Heaven Came Down to Earth!

When people have asked me, “How was your Christmas?” My response has been, “Heaven came down to earth!” We did not attend a large church gathering with thousands in attendance like other places in Juba, but instead accepted the invitation from Yagub, a former student at Nile Theological College, to come to the small church he pastors on the edge of Juba, near the Nile. I agreed to preach, baptize, and then to lead in the Lord’s Supper. It was a full day.

Worship on Christmas morning!  

As Kristi and I arrived a bit early and waited for others, we engaged Palam and Akir, two boys sitting behind us. They were active, playing with the large balloons above, dressed in their new Christmas gear. I asked them if they knew whose birthday it was today. In limited English but without hesitation, Palam responded, “Today is God’s Birthday!” Wow. What a great response! Yes, today is God’s birthday. God was born to us in the person of Jesus Christ. I do not think a more astute theological description could be made.

More people came, slowly. The chapel began to fill, mostly with children and women. I have always been impressed with the value Yagub gives to children, centering them and giving them attention. It feels like this church is a place of “welcome” for children in the neighborhood. The church is a safe place for them. Some of their mothers and other women from the neighborhood, both young and old, attend. Most speak Arabic, and some speak only their mother tongue, Dinka. One Dinka woman came over to speak with us in her limited Arabic. It was a nice moment of connection. I often feel convicted in spirit when I witness my African counterparts sit down in church; the very first thing they do is offer a quiet, humble, and unobtrusive prayer. One woman, upon arrival, immediately went to the side of the church building and leaned her head against the wall as she sat in her chair. I could see her lips moving in quiet prayer. She had come with a heart of worship and the desire to commune with God. I admired her, giving thanks for her gentle witness. Later, she would be one of the thirty-nine people baptized.

This Advent Season God has impressed on me the role of the shepherds in the Nativity story. These were humble people living on the margins of Jewish culture and society. They were not given much value. Yet, God gave them ultimate value when the angel came and delivered the message to them about a savior being born at that very moment in Bethlehem, even giving them a sign of what they would find (see Luke 2: 8 – 20). God also chose to work in and through young Mary and her husband Joseph, neither of them noteworthy by the standards of the world. And so, as I stood there on Christmas day in this humble church building on the edge of the city, reading this story in the local Arabic and then proclaiming the Good News, the Gospel truth that God centers those on the margins, I shared how though we may feel “small,” God sees us as “big,” as important.

Bob shares from God's Word
Gospel of Luke 2: 8 - 20

 

Our response to God’s Word on Christmas morning could not have been more poignant and meaningful. Heaven came down to earth. Women wept as I liberally placed water on their heads three times, baptizing them “fi isim ta Abu Allah, fi isim ta Yesu El Missih, fi isim ta Ruh El Kudus” (in the name of Father God, in the name of Jesus the Messiah, and in the name of the Holy Spirit). Children received this rite, supported by parents, adults, and pastors. I became physically tired, but not tired in spirit. I willed myself to continue. Pastor Matta, from war-torn Abyei which straddles Sudan, exhorted parents to pray for their children each morning and to instruct them in the faith. Given my role in worship that morning, I had not planned to lead us in the Lord’s Supper, but I prepared myself, just in case, for that possibility. Standing again before the congregation, I recounted the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and one-day return of the Lord, I visibly presented the elements of bread and juice; I was supported by Pastor Matta and an elder as we shared the elements with all gathered. One woman standing in the front row, the most dignified and well-dressed woman in attendance, burst into sobs as she received the elements of Christ’s Body.

Pastor Yagub asks questions to those to be baptized

 

Bob baptizes...

Kristi and I arrived home that afternoon tired, but full of God’s grace, peace, contentment, and joy. Truly, there is no greater thrill and joy in life than serving our Lord Jesus Christ together with members of His Body. No money or possession will ever match this matchless joy. God is pure existence, and we exist in Him. God is Love, and we love in Him. We are born of God, for others. May His Name forever be praised!

Tis the Season...for Baptisms!

 During the Christmas season in South Sudan, many congregations celebrate baptisms. It seems a fitting connection, that as we remember God leaving his glory to be born as a human and suffer with us, we also celebrate people declaring that they repent of their sin and join Christ in his invitation to new life in Him. This weekend, we were invited to worship with one of these congregations celebrating baptisms, and it was truly a joyful celebration. 

More than 15 children were baptized, along with around 10 teenagers and adults. What struck me as remarkable is that this is a new congregation, less than 1 year old. This is the first time they have celebrated baptism in the congregation, and the number of people is a sign of the strong growth they have experienced. 

Some of the children and their parents lined up for baptism

The lead pastor of the congregation, Rev. Samuel Jock, began the church as an Arabic-speaking congregation several years ago. They have moved around to various locations and in 2022 finally built their own building next to the offices for SSPEC. They discovered that in the neighborhood around their new building there are many Nuer people. The congregation worshipped in the classical Arabic from Khartoum, which many of their neighbors did not understand. So they started a second service in the Nuer language and assigned one of the Nuer members to lead the service. As a practical service in the community, they started offering classes in the evenings, teaching people to read and write in the Nuer language, because many were not able to go to school, and children today only learn to read Arabic or English. The Nuer service has grown dramatically, and now has an active youth choir and a children's choir. Pastor Samuel assigned a young man, Moses, to be the primary one leading the activities of this Nuer congregation. Another young man, Lony, has taken the responsibilty of leading worship and directing the choirs, including teaching some of the members to play the keyboard! As Pastor Samuel recounted this progression to me, he rejoiced at how God has opened this door and that the congregation is obviously meeting a need.

The adults and teenagers who were baptized,

along with the pastors and deacons who facilitated.

We praise God for giving new life, and celebrate baptism as a sign of spiritual vitality in that new life. Next week we plan to visit another congregation in Juba also planning to do baptisms - on Christmas Day! Please join us in praying for the Holy Spirit to continue the work of transformation and renewal in these people and congregations as they celebrate their new life with Jesus.  

Differences we appreciate in Juba

 We are looking forward to returning to Juba in a few weeks, particularly reconnecting with friends and colleagues. Beyond the people, we wanted to share a few things that we enjoy or appreciate about life in Juba that are very different from life in the U.S.:

1. Easy and available public transport. No apps, cards, registrations, or monthly fees. Just flag down a rickshaw or bus and go!

2. Greeting people (even strangers) along the road as you walk or while in the market

3. Venders who walk the road selling their wares. Need a broom, some peanuts, a suitcase or a new pair of underwear? Just wait for someone to walk by selling what you need. Definitely not an easy business to do, as these venders have to keep moving. We appreciate their hard work and ingenuity.

This young man is selling shoes

(photo taken through the bars of a veranda on the road)

One girl's basket of roasted peanuts and sesame cakes for sale.

4. Tea shops along the road. Watch the world go by as you have your tea. These shops might be just a few chairs by the side of the road, but can be an important place for neighbors or friends to connect, play chess, or hear the neighborhood news. And, of course, when it is hot in the afternoon, one way to cool down is to drink hot tea! :) 

Mary, preparing tea at her stall in our neighborhood.

5. The expanded view of time. We admire that South Sudanese are rarely 'rushed' like Americans are. I have been asked "why are you walking so fast?" as I try to save time. Yes, sometimes a 3-hour long church service is tiring, but we do appreicate that they savor the time in worship and connecting. As they say, "Americans have watches, but Africans have time."

6. The Nile River - The Nile passes through Juba on its long journey north through Sudan and Egypt to reach the Meditteranean. The Nile provides water for much of the city of Juba, and we often see the water trucks loading up near the river. The lush green trees and the shorebirds near the river provide a refreshing place for a quick recharge in Juba.  

We hope you are inspired by some of these differences. What stands out to you? Any questions about other aspects of life in Juba? We would love to hear your thoughts!

Visiting Churches and South Sudanese Diaspora in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska

What a gift to visit Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, last weekend! We are grateful for Pastor Melodie Jones Pointon and Eastridge Presbyterian Church for hosting us, and thankful for opportunities to visit Westminster Presbyterian Church of Lincoln and the Nuer Union gathering which met at Nile Church in Omaha.

Sebit teaches on fasting and prayer and the 
significance of the season of Lent at 
Nuer Union gathering (Omaha)  

For me (Bob), it also felt like a homecoming, as my grandfather was born and raised in Broken Bow, western Nebraska, near the Sand Hills. Somehow the landscape feels native to my soul.

 

It also felt like a homecoming as we were able to visit and connect with South Sudanese Diaspora. Praying and worshiping with Nuer friends and their family in their home in Omaha felt like a slice of heaven. The family of Rev. James Guek and Mama Sarah Kuac, whom we visited, are vitally connected to the late Rev. Pastor Moses Kuac, the first Nuer pastor in South Sudan, who serves a central part of one of the case studies of my PhD research. It was a gift to hear more stories from his Sarah daughter, and to meet all their children.

Rev. James Guek and Mama Sarah Kuac and family 

Mama Sarah and Pastor James with 
Kristi and I 

On the road again...

In early August, Bob's strength and energy had returned enough that we could resume our travels in the U.S. We were very grateful for prayers and encouragement from many people and for God's grace in healing Bob's body. We headed to the West Coast for six weeks of reconnecting with family, friends, and several churches. Since Bob was still recovering his energy we scaled back in how much we did, and we lament that there are people we missed seeing.

Hiking the coast of Whidbey Island

First stop was Whidbey Island, Washington, where Bob’s family converged for some precious days together. We enjoyed walks in the woods and along the beach, making meals together, and celebrating some significant birthdays. Then off to Olympic National Park for a few days on our own to explore in a camper van! We marveled at the mountains and the tall trees and the crisp clean air. We were reminded of the verse, “God’s righteousness is like the mighty mountains, his justice like the ocean depths.” We managed a longer-than-expected hike to a waterfall, with several stops along the way to rest and soak in the quiet of the forest.

Reconnecting with family over bountiful meals on Whidbey Island

Bob braved the cold clear waters of Lake Crescent in Olympia National Park

The campervan was a fun and easy camping experience.

Our hike to the Sol Duc Falls in Olympia National Park

We road-tripped with Bob’s parents down from Washington to the San Francisco Bay Area, with a joyful stop to see Aunt Judy and family along the way. In California we enjoyed some encouraging visits with several churches and good friends. Bob visited some old haunts, like the halls of his high school and the park where he played baseball. We walked along the water often, watching shorebirds, kite-boarders, and even the occasional seal. We were amazed to see the new hydrofoil technology, that makes it look like people are flying above the water on a board. The traffic, buildings, and high pace of everything in the Bay Area was a little overwhelming, but we were grateful for the people.

An evening of exploring the gardens and live music at Filoli

John Knox Presbyterian Church decked out

with flags for their "international month"

In Carmel-by-the-Sea, we were in awe again at the power of the waves and the steep cliffs that plunge into the ocean. We drove the windy road down the coast near Big Sur for a short but sweet personal retreat at the New Camaldoli Hermitage. The monastery is perched on a mountainside looking down on the ocean, and is a great place to disconnect from the world – no wifi, no phone coverage! We were grateful for the hours to sit in awe of our Creator, soak in God’s love, and be still.

Looking down on the fog over the ocean from the monastery

The rugged coastline in the Carmel Highlands

Our last stop was Arizona – from the ocean to the desert! The church we spent the weekend with encouraged us with their great interest in South Sudan and what God is doing there. Then we got a few days with some good friends who treated us to some of the gems of Phoenix, including walks in the desert and some delicious food. Who knew that a musical instrument museum could be so fascinating? And a walk through the desert garden at sunset was a wonderful way to cap off our visit.

A wonderful time of sharing and connection

over breakfast in Green Valley, AZ

Hiking in the desert with friends

We feel so grateful for the blessing of being able to enjoy precious time with people and explore some beautiful places. To those who gave us a bed or a delicious meal or met us along the way, thank you! Truly, each day is a gift.

Sunset over the desert garden