A Neighbor in Crisis: Our Time in Tonj!

When we traveled to South Sudan in September, our primary purpose was to encourage our team on the ground. But what we witnessed was heartbreaking. We saw the devastating effects of famine, displacement, and extreme poverty. Families fled the violence and insecurities and were now struggling to survive, without food, water or even basic shelter.

We knew we couldn’t simply walk away.

In Deed & Truth Ministries doesn’t normally do ‘humanitarian aid’ outside of our Mission Hospital. Our primary ministry is church planting and discipleship. But how could we ignore these Internally Displaced People, IDP’S, who are now our neighbors, living in such desperate circumstances? Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 reminds us that loving our neighbor is more than words, it means responding in a practical way when we see someone in need, having compassion and helping.

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”  Luke 10:33-34

After seeing the crisis firsthand, we raised money to purchase much-needed tarps for displaced families. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who responded so generously! Your gifts have made it possible for us to begin distributing 1,000 tarps.

As we distribute tarps to families displaced from their homes in South Sudan, we are putting this teaching from Luke into action. A tarp may seem like a simple piece of material, but to a family without shelter, it means everything, protection from the rain, a place of refuge, and the reassurance that someone sees them and cares.

We are not simply distributing tarps. We are demonstrating the love of Christ in a tangible way.

In Luke 10:37,  Jesus said “Go and do likewise.”

That is our calling as followers of Jesus: to see, to have compassion, and to act. We cannot solve every crisis, but we can respond to the needs the Lord places before us.

Would you consider joining us in this effort? Let’s live with open hands, love our neighbors, and put biblical truth into action.

Visit indeedandtruth.org to give today.

Men’s Conference Follow-up!

As we know from the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13, not all seeds that are sown produce true life. In fact, some of the seeds take root but then are unfruitful. We recently held a follow-up meeting to our “Kingdom Leaders” Men’s Conference. We’ve been praying for the seeds from that conference to take root and grow. It appears that some are growing as over 350 men returned for further teaching about a month after the conference.

Seven men, all of whom were former cattle raiders we wrote about in our previous newsletter, rose to give impassioned accounts of their continued commitment to Christ. They are all attending church and some even vowed to help start new churches in their home areas. After a short recap of the conference messages, Calvary Tonj senior pastor Mabior gave a spirited filled gospel presentation.

The Lord continues to pour out his Spirit in Tonj. Pray that the Lord uses these and other recent converts mightily. They come from a unique background and have a powerful testimony. Pray as they would be perfect candidates for the Lord in the cattle camps and to reach other cattle raiders.

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.