Once to Every Man and Nation...

             
Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth and falsehood, for the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision, diff’ring each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever ‘twixt that darkness and that light.

Then to side with truth is noble, when we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit, and ‘tis prosp’rous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses while the coward stands aside,
Till the multitude make virtue of the faith they had denied.

Though the cause of evil prosper, yet the truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold, and upon the throne be wrong,
Yet that scaffold sways the future, and behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow keeping watch above.

James R. Lowell, 1845

What was meant for evil...

What was meant for evil…

“Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.”
                                               Proverbs 12:20

   In July, our gospel radio station, “Nehemiah Trumpet Call” NTC – 97.3 FM, was fire-bombed – destroying our transmitter and severely damaging the building. It appeared to be a victory for those opposed to the Gospel of Christ and its life affirming hat message of hope and reconciliation in conflict ridden South Sudan.
   Their “victory” was short lived. An appeal immediately went out in the U.S. And members of the Christian community responded. Within a month enough funds were raised to replace the 500 watt transmitter with one capable of 1000 watts – effectively doubling our broadcast range and the number of listeners! Equipped with  invaluable technical support from Galcom International in Canada, William Levi and I were able to safely deliver the new transmitter to Eastern Equatorial South Sudan (with a few “bumps in the road” – literally and figuratively) by the end of August.
   Our South Sudanese team on the ground had spent the month prior to our revival repairing and rebuilding the station. Field Director Timothy Levi, himself a self taught radio engineer, prepped the staff in all the technical aspects of properly installing the equipment. They were ready for our arrival. The joy on their faces when they saw the equipment is memorable. They immediately went to work. What a blessing to watch them – Benjamin Levi scaling the 300 ft tower to connect the antenna with only flip flops on his feet – the team working quietly and efficiently, stopping only to pray and problem solve together when the inevitable technical problems emerged. Within 36 hours of our arrival the gospel message  was in the air throughout Eastern Equatorial and Northern Uganda. Phone calls started coming in from far and wide from listeners along congratulations from various government officials who see the broadcasts as a stabilizing and positive influence in a land torn by war and rumors of war.
   Part  of Operation Nehemiah’s values statement reads “We believe that a people's dignity is is enhanced by meaningful work, education and discipleship…the primary focus of Operation Nehemiah is to promote the Gospel that  leads to repentance and salvation. This is the fundamental measure of success in all of our efforts.” By this measure, and we  are confident in God’s economy, this  effort was successful indeed!

Bob Kirkman
Development Coordinator
Operation Nehemiah

Sight for South Sudan...

                      

In a country of 9 million people a quarter of a million are blind, and almost 3 million have significant vision impairment...  

    South Sudan is a country with some of the worst health statistics in the world. Services for the blind and visually impaired are virtually non-existent.
    Underlying diseases causing blindness and visual impairment that have been largely eradicated in other sub-saharan countries remain epidemic in South Sudan. The prevalence of blindness is about 3 times greater than other East African countries. There is only one functioning eye center with an ophthalmologist serving serving 9 million people - most of whom live in rural areas where there are no healthcare services. (WHO, The World Health Organization, recommends one ophthalmologist for every 400,000 people.) 

For every blind person, an average of 5 family members are affected, as the struggle for survival in one of the poorest agrarian countries in the world is shared by everyone. Blind heads of households cannot provide for their families, and blind and severely visually impaired children cannot go to school.
  
Restoring Sight in South Sudan...
    Most of the blindness is avoidable. However, in South Sudan most people do not have access to health care or education about the importance of annual eye examinations to maintain sight. Poverty, inadequate healthcare and the lack of a supply of available eyeglasses renders adequate vision unattainable to most of the population. 
Health is the centerpiece of development and the alleviation of poverty for returning refugees. Operation Nehemiah's "Sight for the South Sudan" program is responding to the need...

        
     Operation Nehemiah Missions (www.Operationsnehemiah.org), with equipment supplied by "InFocus"  (www.infocusonline.org), a non-profit organization that empowers communities worldwide to improve eye health and prevent blindness, has been doing Eye Care Outreaches in Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan since 2006. The Lion's Club of Berkshire County, Massachusetts has donated thousands of eyeglasses to help in this effort. Families can receive eye exams, quality eye glasses and medication for treatment.



The cost of conducting a two week eye care outreach is $1850.
    Please consider supporting this effort. Click on the "Donate Today" button on the right, or sending a check (note "Eye Care")  to;

                                                    Nehemiah Medical Missions

51 Clinton Ave.

         Pittsfield, MA 01201

 

The True Peacemakers in South Sudan

The True Peacemakers in South Sudan

This is an update to a blog posted in the Spring of 2012...

"For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil work will be there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."  James 3: 16-18

In spite of the recent peace agreement signed between President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar, and their espoused desire to achieve peace through the mediation efforts of IGAD ("Intergovernmental Authority on Development"), South Sudan continues to be torn by animosities. Even an cursory view of South Sudan's history over the past three decades would cause any of us to wonder if there has ever been more of a need for true and authentic peacemakers. We see varying degrees of internal political, tribal and economic tensions. Once again, the warring parties started accusing each other of violations of the agreement before the ink was dry. Once again, the long line of  emissaries from the United States, the U.N. and regional governments shuttle about in diplomatic efforts to avoid a return to all-out war, and each compromised by their own not-so-hidden agendas - each with a desire to expand their own interests. So, it is no surprise that all they seem able to accomplish is superficial "peace faking" agreements that temporarily mask underlying antagonism and hostile agendas. All of this occurs within the context of a post conflict society and a culture traumatized by two generations of persecution and war. In South Sudan's civil administration, the highest honors have been reserved for the veteran fighters and war makers. These former fighters in the war have been rewarded with the choicest positions as civil authorities, with little experience or background in the negotiation or conflict resolution skills needed for their new roles of "civil servants." From a rational human perspective, it appears that South Sudan may be a simmering pot about to boil over. It would be reasonable to conclude that peacemaking efforts have largely been utter failures, occasionally interrupted by some moderate successes in bringing the worst conflicts to a brief stalemate. This is only exacerbated by the self  described religious "ambassadors of peace" - each seemingly bent on expanding their own denominational territories rather than truly serving the  Kingdom of God and the Glory of Christ.

The above description of the situation in South Sudan reveals how formidable the task is for Peacemakers who aim to reconcile groups or individuals that are in conflict. The difficulties inherent in this effort are significant: 1) A Peacemaker must keep his own biases and prejudices from influencing or exacerbating the tone and tenor of the dispute between the adversaries. 2) A Peacemaker helps adveraries finding common ground and interests from which an agreement can be built. This can be troublesome because some people are highly competitive, contentious, stubborn - driven to "win" regardless of the cost. Some will sacrifice any other interest just so they do not appear to "lose." 3) A Peacemaker seeks opportunities to change the views of adversaries to encourage a change in former mutually exclusive positions... Daunting tasks, indeed!

But I believe there is another, more fundamental cause for the failure of well intentioned efforts at securing peace in South Sudan. Most of us are not very accomplished at reconciling warring parties, but that is not the kind of peacemaking our Lord is concerned about for us now. He is more concerned about the way in which we live and the manner in which we conduct ourselves. It was Adam and Eve's conductthat shattered the peace between man and God. Cain's conduct shattered the peace between him and Abel and God. And so it is for all of us - our conduct makes or breaks the peace with God and man!

In God's economy, a person cannot truly make peace with other unless he is first at peace with God. "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). In describing mankind, Paul says, "The way of peace they have not known" (Romans 3:17) When we become reconciled to God He dissolves our enmity and He developes peace in our character. Until then, we cannot truly be instruments of godly peace. Paul also claims  "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Roman 5:1) Here, peace implies a cessation of hostilities and a tranquillity of mind. This replaces an almost continual agitation because of the carnal mind's inborn hostlity toward  toward God and His law. These verses paint a clear picture of the horrible contention and enmity that sin causes - for where there is no strife, there is no need for a peacemaker. All of us were at war with God. "For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another." Before our conversion, we each needed a peacemaker to mediate and make reconciliation for us.

God's servant Paul tells us plainly, "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."  II Cor. 5:18-21

We play a part in becoming Peacemakers by becoming reconciled to God by His grace. This is the first step and the primary criteria for becoming a true peacemaker. Paul tells us that he had been given the word and ministry of reconciliation as his function as an apostle of Jesus Christ. But he tells us that we, as followers of Christ are called and being prepared to assist in causing the reconciliation of the world to God. This step toward being a peacemaker is the result of His working in our lives over time. This sanctification process creates within us the ability to be a peacemaker by His definition, as He conforms us to the image of His pattern Son. The process is painful -our human nature clings tenaciously to our attitudes and behavior, providing a constant challenge to maintaining peace with God and others. Paul describes his battle with it in Romans 7, and in numerous other exhortations to us to employ self-control and love for God and the brethren. This leads us to understand that peacemaking involves more than mediating between disputing parties. Peacemaking is a constant responsibility and lifestyle. Its achievement is possible, but more difficult than it seems at first because of many factors - not just from without, but from within.

The church is a spiritual body, the body of Jesus Christ. It is an assembly of people called to prepare for God's Kingdom and participate in and support the church's work in feeding the flock and preaching the gospel of peace to the world. The church has two primary duties - To provide a means of calling others to reconciliation and peace with God, and to provide the full counsel of God to help the called know God and become holy. This is the vocation, the work, of all Christians. I am reminded here of a Boma chief who recently told me, "In every village where there is a church, I have no need for policemen."
Although as Christians we may have little or no control over others in mediating peace between disputing parties, this should not dissuade us from living in the conduct of peacemakers and Ambassadors for Christ. In and of itself, this is our Godly calling and vocation. Peacemaking is indeed a high standard and our worthy vocation, yielding a wonderful reward that is worth bending our every effort and will to submit to God and seek to glorify Him.

Who then, are the real Peacemakers in South Sudan? They are those who may never sit at a formal negotiation table. They may never have the opportunity to issue declarations, engage in public rhetoric or sign agreements and treaties. They may live out their lives farming their fields or selling in the marketplace.  But in their interaction with others in the daily course of their lives, and through the sanctifying process God is working in them, I continue to be convinced they are the ones through whom God will establish His peace in South Sudan. They may be the meek, largely unnoticed by the world, but our Lord says that the meek will inherit the earth. I am proud to know them.

I am convinced from God's perspective that they are blessed according to Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God". This is why I am convinced that God is moving in South Sudan. These are the people I want to teach, exhort and encourage in the Gospel of Peace, in their churches, over the radio, and in the fields and marketplace. It is truly my great privilege to know them!

In His Grace,

Bob Kirkman

Challenging "Relief Dependency" in South Sudan

Want to help the people of South Sudan rebuild their families and communities that will make them less dependent on your donations tomorrow? Donate to Operation Nehemiah - a faith based indigenous grass roots ministry led by William Levi. Our goal is to build a self sufficient community through entrepreneurial and sustainable projects.  In doing so we combat the relief dependency that is often fostered by the charitable efforts. Of so many well meaning. NGO's and government programs. That means that eventually these people won't need our money anymore.

For example,  I just returned from a 4 month trip to South Sudan, and washable to help establish a large scale block making business. That employs 20 South Sudanese men and provides for their families. They now have the dignity of earning their own living without relying on handouts.

Love Must Leave When Resentment Moves In...

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." 

                                                Colossians 3:13

This text served as my morning meditation today. I was struck by the subtle resentments that came to view as I closed my eyes. My natural inclination was to resist this admonition. Later, I read the following coment from A.W. Tozer, penned about 60 years ago...

" I do not believe that a spirit of resentment can dwell in a loving heart. In the course of scores of conferences and hundreds of conversations I have many times heard people say: "I resent that!"

But I have never heard that said by any man or woman living in conscious Christian victory!

Before resentment can enter, love must take flight and bitterness take over. The bitter soul will compile a list of slights at which it takes offense and dwell over them like a mother bear over her cubs.

Few sights are more depressing than than that of a professed Christian defending his supposed rights and bitterly resisting any attempt to violate them. Such a Christian never accepted the way of the cross. The sweet graces of meekness and humility are unknown to him.

The only cure for this sort of thing is to die to self and rise with Christ into newness of life. The man who sets the will of God as his goal will reach that goal, not by self defense, but by self abnegation. Then no matter what sort of treatment he receives from his fellow men he will be altogether at peace.

The will of God has been done - whether by curses or compliments he cares not, for he seeks not one or the other but only to do the will of God at any cost!

If there be some who take pleasure in holding him down, he is still content within himself, and will not resent them, for he seeks not advancement but the will of God."

Sudan and the Failure of Liberal Peacemaking » CIC

An insightful article on the failure of top down peacemaking and mediation efforts... click on Sudan and the Failure of Liberal Peacemaking » CIC