South Sudan
25 Saved Through Prayer Ministry!
For a long time, Anthony and his wife regularly came to the open "prayer hours" that are the heart of the ministry of ITMI's Vicky Waraka in Juba, South Sudan.
People come to meet with Vicky, often hurting, broken, and with great spiritual and emotional needs.
Vicky listens to their stories, offers Biblical, Christ-centered counsel, and prays for them. This combination is simple but powerful.
After being ministered to in this way, and experiencing how God hears and answers his prayers, Anthony wanted to reach others with the same blessing he'd received. He opened a prayer center in the nearby town where he lives.
Through his ministry of prayer, he told Vicky that 25 people came to faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Many of them are now involved with his church.
"It has been a blessing to us," he told Vicky, "Thanks for your investment and prayers."
Anthony has asked Vicky, "Please come and visit us, we need training that will help us to grow stronger in our faith."
Vicky concludes, "This is the fruit of prayer for each other. God has changed this man, his friends and his church area. Glory be to God!"
Prayer and Counseling Leads to Forgiveness
Willima was raised by her grandmother in a South Sudanese village. Her parents lived in Khartoum.
She married a man from the village and they had a daughter. Her husband joined the army, and she remained with her daughter in the village.
When he was killed in the war, Willima was heartbroken. Life became difficult for her and her daughter.
During a lull in the war, Willima moved to Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Her parents had also relocated to the capital city. Willima's only income is what she can earn in her micro-business.
When Willima began having bad dreams and was experiencing pain in her head that made her very sick, the 35-year-old single mother came to Vicky for counseling.
"We had a time of many counseling sessions and prayers that led her to forgive those people who hurt her, including those in the war and her own family who had left her. She opened her heart and received Jesus as Lord and Savior," Vicky reports.
Getting Over Loss to Teach God's Word
Roy was in her mid-fifties when her son was stabbed by his brother and died on the way to the hospital. Later that year, she lost her husband. Then to pile pain upon suffering, her other son committed suicide.
In the midst of this heart-wrenching trial, Roy came to a women's conference where Vicky was sharing the message of Jesus Christ.
Vicky shared from Proverbs 14:1, "The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down." Vicky illustrated the Biblical principle with stories from the lives of women of the Bible.
"The message you preached was powerful," Roy told Vicky. But Roy's burden was heavy, and she wasn't ready to let go of it just yet.
After the conference, Vicky continued praying for Roy and that she would be allowed to visit the grieving widow.
Finally, Roy came to the point where healing could take place.
Now, Roy teaches God's Word to others and leads other women at her church!
Vicky's only income comes from ITMI supporters, whose sacrifice makes it so that Vicky can counsel and pray with people 7 days a week and still have the basic necessities of life - which she actually shares with several children in need of safe places to stay and a family to be part of.
ITMI's Vicky Waraka with the children who live with her.
About the Authors
Summer Kelley is a writer and follower of Jesus living in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and three kids. She’s had the honor and privilege of telling ITMI’s stories since 2006. Summer loves reading, the outdoors and Coca-Cola Classic.
Steve Evers has advocated for and served the ITMI partners as ITMI Director since 2001. Approximately once a year, Steve visits with ITMI partners in their countries and brings stories back to encourage supporters. Steve enjoys photography and mechanics, (both hobbies that have greatly benefited ITMI partners!) Prior to becoming ITMI's Director, Steve served on the Board of Directors for 4 years. Steve lives in Arizona with his wife, Darlene.
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