Celebrating 30 Years of Service
to the People of South Sudan

There are over 100 Native Sudanese, ordained Evangelists with college degrees preaching in their hometowns.

They take turns today coming to Malek to teach 40 to 60 new Students in their own language at ABC. There are now a total of 160 Evangelists, including students, serving Christ in growing churches in Sudan. Prayers requested!

“TOO MUCH MONTH…”
--Steve Holsinger

Does it ever seem to you that there is “too much month at the end of the money”? Sometimes this is caused by overspending on our part, or a “once in a blue moon” expenditure that we have been anticipating. Other times it is caused by things beyond our control… a medical emergency, a home repair or other crisis.

Our evangelists and pastors in South Sudan have never received a “cost of living allowance”. This is because we do not want them to become overly dependent on outside money. The reality of living in a war zone is that everything is beyond their control. We sent extra money last month and two times earlier in the year to get the men and their families through the rainy season and into harvest time.

There was a peace treaty signed between the warring tribal factions and hopefully this will open things up and ease the rampant inflation. If you are able to help, extra funds would be most helpful and appreciated at this time. We are so grateful for all our mission partners and your generous faithful giving. May God richly bless you.

PEACE AGREEMENT SIGNED

JUBA, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Wednesday said the peace agreement signed with rebels marks the end of over four years of conflict as it brings members of the various warring factions into one national army during the start of the transitional period.

"My take is that the best agreement is the one on the security arrangement not only because it was straight forward but it provided that the transitional period will start with a neutral force," Kiir told leaders from the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Juba .

He said the army will recruit from the 64 ethnic groups in South Sudan that will give the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) the desired national outlook and character.

President Kiir signed the peace agreement on Aug. 5 in Khartoum with Riek Machar, leader of the main rebel group SPLM/A-IO and other opposition groups which was mediated by the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir under the auspices of the East African bloc IGAD.

According to the peace deal, civilians will be disarmed throughout South Sudan which the president said are crucial for security to improve, since the civil population is awash with illegal guns that aid the rampant cattle raiding and revenge killings through community clashes that have greatly contributed to loss of lives and property.

"As I said in Khartoum this peace is the most important for me and I reiterate that it marks the end of war in South Sudan forever, but that can never happen if our people continue forming militia groups which are based on ethnicity and regions," said Kiir.

More on the Peace agreement by Dr. John
(received August 17, 2018)

This time around there were no external pressures seen forcing President General Salva Kiir, and Dr. Riak Machar the opposition leader to go and sign the peace deals and the process. They have decided on their own and request the neighboring leaders (president of Uganda, Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia) to witness their peace deal. This particular peace deal is taken with much hope that with this reconciliation process and healing through forgiveness, South Sudan will bring peace home. The prayers are that the peace must return to South Sudan so that the internally displaced people can return and rebuild their home. The wars have caused enough catastrophic conditions ranging from ethnic violence, starvation, disease outbreaks, displacement, poor living conditions lack of schools, hospitals, clean drinking water, food, and above all Jesus. We need peace so that our evangelists can move freely from town to town giving out the living Word so that the children of God may hear and believe so that we can become God fearing and the strongest nation possible.

Though there is public mistrust and doubt the two leaders have vowed they will not allow anyone to oppose this peace deal that is centered on compromised agreements. We are praying that this process come to fruitions.

The people of South Sudan are praying for a permanent peace process. With the will our Almighty God – this is achievable.

DOKUL CHURCH OF CHRIST
--Dr. John

Dear Steve, Bev and SSAM Board in USA,
Today (July 15th), we were at Dokul Church of Christ, a place you may recall that we received funds from Cornerstone Church in Rome, GA so the congregation could repair their church building. The Christian have put invaluable efforts this last month.

The congregation turned up in numbers to commemorate the Thanksgiving Sunday that was meant to give thanks back to God, the SSAM leadership and the American people for the support to the local church. However, the funds weren't enough to cover everything like sitting benches inside the building the congregation came with their chairs from home to use during sermons.

Many people (children and adults) attended today's sermons and it was blessing to have the good news passed to them with encouragement so that they may work for the development of the church and bring many people to Christ.

The local radio station sent a representative. Most of our evangelists and pastors were interviewed and asked to send a message of peace to the local population around Aweil.

(There were 36 baptisms but space does not allow us to include the names of the recent baptisms.)

Local Government representatives and other church leaders were with us today and we were able to share the gospel with them. We have no words to describe how thankful we are to SSAM and to Jody and the congregation in Rome, GA in particular.

Attached are a few of the photos captured today at Dokul Church of Christ.

May Almighty God bless you all.

In Christ, John.

36 Baptisms at the Dokul Church of Christ

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