South Sudan
Most people would have panicked. It wasn’t good news.
But Vicky Waraka has lived in war-torn South Sudan, where provision is always uncertain. She’s learned to simply talk to the Lord about it.
And that’s what she did.
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Early this year, ITMI’s Vicky Waraka was told she needed cataract surgery on both her eyes. The whole thing was insurmountable for a single woman in full-time ministry in South Sudan.
Hurdle Number 1: Funding
She’d have to travel from her home in Juba, South Sudan, to Kenya and find a way to pay for the operation. When the Lord provided the funds for the procedure through ITMI supporters, Vicky began making arrangements.
Obstacle Number 2: Finding a doctor
When she discovered that the doctor she was planning to see in Kenya had recently botched some surgeries, the door seemed closed. But the Lord cleared yet another obstacle for His faithful daughter.
He led Vicky to a Christian physician in Cairo, Egypt, who had a stellar track record of success. The total cost for the surgery and travel was slightly less than getting it done in Kenya.
Hurdle Number 3: Accommodations
But Vicky had friends in Kenya with whom she could stay with during her time there. She didn’t have the same connection in Cairo.
Seven days a week, Vicky counsels the hurting and the suffering of the community in the Gospel and helps them understand how a relationship with Jesus is the answer to the various questions that their hearts are asking.
She shows them how Jesus is the great healer for every wound, burden or weakness they carry with them.
As women have been healed from their emotional wounds through the Gospel, Vicky realized many of them need something more.
Vicky taught them Biblical finance and business principles and gave them micro-loans. Using the seed money, they started small businesses, selling hand-made goods to earn income and support their families.
For several, this meant they could get out of and prevent future bad situations that would perpetuate old wounds.
Vicky counseling a group of people in South Sudan.
One of Vicky's "Hope Groups" meeting to support one another as they practice following the Lord's principles for business and finance.
A friend Vicky knows through her work with the church learned of the need and offered Vicky to stay with her sister, who lives in Cairo. Now Vicky could book her flight and scheduled her appointments.
Hurdle Number 4: Bad News at a Bad Time
Days before Vicky would leave, her friend said there was a problem. “My sister has 12 people staying with her right now. There’s no room for you there.”
What would she do? Her travel was paid for. Her appointment already set. She didn’t know, but she knew Who did. And she started talking to Him. He reminded her that she did have an acquaintance in the Egyptian capital.
It was the woman who had sold Vicky the plot of land where Vicky now lives with the five orphaned girls she took in.
ITMI's Steve Evers at Vicky's home with Vicky and her 5 unofficial orphaned daughters during his visit to South Sudan in January 2018.
The Lord prompted Vicky to call her.
As our South Sudanese partner shared that she was canceling the trip to Egypt because she didn’t have a place to stay, Vicky’s contact interrupted her.
“Vicky, I’ve got plenty of room! Don’t cancel your surgery. You can stay here.”
Hurdle Number 5: Surgery and Recovery
As it turned out, there were several people in this household who were able to drive her to her appointments and help her through her recovery.
On Monday, September 24, Vicky had her first appointment with the doctor in Cairo. Two days later, one eye was operated on. The second eye was operated on shortly thereafter.
Vicky reports she is already seeing better, though she is still in recovery. She returned to her home and ministry in Juba last week. Thanks to the provision for the surgery, she will be able to minister and carry out her daily responsibilities much better!
