Greetings in the name of Jesus,
Huge thank you to everyone – our recent trip to Juba, South Sudan, was an experience.
It is difficult to articulate in words our trip, but I can report that the container shipped had the most overwhelming impact out of all those we have ever sent.
There was so much appreciate appreciation of even the smallest item of clothing, as for many that was actually the only item they have.
We visited an Internally Displaced Person Camp (IDP) where August 2018 some 6000 people mostly women and children arrived after walking two days to escape conflict.
Sadly, being internally displaced and from a different state, the only external assistance was 1 week’s supply of medicine. People just had to survive by foraging wild mangoes and edible leaves while others would scrounge for firewood and walk the multiple hours into the city. If sales were good, they would have enough money to buy a small cup of flour.
The container we shipped arrived November 2018 and the Favour Africa church planting team were able to bless and distribute clothing. For the majority, this was the only clothing they had as all was lost fleeing their villages which were burnt to the ground and everything they owned with it.
The medical equipment was of paramount importance in hospitals that literally had none.
We had the opportunity to visit a military hospital where the chaplain team is very active. This is possibly the largest hospital in the country, and the best equipped. This hospital was designed for 350 but houses over 700 patients.
Despite being military, the hospital treats all civilian and soldiers as well as rebel and government forces equally.
Nothing can ever prepare you for what you will find in a hospital, and in a nation with so much recent and ongoing trauma, this is even more so. The beds in the container have reached many parts of the country – some places too dangerous to visit. At this hospital, a number have been added to the old mosque which is being converted into a ward. The room was filled with beds from Australia. In between patients were building materials still present as construction halted some time back, but it’s what they have so they do the best they can in the situation.
I am sorry for limited pictures. I get overwhelmed in tough situations. I just have to find a reason to leave the room sometimes as my heart breaks, so I fail to capture the moment.
I give credit to the chaplain team who handled, distributed, and took God’s love far and wide across the country.
Favour Africa has 5 teams working on training trauma counsellors. This is a pivotal requirement to see the Nation heal. They are using Christ-based training by Australia’s very own Dr Robi.
We will do more, and 2020 we will look to pack and ship another container:
Medical
Agricultural
Educational
Micro enterprises
I would also look to go in with a team to impart and impact spiritually, medical outreaches, farming training, business skills, and others as doors open.
The cost for the trip to South Sudan is $40-100 USD (accommodation and food, depending on how rough/comfortable you want to be). The visa is $130 USD plus travel (flights, insurance, yellow fever book, etc.).
We travelled well and were treated and cared for professionally. Huge thank you to the team at Favour Africa – what a heart for a Nation!
South Sudan has essentially been in some form of conflict since 1983 with only few short years of peace in between. You can feel the tension, but the people are warm, friendly, accommodating and open and happy that you are there. This has resulted in the Nation being brought to its knees to call on God in despair.
“We have nothing other than God”.
In every aspect you can see the void of development.
As a ministry we will do more and watch and pray as the next few months play out politically. Please Pray as the 12th of November is the scheduled date for the next step in the power-sharing agreement which could lead to open elections in three years.
Doors for the Gospel are we wide open. We have a unique opportunity to bring the Gospel, church, and God into every part of society and political framework as this Nation essential starts anew.
The other bonus of being the only Christian Arabic Nation on Earth is that it has evangelical potential like no other. As peace comes, life will change rapidly and at this point in time the impact we can have will be at its greatest potential with its highest impact. The time is now.
One of the few things we found interesting when talking with the people of South Sudan is that they are very aware of the issue with the South Sudanese Youth in Australia. Their thoughts were interesting: they want them to come back to South Sudan to help put their nation back together – they are welcome and they are not in danger and are needed.
For TTN, our part has only just begun.
I will be travelling back to Australia around February and March. Much of that trip will be focused on 2020 impact into South Sudan.
I did not go into South Sudan alone but with a team that covered the story of TTN input and the situation. We are excited to see how things unfold as we will potentially be covered in a special documentary on National television in Australia looking at South Sudan and Australia later next year.
But we have exciting footage and interviews I would love to share with you as well in the meantime. Due to commitment here in Africa I have to split my time in Australia February/March 2020 then December/January 2020/2021
God is Great! We appreciate your support and your prayers. The impact was immense!
In His Grip
Christopher Shadbolt
