Sudan Missions Report

SUDAN TRIP MAY 8-18, 2005

By Steve Long & Brian Girdwood

Sudan is located on the south of Egypt and is the largest country in Africa.

We stayed at a home in the refugee “city” of about 500,000 people south of Khartoum. Temperatures exceeded 40° every day, and all structures were built out of mud - we saw no leaf or blade of grass there. Photography is punishable by jail in Khartoum, but laws are relaxed in this refugee area.

The home is part of Iris Ministries (the Bakers) and is run by a unique lady called “Mama Maria”, an American who has spent time at TACF. She went to the streets and brought in thirty 9 year-old children orphaned by the genocide or thrown out by their mothers, mainly prostitutes. The kids were all were tough and street smart, and didn’t know their birthdays or even their age. Even after being born again, they still had deep hurts coming from their roots. Fights would break out especially because of teasing or mocking. Following local tradition, staff disciplined the children with sticks and whips. We were impressed as Marie disciplined instead with her personality plus firmness and love. Many children were good workers, volunteering to build walls out of mud, and also removing the wheel off the pickup and rolling it to a nearby garage to have a flat tire fixed.

Marie held morning and evening services for the children. She has translated many current worship songs into Arabic, the local language, and the children not only sing with her, they also sing these songs to themselves as they go about their daily tasks. We were amazed to find how many children worshipped in tongues. Marie invited us to do the teaching at the services, as she translated. We were impressed at how well the children knew Bible stories. The evening services were conducted after dark, and we sat on the floor. The children rested their heads on our legs and eventually fell asleep in this position. At a Pentecost Sunday service, Steve and I prayed a further anointing of the Holy Spirit into thirsty children.

On four successive days, Marie arranged for outreaches at a local square. Local singers provided great worship music. Marie used a gas generator to power loud amplifiers which broadcast the music to draw in many in search of healing. Ailments included afflictions such as blindness and deafness as well as many pains affecting women. Steve preached Jesus boldly to crowds ranging from 150 to 400. Most were Muslims, who welcomed us and were far more interested in getting healed by Jesus than in clinging to their religion. The Lord was glorified as many received the healings they had come looking for.

The children prayed for Steve and me on our last day. We could feel real power and anointing in their hands as they touched us.

7/7/05