As the worlds youngest country South Sudan celebrates its 6 year existence as of July 9, 2011, the civil war escalates. Many South Sudanese are fleeing their homes due to the violence that the government is causing on innocent people. They escape to the nearby country of Uganda. Uganda now holds the Worlds Largest Refugee camp called Bidi-Bidi with over 300,000 South Sudanese Refugees. With 86% percent of those being Women and Children. They are given land that is 30x30 meters and some to do farming on. There is a water shortage in the most populated areas, instead of receiving 15 liters of water which is the emergency minimum, they receive only 10 liters per day due to the large amounts of new refugees coming in.
Being part of a 10 person team, including 5 people from Moldova and 4 others from Sacramento, we all met together midway to Uganda in Turkey. Turkey is where we all met each other for the first time and continued on our journey into Uganda, where we also met Edward Dima who is the bishop of South Sudanese churches.
We were able to visit a few churches in those refugee camps and encourage them that we care for them, we know about them, and we pray for them. The Molovan team prepared bible studies and sermons for the adults, brought 5 charcoal ovens with 6 months worth of baking supplies (flour, oil, yeast, charcoal,.etc) from Kenya into Uganda and prepared the film showing of “Jesus”, while the California team prepared the program for children, games, lesson and small gifts.
Upon entering the Refugee camps I realized they encouraged me so much by seeing their true faith and Joy in their harsh circumstances. Seeing the children laughing and jumping up and down from just being able to blow up balloons was so humbling.
It was my high school dream to go to Africa, and of all places specifically to South Sudan since it was then that I learned about this newest country South Sudan. God provided everything for me and kept me safe and healthy. Oh how great it is to be amongst fellow believers serving our Father together! Can’t wait to all be in heaven, where no sin, disease, shortage of food or water or death exists, worshipping the giver of life our heavenly Father!
THE MISSION TRIP VIDEO CLIP
PHOTOS TAKEN DURING THE TRIP
Please click on the first slide to view photos as a slide show
{rapidgallery}_newsRelated/2017/jul_sudan_zerebenkova{/rapidgallery}
