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Raymond and David - Sudan

Reported by Raymond Carlson

All the way it was bad vehicles, bad roads, and the interference of militant elements and hostilities. Thank you for your greatly needed prayers.

The Story: David and I were to board at 6:30 am per ticket, but two buses and 2 hours later, our bus came in. We made slow progress, and the winter cold got to me. After 100 miles I came down with an attack of malaria, and since our seats were at the back of the bus, we were in constant whip-lash. With malaria you really don't want to be thrown around. The Lord had put it into my mind to put quinine pills in my bag, so I fished for them and tried to swallow 3 without water - a no no. They stuck in my dry throat. I finally got a little water and in 30 minutes all the symptoms were gone.

This first leg of the journey took us to Osajai to deliver items for Howard and to organize my teaching at the Osajai school for a week in Sept. on the Life and Person of Christ (notes that Stan had left) and a class in Biblical counseling.
David had eaten no food all day, so we had a nice meal, and then got on the back of a bike to go to the Bible school. On the way we met the principal, the contact that I had been praying for. The Lord sent him there at the very time we would cross paths. The bicyclists were sweating unmercifully, poor guys. We met pastor Joel and others, had prayer, got our business done, and were on our way.

We got down to the main road, our clothes flapping like crazy in the wind. It was late and chances for a matatu ride were diminishing. Along came the vehicle, and we scrambled to get in. It took us to Bungoma, they promising us that surely we would get a connection to Kitali. There was none. So he said take the one out front, it will get you to the next bus stage. It did and we arrived during a rain storm in the dark.

It was blindingly dark, and we didn't have our touraches out yet; all we saw was a big mud puddle. Splash splash, to the little sheltered place called a bus shelter, and it was full of people frying dried fish, very strong smell indeed, which just added to our bewilderment.
Asking about a ride to Kitali, they assured us it was to be there shortly; our faith was a little lacking at the time. God did hear us, and before I could put my umbrella away, the bus was there for Kitali. Oh how relieved we were to be on it. But too soon, for they wanted to triple the price on us. When we got to Kitali the city that launches you out to the Sudan border, it was very late, and immediately we were confronted with rift-raft. I just ignored them and started to walk up the hill, until we found a clean looking hotel, and we booked a room at $3 for two beds; not fancy, but clean and safe.

The next morning (after a 10-hr wait) our bus headed for Lodwar, the jumping off place to the Sudan. From there our transport was an old French car. The officer said the vehicle wasn't up to the long trip through the barren desert. So we boarded another, after a lot of haggling, and I having to pay for an unused seat.

This better vehicle would hardly move in low gear, but when it went, the driver kept it floored. With all the drifts that we had to bounce down our prayer life took on a new meaning. To terrify us he said the bus didn't have brakes; then drove down the steep mountain like a demon out of the bad place. Within the hour we were at the destination, Lokichokio. This is a strange place, mainly for the relief agencies. We went to the Sudan provisional government office, and were told where to get a room.

In the cool of the evening it was a good time to go down to the river; not much there, just a cement slab across a lot of sand. Then we saw the Lord work in a mighty way. Up from the riverbed came 5 missionaries, and one of them knew of our old work in Mwingi. They directed us to their pilot, and we saw why God had sent us up there. This man knew about flights in and out and their cost, and where the Jehad was, and the safe places, how to get there, and who was working in those places. He gave us contacts in Nairobi, and ways to organize so that we can get the Gospel there. He said a flight to the Sudan was $800 a person, to the closest place. In Nairobi, the Sudanese had said $130 one way per person. We didn't have the money needed to get us even to the nearest main city. I said we would check with the gov. men on Monday.

We went back to the hotel and ate chicken (David doesn’t like chicken). Early next morning after tea, we met with the gov. men, and they told us to wait until 11 for a vehicle. We gave them some of the Go! material and waited at the hotel; writing our journals. At 11, no one came, so we went and saw the bosses, and they weren't interested in helping us do anything, saying it would cost $150 to travel just a few miles to the border. We left the office rather crest fallen, but accepted that it was of the Lord that we not go to Sudan at this time. They said in December it will be dry (and hot), and that we will be able to drive the Surf up to where we want to go.
David hasn't been at his home area in 20 years. He is now 26.

The plane that the missionary uses is a little 4-seater. They have one twice as large, for 8 people and lots of luggage, but costly. There are also cargo planes for the UN and Red Cross, with some jets, and daily flights of Kenya Airways, at a fair cost, $150.

This was a fact finding tour, and the Lord led us to His man on the spot. We got a feel for the land and the people, and the giants that Satan has there to try and hinder the preaching of the Gospel. And He has given us a desire to go back to our knees and ask God, now what? And how next time?

This trip was invaluable, and worth the $12.50 a day for our travel, food and lodging for the 5 days. With all the static that Satan put in our way, without the Lord's people backing us up with their prayers, we wouldn't have even gotten to the border. Every step of the way was a battle won at the throne of grace.

THANK GOD FOR ALL WHO HAD FAITH THAT PRAYER DOES MEAN SOMETHING, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEFEAT AND VICTORY.

We were the two spies sent by God to see the land, now let us get a whole army of God's to go in and occupy! As is your faith, so be it unto you. We arrived back to Nairobi in good time but drained by the wonder of being in God's whirlwind. It has taken a few days to get my bearing again; now on tomorrow we head out to Mwingi for a great conference, then I'll be teaching for the next two weeks at FCB and Osajai.

Other Notes:

“We saw where David was kept at the refugee camp, right along the side of the main road, out in the middle of no where . We were also granted many opportunities to witness on this trip.”

"The people that we were among are Turkana, and would not allow us to take their photos." Raymond

UPDATE OCTOBER 2:

David has become ill, and this morning Howard had to admit him to the hospital. As of this morning, we do not know what is wrong, but he has many symptoms of a stroke. The cost is $200 and $10 a day. If the Lord touches your heart to help with this expense, please go to the link at the end of the page. David is worthy, and we want to see him back in class.

Raymond said David showed no signs of illness on their journey; that he is a highly intelligent, reverent, and ambitious young man; who was looking forward to working with GO! to bring a church and Bible school to his home, Sudan.

Thank you and God Bless you for whatever help you can give, either financial, prayers, or direct encouragement to David.

Please also include John Arok, FCB's other Sudan student in your prayers. He has been giving David 24 hour care, which has set his own studies back.

In Christ, Sylvia

UPDATE February7:

Supporters of Go! International helped pay all of David's hospitalization.

When it all seemed the worst, something wonderful and miraculous has happened for David Yak:

Bonnie wrote: February 2, 2005

A PRAISE to GOD! Re: David Yak

"At FCB this afternoon there was a Sudanese pastor, Michael, whom we had met at David’s bedside in the Coptic Hospital. He has just seen David, and said he was doing pretty well, but not mentally. He said that David will probably be moved to Sudan this month, and be reunited with his brother whom he has not seen for 18 years. It is his actual blood brother!! And the pastor was commissioned to bring the greetings and this message to us. Praise the Lord for that." Love, Bonnie-

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Sudan History: The Moslems have been involved in attempted genocide and wiping out of the Christians in the South for over 20 years. More than two million people have been killed or disappeared in that time. Bombing, taking slaves, burning crops and destroying churches and schools has been regular. What is happening in Darfur in Western Sudan is what went on in the South for that long twenty years. The Moslems were “evangelizing” and in the process hoped for a road of access into sub-Saharan Africa for their warriors. The Christians stood and fought at great price. Islam was stopped for the time. What brought the stop of their fighting in the South was the discovery of oil. When the Western oil companies were implicated in genocide, they began putting pressure on Sudan to keep a low profile and stop giving the companies bad press. A cease fire and peace were signed less than two months ago although massacres still spring up here and there.

Today, the fastest growing church in the world is in Sudan. All of their schools have been destroyed. Their churches are gone. The leaders they have are poorly trained but faithful. They have nothing but their love for Christ. God has put it on our hearts to see if we couldn’t possibly train some future leaders for their growing churches. We have David and John at FCB. Maybe we should help them in a short time build a Bible School for their people in Sudan. That is what we are looking to do. Others have a similar vision, but we would like to see solid biblical, separatist, reformed churches built and biblical revival spread. We have no resources or skills, but God sort of specializes in those things. The ecumenicals are trying to control all Christian development and especially to keep out strict Bible-believers. This is why we are all praying now. This is the opportune time and God has put us here! Howard

"Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure;"

2Thess1:2,3,4

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