June 2008

Dear Friends,

I greet you all in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I feel as though this year is the year of Resurrection and new Beginnings.

Isaiah 40 v31 ‘But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like the eagles; they will walk and not be faint’.

During times in our lives sometimes we feel weary and tired. I remember in Sudan with the heat and the busyness and working hard in the ministry, that I have certainly been tired and weary. However, whilst in England I remember preaching the whole day at a

conference and at the end of the day was very exhausted and tired. Therefore I took couple of days off but was still tired, so the next day I spent some time praying and for the first time it was like the tiredness had left me and gone. I felt so refreshed and spiritually restored and resurrected by the power of the spirit.

Secondly I want to offer many thanks for your prayers and support. As we reflect briefly on 2007 it has been a challenging, significant and blessed year. As you may have gathered Grace and I have not long been married so we thank God for his goodness.

During my first visit to Sudan I was not quite sure what to expect, I was full of fear, apprehension and nervousness. Sudan has suffered from the longest war in Africa, the people and the country have changed and there is a different spirit operating now with a spirit of fear, a spirit of laziness and of war and destruction, however in spite of all this God is still working amongst his people. The Birth of Fly Sports (‘Follow the Lord Yourself’) has created a sports ministry to encourage and give hope to the youth of Southern Sudan and spread the Gospel. There are sixty football teams and three leagues. Through this ministry in schools we have seen 1500 come to know Christ. The next step is to Disciple them in small groups through the word of God.

Grace and I enjoyed our visit to England; although it was her first time there she found it cold but exciting being in a different culture and country. During our stay in England we managed to visit Action Partners, churches in Reading and friends.

Our visit to Action Partners in Bawtry Hall was a time for Grace to meet the team in the head office and also undergo a brief interview. The outcome of this is that she is now an official staff member of Action Partners so we thank God for that. It was also good to share about what God has been doing in Sudan, to pray and strengthen relationships and update everyone as well.

In Reading we managed to catch up with the leaders and congregations of Greyfriars and Lifespring churches. We felt very encouraged to work in Partnership with them and we appreciate the support they give us. It was also good to meet up with some old friends. The remaining time was spent visiting different home groups and churches assigned by Action Partners.

Philippians 4 v19 ‘ for my God will supply all you needs according to his glorious riches in Christ’

Currently we are in Kenya sorting few things with Across at the head office, eventually I hope to move to Yei and start a new life with Grace.

Prayer Points:

• Pray for the sorting out of our luggage and moving to Yei.
• Pray for wisdom in operation in Gods work
• Pray for the on going support
• Thank God for what he as done so far.

Yours in Christ

Emmanuel and Grace Sharland