Update 11 from Sudan

Our final day in Sudan was spent with the Taposa Tribe. This people group is the largest in this district of Sudan, with over 905,000 members. Three years ago, it was the Taposa Tribe who told us that they now had nearly everything they needed; clothing, schools, water, and safety. The only thing they still lacked was a medical center. Pastor Rob Douglass of Saving Grace World Missions and Ends of the Earth Ministries, was able to gather enough support for the medical center to be built for the Taposa; but to date, the center has not been occupied.

We were then led to a small corral area where we were shown the skin of a goat that was still drying. The goat had been recently sacrificed in hopes that the blood and dung from the goatthat was smeared on a sick Taposa child would make that child well. As we walked through the dusty and dry village, we came to a hut where the 8 year old sick child was. He was sitting in the doorway of the hut. His body was swollen from an unknown disease. He sat very still as he stared at us with a vacant look in his eyes. As we knelt down to pray with him, he slightly pulled away from us; unsure of what we were trying to do. Because of the fact that the medical center has not been funded for operation, this child, like many if the other children of the Taposa tribes, will simply be left to die.

You can imagine how this scene broke our hearts as we could do nothing more than walk away and leave this child in the hands of God. Our hearts have been stirred in many ways while we have been here in Sudan. With the Taus in the middle of a relocation project that will bring them near the medical clinic, this clinic will not only provide for the Taus, but for the Taposa Tribe as well. The vision that God has given us and that we are praying for, is to get this medical facility up and running. How amazing would it be to see this facility staffed by nurses who would be able to administer medications that will save the lives of these children. At the same time; and more importantly, it would allow us to show them that they are loved, that they are not forgotten, and would open the door for the Gospel to be preached.

It is our hope and prayer that the eyes of the tribes in South Sudan will be turned from darkness to light.


We have now .arrived safely back in Uganda and have had a chance to talk to our Gulu team. (remember that some of the missionaries went home last week, we went to Sudan, and another group went to Gulu) Gulu is the area in Northern Uganda where children have been abducted by Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, (LRA). At night, thousands of children became night commuters in order to avoid abduction. While this is not currently happening, the effects of the terror still linger. The team met a teacher named Andrew that was abducted by the LRA when he was 14 years old. One night, Andrew chose not to commute with the other children, and stayed back with his family. He was held captive with 50 other children for over a month until he escaped by submerging himself under water and swimming upriver. By God's grace, Andrew is now born again and teaching at a Christian school where the LRA used to have their stronghold. He is now giving children in this war-torn area hope in Christ.

After a six hour bus ride on dirt roads, the team attended a Sunday service at Calvary Chapel Gulu. 150 people gathered in a school facility where some of the team members shared their testimonies. It was a wonderful time of fellowship with their brothers and sisters in Gulu.

Over the past week, the team has been hosting a VBS for over 500 children. These children had come from multiple churches within the Gulu District. Our team sang songs, did activities, and shared the Gospel with the children.

On a lighter note, one day the team was walking by a large bull. As the team passed by, the bull remained calm until Debbie, the team leader, walked by. The bull was startled and tried to chase her. Fortunately, he was tethered and was unable to get to Debbie. Needless to say, she was quite shaken, but the team and Debbie enjoyed a good laugh together afterwards.

Like most areas in Africa, Gulu is also experiencing a drought. The team had been fervently praying for rain and the Lord answered their prayers in a mighty way. One day, out of nowhere, the skies opened up and it began to pour. During the downpour, the team bus got stuck in the African mud. The entire team had to get out and push the bus. By the time they arrived at the school they were ministering in, they were caked with mud but rejoicing over the rain. And it hasn't stopped raining since! Our God is so faithful!

Tomorrow, the Gulu team will be heading back to the capital city of Uganda after a 6 hour drive for a time of debriefing, rest, and shopping. This will be our final update as we will all begin our journey home on Thursday and will arrive in LA on Friday.

It has been an honor and privilege sharing all that God is doing on the continent of Africa with you. On behalf of the Uganda/Sudan/Gulu mission teams, I would like to thank you for all of your support, love, and prayers.

Pastor Brent Kaser