August 15, 2011 Newsletter

Dear friends and family,

Job 12:23 “He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away.” God has raised up this new nation called the Republic of South Sudan, and it’s exciting to witness how His glory will be put on display here. We pray that God will pour out His grace on this infant nation, calling to Himself a host of new worshipers.

God has heard the prayers of His people for stability and peace within South Sudan in these early months. There are many challenges ahead, and we expect it to get more difficult before it gets better. The most immediate need for many of the people is food, by growing it or buying it or receiving it from aid organizations. Skyrocketing prices on everything is pushing people to their limits – we pray for relief even as we pray that these conditions will turn their hearts to the Lord of the nations. This economic crisis is largely due to SS’s long-running reliance on busy trading with the north (Sudan), and now Sudan has all but cut off trade, seemingly to make it as difficult as possible for South Sudan to survive its infancy.

A few weeks back I alerted you to the ethnic cleansing going on just north of us across the border. The Dinka communities in the Nuba Mountains consider themselves part of South Sudan but their homes are in Sudan, and Sudan military and misseryia are still trying to wipe them out. This is an ongoing crisis of potentially epoch proportions, and the international community has done almost nothing to stop it. We pray for mercy.

Our radio staff has been going through some challenges as well. One full time young man needed to go part time, and another full timer came down with a critical case of TB and will be out for some weeks. I’ve been training some new guys – each of us working long days to keep the broadcasts on the air.

Next week our Cush4Christ team will all be together for the first time this year, and a special addition will be my nephew James Brinkerhoff. James graduated recently from Grove City College and followed God’s leading to spend 1-2 years with Cush4Christ. All of us on the team are looking forward to his arrival…but none more than me : )

PRAISES

1. Rains that finally came to rescue a somewhat dry start to the rainy season.

2. Stability during these fledgling months of political infancy.

3. Equipment with weaknesses continuing to operate…with parts on the way.

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. Economic relief so the poor can get food…and knowing our part for helping without hurting.

2. Divine intervention for the deliverance of the Nuba Mountain people.

3. Renewing the radio staff’s technical knowledge and skill and restoring a manageable routine.

4. Financial support for the long term future of Weer Bei FM. (Please contact me if this is something you’d like to consider.)

5. Ongoing growth in the Word as I study 3 times a week with Alou, Wul, and Ngor. (Finishing Judges soon – where to next?)

6. Internet communication restored.

Change is all around (nation, team, radio, future) and can sometimes be unsettling for someone like me who likes routine…“But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children….” Ps. 103:17

Soli graci,

Scott

June 17, 2011 Newsletter

Dear friends and family,

I'm in Nairobi - will reach the states on Monday for visiting family in FL, CA, NC, and NJ before returning to the new country of South Sudan on July 18. Independence day for them is July 9 - hate that I'll miss that. As I left on Wednesday, fighting was continuing in the Nuba mountains and around Abyei, Kadugli, and Kauda. These places are about 3 hours drive northeast of where Cush4Christ is located in Wanyjok near Aweil (Google Earth now can take you to our radio station if you follow the road north out of Aweil for about 20 miles to a junction).The north is using heavy artillery and aerial bombing in what they say is their right to eradicate the SPLA (southern forces) from that region. Most of the people in these areas are Dinka and consider themselves part of the south and loyal to the SPLA. During the civil war they fought fiercely on the side of the SPLA. Now they
are being told by the north that the new border between the north and south (not officially determined in some areas) puts them in the north and they must surrender their weapons or move to the south. Many are refusing and choosing rather to fight in what seems to be a kind of guerrilla warfare. Sadly, the north has a history (in the south and even currently in Darfur) of responding to this kind of situation by exterminating the people in the troubled areas, and it seems they're beginning to resume this brutal pattern here. Some are of the opinion that the north is frustrated about the prospect of losing such a high percentage of the oil production to the south when the south secedes on July 9...and if the north can precipitate a return to war (and somehow blame it on the south), they can hope to change the border lines so that more or even all the oil fields will end up in the north. As we know, war can do things like this. What makes all this even more tragic is that this is the beginning of the rainy season,
which means 2 things for the poor people living in these areas: 1) It's hard to escape because weather and roads make travel very difficult, and 2) The people's food supplies are at their lowest at this time of year (they should be cultivating their sorghum but instead are fleeing into caves etc.) and this has been complicated by the north blocking goods and fuel at the border for over two months now.

The leaders talk about ceasing hostilities but it's not happening, and the UN and the western powers appear to be impotent in finding a way to force a stand down.

I'm probably giving you more than you want to know - if so, just skim. But if you want to know more, you can check the same web sites I check daily which are: http://www.sudantribune.com/ and http://www.southsudannewsagency.com/index.php

Feel free to relay this to anyone concerned. My time will be short in the states on this visit but hope to see some of you at least briefly. My desire is that you will NOT worry about me and that you will NOT have some exalted notion about what I'm doing in Sudan. Rather, exalt the steadfast love of our God and stand in awe of His merciful providences. The King is on the move in Southern Sudan and I get to be a part of it...and so do you! What a privilege!

Psalm 40:5 "You have multiplied...none can compare...I will proclaim...."

Soli graci,
Scott

May 2011 Newsletter

Dear family and friends,

From Psalm 102

“But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations. You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her, the appointed time has come.”

The psalmist knows God is angry, yet he turns to Him in repentance and calls on the faithfulness of His grace. He knows God will have pity, and I need to know it also when I see the suffering here.

All around me are people living in small grass shelters covered with a tarp, cooking on small open fires and sleeping on mats or simple beds of wood and string. The rains (usually hard) are here now, and the people try to keep from getting soaked. Children with weak immune systems succumb to the relentless attacks of poor nutrition and terrible sanitation and hygiene – I see some of them wasting away and hear them coughing in the night. It’s often hard to know how to help when the need is so overwhelming. Poverty and fear of renewed war hang like a cloud, and yet they come, calling on God in repentance and faith. I am so limited in my ability to help them physically, and more than ever before, I find myself saying, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” But my comfort is that God has appointed a time of favor for His people and that He will arise and have pity on them…and He’s using me to do this.

Last weekend the northern forces over ran the town of Abyei (about 80 miles northeast of us) and is now occupying it in defiance of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. It seems they intend to grab as much of the oil-producing land as possible before the south becomes independent on July 9. They are also blockading food and fuel at the border and supplies in the market are almost gone. The price of what is left has skyrocketed. The south is not responding with war but instead is appealing to the international community…for now.

So the perilous times continue, “But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever…he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.”

In the midst of all this I’ve been able to continue my radio ministry work and discipleship Bible studies, but I’m also looking ahead to what God may have me do next. There is a great need for Christian education in our community, so Vince (our team leader) and I are discussing this and praying.

ANSWERS TO PRAYER:

1. No new trainee for the position of radio director, but a new young employee may grow into it as he matures, and this may be God’s provision.

2. God has protected our staff from family cultures that often create bondage (extremely high bride-price that resembles extortion).

3. We have not been introduced yet to the givers that are needed to establish financially a sustainable radio ministry here in southern Sudan…still looking. Will you help us look?

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. That God would lead us to a sustainable financial plan.

2. That God would confirm my next work of establishing a Christian school.

3. That the Good Shepherd would protect and provide for His growing church as the land continues to teeter on the edge of war.

Soli graci,

Scott

March 2011 Newsletter

Dear friends and family,

I’m overdue for reporting on your prayers! Forgive me, for the King has been at work and you need to be updated. God has carried us through the referendum here in southern Sudan without returning to war, and this can only be attributed to the mighty arm of God. Even though Independence Day for the south is July 9, tensions continue to rise and fall…and so we continue to pray for peace.

But there’s a real sense in which our life and work is warfare, and we’re not to expect peace. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Eph.6:12. The battle recently for the radio ministry has been in the area of personnel – the battle lines involving contentment, responsibility, and commitment. But our King fights with gentleness and meekness as He speaks the truth in love, and He helps us fight the same way.

Here’s what He’s been doing in answer to the prayer requests of the last newsletter:

1. Leaders committed to peace in the land.

2. The man chosen with much prayer to be the next radio director has had to bow out – the prospect of moving his family was too much. This was God’s protection.

3. The property disputes seem to be finished after some feisty confrontations, favor with the authorities, and the eventual arrest of our adversary. God fought for us.

4. God has given us patience as we continue to look for someone to teach sound doctrine on the radio.

Prayer requests:

1. A new trainee to begin learning the job of radio director.

2. God’s protection on our staff as each one faces very difficult cultural issues from within his family. There seem to be endless ways here in which greed causes people to put their own family members in bondage, especially if the family member works for a kawaja (white man).

3. Someone(“s”) with the gift of giving and an irresistible urge from God to be His perpetual provider for underwriting the radio ministry of Weer Bei. Our annual budget is under $20,000 but should increase by 50% over the next 2-3 years as we improve our stewardship practices (such as including depreciation figures each year as well as planning ahead for growth). We face the reality that the Christian community in this area is years away from being able to support a radio ministry.

Maybe you’ve noticed that I try to limit my newsletters to a page. It’s my purpose to give you a broad overview of recent weeks, report on how God is answering your prayers, and provide an updated prayer list. I realize there might be some out there for whom my “broad overview” is somewhat frustrating because you have the time and interest to know more. Please send me your questions and it would be my pleasure to fill in the details – I really mean it.

So now it’s back to the battleground, to pull down enemy strongholds and take captive every thought, using the weapons of truth and meekness and gentleness (I Corinthians 10).

Soli graci,

Scott

Dear family and friends, January 24, 2011

A week has gone by since the end of the referendum here in southern Sudan, and God has heard the prayers of His people and spared us an outbreak of war. The north tried to initiate conflict a number of times but the south exercised extreme self-control and did not engage, even though 40-50 lives were lost in the process. The outcome of the vote is known to everyone – the south wants independence – but the official results will not be announced for another week or so. The CPA required 60% of the registered voters to vote, and most states reported percentages in the upper 90’s. Some early predictions are that 99% of the voters will have called for secession and the right to become a new nation. These numbers are certainly a testimony to the decades of suffering endured by the people of southern Sudan and their desire to be free from their persecutors.

Thank you for praying for my safety. I never felt a moment of danger, and the radio ministry has continued on through it all. I even survived somehow as the only kawaja, but I definitely look forward to my teammates returning soon.

I’ve often described the difficulty of the hot climate in Sudan, but this year December and January have been absolutely beautiful. The days have been mid-80’s with a strong breeze and nights down in the low 60’s. And no rain since September. Want to visit? You just missed the best time : )

Here’s something new: thousands of people returning to southern Sudan from the north as they fear persecution when the south secedes. They are settling all over, some temporarily, some permanently, and a few hundred very near the radio compound. This has stirred up emotions about property lines as well as the sinful nature of some to take advantage of the situation. By God’s providence, we find ourselves right in the middle of it, both literally and figuratively.

Also new is the beginning of a newscast. We have partnered with a Sudanese news organization to receive their written stories by internet on a daily basis, and then John Garang translates 2 or 3 of their stories into Dinka, enabling us to air a 5-7 minute newscast each weeknight.

Our radio manager trainee is starting in 2 weeks. We’ve been praying about this for a long time. The transition of moving his home will be difficult and take months. The Dinka do not easily move away from their land or family property.

So much to be thankful for as 2011 gets under way: nice weather recently, safety, peaceful referendum, newscast, RD trainee, faithful partners in prayer like you…just to name a few.

Weer Bei FM prayer requests:

1. Humility, integrity, and clear thinking for country leaders in upcoming move towards independence.

2. Radio Director trainee – learning curve and family transition.

3. Wisdom and grace to settle ongoing property battles…that God would fight for us.

4. To meet our last foundational goal as a start-up radio ministry – find someone who knows sound doctrine and has a passion for teaching it on the radio.

Here are the verses that come to mind when I think about how far God has brought us in these first two years of operation: 1 Corinthians 1:26, 31 “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise….Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Soli graci,

Scott