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.

Civilization Is Coming To The Bush

Wayne preaching in a village with Joseph translating

When I visited several “bush villages” last January, Dr. John said to me on more than one occasion, “Wayne, civilization is coming to the bush.” I pondered the meaning of his statement each time he
spoke it.

The application of his observation became clear to me when I met a man who made ad hunted with his spear to provide food for himself and his family. In that same “bush village” (with no road to get there), the first cell phones were in use. Then I began to see the great challenge facing SSAM and the country of South Sudan. Rapid change! This rapid change would possibly skip the slower development of the “Little House On The Prairie” books. Or the pioneers in the Oregon Trail days. Or possibly even skip the developing days of the 1900-1940’s.

As I have reflected on Dr. John’s statement, I believe SSAM is in good position to meet and to even thrive during the challenges that lay ahead for four reasons:

1. SSAM is committed to always preach, teach, and live God’s Word as evangelists, ministers, teachers, and disciples of Jesus. Sharing Jesus through the written word of God is our #1 priority. The fruit of this is seen by the fact that church number 34 and 35 have been planted in the three months since my return. Please pray for our evangelists, ministers, and our Bible College in South Sudan.
2. Prayer is our first response to any crisis and situation in South Sudan. God blesses people who pray and pray a lot! In South Sudan and here in the USA, God has blessed SSAM and helped us to rise to meet all the challenges in the past and we trust Him to do the same as we seek Him in prayer!
3. God has blessed SSAM with visionary leadership in South Sudan. Dr. John, Paulino, and Joseph are strong, time tested and visionary leaders. Their vision for a church in all eleven states of South Sudan is remarkable. Dr. John envisions a strong central office, church, and 2nd Bible College campus in Juba. We currently have the property. Money is our only hold up. This vision alone will help train more leaders to take the good news to diff erent locations and strengthen existing churches with young leaders to smooth the transition of the civilization coming to the bush. The Team in South Sudan has other leadership goals as well but let’s accomplish one at a time. More than $120,000 extra is needed to build a fence and begin small buildings on the large Juba property. Would you please pray for God’s provision?
4. Finally, as I reflect forward on rising to meet the new changes in South Sudan, God has placed the right leaders for the right time. Not only in the country, but by giving us our “Esther” here in the USA. Our Executive Director, Bev Meyer is the daughter of the mission’s founder. I believe God has put her in place for “such a time as this.” Please pray for Bev as she visits churches, individuals and seeks to bring the Word of God to South Sudan.

Thank you for Partnering with SSAM! I pray that you might recommit yourself even stronger to support the great evangelism that is taking place through SSAM. Please also pray for new partners to join the harvest.

Your fellow servant of Jesus,
Wayne Rowe, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, SSAM, USA

Update on the Ministry, New Churches & Baptisms

We recently went to the new church called Dong- Abel Church of Christ in Aweil Central County. This
county is a home to the Luo Tribe, one of the major Nilotic Tribes. The congregation came out in a great
multitude. Twenty-seven people were baptized into Christ. There were some of the members who would
have been baptized but the distance was far from the water pond where baptism was taking place. I had to drive two groups of 13 and 14 members to be baptized by Paulino. The other members of the church will be baptized soon.

Two more churches at Paulino’s area and another behind Malek Churches’ openings will be offi ciated in the subsequent months.

May the name of the Lord be praised! And it is in our prayers that the congregation and members of Dong- Abel community will get safe drinking water (Water Well and installation of fi lters). The water where we were baptizing the members was also used by the community as a source for drinking and cooking water as well as for the domestic animals.

We conducted mobile medical services along with today’s visit and 175 people were treated for various ailments.

Panthony Church of Christ makes our 35th Churches of Christ in Aweil. We request prayers for the church’s growth.

We shared prayers/sermons with congregation today at Panthony Church of Christ. The new church is
made up of about 500 members. The church is led by one of the elders of Malek Church of Christ and ABC
graduate evangelists. The church has exceptional leadership through the church elders who mobilized
the local community to build their worshiping shelter. They are currently requesting fi nancial support from
SSAM team to help them complete shelter before intensive rainfalls. The area lacks appropriate trees
for shade. Only palm trees are available in the area and children are at risk of palm trees fruit falling on
them. The money will be used to buy mahogany poles that will hold the roof above the walls and silk or nails
and expertise to roof and thatch the church shelters. This will motivate their faith. Our own faith is therefore challenged to look for support in their behalf, and I pray that this report finds you with a congregation that may have hearts who can support this great team.

Yours faithfully in Christ, John.

UPDATE ON DR. JOHN'S VISA

I was directed today (Friday, April 15th) to start the online visa application, which went well. I am now waiting for possible interviews on dates being communicated soon by the USA consulate in Juba. I am quite sure about its success, but I don’t want to exaggerate.

Dr. Ting still works at the World Bank and continues to travel
to the USA to see his family members and he thought that
I will not have trouble going to USA as long as my mission
to the USA is sponsored by the USA team of the same
organization in the country. I am waiting to report the real
information after being called for an interview.

Tuesday, April 26th “My application number was recorded
in the USA. I am promised to have an interview within two
weeks for either 3 months visa or 12 months visa. The cost
will be determined based on the period given to me by the
consulate of the USA.

Water Wells Drilled In Uyoon & Dong-Abel

The two communities of Uyoon and Dong-Abel Church of Christ are so overwhelmed with the support by SSAM and friends of SSAM. The well drilling at Dong-abel attracted the attention of the county commissioner Hon. Natalie and the minister of Agriculture who were equally concerned with the issue of safe drinking water in that area. They both showed joyfulness for the gift by SSAM and friends of SSAM in the USA. This well had to go 94 meters deep (308 feet). The joy and excitement seen on the residents and our church leader’s faces was beyond description. We will be sharing gospel in this village we will be sharing pictures of community members using the well periodically.

All we can say for now is thank you as we praise the living God for faith, mercy and kindness through our brothers and sisters in the USA, and in particular, the SSAM team and IDES team for such a positive action by faith. God bless you all abundantly.

Water Well!

Anthony, ABC Principal

We were saddened to learn recently of the untimely passing of Anthony, principle of Aweil Bible College. From Dr. John, “Our team and the church stood with the family during burial, funeral. The support that was sent in an amount of $1200 was also delivered to the family in the form of food and cash to sustain the family for some time as Anthony has left a gap of responsibility at family level and the mission. In the midst of their grieving, Anthony’s family and relatives are so happy to God that they have friends like you. They are sending back their gratitude for having stood with them during this difficult time. God takes and God gives. May the
good Lord rest Anthony in an eternal peace”.

Food delivered to Anthony's family by Joseph, Kuot and Paulino

Click on "Mission News" to see more