Meanwhile, Amy Winger had just been
accepted as a long-term missionary with SIM Canada, and was beginning
the process of raising financial and prayer support to join the team
in South Sudan as a nurse. She arrived in Doro in July 2007 and began
learning the Mabaan language and putting her nursing skills to good
use in a place where there is much illness and very little medical
care.
Nate and Amy met in October 2007 when a
mission aircraft with Amy on board needed to stop in Yabus on the way
to Doro. Nate was at the airstrip to collect some cargo and, as it
turned out, to meet his future wife! You can search the archives on
this blog for posts from Oct./Nov. 2008 which Amy wrote a year later
to hear more of the amazing events that the LORD orchestrated to have
us meet and get to know each other. We were married on the coast of
Kenya in July 2008 and have since been blessed with 2 children,
Karina (September 2009) and Ethan (September 2012).
 |
| 2013 - War Returns to South Sudan |
Since then, we have continued to pursue
ministry in South Sudan, although the long process of obtaining Amy's
USA permanent residency kept us in the USA for 2 prolonged periods,
during which time war broke out again in our area of Sudan and our
newly built house was bombed, bringing an end to our ministry there.
When we returned to Kenya, SIM South
Sudan had several options for us to consider and we felt the LORD
leading us to pursue Nate's gifting and calling toward
Biblical/theological education. The mission was just beginning to
send missionaries to Gideon Theological College, a small Bible school
on the banks of the White Nile. Nate needed a Master's degree in
order to teach there and an opportunity emerged for him to do an MA
in Biblical Studies at Africa International University, just outside
of Nairobi. We have now been living there for almost 2 years and Nate
has just one term remaining in order to complete his degree. In
August 2013 he was able to spend almost 3 weeks at Gideon Theological
College in South Sudan, teaching an intensive course on spiritual
warfare. He had a wonderful time with the students and felt like it
was a confirmation of his calling and vision.
 | |
| UN Refugee Camp Signs Reflect Tribal Conflict |
Unfortunately, as many of you know,
conflict erupted in South Sudan in December 2013 and violent clashes
between pro-government forces and anti-government forces continue to
this day. The region where GTC is located has been very unstable and
no missionary families have been able to return since December. Some
of our teammates there have taken early home assignment and others
have gone to Egypt for a few months for language learning, as they
wait on the LORD and what He has in store for them and for South
Sudan.
We as a family have felt like the
conflict in South Sudan has led us to yet another fork in the road,
another time of transition. It has been a season of upheaval and
uncertainty about the future, as well as grief for the people we
love, many of whom are fleeing for their lives yet again and living
with fear and severe food shortages, an inevitable result of war.
There are, however, several things
concerning which we ARE very certain. These have helped us to feel
grounded, at peace in the midst of crashing waves. The first and by
far the most important is our faith in our Sovereign LORD who rules
over the kings and kingdoms and peoples of the earth. He does not
slumber or sleep and He is in control of everything that happens in
South Sudan and in our own personal lives. He will never abandon His
church in South Sudan and is always at work in and through His
children. It has been such a joy and a privilege to worship with and
serve alongside our South Sudanese brothers and sisters over the
years. We have been so blessed by our time and relationships with
them. We pray that the LORD may strengthen and keep them during these
difficult days and use them to show many His love, mercy, and
reconciliation.
The second thing that has been
confirmed to us is Nate's calling to Biblical/theological education
and the great need for it in East Africa. He has enjoyed his courses
at AIU so much and has especially loved delving into the exposition
of Bible books, gaining a deeper understanding of the New Testament
through his study of Greek and a greater love for the Old Testament
through his professors' excellent teaching of Old Testament theology
and the Pentateuch. He is really excited about following in their
footsteps and being able to teach others who will then be equipped to
pass it on as well.
Another thing we feel sure about is our
desire to continue to serve with SIM. We have really valued the
leadership, support, and care we have felt from our sending office in
the US as well as our team on the field. Currently we are considering
a change of fields from SIM South Sudan to either SIM Kenya or SIM
Ethiopia.
There are 2 positions we are praying
about. One is teaching in the Bachelor of Theology program at AIU in
Kenya, where Nate is currently studying. This would mean very little
transition for us as we are feeling quite at home there and enjoy the
school community which draws students and families from all over
Africa and beyond. Karina already enjoys attending the small
Christian school on campus and she and Ethan both enjoy playing
outside with the community children. Amy is excited about the
prospects of future ministry for her in Nairobi, being that it is
such a multi-cultural city.
The other option is equally exciting
for us. Nate has been invited to consider filling a teaching position
in Biblical Studies at Evangelical Theological College in Addis
Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. The role seems to fit his training
very well and we both have a special place in our hearts for Ethiopia
because of our close friendships with Ethiopian teammates in South
Sudan over the years. SIM's partner church in Ethiopia, the Kale
Heywot denomination, is an emerging missionary-sending church and
we have been privileged to serve with some of their first few
international missionaries in South Sudan. From what we have seen and
heard, the Kale Heywot churches have an intense passion for
the Great Commission. How wonderful it would be to have a small part
in working with them!
Will you please pray with us as we
consider the future over the next few months? Here are some specifics
to remember:
(1) Please pray that the LORD will lead us
and show us His will for our next steps and that we will be careful
listeners to His voice.
(2) Please pray that He will supply the
grace and provisions for our family to make another major transition
to a new country, culture, and language if He should lead us to
Ethiopia.
(3) Please pray for His peace to fill us
as we face many uncertainties and that we'll trust in His goodness.
(4) Please pray for strength, endurance,
and focus for Nate as he finishes his last term at AIU. God-willing
he will graduate in August 2014.
(5) Please remember to pray for
reconciliation between the leaders and tribes of South Sudan and for
peace to be restored in God's timing. Pray that the LORD will empower
His people to minister to the suffering and traumatized and draw many
more into His flock during these difficult days.
