Ministry to the Children of the Streets in Juba

Amidst the crowd outside the Konyokonyo market, I saw Zechariah Zechariah Adam, my former student. Zechariah smiled warmly as he reached through the throng to greet me. Though it was loud and difficult to hear one another, his message was clear and gave me a sense of wonder and joy. Zechariah related to me how he was now working with children who lived on the street. “Wow! That is wonderful.” I responded. Previously, as Zechariah’s teacher, I had had the vision that Zechariah would excel working with children, especially those living on the margins. Zechariah’s gentleness, humility, deep spirituality, and strong commitment would make him an excellent candidate for such work.

Zechariah Zechariah Adam 

Some weeks later, Zechariah would tell me that it was during the evangelism class I taught at Nile Theological College whereby God had inspired him along these lines. As part of that course, the final project for students was a practicum whereby groups of students would go out to the “bleeding points” of the city, to those places of great desperation and need to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. And so, out from the college they went, to prisons, hospitals, markets, orphanages, and streets, sharing the Gospel with those who needed a message of hope. Even as Jesus has sent out the seventy-two who returned with remarkable stories, my students went out and returned with glorious stories of how God had used them in manifold ways.

Ogud, one my former students, hold a child at a 
local transitional home called "Confident Children out of Conflict (CCC)    

Before Zechariah and I separated on that day near the Konyokonyo market, we exchanged phone numbers. He wanted me to come preach to the group of marginalized children to whom he was ministering. It took several weeks for us to finally align our schedules, but on a Saturday morning in early June my friend Albino and I went across the river to the Sherikat market where we met Zechariah. Zechariah took us to the compound of the ministry, a ministry to vulnerable children supported by Christians in Egypt. Albino and I sat and waited as Zechariah and the ministry staff made final preparations for the day. We learned that every Saturday vulnerable children are welcomed off the street to have their wounds cleaned, to participate in an energetic worship service, to receive a hot meal and be given a bar of soap to wash their bodies and clothes before leaving. This ministry is a drop-in-center, whereby the children can also visit during the week and receive help for various needs.

 

Children living on the streets, Juba
Photo Credit: MAF International, South Sudan

Our time worshiping with the children is one of the singular wonders and glories I have experienced in South Sudan. Imagine, an entire congregation filled with the most lowly, destitute, abandoned, and marginalized members of society. This was Jesus’ kind of crowd. These children knew that they had a need and they opened themselves up to me and my friend Albino like flowers open to the sun. As we worshiped in song, we all danced to the beat and sang, jumping back and forth, patting each other on the hands. The atmosphere felt simple and innocent, but it was also electric with the power and presence and love of God. Truly, how can one not be a conduit of God’s love and care in such a place?

 These children crave attention and affection despite the hardened exterior which life on the streets had foisted upon them. In this enclosed and safe environment, these children could express a dimension of themselves which was seldom seen or known to suspicious shop keepers and annoyed pedestrians. As a visitor, I could feel the level of intentional care and dignity being given to these children by Pastor Zechariah and members of the ministry staff. My heart was also touched to see two Egyptian men quietly doing “behind the scenes” work to support the ministry. They sought no accolades or commendation; they were simply supporting Zechariah and his staff who were doing direct ministry with these children.

I went home that day feeling energized. Pastor Zechariah gave me a “standing invitation” to return to visit this ministry anytime. I hope to visit again soon. Thank you for your prayers as Kristi and I seek to serve amongst marginalized persons and communities here in South Sudan.