The ‘holding’ pattern continues stateside as we await news on Agum’s citizenship. Any day we should receive instructions on the next step to take. Sabet returned from East Africa after 4 weeks away and our family, now reunited, are trusting His perfect timing and learning much through the process. It is never about us and our plans, it is about dying to our right, will and desires to allow Him to use this for His glory. Can we really put Christ in us ‘on hold’? We feel desperate to go back and yet our desperation needs to be for Jesus and Him alone. We have come to that place of living moment by moment and praying “May your will be done not ours, give us today whatever it is we need and use us Lord, no matter where we are, for your purpose.”

Security

The situation in South Sudan continues to deteriorate. With no peace in sight the nation is sinking fast. July 9th marks the country’s 4th anniversary but also marks 18 months of fighting. So far more than 2 million people are displaced and over 4 million face food insecurity, which no doubt will not evoke a spirit of celebrating their freedom this year. Sabet receives daily reports of rebel activity and shootings, most of which don’t affect our area directly but have caused trucks not to pass with fuel, food and supplies.

A Home for our Missionaries

Despite all of these challenges we are happy to announce the safe arrival of container # 2 with the Macleods prefab home. This home is going to make their service long term more comfortable and safer for their children. Bryan (Destinee’s dad) and Richard will work putting together the home before they head back to New Zealand in August.

Despair vs. Hope

It is never easy to see little ones suffering and parents desperate to save them. Our greatest joy comes when we see Jesus in the midst of these hopeless situations. Our newest team member, Josephat, is a clinical officer from Kenya. He shared this story with us about 11-day old baby Atem. When the parents arrived at our clinic with the child you could see fear and desperation in their faces. Atem was severely sick with meningitis and by all means should not survive. He was not feeding and was weak. We told the parents we have hope in Jesus Christ and we would not give up praying every day for the child.to be healed. Our pastors also visited the parents and talked to them about Jesus. On the fourth day Atem started nursing and very soon he regained strength. After 16 days in our clinic he was completely healed and discharged. The next day the parents came back to our compound looking for Pastor Santino. They wanted to know more about this Jesus who healed their son!

“That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; I form the light & create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.” – Isaiah 45:6-7

Praises: We thank Jesus for Agum and Jed and their decision to be baptized.

Sabet and Pastor Rob (Eastgate) baptizing Agum and Jed in the Gulf of Mexico

Praises: For the healing of the Macleod children after weeks of diarrhea.

Praises: For Sabet’s trip and safety while traveling.

Praises: For the safe arrival of the Macleod container.

Prayer: For the insecurity of South Sudan and its future peace.

Prayer: For Agum’s citizenship case.

Prayer: Protection, health and safety of our team as they rotate in and out of Kenya for rest.