Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller

Give me land, lots of land. Give me land, Lot’s of land, But don’t fence me in.     “This land’s their burying ground. They fightin’ o’er their burying ground.” -John Lee Hooker   One of the things that first astounded me about Africa was the land for sale signs. I stand corrected. The signs actually read, “This land is …

I’m sure every road-weary man around that wilderness campfire never forgot the moment. That sacred moment. A gift of love delivered at great risk and cost. Homesick Water   It’s strange the things you miss on an extended sojourn. That’s especially true in Africa. The big question when a teammate is making trip to the U.S is, “Where’s the first …

  Quick post today: Here are major prayer needs for our Chadan team. Please share with your church family and friends. When you pray, you’re holding the rope. When you pray, God works. Prayer needs Maridath Lane joins her husband Robert in Warrap State, South Sudan this week.  Pray for safe journey and for their precious boys,  Shep and Roscoe. …

A Word from Curt It’s Saturday. Always a good time to look at the past week. Here are photos from the week that was in Africa. Tucked in is a story you’ll enjoy:  3 Apes I’ve Known. Enjoy! DeDe with our friends Kristen and Mary Margaret in Nairobi. 3 Apes I’ve Known Monkeys can be cute. They’re always interesting. But …

Tested faith can become stronger faith.   A word from Curt Today concludes the third part of a story,  “At Garissa.” It’s built around a recent tragedy in Kenya where Al Shabab terrorists killed nearly 150 college students. It is a harrowing story that has shook this part of East Africa. In Part I, I spoke of tough questions I’ve …

        It’s a decision. Where do we take our doubts and questions? We can keep them bottled up and stew in our own juices. Or we can take them to Jesus. It’s a decision. A word from Curt Wow.  Yesterday, we began a three part essay on trying to understand evil and tragedy and God’s providence. If …

It’s only in the testing of our personal faith that it becomes more solid.     A note from Curt I’m in the last days of exile in Kenya. Ready to get back to our Ugandan home. Thanks to all who prayed for us during my illness.  I’m feeling better than ever and full of gratitude. For the next three …

When you pray, you’re holding the rope for us and our team. When you hold the rope, we’re encouraged to go where and when God leads. Please share these requests with your church and friends: 1.  Guidance for our families in South Sudan:  Lewis, Jeremiadoss, Lanes and JD Hull. 2. Continued healing on Curt.  I am so much better and …

  Sunset on Banda Island, Lake Victoria Uganda New Blood II: Gotta have it. Yesterday, we shared about the need for new  blood in any organization and ministry. If you missed this blog about our new team member, JD Hull, and a guitar player named Steve Gaines, you can access it at   The second story is from Louisiana as …

Prayer need: Our new colleague (who is in this story) J.D. Hull is completing his first week in South Sudan. Pray for him and his language mentor,  Robert Lane.  Also, pray for “new blood” to join our strategic work in South Sudan and its borderlands. To our faithful readers: If you note any corrections needed in this blog, please contact …

  What if . . . What if you and your church decided to find the Uduk People. As you can see from the map this group is located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.   You wouldn’t need a passport. Just the courage, energy, and curiousity to go find the Uduk in the Metroplex. What if  . . . You …

  Saturday,  23 May 2015 Nairobi, Kenya   Currently church groups are wary of venturing into many parts of the world where we work. Due to the ongoing South Sudanese war,  we only recommend that groups consider going to the two SS locations we have field personnel:  Taposa Land and Dinka Rek Country. Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya (scene of …

    Nairobi, Kenya is one of East Africa’s largest and most important cities. It’s where we are for the next week or so. I’m a village person. My village is Dry Creek, Louisiana. I’m not crazy about Nairobi.  It didn’t get its nickname, “Nairobbery” by accident. Africans have a hard time believing there are villages in America.  They’ve watched …

  A word from Curt The highlighted red text was written last week: As you read this, we are flying into western Ethiopia. We’ll spend the next week in refugee camps of Gambela Region. We need you persevering in prayer. When you pray, you are holding the rope. When you hold the rope, we’re willing to go down in the …