SPREADING THE NEWS

It is difficult to put into words just how different this day has been than how I dreamed it would be for so many years. Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in the jungles of Africa...it doesn't get more exotic and romantic for the Christian. So what happened today? How come my experience was so different?

Dugubele; a long drive south and we have already been to two services today. It was my turn to preach this Sunday and we have been teaching through the Bible. The story today was about Jesus and the woman at the well found in John chapter 4. I spoke in simple English sentences and Kasu, my Ethiopian colleague, translated into Arabic. This was then translated into another language. Not ideal.

After finishing the second service we again got onto the four-wheeler motorcycle and headed further south. Dugubele was a long way away and we had not been there before. We took along Johan, an elder in the church, who knew some people in a village that was close to Dugubele. Sound sketchy? I thought so too. But that is how life is lived here.

We forged ahead across streams, through grass over 10 feet tall, over trees that had fallen on the road, and constantly dodging the thorn trees that hung their arms out to catch us. The worn road became a forgotten road, the forgotten road became a foot path, and this was dangerous. Hidden stumps and rocks can tip the four-wheeler so we press ahead carefully.

We arrived at the known village and found a young man who ran in front of the motorcycle, stopping 10 minutes later to point us down another foot path. This path took us through some incredible land. It was as if God the Father had played marbles with Jesus and they left some of their marbles in Sudan. Massive stones, perhaps 300 feet high, and fantastically shaped. Some rounded, others with sheered faces. What a beautiful place.

Dugubele was a small village. Perhaps 10 homes surrounded by fields of okra, sesame, and sorghum. We parked the motorcycle and walked towards two men working in the field. There was an exchange between Johan and these men who then turned and motioned us to a clearing. Without a doubt, it was the cleanest place I have ever seen in Sudan. Someone had painstakingly swept every stick and stone off a 40ft. by 100ft. area. They had then poured a thin film of white sand over the clay soil, making it look spectacularly clean. I had never seen something like this in all my life.

When we were about twenty feet away, our escorts stopped us and told us to take our shoes off. We were now entering sacred soil. I looked at Kasu and he politely explained to me that we were going to share the gospel with a witchdoctor and the price we would have to pay is to take off our shoes. A bargain in our opinion.

Upon the white sand sat four men and one woman. There was a small fire burning and a small house. We shook hands with each person and then asked for the head of the village. The witchdoctor identified himself as Gusmala and welcomed us, noting that he was pleased we had removed our shoes. Kasu then explained in simple Arabic that we wanted to share some words from God. Gusmala, the witchdoctor, became quite excited and explained that 8 years ago God had spoken to him and told him to never leave this cleaned area. Gusmala was also never to wear a shirt, and indeed we found him shirtless. Oh boy, I thought, this is going to get confusing.

Kasu pressed on and shared a simple summary of the Bible. God loves us. We have turned our backs on God and are all headed to a horrible punishment. God sent Jesus Christ to save us from this punishment. We can accept this gift of eternal life with God if we believe that Jesus Christ is God and we follow him.

Gusmala smiled. These are good words he said. We want to know more! Kasu continued to teach for a little while and then Johan shared some words but I couldn't understand Johan's Arabic. Finally, we all stood and Kasu led everyone in a prayer, asking Jesus to come into the lives of Gusmala and the villagers that had begun to trickle in.

We opened our eyes to see dark rain clouds forming right over our heads so we quickly said goodbye and left Rugubele. We had only been there for 45 minutes and suddenly we were leaving.

As we traveled the two hours home on the motorcycle, I couldn't help but doubt the reality of what just happened. Did they really believe? Could they even understand us? There is so much they don't know. Will Gusmala stop practicing witchcraft? Who is going to teach these people? No miracles, no spiritual confrontation, no persecution. I thought it would be so different.

Over the past few weeks, the response to the gospel has been incredible in this area. Kasu returned to Gusmala's village and taught for two straight days, beginning in Genesis and going until the ministry of Paul. This has repeatedly happened so that in four weeks we have seen 5 churches planted!

The amount of teaching that needs to take place in order for these churches to be well-rooted is daunting. They are so far away, there is so much to say, and we are already experiencing backlash from those who do not wish to see these people come to Christ.

A small window into one interesting day of my short time here in Sudan. As you can probably tell, I have many more questions than answers.