“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” – Hebrew 10:23
Warmest greetings from East Africa!!
We are currently in Kenya celebrating our Lord’s birth, getting some much needed rest, enjoying the rain and cooler weather and looking forward to attending a 5 day missionaries’ retreat with our fellow missionary doctor Tom taking place over the New Year. We brought Sabet’s mum (who is elderly and cares for 12 children under the age of 9) and also our orphaned niece and nephew with us just to give them a break, so we are a busy household of nine!
2013 is the 14th year our family has served in South Sudan and WOW what a year! As we look back over the last 12 months we can say without a doubt, “Our God is Faithful!”
This year is the worst security the people of Tonj, South Sudan have experienced in over 10 years. Cattle camps, which are the Dinka people’s main livelihood, have been destroyed, families have been torn apart, children and adults killed as gangs of cattle raiders have wreaked havoc, firing arms without hesitation or thought to life. Entire communities are living in fear, immobilized, they don’t know what to do, they have nowhere to go and have absolutely no hope.
Together with the pastors we have trained for the past three years, we are able to go into crisis areas around the Tonj County and minister to these families, pray and encourage them and quite simply just love on them. Tremendous damage has been done to the lives of these people after surviving horrendous conditions and years of civil war and now they are disheartened once again. Food, fuel and basic essentials are not accessible, the only road to the South for supplies is cut off by constant cattle raids and the only city north of us is experiencing political violence and is too risky to enter. By God’s grace we have been chosen to bring encouragement and spiritual support to those in need. Not just as the hands and feet of Jesus but the hope of Jesus.
Three years ago we medevac’d two children who were caught in the crossfire of the cattle raiders. This year we have seen more gunshot victims than ever and have had to be ‘selective’ on those we can medevac for further medical assistance. We may not always have the funds needed to help in these situations but we continually have Jesus. So we talk to the victims about what happened in the raids, they are always open to share their stories and then to hear about Jesus and the steps they can take to find peace with God. One man told us how good he felt that he had come to us and received the care we gave him spiritually as well as physically. His healing was a true miracle when our medical staff did not expect him to live through the night. After praying with each and every patient, the pastors try to follow up with them in their villages, making sure they understand what they prayed and asking them questions about their decision. As a result two churches have been birthed. Hearing these precious children of the Lord say “YES” to Jesus is the greatest gift anyone can ask for. It is a reward in itself and knowing that God connected us to be there for such a time as this, to unite us spiritually has been an enormous witness to the community. They recognize we are willing to jeopardize our own safety to be there for them and they tell us how much it means to them. Our only response to that is the Father sent us to them because He loves them.
As we look at the events occurring in the world around us, it is all so overwhelming but we know it will all fade away one day. For people to come to Christ, to have that hope in him, to have everlasting life with him, that will never be lost.
When life does not guarantee tomorrow, we need to be willing to bring the good news of great Joy to His people. This is the story and reason we are missionaries, to bring HOPE to a dying World.
We want to thank you for taking the time to read our newsletters and our blogs and to hear how we take the Gospel to the people of South Sudan through In Deed and Truth Ministries.
Our greatest prayer need for our family is to finalize Agum’s adoption so our family can take a much needed furlough, which is over 4 years since our last one. Our ministry needs us to raise awareness and fundraise for our work in South Sudan.
We do need partners, we need you to help, we need your support.
Thank you for your prayers and the gifts you sacrifice to keep our family in the mission field. May God bless you in 2013 and be an encouragement and source of hope to each and every one of your lives.
In His love,
Sabet, Suzy, Hannah, Agum and Jedidiah Kuj
Eastgate Christian Fellowship became a home church to our family while we spent some time in Florida in 2007 visiting Suzy’s family. We have been so blessed by their continued support of our work in South Sudan. Dr. Tom is from that church and this year they sent a team of eight to come alongside us in Tonj.
Jesus said he came to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. In light of this verse it was our joy to host from Kenya for the second year a team from Tenwek Mission Hospital’s eye clinic. This year was extra special for our family as Dr. Ben Roberts brought his wife and three children. He was joined by Dr, Dan Gradin from Washington State and 6 Kenyan team members. Together with the Lord’s help they were able to restore sight to more than 200 patients in less than a week. Three of our graduated pastors ministered to the patients and gave the Gospel meaning.