Friday, September 14, 2012

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.