(CBN NEWS) MOIS BRIDGE, Kenya — Two years ago, South Sudan became a new nation, having won its independence from Sudan. Since then, thousands of former revolutionary soldiers have immigrated to the United States. But one soldier, John Garang, stayed to build a new nation.
During a recent visit to his homeland, Garang pointed out a memorial dedicated to his uncle of the same name and that of the current Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. He told CBN News Correspondent Russ Jones that they represented men who spearheaded the revolution which led to South Sudan’s independence.
“So we put them here because they are heroes. We don’t worship them, but we like to see them. They give us freedom.” Garang explained.
As one of the “lost boys of Sudan,” as they are often called, Garang hasn’t always enjoyed a regular meal or a roof over his head. Like thousands of African males in southern Sudan, Garang was separated from his family as a young boy in the 1980s to fight for his nation’s freedom from extremist Muslims.
Garang’s mother still lives in a small village where mud huts are common.
“That is what we were fighting for – to be united with our people,” he said. “This is joy. As I showed you before – we cannot worship them, but we need to thank God for how far they deliver us.”
‘Lost Boy’ Takes Up New Fight
But 13 years into his military service under the command of his uncle, God delivered Garang from the ravages of the revolution. Garang heard the Gospel message for the first time. Leaving the battlefield, the “lost boy” of Sudan enlisted in a new army, taking on a new a fight. That decision led him to Kenya.
It was in Room #4 of his dorm at the Bungoma Bible School that Garang absorbed all the Bible knowledge he could and received a calling to build leaders using biblical principles.
“God (was) in this room,” he recalled. “When I was here I saw a great vision and what God is doing. This place is powerful. It is where I gave my life to God’s plan.”
Soon after graduation Garang and his new bride Tabitha, a fellow student at the Bible school, would chose to begin a fresh work in Kenya. Conditions were so poor that life was unsuitable.
Due to decades of civil war, many Sudanese are uneducated. In most outlying rural areas villagers live in primitive mud huts surviving off the land.
But thanks to donations from generous supporters in the United States, Garang was able to acquire land in Mois Bridge, Kenya, where he and his wife opened Children Are Ministries. It is an orphanage, training facility and church.
Changing a Nation
Will Guest of Oxford, Miss., has watched the ministry grow from just an idea to a ministry that he believes can equip leaders to change the nation of South Sudan.
“We can hide beneath our material possessions, but there is a real world out here struggling,” Guest said. “These Sudanese people have been through war their entire life. Why not want to step out in faith and help people throughout the world. I really believe this little plot of land here can change the whole country of South Sudan.”
“It’s in the these hallways of higher education in Eldoret, Kenya that Sudanese students have come from far, far away from home so they can learn new skills to go back home to South Sudan to build a bigger, stronger nation,” he added.
Students like John Ghai from Bor, South Sudan, are direct descendants of the vision God gave to Garang in Room #4. Ghai is studying at Mount Kenya University in Eldoret to be a teacher.
By the time he completes his education he will have spent seven years in Kenya, away from his family in South Sudan. “After going back to my country I can assist my people,” Ghai said.
“As you know my country is so bad – I will use all my means to bring my country up,” he vowed. “If we can use all aspects of life – political and economic – to build our country – we shall be proud of it.”
But even with a strong faith Garang admits it’s a daunting task as he carries the weight of a nation on his back.
“I am fighting a different battle, but the Word of God says my burden is easy. Sometimes I cry… I kneel down and pray. Tomorrow I wake up and see the children… God gives me wisdom… it is a burden, but God is on our side,” he said.
