We recently had the privilege of going on a mission trip to Uganda and South Sudan. This journey has been transformative, filled with moments of deep learning, service, and spiritual growth. I want to share with you some of the key experiences and learnings we had during this wonderful trip.
Our mission covered three countries: Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda. The historical context of these countries is very important for understanding their current state. Sudan, with a population of approximately 45 million, is the third largest country in Africa. 91% of its population is Muslim, and this religious background has given rise to many serious problems. In 2003, the UN declared Sudan one of the worst countries in the world to live in for Christians.
In 2011, Sudan was divided into Muslim Sudan and Christian South Sudan. However, despite the division, civil war soon broke out in South Sudan, caused by a power struggle between the president and vice president. This war resulted in a huge number of casualties and forced many people to seek refuge in Uganda. More than a million refugees from South Sudan are now living in camps in Uganda, waiting for the political situation to stabilize.
We worked primarily in northern Uganda, serving refugees from South Sudan. One of the largest refugee camps, Bidibidi, is home to approximately 270,000 people. Our ministries included pastor training, children's programs, medical care, and women's ministry.
One of the most inspiring moments was training pastors. South Sudan is a young country, and the first Baptist church was founded in 2011. The pastors we worked with had minimal ministry experience. We held three conferences and one three-day training session with over 120 pastors attending. They showed great interest in the Word of God and a desire to serve.
Children's ministry has also become an important part of our mission. One day, 920 children came to our program. For them it was a great holiday and blessing. We brought two large truckloads of food thanks to donations collected at our church. Seeing the children's joy when they received the food was incredibly touching.
Medical service turned out to be extremely necessary. In South Sudan we visited a hospital that was in poor condition. Our medical workers brought medications and helped local residents. The women's ministry led by our sisters brought together more than 120 women for two conferences. Local pastors told us that after these meetings, many women returned home, repented to their families and asked for forgiveness.
This trip reminded us of the urgency of the Great Commission, the importance of love in action, and the need for discipleship. The world has become much closer, and we can easily reach anywhere in the world to preach the Gospel. Our ministry should be focused on making disciples and spreading God's Word.
As the Great Commission says (Matthew 28:18-20): “And Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
We would like to express special gratitude to the missionary department of the Pacific Union of Churches of the ECB for their support and participation in this trip. Without your help and prayers, our mission could not have been accomplished!
Dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord bless us all in our ministries. Always rejoice and thank God for all the circumstances in which you find yourself. Amen.
Vasily Stupin
