On July 9, 2011, the world’s newest nation was born. The Republic of South Sudan carried its people into a new era, one with a landscape still dominated by mud huts, but a people brimming with hope.
It was a celebratory season for all who love the South Sudanese. For Aid Sudan, opportunity for ministry remained completely open, with our burden for salvation and transformation unchanged.
2011 in Summary
In spite of economic conditions, Aid Sudan has grown by an average of 25 percent each year over the past five years. This year, we grew even more, with about a 35 percent increase. This financial increase mirrored growth across the organization, both in projects and administration. We are so thankful for how God expanded our base of support and how many of you responded so graciously to the needs of the South Sudanese.
As with every year, we strived to be the best stewards of the funds God provided for Aid Sudan, praying diligently over our strategy and decisions. We prioritized and reprioritized, including conducting a board-led comprehensive strategy review the first half of the year. While some of our projects required a shift in strategy, others continued as originally planned. In all things, we wanted to be entirely faithful to our Lord.
Our Strategy
Our efforts toward a simple, effective, transformative strategy have led us to a four-step ministry process in South Sudan. We engage each location as follows:
- Send short-term mission teams (to open the work and give long-term support)
- Drill water wells (to meet the greatest need and provide credibility)
- Mobilize indigenous missionaries (to engage in discipleship and church planting
- Install a radio tower and distribute hand-held radios (to transmit the gospel and community development training in the heart language)
All this is backed by our ongoing ministry in the U.S., where communities are engaged as South Sudanese and American missionaries are identified, trained and sent out.
Highlights and Future Plans
Highlights from 2011 were many. In the United States, they included partnerships with five South Sudanese churches in Dallas to conduct ongoing community development projects. South Sudanese communities in Houston and Dallas again provided gracious support for our efforts in South Sudan.
South Sudan highlights from 2011 and plans for 2012 include:
SHORT-TERM TEAMS
2011: Sent four mission teams to conduct pastor training and community development
2012: Plans for six mission teams
WATER WELLS
2011: Drilled water wells in Agur, Mapel, Tonj, Torpuot and Tim Thok
Completed a school and clinic in Kierwan as part of a community development project where a water well had been previously drilled
2012: Plans for five water wells
MOSES PROJECT (INDIGENOUS MISSIONARIES)
2011: Graduated long-term Bible school class in Nasir led by Moses Project missionary
Conducted application process for second group of missionaries
2012: Plans to begin training and ministry of second missionary group
RADIO
2011: Upgraded Aweil tower and completed Nasir tower, growing total population coverage to over 1.5 million South Sudanese (country population is 8.7 million)
Over 9,000 hand-held radios were delivered, reaching up to 135,000 people
2012: Plans for installation of third tower, which is already funded, taking total population coverage to approximately 25% of the country’s population
Plans for delivery of 10,000 hand-held radios
Where You Come In
This is a critical time in the history of the world’s newest nation. It is a rare privilege to shape a country from the ground up. And thanks to your partnership, change is coming for many. In 2011 alone, many were saved and many communities were impacted.
As we look ahead to 2012, we cherish your continued partnership in:
- Praying for the South Sudanese (aidsudan.org/pray)
- Giving to Aid Sudan (aidsudan.org/donate)
- Going to South Sudan (aidsudan.org/trips or aidsudan.org/internprogram)
On behalf of our board, advisory board, and team, I thank you so much for your support. We are so grateful. And we thank you for your continued friendship and partnership in 2012, as our Lord moves in hearts and lives among the people we dearly love.
In Christ,
Peter Swann, DIS
Executive Director
Aid Sudan
