As a result of South Sudan African Mission, Aweil Bible College was founded and in 2007 with eighteen in the first graduating class. To date there has been over 75 graduates. The Malek Christian Hospital, funded by SSAM, opened their doors in October 2009.

Thanks for the Memories!
STEVE HOLSINGER

Thanks for the memories! I have been a part of the mission since 2009 and I have made numerous trips to Africa. What an adventure! I told the SSAM board of directors three or four years ago that I would serve as Executive Director until age 70; 70 came and went! In December I chaired my last board meeting and announced my resignation effective January 1.

Deanna and I continue to pray for the mission, and I intend to continue as a supporter, encourager, mentor, and teacher as opportunities arise and our health remains good. May God bless South Sudan African Mission and each of us as we continue to support Bev and the SSAM board and our indigenous leaders on the fi eld in South Sudan.

<<< Steve Holsinger speaking at
the 2019 Aweil Bible College
graduation ceremony

2020 In Review

Like many of us, our lives were dramatically altered because of COVID-19 in 2020. Bev was able to speak at Hope Summit Christian Church in Rochester in March and at Northland Christian Church in Kansas City in September. In spite, of not being able to visit churches, attend Winema Week of Missions or ICOM, we have had a very good year financially and from all reports the church in South Sudan has continued to grow.

In April, an appeal was made for face masks since they were nearly impossible to obtain in South Sudan. Bev put on her Facebook page the need for masks, and over 500 masks were able to be shipped to South Sudan. The masks were distributed to the citizens of South Sudan including government offi cials and according to Dr. John, made a positive impact on the country.

Students in front of Aweil Bible College
in Malek, South Sudan

We look forward to being able to travel again to churches and attend conferences in 2021.

Dear sister Bev and the team in the USA,

I hope this email fi nds you well.

Everyone at Malek Mission Compound is busy teaching and orientation of new students. We have been developing semester lectures as we started teaching since Monday. Students will need uniform and sustainability of their feeding programs in the months to come. We urge all of you that we are counting on your faithful support. Each and every student is extending their heartfelt greetings to the supporters in the USA.

Concerning the number of baptisms, we have been recording our baptism since January 2020. After launching a mobile medical clinic till we were interrupted in April, 94 new converts and believers were baptized in the period of three months. We had 33 baptisms at Wathmuok Church of Christ around June/July 2020 and 13 baptisms around September/October 2020. 25 new believers were baptized in Uyoon Church of Christ in November 2020. in May 2020, we had 30 baptisms at Chelkou Church of Christ and 50 baptisms at the same church in January 2021. Meanwhile we had 8 baptisms at Dokul Church of Christ in September/October and 6 in November. This brings us to a total of 259 baptisms since January 2020 until date.

We are praising the Lord for the glory and grace.

CHANGE IN SSAM LEADERSHIP

With the departure of Steve Holsinger from the South Sudan African Mission Board of Directors, the board has appointed Bev Douglass Meyer as Executive Director.

The daughter of Paul and the late Marilyn Douglass, Bev has worked with SSAM since October 2009. She has represented SSAM at churches across the United States and at various conferences. In addition, Bev has done the general offi ce work such as sending receipts, the newsletters, and correspondence with the team in South Sudan. Bev will continue doing these duties just as she has done in the past. Bev and her husband Dale, live in Rochester, MN.

New Medical Troup Carrier Needed
February 5, 2021

A recent statistic says there is only 124 miles of paved roads in South Sudan which is approximately the size of the state of Texas. The Toyota Troup Carrier has been a vital part of the South Sudan African Mission the past seven years and has been a great blessing to the ministry. Roads in Aweil State of full of ruts and potholes and oftentimes vehicles are required to go off the road just to fi nd a “smoother” place to drive.

To quote Dr. John, “We are happy that we were blessed with the Troup Carrier seven years ago of which without such gift the work would have been rather diffi cult. The back door is almost falling off. A replacement vehicle is very important for the ministry to keep the mobile team rolling across to the villages with medical and evangelist teams.

Repairing the Mobile Medical Vehicle

Our truck had a mechanical breakdown this morning when we were heading to Malek and we had to return to Aweil for repair. It is still with the mechanic now and we don’t really know what the cost will be.”

An estimate for a new vehicle quote is $57,000 which includes taxes. The vehicle can be purchased in country in Juba. Will you prayerfully consider helping SSAM purchase a new vehicle? Please mark your checks “vehicle” and we will use every dollar given to purchase a much needed new medical Troup Carrier?

Aweil Bible College

We received 18 students on Sunday evening, January 24 for the Aweil Bible College. Joseph, Paulino, Daniel, Luka, Ezra, and Anthony are fulltime teachers. Anthony is currently acting as Education program Manager at SSAM offi ce. Anthony has a degree in education after his advanced diploma in Bible and Mission from Nairobi Great Commission School.

We struggled to put everything together, but we managed to make sure that the beddings, cooking utensils, stationery and teaching materials were prepared. There are four young ladies among the students, and one young man coming from Lake State (this place is known for communal wars among the tribes. This young man came purposely to bring Jesus Christ to solve the long-term and epidemic feuds/wars at his villages after completing Diploma Program in Bible and Mission.

Our local board members will be meeting on ebruary 6, 2021 to revisit our priorities as we enter the new calendar year of 2021 with new policy.

Prayers are also needed so that tutors (professors) get encouragement and good health to serve the Lord through the transfer of knowledge to their brothers and sisters. In short, the team of students coming in are people with dreams to train leaders. Credit goes to the SSAM team in the USA. Without them this dream is nearly impossible. The entire community of Malek and Aweil are happy for the initiative happening at Malek.

May the good Lord reward all our supporters abundantly.

Get to Know SSAM Board Member Wayne Rowe

I was born and raised in La Grande, Oregon. I enjoyed all kinds of sports and hiking in the mountains. I began attending Sunday school at an early age, riding the Sunday School Bus, as my parents did not attend. I became active in youth groups and enjoyed growing and learning.

I graduated from Puget Sound Christian College where I majored in Bible with a minor in Missions. During my years at Puget Sound, I traveled to Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary doing a missionary internship for my studies.

I have been ministering with Marcola Christian Church for the past 13 years. My wife Leona and I enjoy the challenges and rewards of ministry. We spend our time enjoying and loving our four biological boys, and an orphaned brother and sister, whom we helped raise.

I have been working with the South Sudan African Mission as a board member for the past four years.

Bev Douglass Meyer with Wayne Rowe

New PO Box for Correspondence and Donations

In an effort to be more efficient a new mailing address has been established. Please send all correspondence to:

South Sudan African Mission,
PO Box 8396,
Rochester MN 55903

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