Category Archives: Ministry

Ministry

Tension in Sudan!

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. Psalms 86:9

Please pray for future peace of Sudan.

Today a ruling by the Hague court over an oil rich area called Abyei and it’s disputed border will be determined and could potentially put Sudan back into a civil war.  The North and South claim ownership of the Abyei region and it’s oil but both have pledged to abide by the court ruling today. 

We are under curfew during the day and at night, therefore our medical clinic and school for the pastors are closed until civilians are given the freedom to move around again.  We are not in any immediate danger, if the situation escalates we will evacuate.  Abyei is approximately 160 miles from Tonj.

The ruling was just announced that the boundaries need to be redrawn for the Abyei region.  It’s not clear at this moment how this decision will effect the peace agreement, please pray.

Pastor Training

Our School is Open!

Since 2005 we have been praying for over 100 pastors ministering within 100 miles of Tonj.  Our desire to have them and equipped in God’s Word finally became a reality today as we officially opened our Discipleship Training Center for Pastors.  We have 33 pastors currently attending the school.  Please keep us in your prayers.

Pastor Training, Teams

Update from Greg & Bev Wootton

Bev:   My eyes burned with tears from the moment we stepped off the plane, and were received with singing and warm smiles by the Sudanese pastors and church leaders that had patiently awaited our arrival and had gathered to greet us on the dusty runway.

 

This past week has confirmed our calling to “Go into all the world and make disciples, teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”  The ninety students, both men and women, have such a hunger and thirst to know the Word of God.   Together, four of us have taught a hundred hours of classes in Bible Study Methods, O.T. Survey, N.T. Survey, and Bible Doctrines in 1000 F, without fans or airconditioning.  We now have a clearer vision for the opening of a permanent Bible Training Center in Tonj for “In Deed and Truth Ministries.”

 

We have had the experience of our lives and cherish the relationships we have built these past two weeks. The hospitality shown us by Sabet & Suzy has been tremendous.  Now that its time to leave and go back to Kenya, tears are again welling up in my eyes.

Donato

A Miracle

Thank you for praying for Donato.  It’s been a challenge to get on the email so I apologize for not updating you sooner, I just wanted to wait and send a full praise report.  It’s been a challenging couple of weeks as we’ve been teaching Donato how to live outside of the ‘bush of Africa”.

Dr. Bransford arranged a cat scan and it confirmed 2 severe fractures to the skull.  Watching this confused, scared boy struggle to lie flat for the scan and having to leave the room as he was wondering what this huge machine was going to do to him, really broke my heart.  Dr. Bransford explained that time was the key factor in Donato’s recovery.  The stiffness in his neck would probably correct itself with rest and warm towels.  The swelling should go down also with time.  Observing him over the next 2 weeks was critical in case meningitis set in or other complications.  Donato at this point was lethargic and weak, vomiting a lot and wanting to lie down only.  So we took him back to where we were staying (12 in a house) to care for him over Christmas. 

Christmas Eve, our family shared the Christmas story and we got the chance to talk to Donato about the gift Jesus was to the world. This sweet boy, who has hardly rsponded to anything, sat up and asked Jesus into his heart.  It was the best Chrsitmas Eve ever.  And since then a miracle happened.  He transformed before our eyes, being alert and engaged.  He smiled while opening gifts of new clothes and shoes on Christmas morning, he came to church with us, socialized over a huge dinner and even played silly games.  Saturday we all went to the elephant orphanage and he petted baby elephants and then we visited the giraffe center and fed them (see pic of Donato with a giraffe).  These are amazing experiences for him.  He started to help me get the kids in and out of the car, watching how I did the car seat and belts and copying me.  It’s all just an answer to prayer. 

Yesterday we took him back to Dr. Bransford for his 2 week follow-up and the Dr. was amazed at his improvement.  He said how Donato responds to him tells him so much more than looking at a scan.  And he could hardly believe it was the same boy as his recovery has been so fast.  We took out the stitches and the only thing remaining before taking him home to Sudan, is an eye check.  We have to go to a different hospital for that as there is only one reliable eye specialist in the country.  One eye is pulling to the side so we will take him on Friday and he will go back to Sudan on Tuesday with our doctor.  Pray for these last few details for him.  Sabet left today for the Calvary Chapel Mission Conference in California and so I am now looking after Donato alone.  We really appreciate all your prayers and financial  help in caring for him.

We really take our lives for granted and as I pondered this list of ‘firsts’ that Donato has overcome in 3 weeks, I realize just how blessed my life really is!

 

Donato’s Firsts

  1. Flying in an airplane
  2. Riding in a car
  3. Tarmac Roads
  4. Petrol station
  5. Living in a House
  6. Turning on a light switch
  7. Turning on a tap for water
  8. Watching TV
  9. Sleeping in a bed
  10. Taking a shower and it was hot
  11. Using a toilet and toilet paper
  12. Brushing his teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste
  13. Eating food 3 times a day
  14. Buying food in a shop
  15. Using a washing machine to wash his clothes
  16. Hospital/Doctors
  17. New Clothes and Shoes
  18. Unwrapping a gift
  19. Elephants and giraffes
  20. Fellowship with Christians
  21. God’s amazing love and grace.
  22. GETTING SAVED!!!

    Donato

    God Answers Our Prayers

    We have the most amazing prayer chain, thank you for your prayers for Donato.  Here’s how the Lord has been answering them so far….Tuesday we got in the car to drive to the airstip still not knowing if Donato had a seat on the second flight.  As we started driving I got a text message that he was confirmed!!  50 of us held hands and circled him at the airstrip and prayed for continued favor with Kenyan immigration.  It brought tears to my eyes to look at him in this circle of protection, when a week before he was lying in a ditch and left for dead without a single person to help him..  Immigration in Lokichoggio were very kind and understanding, giving us a 3 month entry pass.  Donato traveled well but seemed disoriented at times.  He had no luggage and wore only ripped clothing and flip-flops to travel out of Sudan.  When we got to Nairobi it was cold compared to Sudan and I felt so bad for him but I also was not wearing a sweater so I covered him with my kanga.  Yesterday I talked to Dr. Bransford, an American missionary doctor at Bethany Kids in Kijabe, and he authorized our cat scan at MP Shah Hospital for today.  This alone has saved us money at it will cost only $70 as a Bethany Kids patient.  Dr. Bransford is an amazing doctor who helped us 8 years ago when we brought out a young man that had been attacked by a hyena.  Donato is very quiet and I’m sure the big city is overwhelming.  Yesterday we gave him some new clothes and it’s the first time we’ve seen him smile since the attack.  Please continue to pray for all the examinations, that any underlying problems would be revealed.  We’ll keep you posted.