“If a man visits you in a time of trouble, he is your friend.” These were words of an aged Sudanese man I met early in my time of serving in Sudan. His name is Gideon, a worker at the Akot Medical Mission (AMM). This is the attitude of most people in South Sudan. The AMM ministry is their friend! In a country that has experienced civil war for most of the last fifty years. Friends have been few and far between. The genocide in Darfur and southern Sudan, as well as the inter-tribal unrest, and the battle against disease, are daily realities in this part of Africa. At times it certainly seems that the world is willing to let these realities pass them by, but for every blind eye there are many other eyes that are willing to focus on the “least of these” in this suffering part of God’s world.
I was privileged to be one of those traveling to Akot, along with Bill Deans and a team of four volunteers, in April of this year. I have tagged the adventure my “M & M” trip. Not that I consumed the tasty candies but, because the trip was characterized by the many “Miraculous and Mind-blowing” experiences we witnessed during our visit...among them were two miracle babies. They were both born premature, in the seventh month, and each weighed less than two pounds. Understandably, they immediately captivated our attention. Both, though very fragile, were doing remarkably well, being fed through improvised “NG” tubes and breathing on their own. The only explanation was the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit and the tender loving care by a terrific medical team whose only high-tech equipment was a warm blanket. One baby was released to go home after just seven weeks; the other, too weak to be released by the time we left for the States, remained some time longer but was doing well.
In addition to the babies, there was a boy with broken bones who fell out of a tree while cutting firewood, several children with high fevers, and a variety of diseases which are common for those living in that region of Africa. We were privileged to observe the totally dedicated doctors and nursing staff who literally work 24/7. Dr. Clarke, the medical director, is such an ideal fit for this hospital as he plays the role of both doctor and friend to the suffering people of Sudan. He is well respected by all. The team of Kenyan missionary nurses is just as dedicated and all have become experts in giving care with very few modern resources.
Even as many miracles were abounding around us, we were also captivated by new opportunities presented to us. Whenever we met with government officials or tribal leaders, they literally begged us to come and help them even more. There is no limit to the freedom with which we can operate in a country that is thought by many in the West to have limited access.
Such acceptance helps our main purpose for being in Sudan. Whether healing physical needs, being a friend, or educating children, our main goal is to share the gospel of Christ, and disciple people into mature Christian believers. Whether it is our hospital chaplain who visits each patient daily or local pastors who work directly with the hospital, or Dr. Clarke, the message of the gospel is shared boldly at the Akot Medical Mission, the surrounding villages and beyond.
I urge you to go see for yourself this miraculous and mind-blowing ministry! Doctors, nurses, teachers, and anyone who can hug the neck of a hopeless person are welcome in Akot.
Dr. Bob Claytor, Volunteer
I was privileged to be one of those traveling to Akot, along with Bill Deans and a team of four volunteers, in April of this year. I have tagged the adventure my “M & M” trip. Not that I consumed the tasty candies but, because the trip was characterized by the many “Miraculous and Mind-blowing” experiences we witnessed during our visit...among them were two miracle babies. They were both born premature, in the seventh month, and each weighed less than two pounds. Understandably, they immediately captivated our attention. Both, though very fragile, were doing remarkably well, being fed through improvised “NG” tubes and breathing on their own. The only explanation was the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit and the tender loving care by a terrific medical team whose only high-tech equipment was a warm blanket. One baby was released to go home after just seven weeks; the other, too weak to be released by the time we left for the States, remained some time longer but was doing well.
In addition to the babies, there was a boy with broken bones who fell out of a tree while cutting firewood, several children with high fevers, and a variety of diseases which are common for those living in that region of Africa. We were privileged to observe the totally dedicated doctors and nursing staff who literally work 24/7. Dr. Clarke, the medical director, is such an ideal fit for this hospital as he plays the role of both doctor and friend to the suffering people of Sudan. He is well respected by all. The team of Kenyan missionary nurses is just as dedicated and all have become experts in giving care with very few modern resources.
Even as many miracles were abounding around us, we were also captivated by new opportunities presented to us. Whenever we met with government officials or tribal leaders, they literally begged us to come and help them even more. There is no limit to the freedom with which we can operate in a country that is thought by many in the West to have limited access.
Such acceptance helps our main purpose for being in Sudan. Whether healing physical needs, being a friend, or educating children, our main goal is to share the gospel of Christ, and disciple people into mature Christian believers. Whether it is our hospital chaplain who visits each patient daily or local pastors who work directly with the hospital, or Dr. Clarke, the message of the gospel is shared boldly at the Akot Medical Mission, the surrounding villages and beyond.
I urge you to go see for yourself this miraculous and mind-blowing ministry! Doctors, nurses, teachers, and anyone who can hug the neck of a hopeless person are welcome in Akot.
Dr. Bob Claytor, Volunteer
