Jun 15, 2017
UPDATE 2017:
Last year as the civil war devastated the economy in South Sudan it became increasingly difficult to purchase enough food for the kids in our full time care. God provided an older abandoned building formerly used by the Red Cross just over the border in Kenya where food is available and the kids can live in safety. We are pleased to tell you that the necessary initial renovations are complete and the kids are now occupying half of the facility. Thank you to all who prayed and donated to make this dream a reality. We will continue to receive funds and hope to have the renovations finished by the end of the year.
The children love their new home. Most importantly this place of refuge has given them a fresh start where they can live without fear and just have fun.
You will be amazed to see the transformation in these children’s lives in this two minute video. Enjoy!
ORIGINAL POST 2016:
So thankful that God has provided a new home for our Taus children- out of the war zone and into safety. Please continue to pray as we raise the finances to complete the necessary renovations.
Apr 9, 2017
Jul 27, 2016
South Sudan Crisis Update Wednesday, July 27
South Sudanese civilians are trapped in Juba and being used as human shields. These innocent people are afraid that the rebels will attack the capital tonight or tomorrow so they are staging a protest to plead for their lives.
In the chaos of war, women and young girls are particularly targeted for acts of violence. Government soldiers raped dozens of women that have taken shelter in the U.N. camp in the capital city. Thousands are beginning to starve because the U.N. food storage was looted and supplies were lost. Women are forced to leave the safety of the U.N. Camp and search for food outside. CBS News reported, “Two armed South Sudanese soldiers in uniform dragged away a woman who was less than a few hundred yards from the U.N. camp’s western gate while armed U.N. peacekeepers on foot, in an armored vehicle and in a watchtower looked on. One witness estimated that 30 peacekeepers from Nepalese and Chinese battalions saw the incident.” For the full article see CBS News link below.
The children in our sponsorship program are currently safe as they live 250 miles from the Capitol and have enough meals to last them the next month. It is possible that this crisis could escalate at any moment triggering an evacuation. In light of this, we have established a South Sudan Crisis Fund. This fund will help provide whatever is needed to stabilize our children. These gifts may be used for emergency rescue, relocation, housing, food, or any other necessities to provide a safe environment for our missionary team and the children. 100% of every donation to this account will go toward caring for the children and people of South Sudan.
If you would like to donate towards the South Sudan crisis please click on the support link at the top or bottom of this page. Be sure to write “South Sudan Crisis” in the comment box.
Prayer Points
– Please pray that the rebels do not attack the capital and that 35,000 innocent civilians will be spared.
– Please pray that women and girls would be protected against these horrific acts of violence. Pray that those who have been abused will find emotional healing in Jesus.
CBS News link:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/witnesses-say-south-sudan-soldiers-raped-dozens-near-united-nations-camp/
Jul 25, 2016
The past two weeks have proven to be our most trying time this year. In South Sudan’s capital city, Juba, the government forces and rebel soldiers have clashed bringing violence, instability and widespread chaos throughout the entire country. There is very little chance of peace on the horizon. We are overwhelmed that God has provided safe passage for James Nyika and the vehicle loaded with 30 days of food and supplies for the children in our sponsorship program. This has allowed us to postpone evacuation for the time being.
Our african village is an assortment of grass huts and usually filled with the noise of drums and loud music throughout the night. This week, the community has been so nervous that the town is almost completely silent from sundown to sunrise. Our missionaries and children begin their evenings with bible study followed by all 50 children raising their voices in worship to God. The local unreached people have stopped our missionaries along the road, saying, “When we listen to you sing to your God we feel a sense of calm and hope, thank you.” Please pray that God uses this to open many hearts to the Gospel.
Though the children in our sponsorship program are currently safe and have enough meals to last them the next month, we are not out of the woods yet. We are expecting this crisis to take a turn for the worst at any moment. In light of this, we have established a South Sudan Crisis Fund. This fund will help provide whatever is needed to stabilize our children. These gifts may be used for emergency rescue, relocation, housing, food, or any other necessities to provide a safe environment for our missionary team and the children. 100% of every donation to this account will go toward caring for the children and people of South Sudan.
If you would like to donate towards the South Sudan crisis please click on the support link at the top or bottom of this page. Be sure to write “South Sudan Crisis” in the comment box.
Prayer Points
– Please pray that the Kenyan border police continue to allow us to bring in relief supplies for our kids and missionaries. If they close the border we will be forced to evacuate.
– Please continue to pray for the 35,000 innocent civilians trying to escape the fighting in South Sudan’s capital Juba.
– Please pray that we will be able to continue to communicate with James and assist everyone in South Sudan during this crisis.
8.052941229.5185856
Jul 15, 2016
Yesterday, we lost all communication with South Sudan. We hope for the best that the cell towers had been switched off and yet fearing the worse that something terrible had happened. Our communication black-out ended this morning when I woke to James Nyika’s call. With thanks to God and joy in his voice, James reported that our missionaries and all our children are safe for the time being. Praise God! After seeking the Lord for wisdom, James and our missionaries feel it is best to stay in Narus, South Sudan as long as possible.
Today, James made it safely to Lokichoggio, Kenya. He said that the road through No Man’s Land is safe for now. James’ first priority in Kenya was to meet with the Kenyan border police seeking their approval to transport food to South Sudan. If he cannot return to S Sudan with food, we will be forced to evacuate our children and missionary staff. His second priority was to meet with the UN Rep about renting a house in Loki, Kenya for the Tauso kids if they are forced to evacuate.
As I was writing this, I answered my phone to hear James’ report that everyone in Narus is safe and rejoicing in God’s protection and provision. James’ trip was successful and he arrived back in S. Sudan with enough food to last 30 days for our children and missionaries. This means we can keep the school open and it also means that the kids do not need to relocate to Kenya. Miraculously, the Kenyan border police made an exception for James and allowed him to cross into S. Sudan with a huge load of food. For the next month God has allowed us to provide 330 meals per day, totaling 9,900 meals. Praise Jesus! This is an enormous answer to your prayers!
On Wednesday, the World Food Program warehouse in Juba was looted. It held more than 4,500 metric tons of food, enough to provide lifesaving nutrition assistance to about 220,000 people. UN staff have not been able to determine if any supplies remain to assist thousands of desperate people trapped in the capital.
Today, 50 Ugandan military trucks entered South Sudan. The Ugandan army stated they are in S. Sudan to provide security and assist in evacuations from the capital city of Juba. The S. Sudanese residence in Juba that we have spoken to on the phone are afraid that this massive build-up of military personnel is going to escalate to an all out civil war.
Today, in Kenya, Twinkle Zavala of Calvary Chapel Nairobi with the four ladies on our team hosted a VBS for a few hundred children. It went great! I am so proud of these ladies as they have remained totally flexible throughout this crisis and have turned disappointment into opportunities to show Jesus’ love. God has also totally healed our two missionaries struggling from food poisoning. Please continue praying as sickness seems to always come and go.
Prayer Points
– Please pray that the Kenyan border police continue to allow us to bring in relief supplies for our kids and missionaries. If they close the border we will be forced to evacuate our kids and missionaries.
– Please continue to pray for the 35,000 innocent civilians trying to escape the fighting in S. Sudan’s capital Juba.
– Please pray that we will be able to continue to communicate with James and assist everyone in S. Sudan during this crisis.
Thank you for praying for our team… Teri Jackson, Kelli Pollin, Heather Stevens, Becky Breznau – Rob Douglass
If you would like to donate towards the South Sudan crisis please click on the support link at the top or bottom of this page. Be sure to write “South Sudan Crisis” in the comment box.
Jul 13, 2016
We have not been able to communicate with our South Sudan country director, Pastor James Nyika, at all today. We are hoping for the best case scenario that all cell towers have been temporarily switched off. We are praying against the worst case scenario.
In Juba, the capital city, things are changing by the hour. We are crying out to the Lord to bring stability and safety to the thousands of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire between the president’s and the vice president’s troops. In one circumstance, the fighting continued to escalate for hours and neither side was backing down. The Lord brought rain so heavy upon the capital city that it forced all sides to cease firing all night. This is a direct answer to your prayers.
The USA has deployed 45 marines to protect the US Embassy. Most embassies and missions organizations have been successful in evacuating their staff from Juba. Others are still on standby waiting for the airport and roads to open. There have been small windows where MAF (Missions Aviation Fellowship) and other flights have been able to land in the capital and evacuate people. Our American team spent a few days with some of these pilots and asked them if they were afraid of landing in these areas. They responded, “No not a bit – this is why God has is here! We are actually excited to do it.” Please pray for these pilots and their aircrafts to be untouchable.
Today the United Nations stated that the death toll from fighting in Juba is almost certain to climb above the 272 people reported by the government. The UN Peacekeeping chief told the Security Council that government forces are obstructing the movement of U.N. personnel “every step of the way” making it almost impossible to get a clear picture of the scope of this crisis. He said “I would believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg given alarming reports indicating over the last few days many civilians were barred from reaching safer ground.” Over 36,000 civilians are trapped and in urgent need of assistance. Please continue to pray for these innocent civilians to find safety and food soon.
We are doing everything we can to reach our missionary staff in South Sudan. Please continue to pray that communication will be reestablished. Pray that God will give our American and African missionaries wisdom about how to best manage this crisis at this crucial stage.
Yesterday we asked for prayer that God would totally heal our two missionaries struggling from food poisoning. Today we have seen some major improvements but continually asked for more prayer that they’re healing would be complete.
Two of our ladies had a wonderful time this afternoon doing evangelism in Kabira, one of Africa’s largest slums located in the heart of Nairobi Kenya. Tomorrow they will begin preparing to host a VBS for a few hundred children. They are truly redeeming the time.
Thank you for praying for our team… Teri Jackson Kelli Rose Pollin Becky Breznau – Rob Douglass
If you would like to donate towards the South Sudan crisis please click on the support link at the top or bottom of this page. Be sure to write “South Sudan Crisis” in the comment box.
