Because Israel is the spiritual center of God's salvation story for mankind through the Jews and Jesus, her geography is equally contested and controversial. But anyone who is a serious student of the Bible knows that the "Jewish Story" and the "Jesus Story" are the heart of the Bible -- beginning with God's sovereign call of Abraham (Genesis 12). The second greatest story is that of the "Exodus" of God's people from bondage in Egypt under the leadership of Moses (Exodus, Numbers, Deutronomy).
Therefore, throughout the Old Testament, all other ancient nations are dealt with primarily in the context of their relationship with the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. So we should not be surprised that some of their names, locations, geography, dates, rulers and kings are not always as specific as we would like. Besides, the geographical boundaries of most nations have shifted and been redefined down through history.
While there are no specific references to the United States in the Bible, there are scores of references to African peoples and countries in both the Old and New Testaments. That's because they were and are closely related geographically, culturally and spiritually to Israel, or the Holy Land. Understandably, then, many names that we use today for various African nations have evolved down through the centuries. And that's why the area we call "Sudan" today is variously spoken of in the Bible as Cush, Nubia and Ethiopia.
The word "Sudan" is primarily Arabic in origin and means: "the country of the blacks." But the primary Hebrew word is "Cush," and generally refers to the people living in the lands south of Egypt. Their Biblical origin is through "Cush," the oldest son of Ham, one of the 3 sons of Noah (Gen. 10:6-8). So, the modern Sudanese are the racial relatives of the ancient "Cushites" of the Bible.
We know that Moses' second wife was a Cushite -- which caused significant conflict with his sister, Miriam (Numbers 12). Many Sudanese today strongly believe that the prophecies found in Isaiah 18 refer to them when it speaks of "...a people tall and smooth-skinned, to a people feared far and wide, an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers." But this prophecy of judgment says that one day the Cushites will "...bring their gifts to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the Lord Almighty."
The Sudanese point to Zephaniah 3:10 as a prophecy about them, where God says: "From beyond the rivers of Cush My worshipers, My scattered people, will bring Me offerings."
Along with the modern Ethiopians and Eritreans, the Sudanese also believe and claim the story of the eunuch, whom Philip led to Christ, as their own spiritual story and origin of their Judeo-Christian faith (Acts 8).
We may never know with 100% certainty if the Old and New Testament references to peoples and places like Cush, Ethiopia, and Nubia are exact references to modern Sudan. But that Sudan is in the general area of these Biblical events and prophecies is without doubt. That fact made the recent referendum vote highly significant, when the largely Christian and Animist South seceded from the Arab Islamic North! The vote by over 98% of the people of the South led to the birth of "South Sudan" as the 193rd nation of the world. Our visit there immediately after that vote was historic and exciting!
Please take a few moments to view the pictorial report from my visit to South Sudan, followed by my visit to Kenya. And as you view these pictures and brief captions, know that your prayers and your financial support made it all possible! So, be blessed in the knowledge that your partnership is touching Ancient Cush and Modern Sudan with the love and compassion of the Lord Jesus!
Living History With You For His Kingdom & Glory,
PS: Since I went to Abaco to work with our Bahamian friends and Haitian Diaspora just a few days after I returned from Africa, that report will follow in several days. Be watching for it also. I think you will be blessed and encouraged by it as well.
This was the banner that welcomed us as I stepped off the plane in Juba, Sudan -- the 193rd Country of the world.
As we drove through Juba, Capital of the new "South Sudan," this sign said it all about their "final walk to freedom" as a new nation.
The determination in this young Sudanese boy's face says it all! Life has been nothing but a struggle for survival for him. Pray that his future will be better than his past!
For the many months leading up to the Referendum vote, this large bill board marked off each day leading to the final vote for separation.
These signs were plastered all over Juba and South Sudan encouraging people to vote for Separation rather than for Unity with the North.
This is the new flag of South Sudan that is their "Symbol of Freedom."
My primary mission this trip was to visit the new land beside the Nile that Double Harvest is preparing to develop a large 250 acre commercial farm.
This picture was taken from the new DH Farm land looking across the historic Nile to the Capital City of Juba, where we will sell our fresh vegetables.
Meet Augusting Ladu, the director of Double Harvest Sudan, our new partner there.
This is a typical "tukul" that the people live in along the Nile.
Many of the people living along the Nile make their living from fishing -- just like this man who was mending his net.
The level of poverty is very high after nearly 30 years of war, as this little child reflects.
Here Len VanWingerden, Bert Lemkes and Augustine meet with the local village elders about the development of the farm we leased from them.
Augustine points out to Len the parimeters of the 250 acres along the Nile.
Bert Lemkes draws out for Augustine the location of the greenhouses and other buildings that will soon be constructed.
While in Juba, we visited one of the local vegetable markets where this little boy's mother was a vendor.
There were plenty of vegetables available -- but they are all trucked in from Uganda. So the cost is very high and the freshness is very low.
Len & Bert with Augustine shortly before we flew from Juba. They returned to Ethiopia and I returned to Kenya.
Pray for Augustine as he continues to give leadership to the development of this latest Double Harvest Farm in one of the most strategic countries in Africa.
On to Kenya!
After my time in Juba, Sudan, I flew back to Kenya for 10 days of work with Stakwell at the Sports Camp we began 5 years ago.
After my time in Juba, I returned to Kenya and to South Horr to be with Stakwell, Francesca and the team at the Sports Camp.
Francesca, Stakwell's wife, and their two daughters, Wendy (standing) and Maribell, after we attended church together.
One of the beautiful little Samburu girls after church.
The joy on the face of this Samburu Christian woman is evident! And I hope you will listen to the video to hear them sing!
One of the major break-through this trip was to finally be able to get another well drilled. This one will primarily service the garden so the other ones can provide for the Camp and local people.
Stakwell enjoys a cool drink from this new well water.
One of the joys each morning and evening is to see the women and children come to the Camp to get free water from the several wells we have drilled there.
It has been almost a full year since they have received any rain, so the drought is severe -- making this free water a great live-giving blessing.
While the Samburu living close to the Camp can walk and get free water each day, our burden is also to take it into remote areas with this trailer.
Once again on this trip, we did a water delivery several hours north to the Turkana Tribe, the historic enemies of the Samburu.
These women live a very hard life in this region of northern Kenya where it is extremely hot year round.
When we arrived, the effects of the drought was evident -- especially on the women and children.
Like the Samburu, the Turkana are a very colorful people.
Historically, the Turkana have been largely unreached by the Gospel in this area of Kenya.
Because of our supporters, Stakwell is now able to make weekly deliveries of water to the Turkana.
Turkana women, whether young or old, spend much of each day walking miles for water.
You can imagine the joy when our water trailer arrives with hundreds of gallons of fresh, clean water from our wells.
NDI has helped Stakwell in this project through the purchase of the trailer and drums to haul the water in.
The smile on this little girl's face says it all!
This Turkana mama immediately carried a pan of water back to her hut to make tea.
The appreciation was so evident in their faces as we filled all of their water jugs.
After my last visit in December, the Lord impressed upon me to take "solar digital players" to these people with the Scriptures in their Turkana language.
This Turkana mama is hearing God's Word in her own heart language for the first time in her life!
Here Stakwell shows several of the women how to operate the digital players.
Young and old alike were fascinated to hear God speak to them in their heart language.
On this first trip I was only able to take in 10 players for this village. Next trip I need to take dozens more.
Each of these solar-powered players cost $30. So I hope that many of you will sponsor 1, 5, 10, 20 players for Stakwell and me to put in their hands.
This is obviously the first electronic gadget they have ever seen or possessed.
Imagine the joy of hearing God's Word for the first time in your mother tongue!
This Turkana wife immediately took the player to her husband to listen to with her.
This old Turkana mama will now hear the Bible Stories each day as she goes about her hard life of survival in this hostile place.
I am especially excited that the children will be able to listen to the Bible and learn it early as they are growing up.
The speakers on each player is loud enough for small groups to hear it clearly, as these young women are doing by our Land Rover.
Pray for precious Turkana children like these who will now be able to regularly hear God's Word in this remote place where there is no church or regular Christian witness.
Another group we stretegically gave players to were the guards who are stationed in remote places, two-by-two. Stakwell supervises all of these guards who had come to the Camp for a day and night to have their weapons checked.
While the guards were at the Camp to have their weapons checked, we gave each of them the "sword of the Spirit" through these digital players.
Half of the players I took were in Turkana and half were in Samburu so each group could hear God speak to them in their own language.
Each guard is out a month at a time with nothing to do. No radio, TV, newspapers -- nothing.
Now they have God's Word to listen to 24/7!
This Turkana Guard was so thankful to have his own player. Please help me buy more for my next trip!
Each guard said they would also take their players back to their wives and children for the week break between their monthly deployments. So God's Word will spread to their villages.
One of my projects at the Camp this trip was to help Stakwell build a new Stone House. Since we started building these stone buildings, the local people have begun to earn money by gathering and selling stones for building.
While I was at the Camp, I started building a new stone house. These provide income for the Camp as tourists rent them.
We also started a new stone rondoval for an eathing place for tent campers.
These building projects also provide work and income for some of the local Christian builders. They earn about $3.00 a day.
The new Stone House will be similar to this first one I built a couple of years ago called the "Chief's House."
When you come stay at the Camp with a Team, you can enjoy the "bush luxury" of this stone house!
We also did some renovation and painting on our showers and flush toilets -- the only ones in the area.
A lovely view of the Camp Rondovals, each decorated inside with a different tribal emphasis.
A new series of 5 stone houses that Stakwell built so that more people can stay at the Camp.
These two Samburu masons built these houses as well as the new one I started this trip. The Camp can now comfortably sleep 30 people -- so plan to bring your church mission team to Kenya and South Horr this year!
We also restarted the garden since we were able to drill another well to replace one that had gone dry during this long drought.
Almost every day I was at the Camp tourist stopped in for a cold drink, a hot meal, an night's rest -- like this convoy of Land Rovers from the Lake Turkana Wind Project.
One of the income-generating projects that NDI helped Stakwell with was selling fuel since there are no petrol stations in the area. This helps generate funds for the Camp.
Hot and dusty safari travelers often stop by the camp now for a cold soft drink like this German couple who were cyclying across Africa.
It was a joy to also take in some new Camp T-Shirts and good used clothes for the staff who were so appreciative.
These 2 young boys have been adopted by Stakwell and were so happy with their new soccer shirts.
Meet Sampson Lempirias, who works with Stakwell at the Sports Camp as Manager. He graduated from high school in 2009 and hopes to go to College. But he cannot without a sponsor. So if you would like to invest in the future of a fine young Christian leader, sponsor him to college for $1,200 per year -- a great Kingdom investment!
Meet Clement Nkile, a Turkana young man who also works with Stakwell at the Camp in mechanics and water delivery. He would like to go for vocational training as a mechanic but needs a sponsor for $1,000 a year to attend a trade school in Kenya. Another practical mission investment.
My good friends, Larry & Mary Warren, flew up to meet me at the Sports Camp my last day. Larry had not been there in 15 years and was amazed at the progress. Elias Kagwime, of Mission Tours & Travel, also came up. As a Christian businessman, Elias is partnering with us in building another church for the Samburu in another village.
I am primarily an evangelist and teacher who travels around the world in apostolic ministry as God leads and enables me. In addition to preaching and teaching the Bible, I mentor our key partners to be more strategic and impactful for the Gospel in their countries and cultures, just as they continue to mentor me. I am relationally focused rather than program or project focused in ministry relationships and partnerships. 
