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.
