South Sudan will not enter that rest, until her repentance is complete.

Dear Co- laborers in the Great Commission,

Shalom! Greetings in the name above all names, Jesus the Messiah! South Sudan's President, Salva Kiir, gave a very inspiring speech today, the 6th year of South Sudan's independence. We applaud President Kiir for encouraging the nation to have no regrets for breaking free from Islamic bondage... "Finally my people,In the spirit of peace and on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of our independence, I ask you all to join me in choosing patriotism above everything else. Let us embrace a view that brings us together rather than divide ourselves." You can read the whole speech here

The Lord is the one who gave us South Sudan. This resolve to overcome must be anchored in Yeshua the Messiah who delivered South Sudan from the grip of Islamic oppression in 2011. South Sudanese will not enter that rest which God has promised them unless the people turn to God in repentance! After the CPA (the Comprehensive Peace Agreement) was signed with the Khartoum Islamic Regime to the north in 2005 (which led to a six year period of waiting for the Referendum, then came the independents in 2011), South Sudanese forgot God. The nation and her people forsook God and the fundamental things of God that make up the fabric of a godly nation (the institutions of the family, church and state). These institutions were replaced by idols, corruption, the UN social engineering, sexual immorality, tribalism and injustice. The Khartoum Islamic Regime began to wage a new war on the new country by proxy, and taking a total economic control!

In King David's years, after the Israelites had entered the Promised Land from Egypt, he warned his generation to not hardened their hearts so that they could entered God's rest.Dr. John Garang (South Sudan's first president who died shortly after he was sworn in in 2005) foresaw what would become of South Sudan if the coming generation returning from exile did not take hold of the land. Indeed, they have turned away from God and forgot who has delivered them from their enemy. So also, just as Israel did not enter God's rest even when they had entered the Promised Land, South Sudanese have not entered God's rest, but have continued to wallow in sin. Like King David, the Church leaders and Government officials of South Sudan, must stand as watchmen on the wall, warning South Sudan not to harden her heart to God.

I do believe South Sudan's forgiveness is in repentance. We shall overcome... God has not brought us this far to turn us back! As we reflect and celebrate the 6th Independence of South Sudan, Operation Nehemiah has put on a Solemn Assembly in Nimule, South Sudan. South Sudanese are "celebrating" the 6th year of the independence of South Sudan praying for the nation. This has been the theme of our mission to South Sudan. This is our third time, since January 2017, that we have held a national day of Prayer warning South Sudan to return to God in repentance.

South Sudan has just been born! There is still lot of hope for South Sudan... God has not brought us this far to turn us back! All these trials we are going through as a nation are just temporary. We must trust the Lord to do His perfect will in His perfect timing and way...We believe and trust that God will deliver our people from this crisis if we humble ourselves, pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways! God's hand is not too short to save us, nor his ears too dull to hear our cry, the only thing that separates us from God is our sins.

Yesterday, July 8th, 2017, was the first anniversary of the second break out of war in Juba. My family and I were there at that time, and from that day on, we witnessed first hand what it looks like when a nation almost collapses... Our community was deserted, then our staff deserted us, then it was just us. We didn't know how our ministry was going to stay open. But God was there, guiding and directing our steps! Now, a year later, the Lord has been so faithful, even in our weakness... He has opened doors for us that would have never opened if things had continued going on in our ministry the way they were! We have met new people who are dedicated to spreading the cause of Christ, no matter what. Our ministry has grown by leaps and bounds, completely unhindered by human problems. The Lord has and is continuing to do great things in South Sudan and we are so thankful to Him for all that He is accomplishing on our behalf!

But, you also have encouraged us to keep going! You have prayed for us and our work and have stood by us in this hard time... May God mightily bless and reward you all for your labors for the Kingdom of God!

If you are led by the Lord to support Operation Nehemiah, you can donate online to

www.operationsnehemiah.org, or send your tax deductible contributions to the address below.

This verse from Hebrews really sums up what the people of South Sudan must do before they can have peace, '...Again, He designates a certain day, saying in David," Today", after such a long time it has been said: "Today, if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts."'

In His Grace,

William Levi, Founder and Overseer,

Operation Nehemiah Missions

PO Box 563 Lanesborough, MA 01237

www.operationsnehemiah.org

Mobile: 413-770-4711