God was at work in the conference right up to the last moment. The team reported five more salvations and a deliverance in the feedback session on the final morning, and then a good breakfast before heading back over the border to fly from Arua. So what was the experience of this SOMA team like for the team members?

Tibz

"What a week! We arrived in South Sudan last Friday with a desire to serve, but instead had many deep and life-altering lessons taught to us by the beautiful South Sudanese people. Experiencing the radical generosity of a love-rich people group, all of whom have walked or are walking the painful journey of exiles returning to their homeland, has profoundly impacted me.

It has challenged me too; how can I seek to enlarge my own capacity for generosity? How might I slow down my British instincts toward efficiency and time-maximisation, for the sake of demonstrating God's boundless love to those He places along my path?

I owe a great debt of gratitude to my newly extended family of the Liwolo Diocese. And I fully embrace the new name they gave me, "Na Monye" (Belongs to the Father, same as my Yoruba name Tibaba) - especially since that makes them my fellow brothers and sisters, all equally beloved children of our Heavenly Father and heirs of His kingdom!"

Becky

“I consider our time spent in South Sudan a privilege. We met incredible people of great faith and courage who, despite so many challenges, are stepping out in faith to follow as God leads.

We encountered people hungry for God’s word and God in return doing a work of equipping and deep restoration. There was also lots of wonderful, joyful worship as well as times of food and fellowship. It was an honour to be involved.”

Cameron

“It was such a joy to be part of this amazing mission in South Sudan with a team who have felt like a family from very early on. We felt carried by prayer and saw the faithfulness, power and love of God in action. To speak and minister into a context where both hope and pain are held in tension was a huge privilege and it was very inspiring to the see how a culture of forgiveness and reconciliation unto revival is being fostered by the visionary leadership of +Joseph. I have loved seeing a different part of the Anglican Communion and know that however much I have given out and served on this trip, I have been immensely blessed in return.
…I also found the teaching and encouragement on the Learning Cohort videos very calming and helpful in preparing so thank you for those.”

Paul

“I can honestly say that this has been a transformational visit. It’s clear to us, given the enormous problems that the Church face in South Sudan, that all that has been achieved has been done through the power of prayer. We are also so grateful for those who have interceded for the mission - there has been a genuine partnership in prayer with the South Sudanese so that we too have seen God overcome several obstacles to this mission going ahead. The fruit is changed lives, fresh hope, and deep healing from the wounds of the past. We believe with Bishop Joseph that this is the beginning of a new day for Liwolo and that the Lord will use them to spread his kingdom through South Sudan.”

Ronald

The conference was really helpful not only for the congregation but I personally gained spiritual growth and thank God for he used his servants to fulfill his tasks. Afterwards I had a wonderful Sunday with the church members in kiryandongo and the family members together, before heading back to Juba for my studies.

What is it like being on team with SOMA?

Liwolo