Lance's February Update

Dear Friends and Family,
I didn’t quite make it two months in a row with my updates so every other will have to work for now. It seems so long since I have written last. The last two months the Lord has allowed me to travel throughout Southern Sudan to continue in his work here. I had the opportunity to go to the Nuba Mountains with Bishop Elias. We had the chance to show the Jesus film several times. Six hundred and forty nine people were saved one day, thirty eight of those being Muslim conversions. It was amazing to see all these people come to know the Lord.
More recently I have had the chance to go up to Terekeka several times. This is the location for a new orphanage through Harvesters Reaching the Nations. The first time I went with my Dad (Pastor Dennis), a couple of guys from EPC, and James Ladu our oldest orphan. James is originally from the area and he was thrilled to go back. Eleven years have passed since the last time he was there. He talked so highly of the area; it was difficult not to catch his excitement. He felt that everything was better there. The air was cleaner, the Nile was beautiful, and everything was perfect in the eyes of James. This first trip we were only there for a day before returning back to Yei. It took us about eight hours to travel one hundred and fifty miles on the African rode.
The second trip to Terekeka consisted of a little more work. This time I left with four of our older orphans to get some manual labor done. When we arrived we met with the local chief, elders, and government officials. We sat with them and they shared how grateful and appreciative they were to have us there. The boys also had an opportunity to share how Harvesters has helped them mature into Godly young men. Our boys’ eyes were really opened as they realized how other parts of Sudan are suffering much, much more than Yei. Much development has come to Yei over the last couple of years. Recently I heard from US AID that about three years ago the greater town of Yei had a population of about 30,000 people, now it is over 170,000!
I thank the Lord for his traveling mercies, as well as, for good health while we cleared the land. I will be returning to Terekeka with three more of our boys as you read this letter. God willing this trip will consist of more land clearing, and maybe even digging footings for some of the buildings. Although that is easier said than done. The work is very straining and difficult. I had as hard of a time as some of the boys did! Pray for continual strength for us.
Please pray for:
-Strength for us, as well as, good health and traveling mercies to and from Terekeka.
-For wisdom and discernment as we start ordering building supplies for this compound, for good prices, as well as, good transportation.
-For the locals to have an open heart for us to share the love of God.
-For continual support for Harvesters, as well as, for me.

I just want to say a special thanks to everyone for their support and prayers. If it wasn’t for everyone I would not be able to be doing the Lord’s work.

Thanks and God bless,
Lance