Back in October Isaac and I went to Kajo Keji in southern Sudan with e3 Partners. We went out with a team to a small village called Joru with a translator from sharing the Gospel. We then drew the believers to the new local church. During this time it was incredible how God used our testimony to reach others. Our struggling marriage over the last few years kept becoming more relevant over and over to so many people. Also, many Sudanese struggle with guilt/shame, believing good works buys salvation, fear of turning from patterned sinful ways and trusting Christ in all things, etc. All things we, too, wrestle with! Many came to know the Lord and at the end of the week three new believers were baptized.
Also during our trip we partnered alongside the Seed Effect team. While we were there they launched their first Loan Orientation Seminar and issued mico-loans to the first group of 19 clients. Of the 19 clients all were women and many of them had never been given the opportunity to attend school or even a seminar on these topics. They were truly grateful for the opportunity they received and were eager to implement what they learned!
Before going to Kajo Keji, we couldn't even imagine what living on less than $2 a day looked like. While we were there we soon saw the reality that essentials like food, education, and healthcare were often not being met. We saw that the women, in particular, do all they can to provide for their children even though many do not have any education due to war and/or finances. Giving a woman a small loan alongside business education and spiritual discipleship, can give her a chance to provide these essentials. Seeing the poverty first hand really opened our eyes. What's mind-blowing is more than half of the world lives like this. It's difficult to imagine that the conditions during the long civil war in Sudan between the North and South were worse. Isaac and I are so thankful for and passionate about Seed Effect. It truly is a valuable tool that is can overcome physical and spiritual poverty.
As you might have guessed, God not only used us to reach others, but He used the people and circumstance in Kajo Keji to change us! Both Isaac and I were amazed how God made the stories, instructions, and promises in His Word come to life. The Gospel that we've known for most of our life has begun meaning more than ever before. Luke 10 in particular had new meaning while we were there as it was our guidebook. Isaac and I both learned, saw and experienced so much through our trip, and through it all, God was so stinkin’ faithful! We both feel we were stretched; however, in return, we learned to let God do the directing!
On the way to the baptism
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