Toposa Land Trip Story…
September 25
Tonight the brothers from James church came for fellowship. After some time they admitted that James [pastor/leader] is in Nairobi receiving medical attention. We had known for some time recently that the school for the children was closed. We did not know why. 
We now know that the Commissioner had shut the school, locked Jame’s building and kept the key. At some time earlier this week the Commissioner demanded that James get on his knees and beg for him to return the key. Of course James refused. On Tuesday the Commissioner dispatched some soldiers to find James and beat him. As they were approaching the compound one of the young men saw them coming – grabbed the computers and ran them to a neighbor for their safety and then he ran. James was not at the compound nor was the other men that serve with him. The soldiers set up an “ambush” for James. Stopped him. Beat him. The young man that hid the computers had seen the soldiers before when they had locked the school as they came and surrounded the children scaring them with their guns. It is obvious why James has been so concerned about this commissioner since we were here last April and the man was trying to make James move his school, offices and entire compound. You may know that this Commissioner closed James’ Toposa church in the marketplace and has now established a tax office in that building. All of this since we were here in April.
The main purpose in sharing all of this with you is for you to exercise fervent and abundant prayers on behalf of our Brother, James and the church. We do pray that his wounds are not permanent, and we are believing that the Lord will provide quick and complete healing. We remember when receiving training from Curtis Sergeant (e3) in May, he stated that we should expect the persecution of the church to strongly increase this year. The spiritual warfare is getting stronger, but so are the believers.
Our other specific prayers are that our mission this trip will remain clearly defined. The timing could not be better. They need our love and support. We told the Brothers there would be hundreds praying for James and the church very quickly. Therefore, we are asking that you extend this prayer request to those whom you feel will be faithful.
How we would love to see a DRAMATIC move of the Spirit on behalf of the Name of JESUS, the one who is really the target for the persecution.
Be certain that we feel no danger nor have any fear. It actually is exactly as Paul described when he said you did this stuff to harm me, but it turned out for my good. That is exactly what is already happening. There was immediate outcry from the people in Kapoeta. They are making themselves heard in the Governor’s office in Juba. It has been so effective that the Commissioner returned the key to the school and the school immediately reopened. It is our prayer that the people will continue their outcry to the Lord and that this man’s heart will be changed.
Final items for prayer –
· Tomorrow we will go with the Brothers at the compound to work on the new church building at James’ compound that is already underway. Monday it is our plan to go with this team to Riwoto to help in the construction of the new church there. Does anyone read progress in all of this good news?
· Pray for Patricia to have a Lady Toposa translator so that she can begin the work on an effective Women’s Ministry.
· Pray for our planned visit with Shannon and Carrie Lewis, our new IMB Missionaries at Paringa – That the Lord will bless all of us with a spirit of love and cooperation as we seek ways to be a blessing to them and to extend the Church Planting effort into that area.
· Pray that the Lord will open the door for us to visit with our man of peace, Orachu, in Kormachi and that a work can be continued there.
· Finally, only the Lord knows for sure when James will return. We think on Monday. This will still give us time to conduct the training with him and his team. Pray for that opportunity.
NOW, for the hugest blessing of the evening, we had been informed that our team of 7 Toposas receiving training in Kajo Keji would not be returning until December. That was a bummer because we had wanted to minister with them when we bring the team in late October. We have now learned that they are taking a break from their studies and will be here some time next week and will be here during our mission. That will mean that we will be able to work with them and provide additional “field training” and we will have plenty of interpreters. And, won’t this be an encouragement to Brother James as he returns.
The fervent prayers of a righteous man (and woman) availeth much!
Patricia and Robert
September 28
Update on James. James laughed to hear how fast the 2 new churches have been erected in his absence. He has a broken rib and is healing. He plans to return to Kapoeta on Thursday. People here are missing him and concerned for his welfare. It will be good to have him back. The leadership has done fabulous during his absence.
Answered prayer about women contact. I made 2 good contacts with women today that are influential in the community of Riwoto . They do not speak English and are going to help me find an interpreter. I was able to use one of our Bible school students who is home on a school break to help me translate with the women. He did a great job, Stay tuned and I appreciate your continued prayers. Women Leaders: Regina Nakai and Madgalena Nakuta.
We had a delightful visit and overnight with the new IMB missionaries and their children in Kapoeta (actually Paringa). We went to a 9pm gathering of the local people to tell Bible stories. This took place at the regular community meeting circle about ¼ mile walk from the Lewis compound. It was dark except for moonlight. Very special to be invited to be a part of their regular meeting time. About 100 Toposa gathered singing and very intently listened to Shannon tell the story of God’s message to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. See more about them at http://www.toposafamily.com
Riwoto. Amazingly fast! The shell and roof of this new church building will be complete by tomorrow. It’s exciting to see the new young leaders working to help launch this new church. They had 15 in worship on Sunday and I met one of the new converts today. Prayers for their new Pastor Patrick to learn Toposa and to be supernaturally welcomed by the people of Riwoto.
Hospital. One of the young men in our Bible school has a very sick 5 week old baby. We are using gift offerings that were given to us to help pay $300 bill for the baby and transfer of the mother and baby to a hospital in Uganda. Prayer needed: mother Chapi and child Lokai and Father Joseph.
Additional prayers for mothers with children at the hospital: Rejina and Lobai;Tom and Peter; Lopes and Lotadi;Namant and Lokena.
Prayers for strength for Robert and I and the Toposa Leadership to do the tasks set before us. Leaders: Pastor James Lokuuda, Pastor Francis, Victor, John, Pastor Patrick, Simon Mathew, Paul Lonok, Paul Lonot, Samuel, Simon, What a privilege to serve our Lord alongside these valiant spiritual warriors of our Lord.
God bless you
Patricia and Robert
September 29
Did you ever hear the phrase… Wanna make God laugh? Tell him your plans. Nothing has gone so far like we planned…but it has all been excellent and wonderfully beyond what we could have imagined.
We began this morning at the hospital making arrangements for Chapi and her baby to go to Uganda for treatment. Hard to imagine a beautifully smiling face in the midst of this baby in very serious health….but there she was joyful to have us with her, praying over her and giving hope for a better day
Kormachi. We first visited this remote village in 2007. Robert found a man of peace that we have tried to reconnect with on past trips without success. But today….because of a misfortune for Orachu…we made contact. He was in an automobile accident so he was not in the far distant hills with the cows…which is where you go in a drought. We had a delightful visit and have made an appt to do a Bible Storying session under the tree on Saturday at 9am. Please pray for Simon Lokula, a former Toposa chief, and now a tender spirited man of God as he leads the group on Saturday. He is the perfect example of a leader who does not read or write having the opportunity to be a leader via Bible Storying. Pray for his courage, God confirming His call to Simon and support from the local pastors.
Tomorrow. Evangelism in Riwoto. The new church in a remote village from Kapoeta. It was quite fun today to talk strategy and encouragement with the young new leaders planting their first church. They have found that the Toposa love the singing and dancing and aren’t as enthusiastic about the teaching time. Please pray for the Toposa to grow to love hearing God’s Word
Prayer request. Pastor Patrick in Riwoto is having serious stomach issues and his mother is having complications following surgery. “I can’t leave now when we have just planted this church.” He begged to have this opportunity to begin this church and is giving it heart and soul. Please pray for his health and also the health of his mother.
God coincidence. We ‘bumped’ into Regina in the market this evening---she is the Director of the Women’s Center. She is looking for a translator for me. My new best friend in Kapoeta! She called me on the phone this evening so I would have her number…it tickled me since we don’t speak each other’s language
Thanks for the prayers for health and strength. Robert and I are well. God bless you
Patricia and Robert.
October 1
A long report follows. Robert first and then Patricia. Short version. We are blessed. Thanks for your prayers.
Robert: Today was scheduled to be a day of rest. We did not schedule it – our Toposa team did. I think we have worn them out. “Rest” does not necessarily mean ceasing from activity. Before noon we had a few hours of very valuable conversation with Clay Hearn who has temporarily relieved Greg at Hope4Sudan church and school. Yesterday he made an emergency run to Kakuma, Kenya to take a 13 year old boy who had been very seriously injured when an explosive device (larger than a hand grenade) was mistakenly placed in a fire where they were burning trash. It exploded doing much damage to both legs and serious injury to one foot. We prayed for the lad last night and this morning. We just received the word that the surgery was a success and the boy will walk. Praise the Lord.
Clay is such a Godly guy. He has a business degree but knows the Lord wants him to be a Doctor here. He has applied to a medical school in a course of study that would be targeted for work in an area like this. Undeveloped and unequipped. He has made application to only one Med School. Pray that God will provide. This man will make a huge difference for Christ in this area. How cool it is to genuinely feel and experience the Body of Christ – no boundaries. No denominational turf. Just serving the Lord together with the gifts He has uniquely blessed us with. After our joint meeting with him at breakfast, he and I spent some quality time together as I shared with him the Evangecube and how to use it in an animistic culture such as this one. We plan to introduce him to the HIV/Aids Educational Cube. The Sudanese Gov’t is now beginning to deal with that. A new open door for us. 10 new Aids cases per day at the clinic. They expect this area to be ravaged with aids within 3 years.
Irene (Jane’s dear friend) appeared this morning looking for a ride to Loki so she can spend the weekend with her husband, James, who has opened a garage there to make a living. Interestingly, Irene is working for Clay at the Hope4Sudan School. We tried to help her with that need.
Meanwhile, our dear friends (REALLY) Shannon and Carrie Lewis, along with their middle son Davis, paid us a visit. Just last night they finally received the “black box” from her folks that Carrie’s folks had sent with us and they were thrilled. Davis loved the candy that grandmother sent . They will join us in Naskal on Sunday, the sight of the new church plant as the church moves to the new location. What a joy!
Patricia has gone to the Women’s Center. She received a call from “Regina” who is interested in helping her to link with Toposa women here in Kapoeta to begin a ministry to women. How did that happen? After we completed the ministry late yesterday we “accidentally” ran into Regina on the street. Who would have thought. God plans every single detail.
We have had some quality time to consider and reconsider strategy as we continue to ask the Lord to show all of us how to implement Bible Story Telling and Rapid Church Planting. Unless HE instructs them, this will not happen. Please pray for that. An agreement in word and spirit of exactly how we go forward.
We are awaiting the return for James Lokuuda from Loki. The guys left this a.m. early to get him. Today, construction of the church walls at Lokuuda’s compound should be underway.
I (Robert) am awaiting for Pastor Patrick to arrive for a long session in my listening and hopefully providing wisdom on some doctrinal things that are troubling him. Pray for that wisdom.
So, now it is 12:00 noon on this “day of rest”. It may be kind of nice to go back to work tomorrow.
Now at 6:00 p.m. Patrick and I have finished over 5 hours of intensive discussion, vision casting, doctrinal stuff and training in how to use his new study Bible that I brought to him. Although worn out, he is pumped – blessed and ready for a new day.
A final thought before Patricia adds her report. Each day there has been at least one event that caused me to conclude that if all that was to be accomplished on this trip was that one event, it was well worth the time and money to come. Each day has been affirmed by the Lord as a day of His planning and His provision
To God be the Glory.
Robert
Patricia: I’ve attached a couple pictures of my adventure with the women of Kapoeta today. Regina and my phone conversation. All we can say is each other’s day and mataa. She called last night and again this morning. I had the nightwatchman talk to her this morning and he said “they are waiting for you at the women’s center”. I of course assumed she had a translator for me. Robert arranged a driver and off I went. On the way we saw John who I thought had left to go get Pastor Lokuuda. He joined us in the car wondering where I was going. When I arrived at the Women’s Center there were 23 women waiting in a circle and no translator. So God had provided John! A short while later my translator “night” showed up and you will see her in the pictures!
The women have not met for 2 months because of starvation. I attached a picture from April. They were in full swing manufacturing cinder blocks. They were being trained to do this skill and also to build with the blocks. The materials were provided for them and they were given sorgum to feed the women. They could sell the blocks to pay the women for their labor. Once the materials were gone they did not get another contract to make more bricks. They have “certificates” declaring they are capable but no takers….thus far. The land the Women’s center is on they cleared with their hands—they owned no machetes. They pooled their money to buy enough bricks to outline a foundation and they took a picture and then petitioned the gov’t for funds to complete their building. Their 2 goals for today: #1 get funding for materials to make bricks for a wall to surround their building for security. They will make the bricks and build the wall. #2 get a teacher for 1 year to teach 2 classes in Adult Education. Morning and Afternoon classes. 50 students per term. English and math. Are you interested in being a financial supporter of either of these projects? Please respond and I will give you more details.
We concluded the morning together with my telling them the story of the creation of the Spirit World. (see below) We followed the story with a time of lively
discussion. I have offered to teach Bible Stories to them October 15-28 before the team arrives. If they will agree to come and learn the stories and teach the story to their village we will feed them lunch each day. Kapoeta Women’s Bible Storying School! Isn’t God amazing!
It was about a 30 minute walk on a hot dusty road but a sweet conclusion to an awesome day. Regina and Night invited me to stop for a meal of goat stew with them—finger licking good! I am blessed. Thanks for your prayers of encouragement.
Tomorrow we are hopeful to meet with Pastor Lokuuda and other leaders about our future work together. We realize…if we were nearly beat to death…our priorities would probably change significantly. We are humbly grateful to sit before these men of God and have them share their hearts for reacing the Toposa people for Christ.
God bless you
Patricia
October 3
Finally we met with Pastor James Lokuuda…about 6 hours today with he and Pastor Francis. Understanding their vision and how we might be partners and a blessing to them. It truly was answered prayer to have this quality time with them.
Just now it began to rain on the tin roof. We have been seeing lightening for some time. It appeared to be in the distance. I think that it could be substantial. I have very mixed emotions. This is answered prayer. However, we have a meeting planned in the morning (Saturday) with Orachu under a huge tree in the bush – his invitation. We expect that he will invite many/several. So, if it rains a long time, that meeting will not happen. You can understand the my emotional swing.(it rained very hard. We have been stuck before ..actually many times.. on this road to Kormachi. One time for 5 hours.)
Now the rain is blowing hard. Thank you Lord for your goodness in providing the rain.
At 6 p.m. Victor picked us up and we went back to Lokuuda’s to enjoy fellowship, singing, prayer and food. The food was great. This is Friday night. They were beginning their Friday night prayer meeting. It will continue to the early morning hour. What believers! How much they love the Lord. It is great to be around all of these young preachers. You know we have 4 of them that are on break from Kajo Keji Bible School. Nicodemus and two others are on a different schedule and they remained in KK. These boys have daily study assignments they must complete and turn in their work on their return on Jan. 5th. They say the study habits are very strict. They attend class from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. every day. Then in the evening they sing, have fellowship and devotions. They take turns at night preaching to the group. They are totally immersed in their studies. Everything at the school is in English. The only occasion to use another language is when they go to preach on Sunday to a church other than KK.
In the middle of that meeting with James, he was delivered an official decree from the commissioner. James has 7 days to respond. An investigative committee has been appointed to review this information that James must produce. After the school was closed by the commissioner, there was a very small and quiet protest against the closing. Actually it was a small sign 2ft x 3ft with the words “Why did you close our school? We are entitled to an education.” It was that simple. Now they want to know who organized that “demonstration”, who authorized it, give proof of ownership of the land, etc. etc. It is clearly spiritual harassment of the first order. It’s like a kick in the face of James on his first day home. This commissioner is seeking every way he can to break James. So, please, continue to call upon our mighty God to not only sustain our Brother, but to provide to this commissioner and those whom he influences a strong demonstration of support from our King Jesus in defense of His own name. Pray also that James will not develop a hatred for this pest of the Good News. (note. Robert and I had a surprise meeting with the commissioner when he came to our lodging place. I thought he was the governor. He had been to an area to settle a dispute over cattle raiding between the Boya and the Toposa. I said to him…believing he was the Governor ‘thanks for being such a blessing to your people.” Robert also spoke words of blessing to him. We prayed this morning that somehow God will use our sincere words of blessing.)
I visited with one of the young Pastors from the Bible School. We have had a team begin a ministry there. It is called RAFFA. In only a few weeks, 30 men (some women) totally gave up alcohol. They had been hopeless alcoholics. Their lives and families were ruined. They are now worshipping the Lord, and God is blessing them. Only 10% of them are having continuing difficulty. Pray for them in their struggles and their intense desire to quite. This group has all received the Lord Jesus and are welcomed members at our church there. Praise the Lord. We are encouragine the beginning of a ministry like that here. It is needed. Alcohol and aids and tobacco are killing these people in large numbers.
Tomorrow will be another full day – God willing. We hope to be at the new church in Riwoto (Nascal) to celebrate with them. If the rain is very much we will be unable to cross the river. No rain here for months. I continue to learn so much because every minute can be consumed in understanding this people and the opportunity that lies before us. .
We love you dearly and are so blessed to have opportunity to have such good email contact with you.
God BLESS YOU
Patricia and Robert
October 4
What a day this has been. We were told to be ready to be picked up at 8:00. And, they did come at 10:00. Close enough for Africa. During that time there was the occasion to really review where we are in achieving our goals for the trip. We were not able to move because of the rain. Yes, the wonderful rain – answered prayer.
Our goal for this day was to go to Nagiligur – the place that we have incorrectly called Kormachi for the past 2 years. Those who have prayed for us for the past few years remember those long days of us being stuck in the mud on the way to this Toposa village. So today was to be another challenge.
While awaiting dryer ground we spent time at the compound. I (Robert) had quality time with Emanuel, the administrator for the Christian School that now has 46 students. He was so sad about all of the new problems the Commissioner has dumped on James Lokuuda concerning the school. We spent some time in the Word looking at Romans 13 along with Romans 8:28 – 29. Sovereign God in charge of all authorities. No authority existing without His allowing. And the tough part – praying genuinely for your “enemies” salvation rather than their judgment. Much good was achieved with this Godly young man. Keep praying for this situation.
Clay ( with the IPHC Church and School ) returned tonight after a trip to Kenya checking on the boy that had been a victim of an explosive device as we reported a couple of days ago. The Drs. Discovered a 3” piece of bone missing and just declared they would remove the foot. Clay declared they would not. It had a pulse. He is attempting to have him transferred to El Doret for extensive and multiple surgeries. I assured him that Jewell and Bill would dispatch our Sudanese friend John to go pray for him at the hospital. More on that as it develops.
Finally we were on our way to the village. The big river was running for the first time since our arrival but was easily passable. The road was wet and slippery but we made the total trip without being stuck. As we arrived, Orachu (our man of peace that we met 2 years ago – the man that we had determined would probably become a leader of a church if one was planted) saw us coming and he was both excited and animated. He kept reminding me that we were supposed to be there at 9 this morning. He reported that he had a large number of people assembled but when we did not arrive and the rains did, his folks scattered. He took us to his compound, went into his tucul and put on a pair of pants just like the ones I am wearing. Reason – I gave them to him 2 years ago so that he would have clothes to wear as a leader. He also handed to me 3 books that were in excellent condition. One is the Gospel of Luke and Acts, another includes Genesis and Jonah and the third was a beautiful children’s Bible story book and puzzle that Jane had given to Orachu. It was a blessing to see how that he still treasures those things that were entrusted to him.
As we walked toward the “Big Tree” meeting place he shouted in all directions to let the people know of our arrival. They began to come. In time we had over 30 adults and 20 children. The very shortest version of the gathering is that we sang songs, gave testimony and Simon Lokula preached. Simon is a friend that I worked with on other trips. He is from Kapoeta town and works for the government. To my HUGE surprise he told us that his home was in that village. He pointed to his circle where his family lives and where his grandfather is buried. I announced to him that I had preached the gospel in that very place. Simon had been a chief in his earlier years and is now a member ( Elder? ) in James Lokuuda’s church. We have been talking with him over the past several trips about the possibility of him going to this village and preaching. He had never told me it was his village.
The response was tremendous. Patricia did a great job on the Bible Story of Jesus casting out the demons from Gadarene Demoniac. We had 3 of our guys from the Bible School at Kajo Keji with us. One led the singing. Two interpreted and gave testimonies. At the end of it all, several stood and said they remember how it was in the 50’s before the war. That is when the Catholics had sent some folks for a period of time.They welcomed us. They want a place of prayer. They asked us to come every Sunday at 9 a.m.
After returning to Kapoeta, we found Pastor Francis and reported. He was thrilled and assured us that he will organize this and will go on the motor bike to the village and tell Orachu of our commitment. This is huge. I would expect a regular attendance of 100 to 200 all eager to hear the gospel, to sing and to pray. Orachu addressed the folks and said this whole village needs God. All of us need God. We must turn our minds to this matter and do it.
Those who have heard our “missionary talks” have all heard about Orachu and our desire to find him again. We go there to the village on each trip, but he was always gone to be with the cattle. This time he was there because recently there was a bad car crash. He was in it and 4 people were killed. He was home healing. God provided a way for this reconnection.
Tomorrow is Sunday. We leave early to go to Naskal – Riwoto where a new church has been built. You saw the pictures earlier this week. This church will have its last meeting at the public school in the morning then we will all walk across the village to the site of the new building where there will be a time of fellowship and the beginning of a new work. We are expecting it to be a wonderful event.
Tomorrow Patricia will prepare another report for you – our last here in Kapoeta as we prepare to go to Nairobi for the Cush Consultation. May the Lord bless each of you for your faithfulness to pray fervently for so many needs.
The two pictures were taken at the meeting with Orachu during the first ever service that we hope and believe will be the beginning of a new church. Please pray for that to become reality.
Patricia and Robert
Posted by on 10/06 at 01:00 PM