Traveled Far
Some people traveled from over 164 miles away to bring their sick to the meeting among whom one testified to have come from Darfur who testified, 3 pastors and one lady from Khartoum, and some other people from Yei, and else where.
Salvations
The exact number of salvations could not be established during the crusade because the system that was set up to track the people could not replace, and there were not enough workers to record the new converts. Whenever the Alter call was made, thousands of people raised their hands to receive salvation but they could not make it to the front to have their information recorded. At AHM, we are sure that those who accepted Jesus into their lives were more than 25,000 because all the 25,000 decision cards we took with us were used up before the end of the crusade. We are excited though by the Juba pastors’ report that their estimate number of salvations is at 260,000 people. Many pastors are testifying of the big numbers of new believers coming into their churches, Praise God!
The Message
I spoke every night of the crusade as the Lord enabled me. The message was to restore hope to a hurt and hopeless people assuring them that everything else like politics, money, and charity assistance could fail, but Jesus Christ could never fail them. The jubilantly bright faces could be noticed allover the ground in consonance with the message which seemed to rhyme with their already existing hope of “New Sudan” as they learnt that there was possibility of change after receiving new life in Christ Jesus.
It was after such a message that the people would respond to the alter call in Thousands.
Baptisms
Our intension was to baptize as many new converts as would turn up, however no baptism was done due to lack of logistics and workers to do it.
Miracles
Many miracles were witnessed but we could not capture them all due to lack of sufficient equipment. However, there are notable cases that stand out; A man that had been blind for fourteen years received his sight, a girl that was deaf since childhood received her hearing, another one that was lame for long after an accident walked without clutches and many people testified of several healings. Seminars and conferences We planned to hold different teaching sessions every morning on new life with Jesus Christ, HIV/AIDS, work and innovations and effective church leadership. All except the HIV/AIDS seminars were held. However turn up in each of the seminars was very poor due to logistical impediments and the harsh weather conditions. More people would have attended if AHM had provided lunch and water but unfortunately this was not possible due to lack of funds.
Participation of the churches in Juba.
We worked with eight the churches in Juba. The pastors in Juba commented that it was a symbol of unity which had been lacking among them. The Full Gospel church was the host church.
Follow up of New Believers
AHM is always concerned about new converts wherever the crusades are held. This the reason we work with as many churches, church pastors and church leaders as possible to impart in them a desire to reach the lost and also work with them in terms of discipling new believers. InJuba we worked with eight churches and as the number of new converts turned out, the available number of pastors and church workers was not sufficient to handle the number of new believers. We also realized that the pastors themselves need a lot more of training and facilitation to be able to take care of the harvest in Juba.
Observations.
We noted that Southern Sudan provides an open door to the northern Africa especially the rest of Sudan Libya, Egypt Morocco Eritrea.Chad and others for the AHM. The church in Sudan still needs a lot of support especially in training of ministers and church workers. The harvest there is very ready and we have to keep going back for as long as the door is open Sudan is just emerging from spiritual bondage of evil and are at a stage of deciding the destiny of their country. The church should take a lead position to help them take Godly decisions.
Funding
There were not sufficient funds to meet the crusade budget. A debt of shs. 18,000,000 ($12,000) that was incurred has to be paid by AHM in five weeks time. The Christian workers in Juba There were not enough workers in Juba to handle the number of new converts. AHM must conduct follow-up seminars.
Harsh living conditions
The tents we could afford were not enough, and even not fit for human habitation. The toilet facilities were very poor on top of the harsh climatic and weather conditions.
Time constraints
Preparations ought to have taken at least 5 months, but only 2 months were available for al the mobilization and publicity .That is the reason as to why the sub-committees were not trained.
Inadequate Sound and light
Our equipment can no longer support meetings of such a magnitude effectively. We had to improvise often times during the crusade .The crusade grounds covered about 4 acres of land yet our equipment and light could only cover 1 acre.
Cost of living
Life in Juba is very expensive. We planned to go with a team of 150 but could only afford 25 due to budget constraints, and even then, there were difficulties. For example, a boiled maize costs 1.5 Sudanese pounds which is about 1200 Uganda shillings and $0.75. A visit to a public toilet costs 1 SP OR z$0.5, OR 800 UGX AT THE MAIN Taxi park which is expected to b the cheapest.
Recommendations
That AHM raises sponsorship for pastors in southern Sudan to attend the 10 day pastors and leaders conference that will be help in December, 2008 by AHM and also sponsor a month modular months training for them in Juba. This will help them become more evangelism minded and also equip them to become more efficient and effective in their ministries. That AHM gets a liaison person in both Juba and Khartoum to ease future preparations. That AHM sends missionaries to help the church in Juba track and disciple new converts for three months. That AHM acquire a public address system, lighting system, platforms, cameras that can service gatherings of at least 300,000 people. That AHM purchase 2 new trucks to carry equipment and a bus for workers.
That AHM ensures availability of funds at least two months in advance before a crusade begins to allow for better planning. That AHM partners attend a crusade each to witness the impact of all their prayers and support.Thank you for your prayers and support. Keep in mind that our mission in Jubais far from complete. We still your financial support to fulfill our pledge to the southern Sudanese people of helping some of them with garden tools and seeds. We also need to go back and train church leaders there to enable take care of new believers. The harvest in Juba is still big. Ten days was not enough to do the work. I must return to Juba for another crusade and I will need you to go back with me in a big way. Await the news from Kitgum, God is doing great things there too!
Yours in the harvest field,
Steven Sebyala
