South Sudanese leaders meet for spiritual retreat in the Vatican.
Shalom.
The religious landscape of South Sudan is comprised largely of Catholic and mainline denominations, notably Anglican and Presbyterian. This reality is reflected in the highest levels of Government, as the leaders who are currently engulfed in a protracted civil war against each other are from these denominations.
Since the eruption of South Sudan's civil war in 2013, several failed attempts were made by regional and international power brokers to overcome the impasse between the warring factions. Instead, the conflict spun out of control, sending millions of South Sudanese into exile and taking the lives of untold thousands.
I was on the ground on September 12, 2018, when the warring parties signed the latest peace treaty. This agreement remains in a fragile state, could unravel at any moment if not handled properly.
This is the context of the two day " spiritual retreat" in the Vatican coordinated by the Pope, the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, President Salva Kiir, First VP Riak Marcher, VP Taban Deng and VP Mrs. Rebecca Garang at the request of the South Sudan Council of Churches.
Considering the severity of the problems facing the country, this is better than bloodshed. We can all be grateful these men are not butchering each other in Rome or consulting with Islamic clerics in Saudi Arabia.
And it is actually imperative for South Sudan's government leadership who are at the center of this conflict gripping the nation to seek spiritual guidance and reconciliation. However, only Jesus has the power to set men free. He is the only one who has the power to set men free from the reign of sin, wars, Islam, paganism and death.
Never before have the people of South Sudan more desperately needed to hear the Gospel proclaimed, to transform a nation needing both physical and spiritual redemption. This is the reason why you support the work of ONMI in South Sudan.
Pope Kisses Feet of South Sudan's Leaders to Encourage Peace
Pope Francis knelt and kissed the feet of South Sudan's rival leaders Thursday, in an unprecedented act of humbleness to close a two-day retreat for the African leaders.
Here is the whole speech...
"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—
for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time." 1 Timothy 2: 1- 5
On the ground in South Sudan this is what the Lord calls us to do.
Like Nehemiah, with your help we are encouraging the exiles to return home to rebuild their broken communities. For the last two years as the region sat in desolation, we continued to believe that the conflict in South Sudan would come to an end and that the people would return to rebuild this land that God delivered from the grip of Islamic tyranny in 2011.
With your support and prayers, the trumpet call of Nehemiah has gone out in calling God's people from all walks of life to take part in rebuilding the walls of a thriving society for Christ: one person, one family, and one village at a time. Revival in South Sudan is coming.
ONMI pastoral team giving out Bible o the South Sudanese
The backhoe had been loaded on flat bed from the dealership in Kampala, Uganda and transported to South Sudan.
Thank you for your payers.
The backhoe has been shipped to South Sudan from Uganda. Thanks to our ground leadership team under the leadership of our country Director Pastor Timothy Levi and the management team who have tenaciously held the line of hard work. They went through customs and managed to get the backhoe into South Sudan. Thank you a lot for your prayers. God's angels were watching all the way through .
The coordination of funding between our main office in the USA and the field staff and getting work done has been impressive. Everything unfolded very well and on time. We want to once again thank God for you for making this effort a reality. I will keep you updated on the progress of the equipment, its arrival and development application in the Beth Israel farmland. Our ground staff is working on registering it as farm equipment with the Government of South Sudan.
Spring 2019 Mission trip:
We are anticipating to travel to South Sudan possibly in the first week of May.
Here is an update from our last fund raising efforts. Please join us in prayer for the remaining balance to be raised by the end of April. It can be done!. With God all things are possible.
Outline:
March- April = $143,000
May - June - $30,000
Fund already raised March - April = $94,200
Balance = $48,800
May- June = $30,000.00
Total budget: April - June =$78,800
Immediate needs:
1- Airline tickets and travel logistics - $10,000
2- Evangelistic/ medical vehicle $35,000.00
3- Mission administration - $3,800
Our online tax deductible contribution can be made at www.operationsnehemiah.org or mail your check to the address below.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
In His Grace,
William Levi,
Founder and Overseer,
Operation Nehemiah Missions
PO Box 563
Lanesborough MA 01237
www.operationsnehemiah.org
Phone:
413-770-4711
