To Judea & Samaria

Missionary vision is not new to the Pokot. For a number of years, many hearers of the gospel have desired to tell others in neighboring villages of the Good News of Christ.

Pokot missionaries have crossed the border of Uganda to reach their fellow tribesmen. As a result, other tribes have also been affected from seeing the change in the former cattle-rustling Pokot of eastern Uganda.

The unintended consequence of the Gospel has been a tenuous, but stable peace among Pokot and Karamojong. With limited resources, yet a hunger for others to share in the Gospel, evangelists have established many churches along the border of Kenya and Uganda.

The missionary zeal goes beyond Kenya’s border with Uganda. Just north of Uganda is a country that has been in civil war for some time now. Many readers have undoubtedly heard about the genocidal atrocities occurring in the region of Darfur in the Sudan.

A peace accord was signed in late 2005 that officially brought the Sudanese civil war to an end. However, the Islamic government of Sudan refuses to allow peacekeepers in to Darfur to address the claims of genocide.

An ongoing relief effort has been staged on the Kenyan side of the border at Lokichogio for a number of years. As southern Sudan, often referred to as the New Sudan, has become more stable, those relief efforts have started moving to the interior of Sudan to a town called Juba.

The road connecting Loki and Juba sees more convoys of relief supplies than any other road in Sudan. The supplies in these convoys pass by people who have been victims of civil war for decades, yet they watch as the UN trucks pass through and receive no benefit or outreach.

It is in this area, among the Toposa tribe, where the leadership of the Pokot Outreach Ministry desires to send their first cross-tribal missionaries. It is not a place that you will see on CNN or Fox News. It is, however, a place in need of a savior.

Civil war has thrown this place back in time. On a visit to the area in 2006, Julius Murgor stated that the Toposa remind him of the people of East Pokot, the most primitive of the tribe, more than 15 years ago when he returned to his people to start his ministry.

The first men are prepared to arrive in the area in November 2007. Initially, the men will stay in rented accommodations until the funds can be raised for a mission station and a well.

It is estimated that it will cost about $1,500 to get the men relocated to the area and $600 per month in support. Harvesters currently has commitments for half of the monthly support.

It is exciting to see what God is doing and to be part of a ministry that seeks to expands its boundaries to engulf others with the love of Christ. This is a unique time in the history of the world, and particularly, the history of Sudan.

Likewise, the freedom to place a missionary inside Sudan is also unique. We must take advantage of the opportunity before the doors close again.

Your help is needed. There will be many obstacles to overcome as these men relocate to Sudan. Please pray for their safety. Please pray that God would give them an unquenchable desire for the Toposa and their salvation. Please pray for the Toposa that God would prepare them for his Word and that the spiritual darkness would be removed from the area.

A Valued Part of the Team

Sandi began serving with Harvesters International Missions (HIM) in March of 2007 after serving with the ministries of Teen Missions International and AIDS Orphans and Street Children.

Her previous ministry focus was in Sub-Saharan Africa and Cambodia and in her new capacity as Assistant to the Director; she will continue to assist with work in Africa and India.

Some of her immediate responsibilities include helping put teams together, seeking grant opportunities and assisting with the web page and routine office procedures. Additionally she is helping to schedule church visits and mission conferences.

She works out of the home office of HIM located on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Her extensive previous experience taking adults and teenagers on mission trips will assist her in her new capacity.

She is a graduate of the University of Utah with Missionary certification credits from Moody Bible Institute. Prior to becoming a missionary, she worked as a teacher, swim coach, restaurant manager and an accountant.

In the six months since coming to Harvesters International Missions, she has worked closely with Ed Hirshman to seek new ministry partners and share the ministry with those in the community. As the ministry continues to grow, she hopes to be able to work closely with our staff from India, Kamlesh and Ranu and assist with sharing their ministry in the U.S. in preparation for their visit in 2008.

Sandi says, “India is new territory for me, but I feel this may be part of the reason the Lord redirected me to Harvesters International Missions. Since India is one of the ministry’s newest ventures, I find it exciting to be on the ground floor of ministry to see how the Lord can use me.”

In Cambodia, she was part of starting a summer camp for national teens, a Cambodian Bible School and a regional ministry headquarters for South East Asia. Sandi wants to thank those of you who pray for her and those who support her financially.

She is glad to have transitioned to Harvesters International and its vision to help support national missionaries. Sandi has already proven to be a valuable part of the Harvesters’ team. Her tireless work ethic and compassion are humbling and a welcome addition to the Harvesters’ family.

By: J. Lucarelli