Exciting events at Doro...
Two recent posts from Doro...
Rob with Mike Ruyle and Rod Greene, preparing for a bike trip to the village of Gasmalla.
Entry One...
It is Sunday evening here. I hope this reaches you with news of the conference, which has just ended.
The prayers of thousands from all corners of the world were answered, in a wonderful way.
This was the first gathering of Mabaan church leaders in Mabaan County, for more than 21 years! Gray haired old men were with us. Young church leaders. Youth in the choir. Mabaan leaders from Khartoum. Mabaan leaders from southern Mabaan. Mabaans from northern Mabaan. Each of the past four days there were some 150 church leaders together. Counting choir members and young people there were between 200-250 people every day!
There were many obstacles. We heard of another conference taking place 200 miles away in Renk, which seemed poised to saboutage this gathering. Preparations here in Mabaan seemed minimal, just a week before the conference was to begin. Church contributions to the conference were discouraging. But we arrived at Doro, and we prepared and prayed. And the Lord worked.
Pastors from Khartoum gathered in Renk, but transportation difficulties prevented more than a handful from traveling from Southern Sudan. When they heard that a wonderful conference was in progress in Mabaan County, they came and joined us! What a blessing.
Unity was the topic. The Cross was the message. Why was the Lord pleased to offer His only Son? To reveal the splendor of His love; to reveal the personal intent of His love; to reproduce His love in us! Pastor Mike preached with power every morning, and today the message of reconciliation, leading into the first sharing of Communion here in Mabaan since 1982, was charged with emotion.
We were challenged toward unity by Pastor John Chitumbo of Zambia, who brought a wonderful series of messages from the life of the early Church. Unity only flows from the hearts of those who truly understand the Grace of God, who have tasted His Salvation, who have been ‘called’ and ‘brought near’.. We were challenged to consider the example of Paul, the humility of Barnabus, the wisdom of the early church leaders in the book of Acts. There were tears and rededications, and new Believers who for the first time had their eyes opened to the Gospel message.
The amazing unity for which so many have prayed came about, in wonderful ways. Pastor John spoke with words of grace and humility, and barriers were broken down. Yesterday, and today’s six hours of concluding meetings were one of the most encouraging, uplifting, and joyful celebrations of unity I have ever experienced.
Thank God for honoring the prayers of His people, and sending His Spirit to gather these scattered and wounded people for such a blessed time of reconciliation with the Lord, and with one another.
Please pass on to all, our gratefulness as we prepare for a restful evening here in Doro, South Sudan. In Christ, Rob
It is Sunday evening here. I hope this reaches you with news of the conference, which has just ended.
The prayers of thousands from all corners of the world were answered, in a wonderful way.
This was the first gathering of Mabaan church leaders in Mabaan County, for more than 21 years! Gray haired old men were with us. Young church leaders. Youth in the choir. Mabaan leaders from Khartoum. Mabaan leaders from southern Mabaan. Mabaans from northern Mabaan. Each of the past four days there were some 150 church leaders together. Counting choir members and young people there were between 200-250 people every day!
There were many obstacles. We heard of another conference taking place 200 miles away in Renk, which seemed poised to saboutage this gathering. Preparations here in Mabaan seemed minimal, just a week before the conference was to begin. Church contributions to the conference were discouraging. But we arrived at Doro, and we prepared and prayed. And the Lord worked.
Pastors from Khartoum gathered in Renk, but transportation difficulties prevented more than a handful from traveling from Southern Sudan. When they heard that a wonderful conference was in progress in Mabaan County, they came and joined us! What a blessing.
Unity was the topic. The Cross was the message. Why was the Lord pleased to offer His only Son? To reveal the splendor of His love; to reveal the personal intent of His love; to reproduce His love in us! Pastor Mike preached with power every morning, and today the message of reconciliation, leading into the first sharing of Communion here in Mabaan since 1982, was charged with emotion.
We were challenged toward unity by Pastor John Chitumbo of Zambia, who brought a wonderful series of messages from the life of the early Church. Unity only flows from the hearts of those who truly understand the Grace of God, who have tasted His Salvation, who have been ‘called’ and ‘brought near’.. We were challenged to consider the example of Paul, the humility of Barnabus, the wisdom of the early church leaders in the book of Acts. There were tears and rededications, and new Believers who for the first time had their eyes opened to the Gospel message.
The amazing unity for which so many have prayed came about, in wonderful ways. Pastor John spoke with words of grace and humility, and barriers were broken down. Yesterday, and today’s six hours of concluding meetings were one of the most encouraging, uplifting, and joyful celebrations of unity I have ever experienced.
Thank God for honoring the prayers of His people, and sending His Spirit to gather these scattered and wounded people for such a blessed time of reconciliation with the Lord, and with one another.
Please pass on to all, our gratefulness as we prepare for a restful evening here in Doro, South Sudan. In Christ, Rob
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posted by Congdons in S. Sudan at 5:12 AM
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