Mission to Juba, Sudan - Day 4

A moment of prayer on a hot September day.

This was the “hump day” as our partner evangelist Keith Cook calls it. We have struggled through some significant difficulties, made some significant changes, and, praise the Lord, we are travelling quite smoothly now. The only thing which stopped us moving as quickly today was the stifling heat. We had to delay going to some meetings scheduled in outdoor venues because it was simply too hot and people were hiding indoors. Having said that, one of the meetings conducted at midday on a busy street lined with small businesses, still attracted a small group who defied the blaring sun to stand and listen just in front of the preacher.

Another meeting earlier in the morning was conducted in the midst of a goat and cattle-selling area, just outside the bar which was nearby. Roughly 50 young men were sitting around playing dominos and pool whilst drinking. They looked bored and directionless, but invited us to set up and preach. It was hot and a very odd venue in which to set up a sound system but we went ahead.

A man at the goat market responds to the altar call.

A Kenyan preacher shared his testimony of being deceived as a young person, and wasting his young years smoking and drinking. He explained how Satan had come to kill, steal and destroy, but that Jesus had come to give us life. His message was affirmed by our Ugandan evangelist who explained that through Jesus death on the cross, it was possible to be freed from guilt and condemnation, even those who had committed atrocities.

The group listening had looked self-consciously interested, and, particularly because the altar call was taking place in their “watering hole,” I wondered if anyone would have the courage to respond in front of their peers.

Surprisingly even the hardest looking men stood to their feet when invited to give their lives to Jesus and become his child. People appeared from nowhere, doubling the number I had thought were listening. Easily over 60 adults gave their lives to the Lord.  They prayed with raised hands. It was one of the most touching meetings I’ve attended.

More decisions, more lives changed following goat market sermon.

In the evening our Ethiopian evangelist shared about being born again on a popular local FM radio station live talk show. Numerous people, including Muslims, called in to discuss the message and ask questions about the mission. Members of the team will share in other live talk shows on Friday and Saturday, and we’d greatly appreciate prayers for these opportunities.

- Vanessa Khlentzos

(Pan African Communications,

African Enterprise)