“What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” I Corinthians 14:26
We wandered around a bit, asking people for direction and finally found it – the place where people are coming together with the desire to form a church. They call this place Wutrial (Woo-ree-al).
We couldn’t reach the spot by car. Planting season has arrived in South Sudan and as folks dig their fields they encroach on the road. That’s okay – exercise is good for the body! We drove as far in as we dare and left the car trekking ahead on foot.
Arriving at the spot, we were greeted by two young men and the drummers. These two young boys were the designated drummers. Since the new congregation doesn’t have a drum, creativity and ingenuity took hold; as a temporary fix they are using this 20 liter plastic container. It is okay they say, but the sound does not carry. The sound must carry to call the people to worship.
As the drum sounded out the rhythm, people began arriving from the surrounding huts; striding up dirt paths winding through the fields of groundnuts. We gathered together under three big trees, some sitting on a few plastic chairs brought up from nearby huts, others using a large limb as a pew.
With greetings given, songs were sung to rhythmic clapping and drumming. Then the Word of God was opened. Truth was shared… What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and not have God? It is no good! What good is it for a man to have ALL the cows in South Sudan and not have God? – No good – was the response. We must give up our selfish desires, turn to Christ and follow Him.
This small group of men and women want to know more about living for Christ. They want to learn to follow Jesus; however, there are challenges. They have a New Testament in the Dinka language, but no one can read Dinka. They have a New Testament in English, but very few understand English. There is no one to lead them, no one to bring the Word of God to these who want to know more about Him. This is not an isolated incident. Literacy and the availability of the Word of God in an understandable language is one of the biggest barriers to the spreading of the Gospel in South Sudan.
Pray for God’s people to hear and obey His calling to come out from their comfortable lifestyle to bring the Word of God to those who are so hungry to hear.
Pray for creative ways to bring the Word of God to the people of South Sudan.
Pray that people will have the opportunity and dedication to learn how to read in order to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
