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Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD; let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me. Psalm 40:11
Though it seemed a typical Mother's Day in 2006, my heart would change forever. A ministry working in South Sudan visited our church. As I heard of the complete disregard for human life through mutilations, rape, children forced to kill their parents and the palatable demonic influence, I was so moved that I couldn't think straight for days. I knew I was called to do something but I didn't know what I could do. It was in my mind constantly and as I prayed I remember saying "I'm going". I didn't have any money and no plan. But God had a plan!
God provided unexpected financial means 1 week later. My wife was pregnant with our first child and was not excited about going into a war zone. I called the ministry that had visited our church and asked what they needed. They asked "Can you teach? We need teachers for our Bible college." I was overwhelmed by the privilege of bringing the hope and comfort of God's word to thirsty men! So I left for the mission field to teach men called to evangelize South Sudan. It was 2007. |
Jeff and David's paths crossed by the hand of God...Jeff Huber, founder, and David, the onsite manager, were like Paul and Ananias. God enjoined them for a divine purpose.
David came to know Jesus through a traveling evangelist. He has been in the palm of God's hand ever since. His village was once attacked by the LRA, but the Lord protected his family. All but a few neighbors were killed. He told his family "Lay down on the floor. If we go outside we’re going to die." Miraculously the machine guns soon stopped and the LRA left. David's family ran into the bush, were separated and later reunited. Eventually they fled to a Ugandan refugee camp to live for many years. When David heard of a pastor training program, he enrolled in 2006-2007. Close to a year after graduating David was able to afford to move his family back to Pajok, South Sudan, their home village. As Jeff went to Sudan in 2007 to teach, David was one of Jeff's students! He recalls David always had his bible in hand. Jeff and David stayed in touch until 2010 when David called Jeff to ask if he would support him to start an orphanage in Pajok. God's Tender Mercy was born June 2, 2010 to love the fatherless and abused. They started an orphanage for 10 orphaned, abandoned or abused children. A nursery school was born with 3 classes and added a grade each year. The church building was built last and services were held until they were forced to flee. David taught Bible studies and a team from America, Uganda, and South Sudan held Bible Conferences for local men, women, and children once a year. David also shared the love of Christ in his village and comforted many who had lost a loved one due to sickness or accident. Jeff visited the ministry every year. In 2015, Jeff's entire family lived and ministered in Pajok for 3 months. In 2016 war came to Pajok. David, his family and the children fled to Uganda for safety. |
The Orphanage
The Orphanage is more like a foster home to 10 children who were orphaned, abandoned or abused. They joined David and Grace's 8 children and have become part of the family. God's Tender Mercy provides food, shelter, education and the love of Jesus Christ.
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The SchoolThe nursery school started in 2013 which consisted of 3 nursery grade levels. Each subsequent year an additional grade was added, up to grade 3 in 2016. The school served 100-160 students who were also taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Evangelism & TeachingBible conferences provided people with Biblical expository teaching to deepen their understanding of God's word, God Himself and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Many locals attended and some would travel for hours on foot to attend.
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