I spent this past week in Juba, the capital city of South Sudan. The sad truth about South Sudan is that there are many challenges and difficulties facing the Sudanese people. A nation that began with such hope in 2011 is now struggling to keep from drowning in a sea of hopeless depression. It was difficult to find any signs of encouragement in Juba on this trip.
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| Juba is situated about 300 miles west of Boma. |
One of the major concerns now facing South Sudan is the devaluation of their currency. When I was in Juba just this past March, exchanging 100 US dollars would net me about 17,500 South Sudanese pounds. Last week I was able to turn that $100 into 30,000 pounds. WOW! I was shocked to say the least. In one month their buying power was reduced by half. Can you imagine trying to buy food for your family and seeing the cost of groceries double in one month? Almost all the food in South Sudan is imported so a doubling in price of already expensive food has put intense pressure on families just to survive.
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The population in Juba is unknown, but there may be as many as 10 million people living there in tents and non-traditional housing. |
As I reflected on these difficulties, the Lord reminded me of the simple truth of why we are here in South Sudan…to bring the light of hope in Jesus Christ into this darkness. During Christ’s ministry on earth, He traveled about Israel providing for physical needs while sharing His message of new life available in God’s Kingdom. With your help, we are sharing that same message of hope with the South Sudanese. Our education programs, water projects, demonstration farm and discipleship through the school and church are all intended to bring the hope of the Gospel to a desperately needy people. God bless you for partnering with us in all our efforts!
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| Vincent is pruning an avocado tree that will provide long-term food security for the people in Boma. |
Additionally, we continue to see the value in planting trees as just one way of providing for the physical needs of our brothers and sisters in South Sudan. Planting fruit trees can insure a sustainable source of food for families and planting eucalyptus trees can provide an ongoing source of income for the community. This month, God willing, we will plant 6000 eucalyptus trees and 200 fruit trees in Boma. We really would like to plant up to 30,000 eucalyptus trees but are short of funding to do so. We need an additional $12,840 to complete the planting of these trees. Please consider an online gift to help us plant more trees in Boma.
Eucalyptus seedling that will grow to 40 feet in three years and can be sold for $20 per tree.
Thank you for your continuing prayers and support. It could take years to resolve the major issues plaguing South Sudan, but the love and compassion of Jesus compels us to continue our efforts each day.
Donnie Brake, Ed.D.
President
PS. If you feel led to give a gift to plant more trees in Boma, please follow this link to easily give online. Thank you.
PPS. A good friend of mine has created a web-store where he has developed some SEA Partners’ “swag” available for purchase. Please take a look and know that 25% of all sales will go to help the children in Boma. Thank you.