Here as I am somewhere over Iceland flying back to the USA, the last week certainly has illustrated Gods hand in all that goes on. Things got very busy, and hence this is a lengthy blog to fill in the gaps
Sunday evening we were able to do our last scheduled outreach to a village some 15 very bumpy miles away (the drive took nearly 45 minutes). This village was made up of men and women and their families who were training to be prison guards (or wardens as they are known as here). These were a village that were very disciplined in their training, but were concerned that because it was guards who put Jesus to death, that theirs was not an honorable job. That is was people in their job that killed Jesus. This was shared to me on the way to the village, and Sabet asked me to share a message addressing this concern before showing the Jesus film. So out the window for the message I had sort of prepared based on Gideon and his faith in the power of God, and instead, God gave me a message loosely based on the vineyard owner coupled with a description of Jesus being our propitiation because of the Fathers love.
This turned out to be one of my favorite outreaches we did in our very short time in Tonj. They loved the worship from Josephine (with Emily on Cajon), and then loved even more as she launched into “Praise the name of Jesus” sung in Dinka. Time for the silly songs bought out all the children who marched out singing a welcoming song in perfect formation. Then everyone got into the songs, and then followed by the Jesus film.
Sabet bought a young couple to Josephine and Kristina with the young wife who was having “disturbances” and could not sleep, wanting healing. Josephine recognized that she did not know Jesus, and as she accepted Jesus into her heart, the demonic oppression that was tormenting her had to leave. God had our team there at just the right time with a mind to trust in Him. After she became peaceful, her husband also accepted the Lord. Hallelujah
However, with the potential for my short message coupled with the Jesus film portrayal of the crucifixion to still leave some confusion in the minds of these wonderful people, I offered to come back on Tuesday night, the night before we were to leave, and discuss with them what the Bible has to say about soldiers and guards. They readily accepted.
Unfortunately the Devil always keeps pressing, and on the way home Stacy succumbed to the “bug” that has been sweeping the compound
Monday bought Dennis (the other medical officer) back after a break, and also bought Gordon (the logistician from Nairobi) to Tonj along with about 800kg (1700lbs) of supplies, some of them electrical for Dave and myself to continue with the Solar. Mondays as always were very busy in the Clinic.
Tuesday bought the news that Dave also got slammed by the “bug”. The clinic was “closed” for staff training, and Kristina accepted the responsibility for any “emergency” walk ins. Needless to say, she was kept really busy. I managed to get the Solar System to a somewhat improved state, and ready for a more efficient use of resources. The team all tried to contribute as much as we could before our imminent departure.
That evening Sabet, Josephine and I returned to the Prison Wardens’ village. We had been told to expect roughly 45, but over 60 turned up. We gave out Bibles, and had to disappoint as we did not have enough on hand. The study went really well, covering the centurions in the gospels, the garden of Gethsemane, the Phillipian Jailer, and closing with Romans 13 1-5. God moved mightily in the hearts of these wonderful people who want to serve Jesus in all they do, and not compromise because of their work choice. We could all learn many lessons from this, and strive to serve Jesus in our Whole life, not just the parts that are convenient to us. After we were treated to another stirring performance by the village children, who showed us clearly by their actions they knew who to believe in. And to top it off, the young husband from Sunday night came to tell us after the teaching that his wife was sleeping soundly, and had no more “disturbances” Praise Jesus
Time to fly out Wednesday morning and Natasha succumbed to the “bug”. Not a pleasant thought to ride in a small plane with your body trying to rid itself of “stuff”. But on the plane she hopped. However by the time we arrived back in Nairobi, Josephine had developed a massive migraine, Natasha was no better, and neither would be unable to continue on the flight back to San Diego.
And as always, God opened the door, provided a way to delay our flight by providing Dr Bransford, an American surgeon who’s spent the last 32 years serving the people of Kenya, to give the airlines the confirmation of sickness they required to change our flight without the huge penalties that normally would result.
Leaving the people of Tonj, and the Kuj family, and all the compound and medical centre is a bittersweet thing. We know Gods work will continue, after all, he doesn’t really need us, but He chooses to, and to no longer be hands on is a sad thing, but then the knowledge, that Jesus taught us that First when we Pray… We have been blessed beyond measure to be just for a moment in time able to come alongside “In Deed and Truth”. And we look forward to the time we meet again, either here on this earth or in Heaven forever.
To God be the Glory, great things He has done.