The Ministry of Presence
Shortly after David Nakhla’s internal clock reset back to the East Coast after visiting Brazil, he was off again, this time to the continent of Africa. The first leg of the journey took him to Juba in South Sudan to meet up with Rev. Alex Pettett, Executive Director of World Witness, the foreign mission agency of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) and Rev. Lee Shelnutt, also from the ARP Church. The three lodged at a camp on the bank of the Nile River called the AFEX River Camp. The purpose of this portion of the trip was to introduce the ARP representatives to the Sudanese Reformed Church and to encourage those living in a refugee camp for internally displaced people. Sadly for some, that refugee camp has been their home for more than ten years!
Despite the squalid conditions of the camp, the saints there welcomed the group warmly and expressed the encouragement they received from the visit. David learned how important it is for those suffering to know they are remembered; it gives hope and hope fuels perseverance. David was able to bring them greetings from the OPC and to attest to the many who are praying for them. The saints there presented these visitors with two humble requests: Bibles and prayers. Would you be willing to commit to praying regularly for our brothers and sisters suffering in South Sudan? Please pray that the Lord would bring peace and security to this region by raising God-fearing leaders who are willing to serve the people, over against themselves.
The group had the privilege of worshiping with the local Sudanese Reformed Church, where the Word is preached in English and Arabic simultaneously. Rev. Lee Shelnutt, preached from Matthew 9:35-38; a pivotal passage where Christ looks on the crowd, has compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, and tells his disciples to pray earnestly to the Lord of harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. He reminded the congregation that Jesus sees you, Jesus feels compassion for you, and is eager to see his sheep brought into the fold…and he’s chosen to use laborers to bring in the harvest. May we all pray that the Lord will send out his laborers into his fields. After the service, the group of three were honored with gifts from both the Juba Classis (Presbytery of the SRC) and the Women’s Ministry of that local congregation.
This trio rounded out their time in Juba by visiting two of the Christian schools associated with the SRC congregations in Juba. The school buildings have been funded by Word & Deed, but they mandate that the continuing costs of the school be self-funded. Providing schooling is a big step forward for this region, where it is reported that only about 20% of the children receive an education.
From South Sudan, David traveled on to Uganda. In Mbale, he spoke at a conference on the topic of the Ministry of Mercy, hosted by Knox School of Theology. OPC Missionary Charles Jackson noted that despite having many diaconal ministry needs in their churches, much of David's subject matter was new to the group of 40-50 deacons, elders, and ministers in attendance.
David enjoyed five days with the Jacksons in Mbale. While there he had the opportunity to also get acquainted with pastoral intern, Nathan Bloechl and his family, who is in the middle of a one-year pastoral internship and is contemplating foreign missions service in the future.
David then traveled 75 miles north to Nakaale (Karamoja), where the other OPC mission is stationed. He was given the opportunity to again present his diaconal material to ministry leaders there. One aspect of his talks that was particularly impactful to attendees from both groups was the concept of "the ministry of presence"—the willingness to come alongside someone in their suffering.
While in Karamoja he was also blessed to meet the newest addition to the OPC Uganda Mission, the Grimsley family who is serving the mission for one full year. They are two weeks into their service and seem to be thriving!
David expresses that, while he is always thankful to return home to his family, he feels blessed to be given the opportunity to serve Christ’s church in so many places around the globe.
