2020 has been a different and most challenging kind of year, but God has blessed. Reports come in on FaceBook from all across Kenya and Uganda. Daily people are hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ and surrendering their lives to Him. House churches are meeting and new ones are starting. Last month alone over 40,000 Bible Way books were printed and given to followers of Jesus. This is the most IMFC has ever printed and distributed in one month, and it wasn’t nearly enough to meet the demand! Manna Ministry is working full speed in Kampala and Arua, and CoVid 19 relief was send to thousand across Uganda and Kenya. Maama Kits are being given to women in need of them as they prepare to deliver their babies in Kampala. The sanitary pad workshops are still happening. And all this is taking place when the countries are still somewhat locked down from CoVid 19. I thank the Lord and you who have stood with us in prayers and support. In many ways the work of IMFC is doing more now than at anytime in its 15 year history. God's Kingdom is not defeated by CoVid! To the Lord Almighty Jesus Christ be the glory.
Here is a story Paulino sent me from Arua and the work we do among the Sudanese refugees. Thanks for making these stories possible.
Joyce Z Oboch is a South Sudanese woman who came from upper Nile Region in South Sudan, Jongle state, Buma county. It is an administration area in South Sudan on border line with Ethiopia. She traveled from there to Uganda in 2014 due to the war in South Sudan. Her husband decided to bring them to Uganda to live as refugees in the refugee camps here in Uganda to save the lives of his children.
Her husband’s name is Koroka Lagalo and is 50 years of age. He is a military man working in wildlife department in South Sudan. He has four wives. The first wife has four children but unfortunately she passed away leaving the children with Joyce. The second wife has seven children, the third wife, another Joyce, has four children, and the last wife has three children. This is a total of children 18 children in the family. Also he has relative children of 41 living on the compound plus Joyce who is caretaker here in Arua. The total number is 60 persons in the family of Joyce that she cares for.
The husband of Joyce managed to send some money, like two hundred USD, from year of 2014 up to 2017. In May of 2017 he stopped sending money to family because everything became tough in South Sudan. He lost his job because of war in South Sudan. Also, the US dollar exchange rate against South Sudan pound became very bad for the pound. That is why he abandoned the family up to date due to no job in Tourist side and he does not have money to bring them back to Sudan. He has left them to the hand of Joyce and the refugees camp. From that day he stopped sending money and he also stopped communication with wife and children. He has closed all mobile phones up to now.
When Joyce saw that the children will die in her hand, she tried to work for people to get money for survival plus she got a little food from UNHCR in refugee camp. From 2017 up to 2020 she was managing one meal a day. When COVID 19 broke out she lost everything, her business with her customers, because everyone is now broke without money. This is how she lost hope in life and living in this world.
When I was moving around the areas within Arua, I heard from LC Area Leader Council in area called Oil Perish The LC told me there is a woman who is suffering with children in the area. I told the LC to lead me there. When we arrived, she told me thank God for your my brother. She told me she knew that someone will come to rescue her and the children. I saw life was very difficult for her and I felt sorry. I said IMFC has come to save their life like the children of Israel whom God saved from Egypt bondage to lead to their promise land. That’s what IMFC does. It leads poor and refugees people to their final distinction. I prayed with her and shared the story from John 3:1 to 8 about Jesus and Nicodemus. She accepted Jesus to be her boss and to be born again. We included her in Manna Ministry and started giving her food. Now she is starting new business by cooking tea, coffee, milk and dry tea to their fellow Sudanese.
Joyce is very happy and excited for what International Missionaries for Christ did for her life and living. She ask God to make IMFC grow bigger to support vulnerable people like her. She is thankful for the blessed hands who extended their heartfelt love to her and rest of the world.
Praise the Lord……………………………………
Paulino
Have a great weekend and Happy Thanksgiving. Remember Jesus Christ is Lord of Heaven and Earth regardless of diseases and presidential elections.
Jimmy