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.