_1210-2.jpeg)
_1210-1.jpeg)
_1210-3.jpeg)
_1210-4.jpeg)
A letter from Jacob and Aliamma George in South Sudan
September 2012
Proverbs 11:24-25: “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
One Sunday afternoon we caught a “bus” after we walked few blocks after the worship service at BAM center (the compound of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan), and there were two adults sitting in the front of the bus, then a 10-year-old boy in the back seat. Both of us got into the bus and the boy did not show any interest in talking, though we greeted him. We thought that he was coming back from church with the adult in the front sheet next to the driver. After about 10 minutes, the boy suddenly opened the door and tried to jump out. We shouted “No!” and Jacob said, “A car is coming, do not open now, close.” The driver stopped the bus on the side and the boy got out fast and tried to run; the driver called him back, and asked him the bus fare. The boy just opened his both hands and ran off. That bus door had a handle and a latch. Most of the cars and vans that run as buses have no door handle, and a young helper usually collects the money, opens and closes the door. We are trying to teach such youngsters honesty and integrity.
We have a combined Sunday School workshop of five congregations in the coming weekend and Aliamma is speaking on the topic of Christian Ethics. We are planning to use the whole armor of God from Ephesians 4:13-18, using stories and drama. Jacob will be preaching at the end of the session. Please remember us in your prayers.
We visited a small Murle (tribe) congregation of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan on another Sunday. When we went there a few months ago, half of the planks from the roof had dropped and the floor was not even due to wartime bullet holes. After the sermon Jacob gave a small amount and challenged the congregation to collect the rest for the repair, and it was done beautifully. There were about 75 people, 3 of whom who could manage English. We gave an English Bible to the assistant pastor who will help the Sunday School children to learn small English memory verses. Since English is the official language of South Sudan, the children like to learn it. Aliamma got a chance to talk to the seven ladies about Community Health Evangelism, and they agreed to visit other Murle families who are in the community to encourage them to come to the church and have fellowship. They also will tell them how to keep the yard clean by avoiding stagnant water to prevent mosquitoes and flies spreading diseases. The ladies will read a portion from the Murle-language Bible and pray in each home. We will go back to that church and will have an evaluation and celebration after three months. The whole congregation learned the song “Change My Heart, Oh God, Make It Ever True"—with a few practices.
On Fridays we go to the Upper Nile University of Malakal, South Sudan, as they have Bible Club meetings. They like learning small English songs and memory verses and sharing. Some of the students speak English fluently; others had Arabic-medium instruction until independence last year and they are trying to learn English fast. We write the songs on flip chart sheets and they write down the songs and verses and are very happy to learn. Jacob spoke on Jabez’s prayer from 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, and they were surprised that God granted “all that Jabez had requested.” Aliamma got a chance to greet them and share about Community Health Education and Evangelism. It was mentioned that “when a university student tells them, the community will listen." Aliamma challenged the 35 students to spread the message of Christ through the songs, memory verses, prayer groups, and simple health rules in their villages and towns. They are going home for three months and will come back in January 2013. When the 10 girls were told to encourage other girls in their community to join the university, they all clapped their hands. They take donations at each meeting and two of them are sent to the All-African Christian Bible Club Conference in Tanzania during the vacation. The director of the library met us on the way and said, “I wish I could attend your Bible class. It is a blessing for our students and I will discuss in our meeting whether our staff members can have a devotion and also give the Bible club a better closed room as the present hall is muddy and has mosquitoes and flies.”
Thank you, dear friends, for your prayers and financial support for this ministry at South Sudan, the newest nation on the face of the earth. We request your daily prayers for us. That means a lot to us.
Our previous letters are shown at PC(USA) Mission Connections website
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/george-jacob-and-aliamma/
Blessings,
Jacob and Aliamma George.
The 2012 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 94
Write to Jacob George
Write to Aliamma George
Give to Jacob and Aliamma George's sending and support
