South Sudan's Vice President, Taban Deng Gai paid historic visit to ONMI's Mission headquarters.

Shalom to you, my esteemed co-laborers, dedicated prayer partners, and generous benefactors. Today, I am filled with immense gratitude as I share with you the significant visit of South Sudan's Vice President, the Honorable Taban Deng Gai. He arrived here on Thursday afternoon and graciously spent two hours with his governmental delegation, which included representatives from the Ministry of Transportation, Roads, and Bridges. They were enroute back to Juba after an official government visit to Nimule, where they dedicated a brand-new weighbridge on the crucial Nimule-Juba Highway. This weighbridge has been established specifically to mitigate the alarming rate of fatal road accidents that are often precipitated by the overloading of trucks and tractor trailers, a pressing issue that affects the safety of our roads and the well-being of our communities.

Vice President's Visit Highlights Government Support for ONMI's Mission

The Vice President’s visit was not merely a formality; it served a dual purpose. It was an opportunity for him to engage directly with us and to address the inquiries and concerns that you, as benefactors and faithful prayer partners of ONMI, may have regarding our relationship with the South Sudanese government. This interaction allowed for a deeper understanding of how the government is positioned to support and encourage ONMI's faith-based mission, as well as the various services we are rendering to the community at large. His presence underscored the government's recognition of the vital role that organizations like ONMI play in fostering development and providing essential support to the people of South Sudan where they can render support as needed.

From r-l: front row, VP Taban Deng Gai, Sarah and William Levi

Strengthening ONMI's Partnership with the South Sudanese Government

Following the Vice President's visit to our mission headquarters, I composed a letter of appreciation that encapsulates the essence of the relationship between ONMI and the South Sudanese government. In this letter, I highlighted the alignment of ONMI's vision and goals with the aspirations of the country, emphasizing the potential for collaboration that could significantly benefit our initiatives both physically and spiritually. I am hopeful that the visit of the Vice President will translate into tangible support that will propel ONMI's efforts toward sustainability and enhance our capacity to serve the community effectively. As we navigate this developing relationship, I earnestly request your continued prayers and steadfast support, as we are acutely aware of the challenges posed by the current donor landscape from the USA and the necessity of maintaining our mission's momentum.

The engagement with the Vice President marks a pivotal moment for ONMI, and it is our collective hope that this dialogue will pave the way for fruitful partnerships and collaborative efforts that will ultimately lead to improved outcomes for the communities we serve. Your prayers and support are invaluable as we move forward in this journey together, striving to fulfill our mission and make a lasting impact in South Sudan.

Gratitude for Vice President Taban Deng Gai's Historic Visit and Support in Rebuilding South Sudan

Dear Your Excellency, the Honorable Vice President Taban Deng Gai, of the Republic of South Sudan, I hope and pray that this message finds you in good health and high spirits in Yeshua the Messiah. It is with great respect and heartfelt gratitude that I write to you on behalf of Operation Nehemiah Missions and the Nile Beth Israel Messianic Congregation, as well as the resilient people of Kerepi Mutala and the surrounding citizens of Magwi County, located in the beautiful region of Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan. I wish to convey our profound appreciation to you and your esteemed government delegation for your historic visit, which was of epic proportions, to our Mission headquarters here at The Messiah Ambassadors House in Kerepi Mutala, Kerepi Payam. Your presence was not just a visit; it was a momentous occasion where you took the time to meet with us, listen attentively to the concerns of the Madi community, and provide hope to those who have recently returned from exile.

We are equally thankful to God for Hon. Ambassador John Anduga Duku, whose kind introduction of us to you and efforts in arranging your visit here have been invaluable. His commitment to our cause, exemplified by his generous donation of his own home in 2022 to Operation Nehemiah Mission and the Nile Beth Israel Messianic Congregation, has enabled us to open a church, establish a technical school, create a medical center, and provide essential water supplies and Internet access. These services are critical for the rebuilding of the lives of South Sudanese returning from exile, who are striving to reconstruct their lives from the ashes of war and displacement. This speaks volumes about his dedication and patriotism.

Your historic visit, combined with the love and generosity demonstrated by Ambassador Duku, truly exemplifies the unity and the unbreakable bond that exists among the five major pillars of God's institutions on earth, particularly here in South Sudan. These institutions include Personal Responsibility, The Family, The Church, Government, and Business Institutions. Each of these pillars plays a crucial role in fostering a society that is resilient, harmonious, and capable of overcoming the challenges we face as a nation.

Before your arrival here, you graciously conferred with me, expressing your eagerness to see and hear firsthand the concerns and challenges that the Madi community of Kerepi Payam, as well as those who have returned from exile, are currently facing. Your commitment to understanding the needs of your constituents is commendable and reflects the leadership qualities that South Sudan requires during these challenging times.

I firmly believe that your visit and the meeting with key leaders from Kerepi and Pageri Payams of Magwi County, including the County Commissioner, the chiefs, the Head Chief, the women leader, the youth leader, and the spiritual leaders—namely the Christian Pastor and Bishop—were instrumental in conveying their pressing concerns to your satisfaction. The voices of the community were heard, and I trust that the insights shared will guide future actions and policies.

In my opening prayers and remarks, I took the opportunity to share the vision and goals of Operation Nehemiah Missions International (ONMI). At the heart of my message was our unwavering commitment to rebuilding the lives of South Sudanese who are returning from exile, both spiritually and physically, as they emerge from the devastating impacts of war and displacement. Our mission is to provide essential services that are critical to the stability and prosperity of this region. These services include:

1- Education, where we have established two schools—a Primary School and a Technical Facility dedicated to vocational training. Our goal is to educate our own children and prevent the brain drain of our country's brightest minds to other nations.

2- Food Security is another critical area of focus. We aim to supply our community with food by utilizing the abundant resources of South Sudan, including land, people, seeds, and tools, to combat hunger and reduce our dependence on imported food from abroad. We believe that self-sufficiency in food production is vital for our nation's future.

3- Water Supplies are essential for life. We are committed to providing clean water to our community, recognizing that access to safe drinking water is fundamental to health and well-being.

4- Our Medical Center is dedicated to providing much-needed tropical medical supplies to address the prevalent tropical diseases that affect our population. Access to healthcare is a right that we strive to ensure for every citizen.

5- We cannot rely on foreign aid indefinitely. Therefore, I humbly requested your office, as South Sudan's Vice President in the current administration, to allocate funds to advance services that will have a positive and developmental impact on our country. Currently, 95% of our technical school and primary school students come from impoverished homes and have returned from exile. Many cannot afford the scholarship fees. As such, ONMI is compelled to provide both their scholarships and training facilities, which stretches our resources thin.

Could your office consider investing some funds for scholarships to support these students, enabling us to pay our dedicated teachers?

6- We also addressed the pressing issues related to the road conditions between Juba and Nimule. Your delegation from the Department of Transportation, Roads, and Bridges was present, and I shared your vision to address the Juba-Nimule Road problem as soon as possible, recognizing its critical importance for trade and mobility.

7- I would like to express our gratitude for your offer to support our agricultural sector by assisting us with fuel supplies and potentially covering equipment repair costs. The shortage of fuel poses a significant threat to ONMI's food security initiatives, and your support in this area is truly an answer to our prayers. We will be sending you a proposal outlining our fuel needs to help propel our efforts forward.

8- Chief Angelo Modi of Kerepi Payam welcomed you warmly and articulated the concerns of his community regarding insecurity in the region, which is exacerbated by cattle keepers and cattle raiders. He highlighted that this singular problem contributes significantly to the reluctance of many individuals who have fled from exile to return home.

9- Additionally, the Head Chief, Margret Oliver, provided her report to you, shedding light on the challenges faced by the community.

10- The women leader and the youth leaders also presented their concerns and reports to your esteemed office, ensuring that their voices were included in the dialogue.

11- The Magwi County Commissioner also shared his remarks and concerns, both in speech and in writing, ensuring that the issues faced by the community were comprehensively addressed.

12- We are extremely grateful for the time you spent addressing every question and concern from our community. Your attentiveness and willingness to engage with us demonstrate your dedication to serving the people of South Sudan.

Three primary needs were presented to you: 1- Fuel for the ONMI agricultural initiative to manage tractors and backhoes, requiring 420 liters monthly at 6000 SSP per liter, amounting to $22,400 annually or 5040 liters per year. 2- Scholarships for 12 technical students at Nehemiah Polytechnic Institute, costing $350 per student, $1751 per term, totaling $5255 annually. Additionally, support for 43 students from Bethlehem Nursery & Primary Academy in Bethlehem of Borongole, with each student costing 220,000 SSP, totaling 9,460,000 SSP per term, or approximately $5255.00 annually.

Breaking circle of illiteracy: Supporting Education for Children from Impoverished and Military Families. James 1:27

These children come from impoverished families, including military families, who cannot afford their children's school fees. The financial struggles faced by these families often stem from a variety of factors, including low income, job instability, and the high cost of living in certain areas. In many cases, the parents work multiple jobs or long hours to make ends meet, yet their earnings still fall short of covering essential expenses, let alone the additional burden of educational costs. Military families, in particular, may experience unique challenges, such as frequent relocations and the emotional toll of deployment, which can disrupt their financial stability and complicate their ability to pay for schooling. As a result, these children are at a significant disadvantage, lacking access to quality education, essential learning resources, and extracurricular activities that are vital for their development. The absence of financial support not only affects their academic prospects but also impacts their self-esteem and future opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of poverty that is difficult to escape. It is crucial to recognize the importance of providing assistance and resources to these families to ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive a quality education and build a brighter future.

All donation to Operation Nehemiah Missions can be made on Line at www.operationsnehemiah.org

In conclusion, I would like to thank you in advance for everything you have done and continue to do, and especially for taking the time to pay a face-to-face visit with us. Your presence has brought hope and encouragement to our community, and we look forward to hearing from you regarding the issues discussed and the potential for collaboration in the future.