100 days of prayer for Sudan ~ continued

October 22

Join Jim Vanderhoof from Sudan - with a challenge to utilize the gifts God has given you to build the Kingdom of God.

"And if something has to be done that seems quite impossible, the same certainty holds good. Over and over again I have seen the Lord do “impossible” things. I think He delights in the impossible, and He delights to meet the faith of one who looks up to Him and says, “Lord, Thou know I cannot, but I believe You can.” Amy Carmichael

October 23

As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Joshua 1:5)

October 24

Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others? Martin Luther King, Jr.

October 25

"He himself is our peace, who has. . . . destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility" (Ephesians 2:14). That barrier is between God and all humankind.

October 26

"Bad things happen in the dark."

Check out BBC news interview with George Clooney

October 27

". . . The darkness is passing away, and the true light is shining." I John 2:8

October 28

This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

October 29

Join Carol Spears from Lui Hospital in praying for resources needed to provide compassionate health care for the hurting people of Sudan.

October 30

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:19

October 31

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty t the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18-19

November 1

"The snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him even to His ears." Psalm 18:5-6

November 2

"The most important question in the world is, Why is the child crying?" Alice Walker

November 3

"Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Isaiah 6:8

November 4

"Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ." Ephesians 4:30

Board trip hardly boring

My recent trip to Sudan with the Mango Ministry WGM-Sudan Board was hardly boring. God broke our hearts, surprised us with new sights, tastes and sounds, and blessed us with the opportunity to serve our Sudanese brothers and sisters. Opportunities for ministry abound. Although this is a really long entry ~ join me in reminiscing about our trip.

Our team included our pilot from Mission Aviation Fellowship, David Mutai and new Sudanese friend, Carol Spears, Joy Phillips, Jim Vanderhoof, Christine Stanfield, Jeff Stanfield, Karen Duncan, Terry Duncan, and Simon Kariuki.

We were humbled by the tenacity of the Headmaster of the Akot Primary School as he gave us a tour of facilities that have endured many decades of use. Children have to bring their own chairs to class.
Board member, David Mutai, enjoys a lively discussion with several students after class is out.

We were honored to visit with church members who were headed to their church for a weekend of prayer for peace in Sudan. We had the priviledge to pray with them.

After touring the market a magnificent sunset took our breath away ~ God's blessing on the end of a very thought provoking day.

The next day we were off to Lui, where I used to live and work. It was exciting to be back and catch up with friends and acquaintances who seemed to be everywhere!

Dr. Carol Spears, a surgeon at Tenwek Hospital, was able to perform two life saving surgeries saving the life of this little baby whose mother had been in labor for 3 days. By the way, the baby is named Carol too!

Jim Vanderhoof (on left) led our team and the Lui church leaders in a rousing chorus complete with actions after a meal shared together one evening. We sang in Arabic, Moru, English, and Swahili.

Jeff Stanfield took time off from his picture taking duties to help his wife Christine shop in the well-stocked market. Well stocked compared to when I lived there ~ it wouldn't compare to the choices available in the US! We all especially liked the homemade g-nut paste (aka peanut butter).

Karen Duncan took a rather upside-down interest in traditionally made Moru baskets. They are beautiful and exquisitely made.

To maintain my friendship wtih Karen let me show her loving on a set of twins with Pastor Simon! Reality is sometimes hard to swallow though. While we were visiting another set twins was born and only one went home due to the death of it's sibling. Suffering abounds.
Terry Duncan, WGM's Africa Regional Director, was able to share a challenging and encouraging word in hospital devotions one morning.

All in all it was a great trip. We sense open doors for continued partnerships in these needy communities. We believe WGM has much to offer. You have much to offer. Start by praying with us in the 100 day count-down to the referendum on January 9th. Check back for fresh prayer reminders during these 100 days.

I will be visiting Sudan again in the near future to work out details of ways WGM can come alongside these partners. Pray for those meetings. Pray for Christ-led relationships that will bear fruit for the Kingdom.

And pray that that you and I will see clearly what God has prepared us to do in the building of His Kingdom in Sudan, across the street, and around the world. Specific opportunities with Mango Ministries coming soon. Is God tugging on your heart?

Shalom,

Joy

100 Day Prayer Count Down for Sudan ~ week 2

Here is the short video introduction that I was not able to post last week as I scurried around in preparations for a trip to Sudan. And below are thoughts and scripture for this next week to help you focus your prayers on peace for Sudan as we approach the referendum vote in early January 2011.

October 8 - But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

October 9 - Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than about peace, more about killing than we know about living. Omar Bradley

October 10 - One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means. Martin Luther King, Jr.

October 11 - For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

October 12 - When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. Jimi Hendrix

October 13 - "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

October 14 - A person who never recognizes his mistakes will never know peace. African proverb

Join Christine Stanfield in this video clip to see how the Sudanese are praying for peace. Together our prayers will make a difference.

A Sudan trip update will follow soon.

Many thanks for traveling with me to Sudan with your prayers.

joy