NEEDY CHILDREN IN SUDAN

Where did these children come from?
In the past 20 years or so, the extremists from the north have periodically invaded Southern Sudan.  They take the women and girls hostage, attempt to kill the men, and chase the boys away.  In May of 2007, while Dean was there, 200 orphans were brought from northern Sudan down to southern Sudan and “dumped” on the doorstep of a village in Sudan near Darfur.  50 of these orphans were passed on to another village.  150 of these orphans, however, remained in the village near Darfur. Over time, more orphans were added to this initial group, and eventually we had a total of 549 orphans who needed a great deal of help.

GOD IS GOOD!
Because of your faithful support, we’ve been able to care for our 549 orphans in Sudan, and we are now seeing some big prayers answered.  We’re happy to report that the orphans in Sudan have been almost fully adopted by the villagers in their area.  Most of these kids are no longer staying in the somewhat sterile orphan compound but instead are now in families.  We have been assisting them with food, clothes, and have an ongoing school for them to attend.  However, as we had always hoped and intended, the Sudanese are stepping up to take responsibility for their own children.    We have supplied the village with cows, oxen, milk goats, 3 water wells to support their growing agriculture, seeds and tools for this farming, multiple laptops, a truck, a motorcycle, and an internet cafe.  We expect them to use the income generated from the cafe, excess food sales, and the truck as a taxi/delivery vehicle to support the needs of these children and their new families.

Update

Crossway International is using water wells, the care of 549 needy and impoverished children, a medical clinic, and the Crossway Christian School as a means of gaining a hearing for the gospel.  In many places in Africa, people suffer from water-borne diseases from drinking contaminated water.  To reduce the need for medication to treat these ailments, we have drilled 3 water wells in this village.  We also use this “physical” water to introduce others to the “Living Water,” Jesus Christ.  To read more about this project, go to www.buckadaywater.com.

Medical Clinic

In November of 2008, we lost one of our orphans to cholera, due to lack of medication. We’re making every effort now to ensure that does not happen again.  Also, in May of 2009, we saw 20 cases of malaria. So please pray for the continued funding for this medical clinic.

CrossWay Christian School

All 549 needy children are enrolled in our school, and we have 10 devoted teachers who serve faithfully in sharing the gospel and teaching the Bible. In fact, the only book we have in the school right now is the Bible!  We are hoping to expand the students’ studies in the areas of mathematics, history, social studies, etc.  Right now we have only 5 blackboards and very, very limited school supplies.  We see these children as our little army from God, who we led to Christ, will educate, and then will send out throughout this region.  If you can help in any way with the support needs of this school, please let us know.  (It is too costly to ship materials from the U.S. to Sudan at this point, so your prayers and financial support would be the greatest help.)

In Addition

These projects have opened doors for Dean to teach two Pastors’ Conferences, the first in 2007 to 135 leaders and the second in 2009 to some 35 pastors.

At CrossWay International, we know we can’t help everyone, but we can help someone.

Dean in Sudan

Drilling a Well in Village near Darfur, Sudan

The Village Kids in a community near Darfur, Sudan