Persecuted, But Not Abandoned; Struck Down, But Not Destroyed

Kuel & Karbino at Livingstone Guest House

We had the privilege of having 2 lost boys come to our house last Sunday for lunch.  They had chili for the first time.  Afterwards they shared their stories of how they came to Nairobi and how they came to know Christ.  The group of college students from Ohio State sat focused on them the entire time.  I found myself amazed at how they could recount stories of pain as if they were reading you the grocery list.  Their stories were as powerful as anything I'd ever been privileged to listen to before.  

Karbino is a young Dinka from Southern Sudan.  He came to Kenya in the late 1990's.  He saw violence take the life of his mother and then later his father.  He hasn't seen any other family member since having to flee into the U.N. Refuge Camp.  He speaks  impeccable English and has a very high I.Q..  Karbino loves Jesus.  He shared the story of how Jesus came and comforted him during his abandonment.  Karbino has found hope.  A friend from the U.S. came to him and is currently helping him finish college.  Karbino is president of his class.  He loves politics and is passionate about going back into Sudan to help his people.  Karbino will succeed because his faith is in something unseen.  

Kuel is very tall young Dinka from Southern Sudan.  His English is not very good.  He is always smiling, revealing the evidence that shows he's Dinka.  He is soft-spoken and straight-forward. He came to Kenya after a raid on his village took the life of his mother.  The only person he knew was his older brother who now lives in Nairobi with him.  He has never finished school.  He wants to preach God's word.  

We've had the privilege of watching these young men worship at a predominantly non-Kenyan church.  The entire service is in English, yet these young men cry out to God as they sing words they barely understand.  They come to this church because they get treated differently in other churches.  Kenyans aren't keen on them.  Yes, discrimination is very common here among other nationalities and tribes.  It's difficult for them to find an inexpensive place to live and buy groceries.  So they come to Karen Vineyard where they receive love and acceptance.  

Please pray for Karbino & Kuel.  Pray for other "Lost Boys" from Sudan who have endured more than you and I ever will.  Pray for the Nation of Sudan.   

Kuel (left) telling his story

Karbino talking about his hopes for Sudan.

A dance for pants..

I knew as soon as I got consistent with blogging I would then become inconsistent shortly afterwards.  So, sorry for the absence.

It's been another crazy week.  The Austin's moved back in and we are getting them settled.  This is their last move before going home after Abby is adopted.  Although we continue to pray for their adoption to wrap up, we selfishly want them to stay with us for an indefinite time.

For now I want to thank those of you who participated in 48 hours of Hope.  It means so much to us that several of you were burdened by what God is doing here and chose to be a part of this ministry.  For the Lord to burden Michael's heart to prompt this means so much to us. We only wish all of our National Partners could see the generosity of your giving!  We even gained a couple monthly supporters which is super key in keeping this going!

I briefly wanted to mention this past Tuesday.  I had a blast giving back the "clean" clothes to the street boys.  Remember the little pair of shorts from the last blog I mended?  When I handed his clothes back to him- he immediately held them up to himself and began dancing around with a massive smile.  THAT made me happy.  Another boy smelled them and said with a huge smile: "Ohhh- they smell SO good!"  That's right.  Those clothes I thought still had a stench to them- he thought was a wonderful  smell.  Humbling.  Now, when I think my clothes are dirty- I know I can wear them a few more times.  I challenge you all to think twice next time you want to just toss a pair of jeans in the hamper because they met your "wearing quota" of 2.

  

On a completely different subject, I want to ask you all to join in with us as tomorrow as is National Prayer Day for Sudan.  I received an email from SP informing us of this special day of prayer.  Join Sudanese Believers in Prayer for their nation.  Christian leaders from more than 1,000 churches in north and south Sudan are urging believers worldwide to join them for their National Day of Prayer on August 1.

Sudan is moving into a critical time of transition. National elections are scheduled for January, 2010, followed by a historic referendum for the independence of Southern Sudan in 2011. Believers in Sudan have been fasting and praying for their nation during the week leading up to the National Day of Prayer on Saturday. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, President of Sudan

• Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of Southern Sudan

• A peaceful election in January

• The vote on independence for Southern Sudan in 2011

• Revival and prayer in local churches

• Lasting peace throughout Sudan

The people of Southern Sudan suffered through two decades of bloody civil war that claimed more than two million lives before the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005. A sustained peace is critical over the next two years as sensitive negotiations and historic elections frame the future of the nation.