Life in South Sudan.

Life in South Sudan is simple, friendly and full of gratefulness. Like many other Africans South Sudanese mostly live a simple life, where there is no running water to some the nearest water source will be about two to three miles. Ladies will wake up early to go and collect water to bring home. As the sunrise, coffee and hot tea will be prepared for the family. This is daily life for South Sudanese they are grateful for the gift of family. My 54-year-old mother always wakes up early to go and get water, prepare tea and coffee for us. Not only for us but some times we have our neighbors who join us.

Friendship is very common among the people of South Sudan. Almost every one knows each other in the community and if you are new face in the community, people would like to know you and have friendship with you. One morning I was on my way to the place where I was building my house, I forget to ride on Boda-boda (motor bike) the distance is about two miles away. These two miles of walking distance turned to be three and half-hours of walk. I begin my walk from 8:00 am and get to my work place at 11:15 am where I am ready to call it a day. The reason is every one I met on the way want to stop and shake hands and wanted know how am I doing. Some wanted to know when did I get back and how thing are going with me and to some who are believers they want us to pray and thank God for He had done in my life. All this is taking place on roadside.

As I am crossing Mori River, I met Repent Luka who is well known preacher for many years. This gets supper cool!!! We prayed and even sing a song. (not only one verse but we repeat song for many times) Now for those who have hard us singing began to make their way to join us. This even gets better as we hold hands and jumping and dancing. My mother called me and she wanted to know how is work going and to see if I need anything to drink so that she can send some one with. Well, I told her that the work is yet to begin and I am still on my way. She said “what do you mean by you are still on your way? You had left three hours ago are you oky?” I replied to her that I am doing very well and we are having fellowship on roadside and it is going well. If you look at this from worldly perspective, what a waste of time? I should have done more or I would have been more productive in those ours. But this is not the point; the point is what a fellowship I had with my brothers and sisters in Christ, what a joy and what a friendship. Those times are worthy because i had fellowship with body of Christ.

“What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
 Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, 
Leaning on the everlasting arms”

Through building relationships and fellowshipping with one another we will make a change for the glory of God. People of South Sudan had gone through a lot of suffering, poverty, persecution during the times of war, but want makes them to overcome all these trials is being encouraged in the Lord. To all those who have been praying for me and have being supporting me in my education I wanted to encourage all us to lean on everlasting arm that is where we all find our hope. There is nothing we can burst but only the cross of Christ. That is the power of cross where all sinners who trust in Him will reign with Him for eternity.

Lastly, I wanted to inform all of you about the upcoming event in  November 2, 2012 we have shoot for Africa fund raise, you can donate towards my college fund by visiting 4cornersministries.org thank you very much for your generosity.

Our God is faithful.

Bullen Timo.       

Donate here!

http://championevents.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=657

Support!!

It has been while since i posted on blog, Sometime it is too easy to be caught up  with many things and forgetting other things. I will be posting more in coming days and i encourage all of my readers to be tuned.

I know many of you out there are very generous and would like to help or do some thing small. I am asking those of you who wanted to help to support my education by donating money towards my college education. You may give $5, $10 or more than that. I will be grateful for you help.

Here is how you can do www.4cornersministries.org and give to Bullen Timo.

Thank you very much for your help.

Great is thy faithfulness!!!

Home sweet home!

Home is where your story begins and where it ends - this is reality in life. This summer, I took off to go back home and see my family, long time friends and to share Christ with my fellow Africans. This safari began with the joy the can not be expressed!!! I thought what on earth, am I dreaming!!!  Many times I’ve had dreams I am home and in the end I wake up in the middle of nice air-conditioned house with electricity, there is big refrigerator where I can run and get food to eat any time I needed, running water and a good shower to mention but few … Well this time it was not a DREAM!!!!   

The voyage began and I made my first stop in London and then to Dar El Salaam Tanzania, where I felt very close to home.  Continued on to the village of Morogoro in Tanzania and served with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I returned to Dar El Salaam where I was able to teach at a Christian business conference and visited many Christian brothers and sisters encouraging them and sharing the hope that I have found in Christ. I met a young man who was thrown out of the family by his father because he confessed and trusted in Christ. This man told me that he is going back to his tribe and proclaim Christ so that all will come to know Him as Lord. This kind of assurance and passion will blow your mind away but that is the power of the Cross!!! 1 Corinthians 1:18.

Progress continues as I made my way to Uganda where reconnected with many old friends from high school, some South Sudanese and other new friends. We were so excited to see each other but this was not the end of story. The next stop is the real deal -  Mundri South Sudan.  Oh me….words can not describe.

My mother and sister got up early and cleaned the compound and took a Boda-Boda  ride to airstrip to wait for me.  After waiting for three hours, they heard a small plane coming to land.  Yes it landed and the first person to jump out the plane – Guess who?  I was already crying but these were the tears of joy!  My sister is married and she has three beautiful children. They were very excited to see their uncle coming home to visit them.  All of my uncles, aunties, and relatives are happy to see me and I also was so happy to see them.  I surprised my grandfather “Baba” with my visit.  I got up early the next morning before anybody get from their bed, I walked to my grandfather’s tukul and stand at his door and started to sing a song and automatically he knew that was me. He called me Kuniwa (small rock) is that you! I said yes I am. He said come and let us pray and he prayed. He was so thankful that I had come to meet him while he is still living. We had good time together. Almost everyday I went to visit with him and asked him to tell me old stories. He is growing very old all the time and I am so thankful that God had blessed him with such a long-life.

On my route back, I am really sad to say good-bye to family but I know I will be migrating back home very soon. We have the newest country that is facing many challenges both from in and out side. There are few doctors and teachers, no infrastructure but I do have conviction that all will be well very soon. South Sudanese indigenous, like Bishop Bismark  and Stephen Dokolo  and many more others, are working hard to empower the churches through pastors training and also the community leaders. These leaders are looking forward for our return to join them in making changes in our society for the glory of God.

I am so thankful and humbled for all of you who have been a big part of my life.

You are my hero and heroes in Christ Jesus.

Great is Thy faithfulness.

Bullen Timo.

One at a Time

imParting Hope, faith and value is a priority and passion as individuals, families, communities and cultures are transformed - ONE Relationship at a TIME!

Haven and Home

Thank you so much Marianne for your love and support.  I am so honored to be on your blog!     Haven and Home

Jaja Lucy!

Dear readers it has been while since I gave you the update of what is going on here in Africa. Like many other people who know and have seen there is this great joy of being in Africa. Every day is a good day where you have an opportunity of fellowshipping with some friend and know new people.

Last weekend my friend and I pastor Dan we went to see some friend in Jinja and Iganga where we spend knight there. Dan is native of Jinja and married to beautiful lady from Singapore. Dan and I where good friend since 2006 and some time he will call me to go with him to minister in some of place in his home district. In 2007 he introduce me to his grand mother my name Jaja Lucy, Mama Lucy or Jaja Lucy does not know English but can speak Losogo which is the language for Basogas( the tribe in Jinja) I preached at Mama Lucy’s church in 2007 and she welcomed me and Dan to her house and feed us with good food( matoke, nyama and beans). On our way back to Kampala, mama Lucy gave me beans, mango, and sugar cane. I told mama Lucy that I do not need those thing let she keep for her and I am so thankful for the food that she have given me. But Jaja said my son I have joy of given you those food items. That all I have and I have to share with you. I told her that thank you very much for being generous.

This time we went and spend nigh at Jaja’s place and she did not expect me to come and see her. She was so happy that I remembered her and come to spend night in her place. Jaja on my way back she gave me all the eggs that in need and more beans to me to come with. I am so grateful to see how God is doing great things through Jaja Lucy, she have started Church in her own back yard and call her pastor to come and meet with me and to fellowship wit us. Jaja prayed over me and asked God’s blessing to keep me in my school and she said next time when you come I want us to have disciple making conference here at my Church. I brought small gift to Jaja and you cannot imagine the joy she expressed. Our God is a good God He cares for us and all that we need His hand will provide “Great is thy faithfulness”

To Him be the glory!!!!     

Dar es Salaam

May 30 - 31, 2012

Dean: We traveled back to Dar on May 30, 2012, met with the host pastor for the business conference and got settled in at 'Passionate Father' hostel. 

Dean:  Dinner at the Mediterraneania Restaurant overlooking the Indian Ocean. 

Cheese and spinach stuffed ravioli.

Our dinner friends.

Dean:  May 31st was spent out in the communities visiting a couple of micro finance clients.  This was a WOW day with great encouragement.

[L-R]  Happy, Hope, Lucy, Flora, Elijah

Dean:  Happy is a street cook, Hope is an event planner, Lucy is a seamstress, Flora works for SRI Mircrofinance, Elijah is a chicken farmer and micro team leader.

Dean:  Elijah's testimony includes quitting his job as he became a believer because they asked him to do unethical things.  He received 500 meat chicks the day before our arrival.  His business is growing through his involvement with SRI.

Dean:  Daniel works in a soap factory.  His home based business is a Christian school for 2-6 year old children.  We drove 20 minutes out of town, then hiked 20 minutes back to the school.  It is awesome to see their love for the Lord!

Good neighbors

There are so many stories to tell from this trip. Going out of your zone and experiencing life somewhere is very difficult some times; you need to learn new language and culture in order to get along with other people. But when I come back In South Sudan it is different. When some one comes, every body wanted to come around and fellowship with the person who come and to see if they can help. Not only that but also to explore the possibility of friendship.

I will not forget the day I show my land where my house was build and will be staying when I return home. There is young man called Kabi (kabi is the name for lizard in Moru) he and his family have hard that I will be their neighbor they are all happy that I will be joining then soon. Kabi brought me some water to drink and some cassava to eat. He introduced himself to me and told me that where he comes and what he is doing in Mundri. As we are still talking other three young men showed up and they are friends with Kabi. I told them how thankful I am to have neighbors such as them. Kabi and his friends started helping me and I told them that I do not have budget for that work that is why I am going to do my self but they said “ we are here to help our neighbor” they said they do not need anything but what they need is to fellowship with me.

Showing love to one another is very common among South Sudanese people. These guys have shown me the true love where you do not expect anything in return. I am so blessed to have those good neighbors this reminds me of the story of good Samaritans whom have show mercy and love of Christ. After cutting bushes, we sat down for break and I told the guys that let us read Matt: 4vs 19. Where call his first disciple and asked the to follow Him and He will make them a fishers of Men. Kabi and his friends are very happy and we prayed together.

Like many missionaries have said you will not make un impact if you do not stay with the people and if you do not participate with them. Living the life they are living make you to be part of them. Kabi is encouraged that I am part of then and it is true because we are all speaking one language and sharing things together. There are some many people like Kabi and his friends are waiting for some one to come in their village or town. I am so thankful that the work of Christ is un stoppable and I know you will be encouraged as you read this story.

Great is thy faithfulness!     

What a friend.....

ON June 1, 2012 - Bullen wrote the following.......

Be glorified, Be worshiped in the heavens and on the earth. May Your glory be display through Your church. What a worship we had today! Dancing, jumping and praising God - it is a beautiful thing to see brothers and sisters worshiping in Spirit and in Truth. Our Sunday started when we got to the church and gathered for prayers and church announcements were conducted.  There we began the worship. It took more than 3 hours and no one was ready to go home. The preaching, worship, and praises continues.  This is true that God inhabits in the praises of his people. 


Yesterday I met a young man in the conference after I finished teaching, he walked up to me and hold my hand and he said, "Bullen, I am one of the 20 children of my father, no one from my family is Christian - but only me and I need prayers. Because I am going through tough times. I am encouraged by your testimony that God is able to do what man cannot do." I prayed with him and you can tell how happy and grateful he is. He told me that God has called him to go to his village and to preach the gospel to his tribe. His father asked him to leave the house when he became a Christian. Silas was such a great young man whose love for Christ is great!

“Are we weak and heavy laden,cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In His arms He'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.”

Morogoro Pictures

Adventures, Adventures, Adventures beginning May 27-29, 2012

Riding on the left side of the road? yes it is scary!

This kid is trying to tell me something very seriously, but i do not know his language and there is no interpreter to help both of us. One day every tongue and tribe will worship Our Lord! Oh what a day!

We are in trouble!!! The van was stuck in the mud and there is no way we can get it out. Everyone was sitting there and do not know what to do. How in the world are we getting out of here!

Dean and I are packaging vitamins for the children. 

Dean said "Our agenda doesn't look that busy, but we are busy from sun up -sun down +some.  The people are beautiful, and the sights are amazing.  We spent a couple of days in Morogoro setting up and running a medical clinic, a children's program and a nightly crusade."

These are some of the children loved on at the VBS.

Dean: "There would be several 'praise and worship teams' that performed before the preaching, usually 1.5 hours of praise and worship and 30-45 minutes of preaching"

Greetings from Tanzania

Greeting and love to all of you from Tanzania. God is so good and forever he will be. This summer is going to be one of amazing summer ever! I have been looking for this for many years. To God be the glory for this opportunity to come and server my brothers and sisters in this part of the world.

This country is one of the amazing countries in east African where people stay in solidarity with one another, they share what they have with their community and every one is there to help each other when it needed. On our arrival, Bishop Rejoice and his church members are already waiting for us, we have hugs hand shaking as African does all the time. He said in Western world “time is the enemy but here time is our friend”. He has given us warm welcoming.

We did not stay at Dar el Salaam, we head to Mororgoro where we are having the medical clinic, Crusade, disciple making conference. Many brothers and sisters who have come to attend the conference had same story of God working in their life. One of them is pastor Ruben who is very young among the rest. Ruben is pastoring church in Dar el Salaam and his church is the one of the growing churches in the region. His father once abandoned Ruben when he was very small. His father left him and his mother. But Ruben’s mother was godly lady and she tough her son to follow Christ. Through the influence of his mother he become a believer and now he is pastoring one of the fasters growing churches in this town.

Ruben was my roommate he can wake up earlier to pray and read the word of God. This man’s vision in to plant more churches in the next three years to come and he has already plans of going to plant church in Zambia, Malawi Rwanda and many more area in the East Africa. This man has no theological degree but he has Christ who is above all the Degrees. He is very exited to attend this pastors conference.  

This is just the beginning of the story of what God is doing in this part of world. I will be posting more in days to come. Our God reigns for ever!!!!!  

Travels

Post by Lisa Mitchell

Bullen has been busy the past couple of months on a visit to Africa. I have a few pictures to share from Rejoice and Hope of his adventures. Bullen tells me that he has many more pictures and stories, but no electricity or internet access to share them until his return to the States. So here are some appetizers for those of us who are walking this journey with him!

The gentlemen in the picture are (L-R) Bob Quinn, me, Dean Spears. He traveled with them for two weeks on an African Adventure to share Jesus Christ with the people that entered their 3' circle (Dean's words).

On May 25, 2012, Bullen began his adventures on a flight to London. On May 26 we flew out of London for a 9 hour flight to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  Upon arrival we loaded a bus and headed to Morogoro for a few days of mission work. Tomorrows post will tell you all about this........ 

Happy Easter !!

Dear beloved readers,

It is always a great joy for me to update you on what is happening. I always want thank each one of you for taking your time and reading through this article.

Easter is the one of the powerful event that had occurred in the history of mankind, and for this reason it has made extraordinary impact in our lives as followers of Christ. It is the resurrection of the Christ that has given us hope and it made us know that we are saving the living God. As I was growing up in Sudan, I remember when it comes to the Good Friday we will sing, “There is a fountain filled with blood” in moru hymnbook. I loved it!! and I can sing it over and over because the “redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die” Thank you God for the power of resurrection!! You have defeated the death and have conger the grave and have risen victoriously, now You are reigning as Lord and King; angles are bowing before you and crying loud with worship, the saints are casting their gold crown at Your feet and singing Holly holly holly Lord God almighty the heaven and universe is full of Your glory, and glory be to You forever and ever Amen!

Lastly, I would like to thank all of you who have stood with me all this year here in States. You have been a great support for me in my education, I am happy to announce that I will be graduating from Jefferson State with the A.S Degree in Communications on May 4, 2012. I am very excited and also thankful to celebrate the goodness of God and how far He has brought me. In my Timo family no one has Finish College with degree but by the grace of God how it is going to happen and this is the God’s story HIS-STORY not ours. Keep praying soon by next year we will get together and celebrate another graduation here at Troy University. Thank you very much for all the support and efforts you have done. Your prayers and support have made this possible.

Our God reign!

Bullen