Trip Report 3

What? Who is just behind that hill? About a week ago, I had a bit of an adventure. Comming back from our headquarters to my sub-base I happened to find out that a group of Ugandan rebels were about two miles away. Later I found they probably were closer. The group in question was apart of the LRA or Lords Resistance Army. Needless to say, I reported the groups wherabouts to our headquarters and made my way quickly back to our sub-base. On the way, I met the chief of our local town comming out with some armed men to check on the report. We filled him in on what we had heard and kept going. Later on a troop of soldiers were despatched to make sure the LRA group left the area. I and my small team remained at our base till everthing was clear and we recieved reports from the authorities that all was ok. However, the incident kept us on our toes and reminded me of the dangers that are still very real here.
Also, recently a mine went off right on a hill in the town I live in. This reminds me of the very real danger of mines around this area. During the war, the area I work in was heavily mined. I pass deminning crews every day as I go visit the churches we work with.
As peace lasts longer, the united front against the North starts to get tested from the factions within. Old disputes and rivalries are rekindled and I have seen the effects of some of this in my travels here. Also, difficulties from the outside remain. The LRA for instance. Also, the trouble in Kenya has shown the dependance the South has on Uganda, which is dependent on Kenya. South Sudan felt the effects of the Kenyan trouble through increased prices on imports like petrol and diesel; which in turn sent up the price of some of the imported products. Fortunatley, this impact does not seem to be very long lasting. There is much that needs to be done in South Sudan and many outside companies are hesitant to come in because of fear the fighting will resume. According to some church officials I have met, many buisnesses are waiting for the 2011 referendum, to see if war returns. This is the point at which the south will vote to remain or remove themselves from Sudan, thus becoming a seperate country. Many here fear that such a vote will never be allowed to happen.
In our compound, we are replacing our fence. Part of it had fallen down last December, but we are making good progress on replacing it. I also have several other projects I would like to do in the comming weeks in Lainya. One of which would be to build a ladder up the side of our shower to the crest tanks that sit on top. The ladder would be about twenty five to thirty feet tall. I am also looking at building a small room on the side of our house for visitors when they come.
The work goes well, the churches are seeing a lot of volunteers comming out to help collect resources and build the blocks for the church. We have construction crews comming out now to start building the eight churches that are ready. When the construction crews come again, we should have even more churches ready to build then this time.
My friends, I thank you for your prayer support of the ministry out here. The work is a real encouragment to the people here. I have been told so many times, by pastors and congregations, to thank the people supporting this ministry. Since your prayers support this ministry, let me pass their thanks to you.
May the Lord who is perfect in all he does, guide you, encourage you and bless you this day.

Adam Lewis

Prayer requests
1. Continue praying for safety, as we are reminded about the dangers in this country from Landmines, rebels, drunk soldiers, etc.
2. Continue to pray for the spiritual development of the workers at my sub-base. Also pray for my and the other SP personel's spiritual development.
3. Pray that all the churches find the volunteers they need to finish the work set before them.

Round Two

Wow, I caught a little air on that last bump. As I returned to my sub base, I reflected on what I was doing. The wind was rushing through my hair and blowing on my face. I was zipping over a uneven and pothole filled road on a four wheeler or ATV. I had been stuck away from my base for a few days so the stubble of a new beard was on its way in. "I kind of fit the tough dude missionary look right now," I thought. Admittedly, it was kind of fun to make the two and a half hour ride over that broken down road.
Work is back in full swing here in Sudan. The churches in my area are hard at work gathering resources and clearing roads for those resources to be brought to the church sites. The trouble in Kenya has affected us out here in Sudan. Kenya supplies resources including oil to a host of countries around it and that oil makes its way to Sudan. Because of the trouble in Kenya, oil has had trouble making its way to Uganda and consequently, to Sudan. Availability of Petrol and Diesel fuels disappeared and I was worried that our operations might have to halt. Happily, that has not happened yet and my team was able to get some fuel.
Over the next several months our hope is to finish preparing the twelve churches we are currently working on, not to mention the seven or so that are ready to be built at the moment. We also are starting to look at where our next group of churches will be located. My partner, will be with me for another two and half months before he heads back to the US; at which point I should be getting a new partner.
As it is a new year, almost all the workers contracts will have to be renewed. As our work locations change, so will the needs of our workforce. These last few days have been filled with decisions on how many people we need as workers and in what capacity they can be most effective.
Every morning, we have a devotional lead by either myself or one of my Sudanese or Ugandan workers in leadership roles. These devotionals seem to be going well and are a good time for our workers to pray for each other.
Thank you all for your prayer support of the ministry out here. It is going well. As this ministry continues to grow in its scope, prayer, I think is one of the most important foundations we can build upon.

May the Lord bless you this day,



Adam



Prayer requests

Pray that our project will continue to get all the materials it needs to continue functioning. Fuel is still a concern here.
Pray for wisdom in our decisions on our workforce. There are still some positions we have to decide if we are going to fill or not.
Continue to pray for peace in Sudan so that the work can continue.
Continue to pray for safety as we work and travel.
Pray that the influence of the US staff, myself and Billy, will be a positive one spiritually to the Sudanese. Pray that we can build up our workers and make them stronger believers.

Happy New Year

Happy new year. Hello to all who are following me. I am now back in Sudan looking forward to another year of building churches. As we head into this year, please continue to pray for peace in Sudan and for God's blessing on this ministry and in the churches we are working with. May God bless you through this next year, so that you grow in faith, knowledge and wisdome.

Adam Lewis