A few weeks ago in the evening we took a boys trip deep into the bush to visit a village called Agor. We drove for 2½ hours to the most remote place I’ve ever been to in all my time in Africa. It was late dusk by the time we arrived and we were greeted by the traditional drumming and singing of the villagers in the dark.
Our intention was to show The Jesus Film to the people there in their native language, but when we got there our generator wouldn’t start. So instead we got up in front of our new friends and tag-teamed sharing spirit led devotions. Two of the pastors from In Deed And Truth’s discipleship training center live in the village and they were very excited to have us teach the Word of God to their people. Sebit concluded our time with an opportunity for people to respond to the Gospel.
Strong biblical teaching is desperately needed in Sudan. Years of religiosity and the churches being seen simply as a gateway to Western handouts have distorted the message of Christ. The idea of Christ being the all powerful transforming Savior whose Spirit lives inside our hearts is often lost here; so it was a blessing to have the opportunity to share with the people of this remote village and I hope that some lives were touched during our time there.
Being so far out in the jungle left us with an experience that was so authentic. Daniel and I joined in the local stomping dance before we left, but instead we both ended up doing the running man to the great entertainment of all who watched.
Two Sundays ago I was given an opportunity to teach at the church that meets here inside of the compound.
I gave a message about the presence of God. I began with Ezekiel 1 and shared about the out of this world encounter with God’s presence that Ezekiel had at the beginning of his ministry. I then moved to the New Testament and shared that the same presence of God Ezekiel experienced dwelled even more fully in Christ when he came to earth and now lives in us through His spirit.
This is an especially relevant topic to the people of Sudan. The connection between knowing about Christ and inviting His Spirit to live inside of you is often lost here. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to share the Word of God here.
I’ll conclude this blog post with a beautiful Old Testament prophecy from Ezekiel concerning the new covenant which was to come:
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” - Ezekiel 36:26-27