A first born in the family of eight children comes with lots of responsibilities. Some of the duties involve carrying the young ones, caring for them, and being a good example. Unfortunately for the first born, too much expectation is placed on them. In our family, the success of all other siblings can only be achieved if the first born turned out to be the ideal child the parents have always wanted to be. As such, pressure on the first born can be overwhelming, especially if the first born fall short of the expectations.

As I grow up, I learned to live with pressure and do my best. I grow up in a Christian family; however, it was until 1992 when I was challenged by a friend, Emmanuel Otto, a born again Christian to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I resisted the gospel for a very long time as he preached to me, but little did I know, the word was taking root in me. Often, I enjoyed when Emmanuel preached to someone else other than me. However, one time in 1992, I became sick and did not make it to school. Emmanuel came to our house to visit and pray by laying hands on me. Emmanuel prayed for me to be healed, and then asked how I was feeling after the prayer. Telling him I was still feeling headache, he prayed all over again. The third time he prayed, I was completely healed. At this point, I was confronted with the reality of God, and so gave my life to him. I accepted the Lord Jesus into my heart.

Against Emmanuel’s advice, I ended up in St Mary, Catholic Seminary in Juba to become a priest. While in the seminary, I began living a double live: The Holy life with both hands put together in the chapel and when the rector is around, and the unholy life, when sneaked out of the dorms at night to go to parties. However, the seed that was planted continue to grow through many obstacles. I left the seminary in 1997, but continued to pursue the Lord.

While in Egypt, in 2001, I had an encounter with the Lord which has changed my life and ministry to this day. In one encounter, the Lord showed me he is God and he is accessed by faith. In the other encounter, I saw Jesus in a dream. He was very gentle and bright. I was at his feet and asking him why he saved me, a wretched sinner. After that encounter with the Lord Jesus, I have had increase in supernatural activities: dreams and visions, healing, words of knowledge, speaking in tongues and preaching the word with signs and wonders.

I have ministered in Cairo Egypt, Nairobi Kenya, Kampala Uganda, Arua Uganda, and several towns and villages in South Sudan. I have witnessed the reality of God and the truth of the Gospel in work. I believe there is nothing impossible to them that believe in God.

Many have called me, Pastor, Bishop and Prophet, but I am just an ordinary fellow in the arms of the Lord. I believe my calling is to spark Revival Fire in America which will touch the ends of the earth.

Jesus is so real to me than I am to myself, and I have found out that he is all that the Bible said he is. I love him and I know he loves me even more. My wife, Dina and I are contending for Revival in America as the Lord awakens the Church in America for his glory.  Check our “About Page”

We have been praying for an open door in Rochester MN for the last one year. The Lord finally answered our prayers and it was time to go to Rochester to visit and strengthen the brethren there. Setting from Omaha, NE, five of us (Apostle Larry Odoy, his two nices Gloria and Justin, and Dina and I) set off on a six hour drive.

On the way, we worship God, praised him, prayed and shared the goodness of the Lord with each other. It was a very significant time of fellowship with one another but also fellowship with the Holy Spirit. In several occasions, the Spirit of the Lord would draw us into deep prayers. We prayed for Revival in Midwest, and also we interceded for the Church we were visiting.

Upon arrival to Rochester, we parked at a gas station to wait for Pastor Augustino to come and accompany our team to the hotel. The time was 7:30 PM, Friday, march 18th, 2011. Again, we felt the grebe of the Lord and and his awesomeness in the car. Some of us began to weep, while others pray or worship. This was amazing! We knew the Lord was going to visit Rochester with such power. Apostle Larry actually said, “We are here in Rochester to raise an army of the Lord,” when that happened. Though we did not completely comprehend the magnitude of what is to happen the following day, we knew many people were going to experience the victory of the Lord. By the time we went to bed in the hotel was around 2:00 AM. This was a wonderful night for our team to just fell0wship together.

The team was up early Saturday morning to prepare for ministry for which we came to Rochester. We made little contact in the morning to give each person enough time to rest or have individual time with the Lord. However, around 12:00 PM, we were on the road to visit some homes. Each of the homes we visited, the Lord showed up mighty. The last house we visited remained vivid in my head to this day. As we began to pray, breakthrough happened in that house in an usual way. I even heard the tormentor leave making some angry sound as the family was completely delivered in Jesus name. I almost did not recognize the lady from that house later in the Church; she was glowing!

Around 8:15 PM, a Church hall was packed with people coming to worship the Lord and encounter God. It did not take very long for the atmosphere in that whole to change. The Lord confirmed his word “When two or three are gathered in my name, there I am I,” (Matt. 18:20).  I was the first speaker to teach on “Dreams and Visions – and their Interpretations.” By the show of hands, upto 90% of the audience have had dreams. After I finished teaching, Apostle Larry was the next speaker. Praise God for the message he preached. Many people got blessed by the message. After Apostle Larry’s sermon, our team together with group of servants of God in MN ministered to individual needs.

People who came sick were healed as the power of God run through them. In fact, there were numerous healing that happened. It was a glorious to see the power of God touching people in various ways. I remember three girls standing and waiting to be prayed for. As I approached them, one of them said, “I do not want to fall. Please do not make me fall.” I explained to her, I do not have the power to make anyone fall. However, right there, I asked Jesus that when I prayed for them, the would not fall. Praise the Lord! The girls did not fall when I laid hands on them and prayed for them.

My wife and I held a dream interpretation room where we counseled many based on a dream the Lord has given them. Most of those people came out rejoicing after knowing what the Lord was saying in their dreams. Apostle Larry and his nieces held a prayer room. The Lord also showed up in the prayer room. By the time we were finishing praying for people and ministering, it was 7:00 AM. Demonization issues were also dealt with, and the individuals were set free! Indeed, Rochester, MN, and the Fruits of Holy Spirit Church will never be the same again.

We returned to our hotels, slept for four hours before getting ready to begin our trip to Nebraska. I thank God for Apostle Larry, Gloria and Justine for joining us in this trip. Thanks to Pastor Fathi Fadul who joined us from Minneapolis, MN. Surelly, the Lord is raising unto himself an army of young people in MN, but also in other parts of the United States and in the Nations of the World. To God be the glory in Jesus name! “Amen.”

“To handle yourself, use your head. To handle others, use your heart.” (Author, Uknown) 

Dearest beloved,

As agents of light in this dark world, we are constantly required to not only express our godlike identity in the Church; but every second, every minute, every hour and every day wherever we are, we aught to emit the light of God in us.

Reading the below story send to me by a friend touched my life and I believe it will touch yours too. May the Lord use the story to position you to touch other people’s lives where ever you may be in Jesus name! “Amen!”

Story Line begins (Breakfast at McDonald’s)

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology.

The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called, “Smile.”

The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald’s one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch… an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible “dirty body” smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was “smiling”.

His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God’s Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, “Good day” as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, “Coffee is all Miss” because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it – the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman’s cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, “Thank you.” I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, “I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.”

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, “That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope.”

We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

That day showed me the pure Light of God’s sweet love. I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in “my project” and the instructor read it.

Then she looked up at me and said, “Can I share this?” I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.

She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald’s, my son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE (LOVE).

LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS – NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

God blessing !

Dina and I just celebrated our second wedding anniversary. Thanks to all who wrote to congratulate us for having come this far, and wishing us a happy life together. Dina and I appreciate your letters, e-mails and the post cards.

We both are looking for another year of joy in the Lord as we pursue his heart and desire for our lives and many who are assigned in our care for prayer coverage.

Thank you for standing with us, we are very appreciative of your role in our lives. God bless and keep you in Jesus name. For all our friends who are married, the below scriptures are to encourage you in your walk. Understanding the word of God and correctly applying it in your family will keep your marriage blossoming. God cares about your family and spouse. Let God lead your home and enjoy your marriage. It had been our prayer to enjoy our marriage instead of endure our marriage. So far, we have been enjoying our marriage praise the Lord. We believe you can enjoy your marriage too.

• “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband,” (Eph. 5:25-33).
• “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them,” (Col. 3:19).
• “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers,” (I Peter 3:7).

picture taken at International Student Association Banquet 2008

August 13^th, 2004, marked the day I left Nairobi Kenya in pursue of education in an institution of higher learning and in a Land beyond the rivers of Africa, and the mass waters of the Atlantic ocean. It is a day never to be forgotten; friends and relatives in Kenya came to say goodbye.  We held each other by the hands and promised to keep in constant communications. While at the airport, some of my friends hid their faces, a sign of holding tears back.  The Jomo Kenyatta international Airport was very

crowded; many people at the security check point were all trying to board a plan on this faithful evening. I call it faith evening because, at last, I am getting an opportunity of a lifetime. Each passenger kept their luggage close to them before it was checked in.

The excitement of going to a new country was at its peak, but I was terrified too. Perhaps due to the fact that I am stepping into a land with different cultures, foods which I may not like, and,

or just the fear of meeting new people in the ‘far-away’ land. How about cultural shock? Would I remain strong enough to not experience cultural shock as well as avoid indoctrination into that the culture I was heading too? These questions kept lingering in my mind the entire time from Ken

ya to Netherlands, then to Detroit and finally to Omaha Nebraska. I believe, I been Americanized to some degree, but for good. As you read further, you will capture what I mean.

In the various cultures in Africa, and in South Sudan, there are prescribed roles for males and females. Each is not allowed to cross the boundaries of cultural demarcations. For example, men are considered superior in all things. They always have the first and the last voice in a talk. In decision making meetings, women are supposed to either sit and listen, or be in the kitchen cooking. In an event of death, the man is not supposed to show emotions by wailing laud, that would portray him weak. Women on the other hand can express their emotions freely. They are the managers of the kitchen, a place off limit for the men. For a very long time women were not allowed to go to school and there are several women I know personally who did not go to school. When I inquired of my mother and grandmother why they did not go to school, the answer I received was shocking. My mother and grandmother did not go to school because they are females, period! No further explanation is need. Some families believed sending a girl to school would harden her to the ways of the culture, hence, preventing her from getting married. A woman’s contribution to the society is only valued based on her ability to wait on the man and deliver babies, not on their intellectual capacity. The

truth of the matter is, girls in many cultures in Africa and especially Sudan, are wealth generators for their parents. To me, this aspect of culture is completely absurd and needs to be changed. Women are not just icons of man’s satisfaction, but they are a vital part of the community who should be given equal opportunity just as it is in the western world. Their contribution to the society is valuable and equal to the men’s contribution. I am thinking like a Westerner now, right? Yaaaaah!

In Omaha, I did not know who was going to meet me at the airport, and sure, what the person looked like. A security man offered me his phone to call Creighton University. That was an eye opening experience for me. I suspected lots of good people live in Omaha, right away. Well, my suspicion has been proven over and over again as a result of my interaction with so many people in Omaha. If you are asking whether I went through a cultural shock, you are asking the wrong question. Your query should be more in a line of whether I had a long or a short period of cultural shock. My first semester at Creighton was challenging. I would get lost in the tall buildings on campus, repeat myself many times before I am understood due to my thick accent, and would be frustrated due to my inability to use the computer as well as access “blackboard” a program on line; in Africa, our blackboard (chalkboard) is on the walk not in the internet. The second semester was better because I know my way around on and off campus and I have also acquired some computer skills to search the web and write research papers.

My advice to all college advisers is, when you have a new international student, do not register them in hard classes their first semester of arrival to the United States. They will not only be adjusting to the life in America, but they will be struggling with what foods to eat. It took me a while to eat some of the foods cocked in the cafeteria. Even today, there are foods which I do not eat still, but there are also dozens which I eat. Before I came to the United States, I have never eaten nor tested shrimps, but now, I am a lover of shrimps. A friend introduced me to shrimps, and now, I am hooked up! You will have to cook “mulayi kombo” (special Sudanese delicacies) for me to skip shrimps in your menu if I am your guest. Can I tell you another secret? I am still waiting to test crabs for the first time. Perhaps, if someone invite me to a sea food store and offered me crabs, otherwise, I will keep waiting.

Do not laugh at me, I am very much Americanized. Helping my wife to cook lunch or dinner is not a problem for me. There are days, each of us prepared something special working side by side. I do not trash my wife’s ideas just because I am the “African Man,” but I seek to see logic in her position, and of course do things her way too. I am sure there is going to be a big shock when I return to Sudan, because I will go to kitchen to help my wife and also value her intellectual contributions as well. There is more to be said about the clash of cultures, let us pick up next time looking at a different angle of the cultures and where they clash in my life.