slight irritation, the resulting fruit is more than worth the climb. I have been spoiled for the produce section at the grocery store. Picking fruit and veggies out of those safe little bins into plastic bags makes me want to fall asleep!

    So in my experience, things that come easy are not better. The most difficult path we tread is often the most rewarding and satisfying. No better example can be given than following after the Lord Jesus Christ!

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." 

                                                                                                   Matthew 7:13-14

    

Rubanga kola nito (God be with you)!

~Jonathan Lueken with Operation Nehemiah  774-254-4336

3rd Trip~ Episode 14: WIlderness Exploration in a Fertile Land

3rd Edition, Episode #14: Wilderness Exploration in a Fertile Land

   Since the independence of South Sudan in 2011, refugees have been flooding back to their homeland. This is a blessing, but has brought with it the big issue of land disputes as people resettle. In South Sudan, Land ownership is based on family/ancestral inheritance and not buying and selling. 

   The recent land survey our US Mission and ground team in South Sudan completed in April, was a long dream in the making and very important. We pray that it will ensure that the Levi family and Operation Nehemiah will keep the land God has given to them demarcated for the future and preserved for God's work! A map will be made of Borongole, Gordon Mountain, and Beth Israel Farmland and will be kept to inform the coming generations of their inheritance, after William and his generation pass on.

  The stories of African exploration by men such as Livingstone, Stanley, and Speke always impressed me. Think about tramping through the thick jungle interior with all the needed food, shelter, scientific equipment, and gifts for the tribes they would meet along the way, all on the backs of men and animals(before Tsetse flies and hunger winnowed their ranks). It was a momentous task and you can be sure that they weren't carrying ultra-light backpacking gear. Spending two to three years of dealing with malaria carrying mosquitos, Tsetse flies, disease, large wild animals, and hostile tribes was no African vacation. 

  My own exploration in the bush of South Sudan has given me just a small appreciation of what the early explorers and missionaries experienced. Semi-accessible roads, lightweight GPS gear, and more modern technologies definitely give a real helping hand, but even wilderness exploration in the 21st century has its challenges. It was an exciting and wild adventure!

     To traverse virgin land in which few men have walked was a blessing and an amazing experience. Hiking for long distances in an area that was miles from the nearest dwelling was rather surreal and exciting at the same time. I am convinced (though I might be a bit biased) that the eight square miles of Beth Israel Farmland is the most varied and beautiful spot I have had the privilege to see. The green mountains, lush sand-filled rivers, and extensive wooded grassland are momentarily decorated with multicolored birds and fleet antelope darting of into the bush. In the sandy river bed you would observe the tracks of Warthog, Dik Dik, monkey, and Baboon. Beyond having an abundant farming production, Beth Israel is its own wildlife refuge and took a total of fourteen days to completely walk and map out!

 I vividly remember the day William Levi, Brian Mackay, and myself, led 12 men and boys in mapping and staking the final three corners of the farmland. The long line snaked its way through the bush with food, Jerry-cans of water, and surveying gear on heads and shoulders. In addition to my pack, I became good friends with an 18 pound sledge hammer.

    After four hours of footing the terrible discovery was made that there was not a drop of water left! There was one more corner to be staked, Three and a half miles of bush whacking, and roughly 3 hours until our party would reach a source of water.The only option was to advance and we doggedly pressed forward in the blistering sun.

   Only five of us had the energy to stake the final point, while the others rested in the shade, reserving strength for the last push to water. As my brother Jeremiah and I measured and staked the last objective, I looked around and saw the parched and exhausted faces of our small advance team. God was merciful and the 15 man expedition made it to our solar well after more than seven hours of wilderness hiking! Water never tasted so good and no one was worse off for the wear.

   I was reminded that only dependance on the Lord Jesus can sustain us through the seemingly waterless treks of life. Isaiah declares it so well:

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? 

The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.

He gives strength to the weary, & to him who lacks might He increases power.

Though youths grow weary & tired, & vigorous young men stumble badly,  yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:28-31    

Rubanga kola nito (God be with you)!

~Jonathan Lueken with Operation Nehemiah  774-254-4336

Lueken's webpage:   www.operationsnehemiah.org/Nehemiah_Light_House.html

Mailing address: Operation Nehemiah, PO Box 2401, Plainville, MA 02762 

Operation Nehemiah Missions - Headquarters: 413-770-4711

PO Box 563 Lanesborough, MA, 01267

www.operationsnehemiah.org

Preparation for Farming in South Sudan

   My recent trip to South Sudan was so encouraging in seeing what God is doing, especially in the area of agriculture. Food imports from Uganda have been greatly reduced. A great variety of crops were planted that are even now being harvested by the people of Borongole! Planting and cultivating with the dear people of South Sudan gave me a desire for more experience to prepare me for living there. The training I just completed is the beginning of that process.

   The training course in North Carolina was excellent! The staff and instructors at Equip were very gracious and there was a real personal connect with them. They were either actively serving on the mission field or former missionaries and had real hands on experience in the third world. My three fellow classmates are all actively working in Africa and two of them are preparing for three years of service in Kenya! There was real camaraderie amongst both students and instructors which made for a real edifying time of conversation and sharing. We were staying in a beautiful and peaceful environment in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains. It was very conducive to times of spiritual reflection and focused study.

Our two instructors are on the far right and far left of the group. the Four students in the middle.

  The methods of Farming God's way are incredibly productive (with records of a 300% increase in parts of Africa where it has been put into practice), but primarily centered in the spreading of the Gospel and the discipleship of farmers to put all areas of life under God.

In addition, our small class was able to cover the learning material quickly and had a lot of extra time to pursue other areas of farming. I learned about no till farming, mulching, Bio-intensive Gardening, Terracing, tower gardens, aquaponics, hydroponics, and installing drip irrigation etc. We also visited a farm that planted an unusual variety of crops and methods. Many other interesting third world technologies were learned beyond farming, which will equip me for future service in South Sudan.

     This week long intensive opened a whole new world of farming that I wasn't aware of before. It also made me realize that I have a lot to study and learn! This summer I hope to be able to devote to applying what I learned and getting more hands on experience as opportunity arises.  I am very thankful for being given the opportunity to attend this course and be prepared for more long term agriculture and work in Borongole, starting this fall. 

Rubanga kola nito (God be with you)!

~Jonathan Lueken with Operation Nehemiah  774-254-4336

onlighthouse@gmail.com

www.operationsnehemiah.org/Nehemiah_Light_House.html

Exciting Farming Training opportunity for Africa & beyond!

   For the people in South Sudan, agriculture & farming are vital for the very survival of themselves & their families. To buy imported food that comes from Uganda is expensive & is not sustainable for the average family. Everyone has a small plot where they grow staple vegetables & other important crops. God has blessed South Sudan with a very fertile soil so putting a seed in the ground is enough for a fairly good harvest. However, with the occasional extreme drought in the dry season or an over abundance of rain in the wet season, whole crops can be ruined. The conventional way of farming, plowing or turning the soil up, is being used & can be marginally effective. I have learned that the conventional method is NOT the best way, especially for Africa!

   Farming God's Way was originally developed in Zimbabwe, Africa, and though it can be put into practice anywhere, is specifically designed for Africa. It is simply looking at the way God made things to grow in creation and applying it to Agriculture. It requires no tilling or plowing season after season, and little or no machinery. The hoe is the primary tool and adding organic materials, heavy mulching, and crop rotation keep the soil improving in nutrients every year. It also includes personal discipleship and the study of God's Word.

    As I have watched the videos below and done my own research, I have gotten incredibly excited for the implications Farming God's Way will have for South Sudan! The resulting increased food production gives the ability to amply supply a families food needs & the opportunity to share the extra produce with the surrounding community. This has me wanting to be out in Beth Israel Farmland right now with hoe in hand. I wish I could board a plane this moment equipped with this knowledge, but I have not yet received this fascinating training.

    Foundations for Farming/Farming God's way training will take place June 22nd-27th in Marion, North Carolina at Equip International (http://www.equipinternational.com/). It is a missionary intensive course helping missionaries to go serve (room and meals are included). 

My Dad & I are praying for the opportunity to go attend this training together. God has already provided for my deposit on the course & we are trusting the Lord for the remaining tuition & travel expenses. Please pray for God's provision & also His equipping us to bring this blessing to South Sudan.

  I would encourage you to watch the promotional video and if you have more time, the overview and the testimonials as well. The results that have come from this method are 100% successful, amazing, and very compelling.

Farming God's way Promo: (4 min.)  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vlVeqsYIxs

Overview: (17 min.) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLB7OmuwVv8 

Testimonials: (3 minutes) Amazima Ministries, Katie Davis in Uganda: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LMDk_kbssM  
This video made me homesick for Africa!

Malawi: (1 Minute) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhD5ydYHoHE

   P.S. For those in the area, my family would be open to sharing the teaching DVDs on a weekly basis sometime in the future. Let us know if your interested.

Rubanga Cola nito (God be with you)!

~Jonathan Lueken with Operation Nehemiah  

774-254-4336

Donations via PayPal to 

onlighthouse@gmail.com or at

www.operationsnehemiah.org/Nehemiah_Light_House.html

Snail Mail to Operation Nehemiah (East office) 86 E. Bacon St. Plainville, MA 02762 

I'm back in the US! A personal update and overview of my trip

   I am back in the states and sitting down to write an update after two months of not having an internet connection or reliable electricity. I apologize for not being able to give a live update on the ground, but am thankful for my family who relayed my phone updates to you all. I apologize for the length of this post which happens with summarizing a very full two months. I hope in the coming weeks to share the African Adventures from this past trip and the many awesome things that God did.

    This trip was so blessed in so many ways! Our mission team (the Levi's and myself) feel this trip to have been the most fruitful and ordered trip to date in South Sudan. Relationships were built and strengthened with our ground team and the community in amazing ways!

   

  Surveying of Gordon Mountain, Borongole mission station, and the extensive Beth Israel Farmland was completed, with the help and expertise of Surveyor Brian Mackay. Beautiful landscapes were observed and boundaries demarcated for land that will support and bless many people, today and years to come.

   

    The Levi family and myself had frequent opportunities to preach and share God's word on the radio. Nehemiah Trumpet Call 97.3 has been a blessing to surrounding community and beyond to the Madi Corridor, both in South Sudan and Northern Uganda. We find our phone lines ringing off the hook and hear reports of lives being changed by Jesus Christ, as well as educated and encouraged to live spiritually and physically healthier lives.

   

   Much of my time was spent with a hoe in hand and my feet in the rich fertile soil which is capable of growing so much food.  The rainy season was delayed this year, but in faith we planted many crops, which are now being watered by the tropical rains of East Africa. I personally had a hand in planting: Corn, ground nuts(peanuts), yams, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, green peppers, carrots, banana, mango, pineapple, passion fruit, and different varieties of local legumes. With faithful tending from our ground team, by God's grace the village of Borongole will be amply supplied with food for the table and to sell to the surrounding community. This year a storefront is being run in our village by one of William's nephews and is the perfect place to sell the locally grown produce come harvest time.

     With the brick production, you may have heard that a contract is about to be signed with a local school which we will be supplying 47,000 blocks to complete the project. Our block making team will be fully employed and the men given ample opportunity to help support their families. Our prayer is that this project will draw more contracts, which will enable this initiative to be a continuing means of self sustainability and a revolving economy.

   The Beth Israel Messianic Congregation's Sister Church in Derito is now under a strong and water proof church building. For quite a few years the church has met in a dilapidated, leaky tent, but now is doing the finishing touches on a safe and dry meeting place.

   Our Health Worker, Teban Moses, is going back to finish his next phase of medical training and on returning will have the skills needed to minister to the physical needs of the people. Rapid result malaria tests just arrived there and are one of many supplies to outfit the field clinic.

  This missions trip the Drip Irrigation System was NOT able to be purchased and sent over. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as we just had enough time with the tasks that were before us and the rains are now there. This year the hope is for me to bring the drip irrigation as the rainy season turns into the dry (this fall). I also will be looking to get some agricultural training and hands on experience this summer which will equip me to be fully a part of the cultivation in Borongole throughout the year. There is training for farming in the third world which is called FARMING GOD'S WAY and the techniques taught have very exciting and fruitful implications for future agriculture in Africa. I hope to attend this training in late June. Please pray for God's timing and provision for this very important training and initiative.

   Focused research and study of the local flora will also be a part of my return to South Sudan.

    Thank you so much for your prayers and support which were so vital to our mission these past two months! 

I am free to share about the things that God did March through May as well as the future work that needs to be done in South Sudan. I and my family, are available to share in person about my African Adventures in South Sudan at your home among friends, or at your church or another venue. I am up to traveling and would love to arrange something. Just LET US KNOW.

Rubanga Cola nito (God be with you)!

~Jonathan Lueken with Operation Nehemiah  774-254-4336

onlighthouse@gmail.com

www.operationsnehemiah.org/Nehemiah_Light_House.html

Operation Nehemiah (East office) 86 E. Bacon St. Plainville, MA 02762 

Had to share this Reason for Praise & Prayer!

We have been earnestly praying for the Lord to provided:

 ~for the team on the ground, 

 ~for the people of the the village of Borongole, South Sudan 

 ~for us & the Levi's & the needs of the the West & East offices of Operation Nehemiah.

We have been asking for wisdom & guidance & direction, as well as, finances & other means to move forward in the things that God has for us.  Thus we were so excited to get a call from William just a few nights ago asking us to pray for a strategic meeting this Friday.

Here's the GOOD NEWS! A local school not far from Borongole, was awarded funds to rebuild their school buildings that burned down. The community asked Operation Nehemiah to go ahead & build a prototype right along the main road to replace the shack the headmaster of the school was living in, in order to display their product. But they did not have any cement...

   so God provided through an ambassador and friend of the ministry who advanced them funds needed for materials, so they could begin. So Jon & the other men have been busy at work producing bricks once again!!! The picture above shows them at work building with the interlocking Hydraform Bricks, so no cement is needed in between the layers… like Lego's! If awarded this project would include 2 school buildings of 4 rooms each, a dining hall, teacher/admin. building & latrines, which would use somewhere between 100,000 to 150,000 bricks.

PLEASE PRAY!! As this Friday morning, (when we are going to bed tonite) the authorities are arriving to decide who will get the job.  The community is hoping that Nehemiah Brick Production will get it because: they are local; they are trustworthy; the bricks are the strongest made, and it will help the local economy. 

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ARE PRAYING FOR THE EFFORTS IN SOUTH SUDAN! Your prayers and gifts do make a difference! We trust that God is leading and will make this project possible! & that He will bring this trip to a God glorifying conclusion as they will return in less than 3 weeks (May 26)

William also sent an update from the field this week and you can see the many pictures he posted here 

 http://eepurl.com/T89YH or you can read an edited version with a few pictures here:

 Field update May 2014.pdf

If you haven't read Jon's phone update from May 1st here it is:

 Jon's AFRICAN UPDATE 1 May 2014.pdf

In Him Who keeps us,  Roger & Patty Lueken (774) 254-4336   God provided a phone for Roger!! (774) 210-2800 

Read all of Jon's African Adventures:  fromjoninafrica.blogspot.com

Check out our new blog: Glorious Things He Has Done! theluekens.blogspot.com 

To send your support for Operation Nehemiah & the Lueken family's work with Operation Nehemiah:

*ONLINE at: * www.operationsnehemiah.org/Nehemiah_Light_House.html

*PayPal* onlighthouse@gmail.com  or

*Mail a check made out to "Operation Nehemiah"  & send to Operation Nehemiah (East) 86 E. Bacon St. Plainville, MA 02762

AFRICAN UPDATE 1 May 2014

We had a wonderfully long conversation with Jon. He has so much to tell us and sounded very joyful and expectant.

PRAY FOR SOUTH SUDAN... Things are still comparatively stable and peaceful in East Equatoria state in southeastern South Sudan where the village of Borongole is 26 miles north of Nimule (on the map near Pageri). It should remain peaceful if the EE government does not take sides in this conflict.  Please pray for wisdom for the  EE state government and for the Prince of Peace to work in the hearts of men nationwide, as the violence has continued in the 3 northern states and is wrecking havoc in the nation at large. There are many displaced people who cannot plant their crops and therefore have no source of food. God help these people and this nation!

The team spent most of the first month completing the SURVEYING work, which kept them very busy and tired by days end.  Brian McKay helped them to successfully finish the surveying and he has returned to the United States.

Since then Jon has been on the RADIO on a regular basis. In the last few messages, he has centered on the gospel, as he has been reading Paul Washer’s THE GOSPEL’S POWER & MESSAGE. He says it is so foundational and full of scripture that hits you again & again with the power of the Gospel, so now he is being compelled to mention the gospel each time he shares.

They continue the weekly DISCIPLESHIP classes and Jon was so blessed to see that the father of the young boy, Wani (who died in Dec. from yellow fever) has been coming to the meetings.  This man is an alcohlic and was let go from the brick production early in the training last fall because he came drunk, but the GOOD NEWS is that Wani’s father is attending the class, participating and contributing and God is working in His life!!

As you know from one of Jon’s African Adventures, there is GREAT NEED TO STAFF & SUPPLY THE NEHEMIAH MEDICAL CLINIC.   The Levi’s were able to bring rapid diagnostic tests with them on this trip, but we need to see this clinic up and running, so PLEASE PRAY to that end.  The Levi children, actually came down with Typhoid one by one and they were able to diagnosis it right away and receive the proper medicine, so they are on the mend & doing much better.  

BRICK PRODUCTION has been at a stand still though there has been some interest generated. There is need of a school building to be built in Nderito, but so far that has not materialized. PLEASE PRAY that interest turns into a commitment and a willingness to pay upfront, so that the village can purchase the needed materials (cement) in order to begin.  Someone suggested that they build a prototype building in that area on the main road to show as a model for advertising, but again they need the cement to move ahead with that idea.  A TV crew from Juba came to Borongole to film a promotional about Operation Nehemiah, covering such things as the family, the church, the farm and the brick production & it aired this past week on national television!!!

You’ll be delighted to know that Jon is getting EXTRA PROTEIN IN HIS DIET these days as he gets to eat termites on a regular basis.  Lately he has enjoyed them fried and in a sauce.  He said, “I am eating bugs in sauce that are delicious and full of protein.”

To aid his study of the MADI language he was given a book that helps with pronunciation & is learning the slight variations in emphasis that change the meaning of a word. 

We, Luekens, on this side of the pond, continue to marvel at God’s amazing faithfulness in providing for us day by day (manna), so that we can give time to communications for Operation Nehemiah.  The majority of our communication time is spent talking to God about the myriad of needs there and here... and I can honestly say that we have never seen God’s hand so clearly at work in the hearts and lives of people around us.  We are in awe at GOD’S FAITHFULNESS in doing the deep heart work in us and others.  

The roots of Roger’s health issues are continuing to be uncovered and our new schedule working for Operation Nehemiah is so much better. We have seen a real improvement overall.  The Lord is building our faith and confidence in His great love for us in spite of our sin or circumstances that scream otherwise.  I (Patty) marvel at the change in Roger by the hand of God!! He is light hearted, comical and joyful in ways I’ve not seen in a very long time! The truth of God’s great undying love for us, and the freedom to repent and forgive, truly does set us free!!!!

Thank you for your love, prayers, and support for all of us with Operation Nehemiah!

Donations can be made via PayPal to onlighthouse@gmail.com 

or online at

www.operationsnehemiah.org/Nehemiah_Light_House.html

Or checks can be mailed to:  Operation Nehemiah (East) 86 E. Bacon St. Plainville, MA 02762