A Miracle of Peace in Tonj!

For the past two years, we have been crying out to God for deliverance from the violence sweeping four regions of Tonj. Cattle raiding, tribal tensions, revenge killings, and theft have brought fear to countless families. Thousands have fled to Tonj Town seeking safety, and even our missionaries and staff have sometimes taken refuge on the mission compound.

Our 42 churches have responded by increasing prayer meetings and focusing their sermons and devotions on prayer and peace. Recently, our pastors partnered with local chiefs to try a new approach: peace conferences where communities gather to address conflict and hear the biblical message of forgiveness.

What happened next was nothing short of amazing!

Manyang Ngok has long been one of the most difficult communities for our ministry to reach. Repeated attempts to establish Community Health Evangelism (CHE) programs and plant churches were prevented by insecurity.

At a recent peace conference in August, local chiefs announced that those involved in criminal activities who genuinely chose peace would be offered forgiveness. In response, twenty thieves and cattle raiders publicly came forward!

These men confessed their wrongdoing and declared they no longer wanted to steal or harm others. They explained that their actions were driven by revenge for family members who had been killed. But they had begun to recognize that this endless cycle of violence and retaliation threatened the future of their entire tribe.

In a powerful public act, they removed the charms they had purchased from witchdoctors and threw them into a fire. Our pastors helped them remove the charms, then shared the hope, peace, and forgiveness found ONLY in Jesus Christ, who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” John 14:6

And then something even more extraordinary happened!

We were scheduled to hold our Calvary Men’s Conference in June, but because of the insecurity caused by these cattle raiders, we had to cancel. We were deeply disappointed but rescheduled for mid-September trusting the security situation to be better. Well, during the August peace talks, our pastors invited these same men to attend the Men’s Conference in September.

Guess what? They ALL came!

Sowing Seeds of Faith!

The parable of the sower in Mark 4 paints a powerful picture of what God is doing in South Sudan. During our September visit to Tonj, Zeke and I witnessed the IDAT team faithfully sowing the Word of God at our Kingdom Leaders Men’s Conference, hosted by Calvary Church Tonj.

Our team worked tirelessly to spread the invitation, visiting churches throughout town, inviting local government and military leaders, and personally reaching out to surrounding villages. We prayed and prepared, but the response exceeded our expectations. More than 1,200 men gathered, setting aside their Saturday to hear the Word of God.

The celebration included slaughtering cows and goats, lively traditional dancing, and four speakers (including Zeke) who challenged the men to understand what it means to truly follow Christ, lead as a Godly man and leader. The day’s most moving moment came during missionary Ben’s passionate presentation of the Gospel. Many men raised their hands and came forward for prayer, committing themselves to follow Jesus Christ. The cattle raiders, not only attended this event, but they received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and asked to be baptized as a public declaration of their commitment to follow Him!

Cattle Raider gets baptized

What a privilege to witness the seeds of the Gospel being planted in so many hearts. God’s timing for this conference was perfect and the very men that caused the insecurity, that caused the delay, were the ones that attended and got saved! Please pray for these men as they begin their new lives in Christ.

Urgent Need:

Tarps to Shelter Homeless Families.

While in Tonj, Zeke and I visited some Internally Displaced People living under trees. It was devastating to witness pregnant mothers and toddlers living with no food or shelter. I sent an email asking people to pray about buying ONE tarp costing $20 to help a family in need. Please go to our website if you feel led to help.

More Than a Bag of Food!

This month, Zeke and I returned to South Sudan, and once again, being here has reminded us why God has called us to this place. There is something about being among the people we love, seeing our national team serving faithfully, and watching God continue to open doors for the Gospel that never gets old. Every trip brings new stories, new challenges, and new opportunities to see God at work. This trip was no different.

While in South Sudan, we had the privilege of doing something incredibly meaningful. We distributed food to people who were hungry, and we shared the hope of Jesus with more than 3,000 people.

Displaced families, from Tonj North, Tonj East and Tonj South are living under trees and struggling to find enough food. Not knowing where their next meal will come from is a daily concern. Tribal conflicts have terrorized villages forcing thousands of people to flee. For IDAT, this was an opportunity to not only provide food, but to show people that they are seen, they are valued, and they have not been forgotten.

Our team gathered and prayed before starting the distribution. We prayed the food would reach the neediest, we prayed for safety, and we prayed there would be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that eyes would be opened and ears would hear as we shared the Gospel. More than 3,000 people heard about the love of Jesus Christ that day. We were able to meet a very real physical need while also pointing people toward the One who can meet their deepest spiritual need.

There is something incredibly powerful about being able to say, “Jesus loves you,” and then put that love into action.

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18

I was especially moved watching our national team serve. They weren’t simply distributing food, they were loving their own people. They understand the struggles because they live them too, and they are passionate about seeing their neighbors know Christ.

This is what In Deed And Truth Ministries is all about: putting our faith into action. We are not solving a food crisis but we are preventing starvation for thousands of people who will now ration the small amount of food we have provided. May our Lord Jesus multiply it and supply physical and spiritual nourishment.

Many thanks to you, our generous partners, over 3,000 people were fed. Over 3,000 people heard the Gospel. And this was just one of six food distributions we have done this year, feeding over 12,000 people.

Thank you for being part of what God is doing in South Sudan. Together, we are not only giving food, but we are sharing hope.

Clean Water Is Changing Lives!

One of the greatest highlights of the past month for our CHE (Community Health Evangelism) Program has been the drilling of three new water wells in the CHE villages of Thou-chok, Aguath, and Palek. These wells are bringing safe, clean water to approximately 2,400 people!

In South Sudan, an estimated 59% of the population still lacks access to safe water. Before these wells were drilled, women and girls in these communities often carried heavy 20-liter jerry cans for hours each day under the blistering sun. The journey consumed valuable time and placed tremendous physical burdens on families.

These wells mean far more than clean drinking water. They mean mothers gaining precious hours back in their day, children being protected from deadly waterborne illnesses such as diarrhea, and girls having greater opportunities to attend school. Families can now wash their hands and clothes, while communities can grow vegetable gardens that improve nutrition and strengthen food security.

Each village that received a well contributed toward the cost of its well, creating genuine local ownership and a strong commitment to maintain these life-giving resources for generations to come.

A huge thank you to our partners Every Village for drilling these wells at a reduced cost, and to Beyond Water & Kiwis for South Sudan for helping fund them. If you feel led to be a “spring of water” in helping us drill more wells, each well costs $3,500 to drill.

Isaiah 58:11 says, “And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

We Need Your Help!

2,000 People Without Food or Shelter

The situation is critical. Many Internally Displaced People (IDPs) have fled their homes because of violence and insecurity and have relocated to Tonj town, hoping to find safety. When our team went to visit them, we were shocked to discover approximately 2,000 people living without proper shelter—crowded together under mango trees with little or nothing to protect them from the elements.

Families are sleeping on the bare ground. Mothers are desperately trying to care for their children without food, shelter, or basic necessities. Some are so extremely hungry that they have resorted to eating leaves simply to survive.

We have a YouTube Video and I would encourage you to watch the video and see for yourself the heartbreaking conditions these families are facing. These are not statistics. They are mothers, fathers, and children who have lost their homes and are struggling simply to survive. They are in our town and as a ministry we cannot ignore their plight.

We want to respond with practical help. Our goal is to provide food and tarps for shelter to these families.

One Truckload Can Make a Difference

One truckload of food costs $20,000 and can provide food for about 2,000 people. This will not solve the problem, but it can prevent starvation. We are trying to make this food last for an entire month by asking families to carefully rationing it. The reality is heartbreaking: people may only be able to eat once every three days.

Imagine being a mother and knowing you may not have enough food to give your children even one meal today. Imagine having no home, no bed, and no protection from the rain.

We want to help, but this is something outside our operating budget and we cannot do it alone. Please prayerfully consider giving toward this food and shelter crisis? Your gift can help put food into the hands of hungry families and provide tarps to give them some protection and dignity.

Please pray. Please share. And if you can, please give.

Donate Here

They Are Not Forgotten!

One of the greatest privileges of serving in South Sudan is being able to stand with those the world often overlooks.

Recently, ongoing violence and insecurity around Tonj has left many families without reliable access to food. One group especially on my heart are the residents of a local leper colony. If you’ve been on a mission trip with IDAT to Tonj, you might have met these men and women who have endured unimaginable suffering. Many have lost fingers, toes, or the ability to walk without assistance.  They have few resources, they can’t farm, and are completely dependent on outside assistance, making this crisis and season of food shortage, even more devastating for them.

When our team went to check on them, they found these vulnerable people had absolutely nothing to eat. We handed out food, and prayed with each person, sharing the hope found only in Jesus Christ.

Would you join us in praying for these men, women, and children living in this leper colony? If the Lord leads you, please consider making a gift so we can continue providing food, medical care, and the hope of Jesus Christ to those who need it most.

Witchdoctor to Evangelist!

When I look at Nyandiit Yaar’s smile today, it’s hard to imagine the darkness she once carried.

Nyandiit Yaar’s grandmother and mother were both witchdoctors, so when Nyandiit grew up her mother trained her to take up the same position in her community. Her life was full of fear and darkness, and she passed that darkness onto the people who came for her with their problems and illnesses. One day a Community Health Evangelist (CHE) volunteer from her community of Yapango invited her to come join a CHE training. There she heard the parable of the sheep and goats and heard for the first time the invitation of Jesus for us to spend eternity in heaven with God. This pierced her heart deeply, and instantly she rejected witchcraft and dedicated her life to Jesus Christ. She reported feeling a darkness leave her and now is filled with the Holy Spirit. She became one of our CHE volunteers and the Joy of the Lord is upon her as she shares the gospel and health lessons in her community. Please join us in praying for all the witchdoctors in South Sudan to encounter Christ like Nyandiit!

The LORD says, “if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10

On the Road Together!

One of the greatest blessings of ministry is the opportunity to spend time face-to-face with the people who make this work possible. This summer, Zeke and I are on a road trip, currently in San Diego and will travel north through California to Seattle before heading east through Denver, Albuquerque, Dallas, College Station TX, Covington LA, and finally back to Florida.

We are attending mission conferences, sharing with churches, connecting with faithful ministry partners, and reporting what God is doing through In Deed and Truth Ministries in South Sudan. We also look forward to hearing how God is working in your lives, our partners, and lifting each other up in prayer.

Please pray for safe travels, divine appointments, and open hearts as we share God’s faithfulness. Pray that new partnerships will be formed and that those we meet will be encouraged by all the Lord is accomplishing in South Sudan. If you’ve been following us for a while you know our ministry has increased 10-fold in the last 7 years, and we are blessed to be part of this exciting ministry and want to invite others to invest in this Kingdom work.

If we’re traveling through your area, we’d love the opportunity to connect with you and thank you in person. Your partnership is making an eternal difference. Together, we are bringing hope, healing, and the love of Jesus Christ to the people of South Sudan.

 When Plans Change: Trust God!

We had hoped to return to South Sudan this month, but several circumstances have made us believe God is calling us to remain stateside for now. The recent Ebola outbreak has created challenges and uncertainty regarding international travel and re-entry into the United States. At the same time, the Tonj region of South Sudan is experiencing significant insecurity, making it difficult and potentially unsafe to travel to the villages where much of our ministry takes place. Two days before we had planned to depart, Zeke suffered a torn retina and is currently undergoing treatment and recovery. While we are disappointed not to be with our South Sudanese team and the communities we love and serve, we trust that God is directing our steps. We are grateful that our team and missionaries continue to faithfully lead the ministry on the ground.

Rather than traveling to Africa, we are making plans for a road trip to California this summer. We see this as an opportunity to reconnect with supporters, churches, and friends who make this ministry possible. If we are passing through your area, we would love the chance to meet for coffee, share an update, answer questions, and thank you personally for your partnership. We are also eager to connect with new individuals and churches who may have a heart for serving vulnerable women, children and villages in South Sudan.

Although our travel plans have changed, our mission has not. Thank you for continuing to pray, encourage, and stand with us as God opens new doors for ministry.

Media with a Mission!

One of the exciting areas of growth at In Deed And Truth Ministries is our Media Training Program. Three years ago, we developed a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip young leaders with practical skills in photography, videography, AI-generated music, writing, social media management, and mentoring. You can check out their contribution through our Facebook and Instagram pages.

@indeedandtruth

@idatsouthsudan

However, our goal is not simply to provide vocational training. We believe that skills without the Gospel fall short of God’s purpose. For this reason, the program follows a model similar to our Community Health Evangelism (CHE) training, integrating biblical discipleship into every lesson. Alongside technical training, students explore spiritual themes such as reflecting the image of Christ, viewing life through God’s perspective, walking in His light, and keeping our focus on Him.

Since the program began, six students have enrolled in this challenging course of study. The training requires commitment, perseverance, and the successful completion of numerous practical assessments. This month, we celebrated a major milestone as our first student completed the program and received his certificate. We are especially encouraged not only by his growth in media skills, but also by the spiritual maturity and Christlike character he has developed throughout the journey.

Leadership From Within!

As Community Health Evangelism (CHE) continues to expand into new communities, we are strengthening our leadership team to support this growth. Last month, we were excited to promote one of our outstanding CHE champions, David Diir, to the new position of Deputy Program Manager.

David was born 26 years ago in the village of Pawel to a farming family. Life was difficult, marked by hunger, sickness, and financial hardship. Several times he was forced to leave school because his family could not afford the fees. Determined to continue his education, he worked on neighboring farms until he earned enough money to return to class.

As a young man living in a cattle camp, David became involved with a group planning cattle raids against rival clans. Everything changed when he heard the Gospel being preached by Pastor Kharlo at Calvary Chapel in Pawel. Deeply convicted, David gave his life to Christ and left his former path behind.

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8

Since joining our team as a CHE Trainer in 2022, David has consistently demonstrated integrity, leadership, and a passion for serving others. We are grateful to see God raising up leaders from within the communities we serve. Please pray for David as he steps into this important role and helps communities flourish as God intended.