Preparation

It is nearly time for me to leave the familiar and head to out to my adventure in Africa. After many years of longing to go to Sudan, it seems like a dream knowing that I will be there so soon. Just recently, I finished up my studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and graduated with a B.A. in international studies. I also just finished my final week of work so that I have these next couple weeks to prepare for the trip. I thank the Lord that everything has gone smoothly.
After a short orientation in Pearl River, New York I will fly to Entebbe/Kampala Uganda on June 3rd. From Uganda, I will take a flight directly to Torit, Sudan where I will be staying at the home of AIM field directors Phil and Linda Byler. Torit is a city of roughly 20,000 people located in Eastern Equatoria of South Sudan. The region is mountainous with a lot of vegetation, and it has two seasons: rainy and dry. During the rainy season, the ground turns to mud thus making road travel outside of town very difficult. Thank God for airplanes!
The population of Torit is very diverse. It includes the locals living in the area, the Lotuka and other groups, as well as many businessmen and laborers from Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, and North Sudan. The missionaries there have told me that Torit is a place of great need and much idleness. Although the town is booming, many of the locals are making no progress. For those who have spent their lives in the war-ravaged area, a dependence upon outside aid has developed. As a result, many have grown up believing that they have nothing to offer except a hand to receive. It is my desire to come alongside those who are idle or struggling and demonstrate the power of Christ through my words, actions, and every part of my life. Many of these people have no sense of hope, yet Jesus offers a hope to all people which is greater than what any human mind can comprehend.
Upon arriving in Torit, I plan to spend the first couple months focusing on learning Juba Arabic and getting acquainted with the peoples and cultures in the area. I am then looking to minister in several key areas:
-friendship building and discipling
-teaching a Christian and religious education course in one of the schools
-working with the already established prison ministry
-assisting in leading the youth in the church

Prayer Needs
-As anyone who has spent time in Africa knows, things frequently do not go as planned. Therefore, I may or may not be able to do all that I plan and hope to do. Please pray that the Lord will direct me into the areas of ministry where He will use me to reach people and touch lives.
-Pray that I would keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, as it is always easy for me to start depending upon my own strength rather than the Holy Spirit.
-Also, pray for the people of Torit that I will encounter and that the Lord would be glorified in our times together.
-And finally, please pray for my safety, health, and that travel would go smoothly during all the transitions.

I am so grateful for the outpouring of support that I have been receiving. Thank you to all!