I Stand Amazed . . .
Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes off his shoes, The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries . . . -Elizabeth Barrett Browning “Lord, open my eyes that I may how You are working all around us. Amen.” Thoughts on Amazement God has really been speaking to my heart And opening my eyes. I’m realizing how He is mightily at work around us. It seems no one we meet is by accident. I’ll use a cuss word: There’s no such thing as coincidence. That’s a word that shouldn’t fit in any Believer’s vocabulary. Coincidence. Ain’t no such animal. Put that word on the shelf beside another four letter word, Luck. Wash my mouth out with soap. I’ve said two “wordy dirds” this morning. I truly stand amazed at how the power of Jesus is at work. Here’s one story: His name is Michael. I first met him about six weeks ago. He’s a Dinka teen. Tall, lean, and dark. Banished to Uganda from his South Sudanese home. Unable to continue the education he knows is the way out of poverty. He has a personal faith in God. I’ve seen it. I’ve heard it. Each time we visited his Camp, Ulua 2, he’s said, “We are praying for water here.” Yesterday when we arrived with two drilling trucks in tow, he met us at the road. “God has answered our prayer. We will have water.” Yes, I stand amazed in the presence of how God is working. Of how some people’s faith, even a lanky teenage boy, grows in the midst of trial. Me? I’m just the storyteller of all of this. I’m just the water carrier between the Living Water well and thirsty folks. And I stand amazed to even be here. I stand amazed in the presence Of Jesus the Nazarene And wonder how He could love me A sinner condemned unclean.
NIMBY: Not In My Backyard
Prayer Points Drilling project at Ulua 2 (Uganda) Camp and Bible Storying there. Pray for successful drilling. The Dinka had been praying for water. Pray that they will realize God answered and give all glory to Him. Pray for Pastors Paul and James at Boratuku Camp. Pastors Joseph and David at Nyumazi 1 Camp. Pray for Dinka Bibles to be placed in the right hands and hearts. South Sudan Baptist leader Edward Dima and his wife Rose. Pastor Savior and Alere Baptist Church. Pray for Adeit’s recovery from surgery. Our leader Bob Calvert and opportunities to teach/disciple church leaders in the Camps Adjumani Status Report After two days in Adjumani, we’d like to update you on how God is working. This report is exciting, but I’ll temper it with the fact that nothing gets done easily, especially in northern Uganda (and with Dinka). We spent yesterday with the surveying crew for selecting borehole sites at Boratuku. This location has the fierce reputation for difficulty in locating water. Don’t worry, every drunk in camp came to give advice, encouragement, and direction. The best location for a well was on the plot of a Dinka who refused to cede his land for the borehole. No matter of threatening or pleading from the camp leaders could dissuade him. He left for South Sudan with a final “No.” It was the classic “NIMBY” syndrome. * The next positive location was in the yard of a Dinka Battleax. She defiantly argued that she didn’t want to lose “her shade.” Negotiations eventually were fruitful and a borehole will (hopefully) go beside her shade tree. *NIMBY is “Not in My Backyard” Enough of all that. Here are snippet reports: 1.Borehole drilling will commence Thursday am at Ulua 2 Camp. 2 wells will be drilled. Openzi Baptist Church (Pastor Joseph and church planter Isaac) has met for three Sundays at “Ulua 2 Baptist Church.” We believe the wells and subsequent jerry can distribution will pack a Gospel punch for the 3000 refugees at Ulua 2. Praying: The Dinka had been praying for water. Pray that they will realize God answered and give all glory to Him. Boratuku currently has 7000 refugees in about 1000 family units. Boratuku Baptist Church, (jointly led by Pastor Paul of Grace Baptist and Pastor James who is a Dinka refugee) is building a strong ministry there. Pastor Paul is a mature leader who also is the area’s LC1. He has built a great rapport with the camp leaders. Praying: Pray for God to stir the hearts of those in Boratuku. Pray that borehole drilling will be successful and bring folks to the Real Living Water. We visited Nyumazi 1 Camp (22,000) to check on Baptist pastors Joseph Makuma and David Dok. They are from FBC of KK. (I like the sound of that). An impromptu meeting broke out among us (Joseph and Julius) and Joseph and David with fifteen camp pastors. Prayer: Many of the pastors professed to having lost their Bibles in the Jonglei fighting. They tearfully told of the shame of being a pastor without scripture. Through a miraculous conversation yesterday, 50 Dinka Bibles are on their way here. Our Baptist pastors will distribute the Word to these leaders as well as in the other camps where our work is growing. Pray that God’s word will be loved, studied, and preached. Isaiah 55 speaks of it never returning void. Claim that! Edward Dima and his wife are in Adjumani today. We are getting them together with the local pastors this afternoon. Another chance for cross-pollination. Pray: for connections between our South Sudanese and Ugandan pastors. There is great excitement here about the upcoming release of the first Arringa Bible in June. Pray: that God’s Word will fill the hearts of the Arringa and they will have dreams and visions of whom our Jesus really is. Alere Baptist Church (Pastor Savior is a UBS student) is doing a good work in Alere Camp. He has a young congregation of Dinka, Nuer, Madi, and Kuku. A mother (Rebecca) they have led to the Lord is now at CorSu Hospital near Entebbe. Her daughter, Adeit, had clubfoot corrective surgery this am. Pray for God to get great glory from this situation. Pray for Rebecca, Adeit, and Margaret a church member who accompanied them. Pray for the opportunities of Bob Calvert training among the growing Baptist churches in and near the Camps. Folks here are hungry for discipleship and training. Please share these prayer requests with your networks. Prayer is like oxygen. We must have it. Pray often! Pray fervently!
A Day “Going Up Country”
A Word from Curt: I thought you might enjoy making a journey with me. At daylight I left the shores of Lake Victoria (Uganda) headed to northern Uganda. Cosmopolitan Ugandans (in Kampala and Entebbe) call the land past the Nile “Up Country.” They view it like the the Pharisees viewed Galilee. Backwoods. Bush. The Sticks. Country Bumpkins. We view it as Real Africa. Tonight I’m in Gulu, home of the Acholi People. Tomorrow I drive on to Adjumani (Uganda) and the South Sudan refugee camps. Here are shots from a rich full day of driving. Key Prayer Need: We beg you to pray for the borehole (water well) drilling this week. Pray that these projects will result in born again refugees who find a reason to hope in Jesus. Following Him. Following Jesus. That’s what it’s all about. Rather, He is what it’s always all about. “It’s all about following Him. Everything else is just geography.” African Road Flares: green limbs placed along roadway to signify a disabled vehicle. This is the reason we do not drive after dark. When we first moved to Uganda, I placed “ride a bus cross country” on my bucket list. I quickly withdrew it. The buses that speed up and down the roads are a menace to riders (many tragic accidents) pedestrians and other vehicles. I gladly take to the ditch when meeting one. There are dozens of bus lines. “GaaGa” is a good name that describes the reaction of carsick riders. Hawkers know where the buses will stop as well as construction zones. They flock to the vehicles when they stop. My favourite hawker item is meat on a stick. Six skewers of grilled beef, goat, or chicken. Charcoal is a large part of the economy of rural Uganda. It’s amazing to watch the process of making it. Animal rights people wouldn’t appreciate the dizzyingly way the hawkers swing the chickens to grab your attention. A disclaimer: In the year we’ve driven up country, we’ve seen tremendous improvements on the road connecting the capitals of Kampala and Juba. Each trip there are less patches like this. They are building a hydroelectric dam above Karuma Falls. It’s uncertain as to the effect it’ll have on the whitewater area. A word on the baboons of Uganda: Beware! They are sneaky, aggressive, and quickly view humans (and their vehicles) as sources of food and handouts. They’ll jump through an open car window quicker than you can say “Curious George.” Ask the Dry Creek guys (Ken Farmer, Charlie B. and Ethan B.) about a Game Park baboon that ambushed us. Teak is a prized heavy dark wood. The main crops of Uganda are cassava, plantains (a cooking banana) maize (field corn), beans, sugar cane, and ground nuts. Tobacco and cotton are cash crops. Anyone who knows me from Dry Creek Camp knows my favourite colours: green, brown, and red earth. Africa is so rich in each of these. Two months ago Northern Uganda was brown and burnt. The coming of the Spring rains changes everything. Pray for us: Tomorrow we arrive in Adjumani District and begin the process of drilling wells (boreholes) in the most needy refugee camps. Pray for wisdom, protection, clarity, prayer opportunities, Gospel sharing, and humility. Follow us on Curt’s Facebook Chadan’s Facebook: A Nile Apart Pinterest Enjoy our Boards on Pinterest Twitter: @curtiles #UpCountry The Creekbank Amazon Page Subscribe to the Creekbank Blog We love to hear from our readers. Today’s Question: Which photo of the day speaks to you most? [gravityform id=”1″ name=”Contact Us!”]
SatSnips: Looking Back/Looking Ahead/Always Looking up
A Word from Curt: Focus! Key Prayer Needs: 1. Guidance and Blessings on Bob Calvert as he teaches in South Sudan. 2. “Preach and Heal” Focus as our Engagement work continues in refugee camps. 3. DeDe as she coordinates our Chadan Cluster prayer strategy. Scroll down for more prayer needs Today is our weekly “SatSnips” blog. Saturday Snippets from Uganda and South Sudan. A collage from what God is doing here. It’s a chance to share stories from the past week. Share the photos that are shaping lives. Involve you in the coming week by sharing prayer needs. Pastor Paul is pastor of Grace Baptist Church, a Madi congregation near 7000 Dinka residents at Boratuku. He, his church, and Pastor James, a refugee pastor are doing great work within the Camp. Lord willing, two boreholes will be drilled there this week. Pray for Gospel opportunities in the midst of the work. Simon Peter is a Dinka youth chairman for Boratuku. He has been a man of peace for all of our work at Boratuku. Pray for Simon, his relationship with Jesus, and his many responsibilities. Jack Iles, GatorMan. Amos Moses was a Cajun Lived by himself in the swamp Hunted alligators for a living Just _________. you fill in the last line. This big gator was dispatched by Wildlife and Fisheries near Clint and Amanda’s house near Woodworth. We love Africa but miss our grandchildren. Thanks to Skype, Viber, and the Internet, we stay in touch. (You’ve never had fun until you play Battleship over the internet.) A question to you: How can we pray for you? There are strong prayer warriors in Africa who would be honoured to lift up your needs. Email us at dede_iles@hotmail.com with your needs or use the form below. Prayer Needs; 1. Bob Calvert as he teaches Zande pastors in Western Equatoria, South Sudan 2. This week’s borehole drilling in northern Uganda refugee camps. 3. Curt’s trip “UpCountry” to observe drilling. 4. Pastors Paul and James in Boratuku Camp/Pastors James and Isaac in Ulua 2 Camp. 5. Pray for the Living Water to be shared along with physical water. 6. DeDe’s communication on our Chadan Cluster Prayer strategy. Follow us: Curt’s Facebook Chadan’s Facebook: A Nile Apart Pinterest Twitter: @curtiles The Creekbank Amazon Page Subscribe to the Creekbank Blog We love to hear from our readers. Your comments are welcome. [gravityform id=”1″ name=”Contact Us!”]
Prayer is like Oxygen
A Word from Curt: Prayer! It’s true. Prayer is like oxygen. We must have it to survive spiritually. We thank you for your praying. Your prayer is like oxygen for those of us in Africa. We simply cannot make it without you lifting us up. Pray for God’s guidance, vision, and protection. Pray often! Pray passionately! We beg for focused prayer for the work here. Key Prayer Need: Wisdom and open doors as we begin drilling boreholes (water wells) among the South Sudanese in Uganda’s refugee camps. Scroll down for stories and more prayer needs “Praying is not the only thing you can do, but it is always the most important.” These are our current prayer needs: My wife DeDe serves as our Chadan cluster prayer advocate. Here, in story form and her words, are our greatest needs. Setting: A great crowd pressing around a man Main Characters: Jesus Christ, the Son of God Woman—sick for 12 years—poor spent all her money on physicians and no better-weak from losing blood for 12 years Plot: Problem-hopeless woman Essential detail-“She had heard reports about Jesus” Mark 5:26 ESV Climax she makes a decision to risk touching God Solution immediate and complete healing On our recent trip to northern Uganda we saw hundreds of refugees in deep need and hopeless situations. That is only a small portion of the story; there are thousands. They are fleeing people from their own country and leaving everything behind. As you know there are many physical needs. However the most urgent need is for God to walk among them and give the complete healing that only He can give. Notice the essential detail in the plot. This is the part of the story where it ends for people from an unreached unengaged people group. In the Chadan cluster there are 118 such people groups. Strategies were underway, people were planning (and some are) to live in the country and then war broke out. We, the Chadan Cluster in Sub-Saharan Africa, are in desperate need for desperate prayer. Our cluster leader asked us to commit to a weekly time of prayer and fasting for a movement of God is South Sudan. We are asking individuals, prayer groups, Bible study groups, and families to join us in this serious and urgent need. Please set aside a meal each Wednesday to focus prayer on South Sudan. Pray for your IMB personnel: David and Renee Crane-Cluster leaders Echelon Team-Leader-Jeremy and Susan Taliaferro and their children: Victory, Memphis, and Ember. They live in NE Uganda. Robert and Maridith Lane, son Shepherd-living in the country Selvin and Laurel Jeremiadoss, and children: Abigail and Daniella-living in the country. Jonathon and Holly Lesley-on stateside but will return to Kenya soon Echelon Team members also in Uganda: Ervin and Connie Andy (Ready Reserve); and Jeff and Elaine Johnson (long term volunteers) Engagement Team-Bob and Nancy Calvert, Team Leaders Curt and DeDe Iles Toposa Team- Shannon and Carrie Lewis-Benton, Davis, and Walker-living in country Pray for South Sudan Peace Local Pastors Work in refugee camps Wisdom in travel to the country Pray for you and your church: What would God have you do so that these tribes will hear reports about Jesus? “Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 Psalm 40:16-17 “Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love your salvation continually say, ‘The Lord is great!’ I am afflicted and needy; the Lord thinks of me. You are my helper and my deliverer; my God, do not delay. Thank you for praying. You prayed for the branch of the Dina in South Sudan and for two missionary families with young children to be able to move there. They are now in their homes. Recently seventy-five people from this tribe were baptized. As you know this country is in great turmoil. Continue to lift up these new believers and these young families as they serve the God of salvation and our helper. Pray they are constantly aware that the Lord is thinking of them, that He helps, and He delivers. DeDe Iles SSAP Chadan Cluster Title: Unreached People Groups-Dinka and Nuer Category: Request Isaiah 18:2 “Go swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth-skinned, to a people feared far and near, a powerful nation with a strange language, whose land is divided by rivers.” Messengers came to the nation and more had plans to come. Then war broke out. Pray for the IMB missionaries that serve in South Sudan. Pray for the national pastors of may different tribes that have sacrificed and trained to reach these unreached tribes, and pray for the churches in American that are praying about engaging South Sudan which is hungry for the gospel. Follow us on Curt’s Facebook Chadan’s Facebook: A Nile Apart Pinterest Twitter: @curtiles The Creekbank Amazon Page Subscribe to the Creekbank Blog We love to hear from our readers. Your comments are welcome. [gravityform id=”1″ name=”Contact Us!”]
Podcast Episode 04: My Mother’s Name is Mary
A word from Curt The story below is a departure from my African stories. I write what my hearts tells me to. This story was both conceived and born yesterday. Enjoy! Be Grateful! Read “Beth’s Satellite Phone” from our latest newsletter. You can be directly involved in helping with the South Sudan Crisis. My Mother is Named Mary You can also listen to the Podcast audio of this story as read by Curt: <iframe style=”border: none” src=”//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2795626/height/360/width/640/theme/legacy/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/” height=”360″ width=”640″ scrolling=”no” allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>Jesus and His Mother Mary: It’s a reminder that even when your child is perfect(ly obedient) you may not understand him or her. I’ve been thinking a lot about Mary this week. For some reason, I’ve viewed Jesus’ Passion Week Through the eyes of His mother. I picture her standing faithfully at the Cross In full blown sorrow and grief, But unwilling to step away. My Jesus, in spite of his pain and ordeal, Nodding to his best friend John, “Son, this is your mother.” Then to Mary, “Mother, this is your son.” Only mothers can understand motherhood. That’s the Jesus I love. Dying for the sins of the world Yet still concerned about his momma. Where I come from that’s the mark of a real man: Concern for one’s family even in the midst of the storm. I’ve always wondered how Mary viewed the adult Jesus. The scriptures say, “His mother and brothers came to take him home . . . “ I’d especially like to know about their post-Resurrection relationship. I bet it was something. This Easter weekend, four French journalists were freed After nearly a year as hostages in Syria. Their public statements were emotional. One said, “We volunteered to be in Syria But it was our families who suffered the most.” Once again, I thought of Jesus and Mary. I wonder what He told her during that Passover Week of his coming death. I especially would’ve like to have been a bug on the wall When they first met after Resurrection Sunday. Did He say, “Mother, I’m sorry you had to see all of this”? I wonder if the pain of watching her son suffer ever went away. The angel had said, “Your heart will be pierced . . .” Pierced hearts heal slowly, if ever at all. I’m sure she always had a little sad place in her heart from that Friday we now call Good. It’s so true that Mary’s son, my Jesus, was perfect and without sin. A parental reminder that even when your child is perfect(ly obedient) You may not understand him or her. * * * My own mother is named Mary. Mary Virginia Plott Iles. It’s a good name to have And Momma has worn it well for nearly eighty years. Her son (me) is a long long long ways from being perfect. However, she believes her nine grandchildren are all free of original sin. This belief of perfection extends to her ten great-grandchildren. I think about times when my actions caused she and Daddy pain. Words spoken angrily. Poor decisions. Teenage stupidity. But most of all, I think about my parent’s sorrow When I was knocked flat by depression in the year 2000. I call it my Train Wreck. You can call it a breakdown, crash, or meltdown. All those terms apply. During the depths of those dark months I would spend each day at their house. DeDe, Clint, and Terry would drive to school And I’d drive to Mom and Dad’s. Seriously depressed people don’t need to be alone. I didn’t have much sense at that time but knew that. It bothered me so much for them to see me like that. Numb. Dry inside. Sad. Confused. In the dark. They were suffering along with me. I’m thankful for their faithfulness. I’m grateful for DeDe and our boys and how they stood by me. I’ve never gotten over that. It has left me with a abiding sense of gratitude. However, I’ve still got a little sad place in my heart Not from depression But from the sadness, even suffering, they shared with me. I live everyday grateful for my health. Especially my mental health. I’m humbled by it all. But for the grace of God, I could be right back in the dark. I never thought, back in 2000, that we’d be here in Africa Having the best days of ministry yet. I’ve learned so much more (and still am) about serving This Man-God Called Jesus. His mother was named Mary And so is mine.
Focusing in: How you can pray/help Baritouka Camp
Prayer Requests for Boratuku Camp near Adjumani, Uganda Boratuku Camp is composed of many new arrivals. These people have left their South Sudanese homes suddenly with nothing. Most of these new arrivals are Dinka. The Dinka is the largest people group in South Sudan. They number about 2.5 to 3 million with possibly 25 different tribes within the Dinka people group. The Dinka are a proud people with their culture and wealth centering on cattle. The Dinka are an unreached people group. There are presently two IMB families in the western area of South Sudan that are living and working among the Dinka Rek. There is no other work of the Southern Baptist among this huge population Thousands of Dinka have fled South Sudan because of the violent conflict in their country. They have left their cattle and their way of life. They have fled to camps within South Sudan and refugee camps in the bordering countries. Water Tank at Boratuku Pastor Paul of Grace Baptist Church Please pray for Boratuku camp. Pray for the spiritual needs of salvation and discipleship among the Dinka in this camp. Pray for the construction of a borehole, latrines, medical care, schools, and tools so that these people can care for themselves. Pray for Pastor Paul of Grace Baptist Church located next to this camp. His desire is to minister in Boratuku Camp. Pray that the Lord would clearly guide the IMB personnel who are assigned to work with South Sudanese in how they are to lead Southern Baptists to be on mission with Him. Pray for wisdom in responding to the spiritual and humanitarian needs of the South Sudanese who are now in both Uganda and Kenya. Pray that the Lord of the Harvest would call out and thrust forth more workers into the South Sudanese field. As of now, the number of personnel assigned to the Chadan Cluster is just too few to enable them to lead in a widespread response. Pray that the Lord would show the IMB personnel assigned to work with South Sudanese people how they can partner with national believers and gospel workers serving with other organizations/NGOs, so that through their cooperative efforts more might be done, and done effectively and in a timely manner. If you will commit to pray for the spiritual and physical needs of the Dinka in Boratuku Camp please respond to DeDe Iles: email address deaniseiles@gmail.com. [contact-form subject=’I%26#039;d like to pray for Boratuko Camp. Tell me more.’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Focusing in: How you can help/pray: The Nuer in Rhino Camp
Prayer Request for the Nuer in Tika II, a section of the Rhino Refugee Camp near Arua, Uganda Since the violent conflict in South Sudan began on December 15, 2013, the Nuer tribe has suffered much. There were over one million Nuer living in South Sudan. They are one of the two largest tribes there, the other being the Dinka. The Nuer depend on their numerous cattle, which they use for bartering, cash, dowries, and conflict resolution. However, this way of life is over for now for those who’ve fled their homes. The Nuer have left South Sudan with nothing and are living in refugee camps in neighboring countries. The people living in these camps are women and children since the men have either been killed or are staying back in South Sudan to protect the interests of the Nuer there. Rhino Camp is one of the refugee camps that houses many Nuer near Arua, Uganda. One of the camps within the camp is Tika II. There are at present 3,600 Nuer from 760 households in this camp. In the Tika II camp there are 30 pregnant women, 12 elderly/disabled persons, 22 unaccompanied minors, with only 7 men. This number is growing daily. A team from Baptist Global Response (BGR) came to survey and report needs. At the time of the survey these are the needs reported for the Tika II camp: water, food, latrines, medical care, and education. At present Baptist Global Response in working with your IMB missionaries to provide two boreholes along with jerry cans in this section of the camp known as Tika II. Rhino Camp in particular has special difficulties. Pray for these people to know the living, loving, Savior who provides for physical and spiritual rest. Pray especially for a “Person of Peace” for this camp. We must have Christian national leaders to work within these camps. Roads-As the rainy season approaches this camp will be difficult to reach, if not impossible, for the deliveries of much-needed supplies. Pray that the Lord would clearly guide the IMB personnel who are assigned to work with South Sudanese in how they are to lead Southern Baptists to be on mission with Him. Pray for wisdom in responding to the spiritual and humanitarian needs of the South Sudanese who are now in both Uganda and Kenya. Pray that the Lord of the Harvest would call out and thrust forth more workers into the South Sudanese field. As of now, the number of personnel assigned to the Chadan Cluster is just too few to enable them to lead in a widespread response. Pray that the Lord would show the IMB personnel assigned to work with South Sudanese people how they can partner with national believers and gospel workers serving with other organizations/NGOs, so that through their cooperative efforts more might be done, and done effectively and in a timely manner. If you will commit to pray for the spiritual and physical needs of the Nuer in Tika II please respond to DeDe Iles. My email address is deaniseiles@gmail.com.
How you can be in South Sudan . . . but stay in America
A word from Curt: My wife DeDe is a passionate concise writer. She’s also a prayer warrior. If you need someone praying for you, get DeDe on your list. She serves as Prayer Advocate for our Chadan Cluster. The post below is from DeDe’s heart. Please prayerfully consider taking on a group, camp, or leaders. Important Prayer Requests for South Sudan “You seem so at peace with all that you have been through in your life. Your smile is contagious. On your Facebook page you list your first name as Happy. How did you come to know the love of Jesus?” This is the question that I asked my neighbor who began her life in a country that is closed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. She then fled war as a child and moved to refugee camps where life continued to be difficult on every level. The answer to this question is long. In fact after several long visits we have not come to the conclusion. But one part of this story has been on my mind for the past week. “I saw a vision of Jesus,” answered my friend. I was even more interested. Many times I had prayed for people to have a vision that would lead to faith. My friend continued, “In my vision, I saw the most humble man praying for me. And then I saw Him praying for people all over the world. And they were coming to Him.” As I have been preparing to request your prayer support for the people of South Sudan, I wanted to put a face on the request; something that would draw your heart toward these people. But His face, the face of Jesus, is all that I can see. The Chadan Engagement Team is asking for widespread focused prayer at this time. Bob and Nancy Calvert, who as career missionaries have served in Africa for over twenty years, lead our team. Curt and I have joined them to work in the countries of South Sudan and the southern part of Chad. One of our main thrust is to connect American churches with unreached people groups in this area. As you may know the violence and chaos in much of South Sudan is continuing with no relief in sight. Thousands have left their homes seeking refuge in camps in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Over the past few months the Chadan Engagement team has visited these camps in North Uganda. Over the next four days we will post specific prayer needs for the Camps. These requests differ. Some are for unreached people groups in specific camps; some are for the vulnerable people who suffer there, and some are for the people who serve the camps. We are asking that you choose within your church, Bible study class, prayer group, or family to commit to pray for one on these groups for the remainder of this year. Please email me at deaniseiles@gmail.com if you would commit to pray for one of these requests. By having your contact name and email address I can give you updates to these requests as they come available. Please pray for the following every time you meet: Pray for wisdom in responding to the spiritual and humanitarian needs of the South Sudanese refugees who have fled their homes and are now living in IDP camps in South Sudan or Refugee Camps in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Pray that the Lord of the Harvest would call out and thrust forth more workers into the South Sudanese field. As of now, the number of personnel assigned to the Chadan Cluster is just too few to enable them to lead in a widespread response. Pray that the Lord would show the IMB personnel assigned to work with South Sudanese people how they can partner with national believers and gospel workers serving with other organizations/NGOs, so that through their cooperative efforts more might be done, and done effectively and in a timely manner. Thank you, DeDe Iles Cluster Prayer Advocate Dr. R.L. Calvert, IMB Engagement Chadan Team Leader Nancy Calvert Curt Iles DeDe Iles Facebook: A Nile Apartcurtiles Blog: http://www.creekbank.net/blog [contact-form subject=’I%26#039;d like to know more how to pray for the South Sudanese.’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Saturday Snippets 12 April 2014
A Word from Curt: The word is Sojourn I’m returning from a Soul Retreat. I’ve went to the nearby Islands to write, reflect, and recharge. It was a sojourn. A temporary stay. But isn’t everything? Key Prayer Need: Wisdom as DeDe and I head north this week to the Refugee Camps. Pray for: 1. men and women of peace 2. favour with officials 3. Gospel opportunities On Saturdays, we focus on photos. Here they are. Every picture tells a story. Every journey has a story behind it. Coming soon: “Among Trampled Grass: Stories from the Refugee Camps” You’ll laugh (Hugh Hefner’s PJs above) and cry. What’s the most life-changing sojourn you’ve been on? Answer in comment section below. [contact-form to=’creekbank.stories@gmail.com’ subject=’What%26#039;s the biggest %26#039;sojourn%26#039; of your life?’][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Saturday Snippets: The Week that Was
“Finding my People” 3 Heroes: Gandhi, Luter and Monchyol
A Word from Curt: Two good words today: Leader and Hero Today’s Prayer Point: Pray for Pastor John Monchyol in Malakal, South Sudan “There go my people. I’m their leader. I’d better catch up with them.” -Mahatma Gandhi A leader leads. Gandhi’s words are accurate. You cannot lead without followers. Gandhi led a huge nation, India, to freedom using non-violent means. He’s always been one of my heroes. A leader must have followers. And sometimes a leader must go find his people. Find his followers. Connect with his flock. I want to broach that subject with two more of my heroes. You may know one. His name is Fred Luter. You won’t be familiar with the second hero. His name is John. John Monchyol. I’ll share his heroic story later. Fred Luter is pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. He has achieved fame as president of our Southern Baptist Convention. I‘m Southern Baptist. Now, don’t get started. I know every caricature, joke, and stereotype about us. I can tell them and laugh harder than anyone* What makes Fred Luter unique is that he is black. And our Southern Baptist Convention broke away from other Baptists over the issue of black slavery. We’ve been pretty lily-white since our birth in 1846. I’m not proud of it. But it is a fact. I knew Pastor Fred Luter long before he became famous. In 1986, he was appointed as pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist, a declining church in a changing neighborhood. That’s a nice way of saying it was a white church now surrounded by a black community. Pastor Fred was told by leadership, “Either revive this church or bury it.” God used Fred to build a strong church that reached out to its community. He built a strong church in a tough part of New Orleans. He’s deeply loved among Louisiana Baptists for additional reasons. He’s a great preacher. He loves people. Fred is a caring pastor. 2005. Then Katrina came. Franklin Avenue Baptist was under ten feet of water. Fred’s flock scattered all over the United States. His church– the building as well as the members– were gone. He was a leader without followers. A shepherd without his flock. So pastor Fred became proactive. He began searching for his people. Member by member, tracking them down. He soon found that large pockets of Franklin Avenue B.C. were located in Houston and Atlanta. So he began gathering his members together in those cities. This meant a great deal of travel and flexibility on Fred’s part. It didn’t matter. He’d found his people And he was doing what he was called to do. Pastor and preach to the Franklin Avenue congregation. Over time, evacuees began trickling back into New Orleans. Many chose not to return, but others went back to help rebuild their city. However, those from Franklin Avenue found their church and neighbourhood destroyed. So the reconvened church began using the facilities of a sister church, First Baptist New Orleans. It was a unique partnership between two very diverse but wonderful churches. Eventually, a new and beautiful Franklin Avenue Baptist Church was built in the old neighbourhood. I’m told it is growing and reaching out to its community. Led by one of my heroes, a shepherd named Fred. My second hero isn’t American. He’s Dinka. South Sudan’s largest tribe. His name is John Monchoyl and he is a church planter in Upper Nile state. Pastor John started five churches in and around Malakal, the largest city in NE South Sudan. Malakal is inhabited by three tribes: Dinka, Nuer, and Shilluk. John’s an equal opportunity church planter. He planted churches among each tribal group as well as several mixed congregations. When South Sudan descended into anarchy just before Christmas 2013, the areas with mixed tribal groups saw the worst violence. and that included Malakal. The city was fought over by government forces and the rebels. It changed hands five times in a matter of months. The only safe place was in the local UN compound. During a lull in the fighting, John and ten members of his extended family made their way to Juba, South Sudan’s capital. They then began the long journey to West Nile District Uganda. That’s when we met him in Arua. They registered at a nearby refugee settlement, Rhino Camp. John told us point blank, “I’m leaving my family here where it’s safe. I’m going back to South Sudan. “That’s where my people are. They’re hurting and suffering and I must be back among them.” He stated this even as news reports described Malakal as a “ghost town.” The town had been razed. John was told all of the churches were burned and gutted. I wondered how many of Pastor John’s church members were still there. How many had died. What he would find there. It didn’t matter to John. He was going to where his people were. To the place where they needed him most. If they were suffering, he would suffer with them. He would give them the greatest gift of a leader. His presence in a time of trouble. I’ve received texts from Pastor John in Malakal. He says things are safe and he is fine. It’s hard to read between the lines of a SMS, so I’ll take him at his word. I ask you to join us in praying for John Monchoyl and the Malakal Baptist Churches. I’d love to hear from some of you who’d like to personally take on praying for this hero of mine. A leader, who like my friend Pastor Fred, went to find his people. A hero, like Gandhi, who refused to grasp hate and revenge or abandon his people. Leaders worth following. Heroes worth telling about. May the same be said of all of us. Learn more about Pastor John’s ministry and life. * Two Southern Baptist stories: Question: “How many Southern Baptists does it take to change a light
An Unforgettable Welcome
Reload and Remount Driving up to a refugee camp is a daunting event. Thousands of people are stranded here. Run out of their homes by war. They’ve arrived in a foreign country. Been promised much. Often given little. They’re worried. Life is uncertain. They are understandable frustrated. When they see a truckload of whites drive up. They get their hopes up. Oftentimes, they also get their hackles up. They equate every white face with the UN. And if they’re angry with the UN, they lash out at you. We experienced this several times last week. It worked out well, but several times we were looking back for the truck door. I learned from Bob: always park your vehicle facing out. You never know when you may need to get out of Dodge fast. After one of these harrowing visits, we drove to Aiylo Camp. It is a new arrival camp and has over 15,000 residents in it and its sister camp. As our land cruisers ended our 5 km drive over the rough road, a large group of waving women stormed towards our vehicles. They were singing and dancing to the accompaniment of a large drum circle. Children were jumping up and down as we stepped out of our vehicle. I asked DeDe, “How did they know we were coming?” Our Kentucky volunteers basked in the warm welcome. It was so nice after several of the previous camp scrapes. Just then a police car sped into the camp followed by a nice bus. We stood watching as about a dozen nicely dressed dignitaries filed out of the bus. Armed policemen eyes us suspiciously. The welcoming crowd tried to rekindle their enthusiasm but seemingly had “shot their wad.” They stood looking from us to the new arrivals, clearly confused. I think they realized the same thing we did: they’d welcomed the wrong visitors. One of the visitors, a jewelry-bedecked woman, seemed to be in charge. She (nicely) informed our volunteers that this was a VIP group and it would be best if we excused ourselves pronto. We piled in and left unceremoniously. I stole a look at the crowd. They were staring at us like a “calf at a new gate.” (* Idiom compliments of Bob Calvert and Kevin Willis.) Our vehicle knew exactly what to do. We got out of Dodge as quickly as we could and laughed all the way to the next camp. In fact, we’re still laughing. Our missionary friends, who know Africa so well, seemed to enjoy it the most. The welcoming committee that shot it’s wad too early and couldn’t get reloaded and remounted* in time for the real welcome. Our work in the refugee camps is an absurd mixture of deep sorrow, kindness, anger, relief, tears, and even laughter. When we share a humorous story (like the one above) it in no means lessens our concern and care over the suffering in the Camps. It’s part of the coping method we’ve learned from our resilient friends in the Camps. And I’ve learned that Africans are the most resilient people in the world. *Jerry Clower told the story of a football game between Mississippi State and Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech is famous for it’s “Red Raider” who masked rider who gallops down the sidelines when Tech scores a touchdown. This is done to the boom of a black powder cannon. Clower told of Texas Tech having the ball “first and goal” inside the Miss. St ten yard line. The Tech runner back ran off tackle inside the five. The referee (from the SEC) thought it was the goaline and signaled “Touchdown.” The cannon went off. The Red Raider galloped down the cheering sideline. And the ref realized his mistake. He sprinted to the Tech bench and put his arm around the coach. “Coach, I have messed up. Now, we ain’t done nothing to you. It’s still second down and goal to goal. And if you’ll let me, I’ll just stand here with you long enough to give your bunch has time to remount and reload. “
What do you do with a Gift Rooster?
Relationships It’s always about relationships! Current Video: A wonderful way to greet http://youtu.be/KQqV7uU-7Q4 See how Nubian children in West Nile Uganda greet visitors. The Gifts of Africa: Imported cheese and a rooster named Roho You never know what a day in Africa will bring. It often involves gifts that were unexpected and delightful. I received two in the last month. Two rounds of Imported cheese. And a rooster named Roho. I drove to Jinja, Uganda last week for seminary graduation. My friend Pascal Ndihokubwimana had finished seminary. Pascal is a brave pastor with a long last name. I’d like to have been there on the first day of seminary class when Dr. Sivage called roll. Pascal had perservered to graduate. Eleven long trips over three years Making the bus journey through a war zone in eastern Congo, through Rwanda and across Uganda. We had the privilege of being a small part of helping him make and complete this journey. His wife Juliet, whom I’m met in Congo, came to see him graduate. She doesn’t speak English and my French and Swahili are poor. He smiled as she handed me a plastic bag. I peeked in at two perfect rounds of yellow cheese. “You made it?” Pascal answered for her. “She made it for you.” I cut a slice off. It was wonderful. “Thank you . . . or Merci beaucoup.” I proudly brought the cheese home to DeDe. Pascal and Juliet Our recent volunteers had left a can of spam. There’s not much I like better than fried spam. Go ahead and laugh and shake your finger. I know it’s bad for you. And I don’t want to know what it’s really made of. DeDe made a toasted spam and cheese sandwich. I sat down with a cold coke and a spam sandwich. Made with imported cheese and imported spam. Cheese imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo. And Spam brought with care from Kentucky. As that beer commercial used to say, “It doesn’t get any better than this.” My second gift started out as a Coca-Cola. Ethan Bossier and I were on our last day in the refugee camps of Adjumani, Uganda. Our friend Joseph said, “Before you leave, Mildred wants to see you.” “Mildred?” “Yes, you met her at church yesterday. She wants to give you a Coca-Cola.” We drove by Mildred’s roadside market store. She greeted us with the warm African hospitality I’ve come to take for granted, sharing hot fried cassava hush puppies from a plastic bucket. I’m not crazy about cassava. It’s a sweet potato-like tuber that’s neither bad nor good. It’s tasteless. But fried it’s not bad. (I come from a culture where a fried piece of leather shoe would be eaten with relish.) Mildred excused herself, presumably to retrieve my Coca-Cola. I hoped in my heart it might be cold but knew better than to get my hopes up. Africa is the home of cold showers and hot cokes. Mildred didn’t return with a coke. Under one arm she held a plastic bag. In the other, she cradled a red rooster. She handed them to me. Ethan laughed so hard I believe he peed in his pants. I laughed too but knew this was a serious gift. Africans seldom eat meat with a meal. To give away a chicken is a sacrifice. A sacrifice. A gift of love. The plastic bag contained sim-sim, a sesame seed like grain that makes great honey cakes. I handed both to Ethan. It was then that I noticed Mr. Rooster’s legs were tied. Mildred gave us instructions on how to keep the rooster well in our car. A little water. A little sim sim. Keep the windows rolled down. It was as if she was sending one of her children off to boarding school. We began our drive to the Lapori Ferry on the Nile. On our ferry crossing four days earlier, Ethan and I had sat by a goat on the boat. This time we had our own chicken. I named him Roho after a nearly forgotten song of my childhood about a Mexican rooster of the same name. Ethan named him Kojak. I had no problem with that. Everyone in Africa has multiple names spelled in multiple ways. Roho/Kojak was a fine looking rooster. A healthy Rhode Island Red. Ethan kind of wrested ownership of Roho from me, talking to it all the way along the bumpy road. He was pretty docile on our three hour ride to Koboko Town. “What are we going to do with him, Bro. Curt?” “I don’t know. We’ll decide when we get there.” It was a busy time as we reunited with our other team members. We soon walked into the village to share stories. It was dark when we returned. I got Roho out of the truck and took him behind the guesthouse where the chickens roost. (My daughter in law Sara says you can judge African restuarants by how sorry or good the yard chickens look. These didn’t look too good. I cut his legs loose and Roho strutted through the yard. “You don’t think anyone will steal him, do you?” “Nah, he’ll be here in the morning.” We were eating supper an hour later when a commotion began among the girls near the kitchen door. A fast moving rooster darted past them into the dining area. It was Roho. He ran straight toward Ethan. “Ethan, I believe he’s looking for you.” He was returned to the roost and that’s where we found him the next morning. We tied his legs and took him with us to Pastor Mark Vukoni’s house. Ethan presented the rooster to Rose, Mark’s wife. The Vukoni’s both are Madi and come from Adjumani town. At least we were leaving our rooster with kinfolk. Ethan, who is a load of fun, whispered, “Do you think she’ll cook him for
