Reaching the Inaccessible

 

 Reaching the Inaccessible

“How will these refugees be reached with the gospel of peace and hope in Jesus Christ?” This was the question posed to our Broadcast Solutions Team by one of the leaders of ACROSS, a ministry based in South Sudan. He was not speaking of the 2.5 million refugees who had fled in 2013 when civil war broke out in the country. He was referring to the 1.5 million internally displaced people who stayed but sought shelter in some of the most isolated parts of their own homeland. Now residing in almost inaccessible regions, they find themselves outside the reach of Christian FM radio stations which cover the more populated cities in the country.

Engineers from SonSet Solutions worked with ACROSS to design and consult on the installation of a lower-power shortwave radio station using our regional 1kW TB-1000 transmitter and Lazy-8 antenna. These two technologies, when combined, give the station the ability to cover the entire country of South Sudan. Listeners are now hearing the gospel over the airwaves and interacting with the radio through social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.

Jacob, a listener, says, “Good News Radio has become my friend. It is my dream to be listening to the Word of God every day and to receive this training. … I give thanks to God for Good News Radio!” Another listener, Joseph, responded, “I love listening to Good News Radio every time because it is showing me the way of God through the good news of Jesus Christ.”

In 2021, SonSet Solutions also sent 640 SonSet® radios to increase audience access to the station. This year we plan to send another 960 radios, all funded through our SonSet Radios: Delivering God’s Word campaign. Vince Ward from Good News Radio says, “This dream of saturating South Sudan with gospel-centered radio programming has become a reality. All glory to God!” We say, “Amen!”

 [https://sonsetsolutions.org/reaching-the-inaccessible/]

Lansing Bible Church Area

The pastor at Lansing Bible Church was gone May 8 and May 15, and John was able to speak both Sundays. We were able to sandwich in some visits to supporters, and were really blessed by the time spent with them as well as worship with LBC the last two Sundays. We have been so amazed by how God moves our personal partnership team. We clearly see God moving people and are grateful as they respond--our shortages have been met several times before we even knew we had a shortage. Praise God and our faithful friends and family for this amazing evidence of provision.

We were blessed to be able to make Elizabeth and Pete's home a home base from which we would travel and meet everyone. It has been fun to have morning cuddles, celebrate Mother's Day simply, read bed time stories, talk to Abel, see Micah and Eleanor do school...the list goes on and on.

Praises Our needs are met before we even knew we had needs. For our two apprentices, who both started this last month Requests

1. A breakthrough on the chip shortage for our next generation SonSet® radio.
2. Stamina and faithfulness - as ministry is stretching and growing us in good ways.

Our Two Apprentices are Here!

Praise God! Two Apprentices Just Joined Us

Bryan Jackson and Erick Johnson interned with us last summer and joined us in March as apprentices! Erick is serving in the Community Development Team as a software developer, and Bryan across SonSet Solutions in some key operational roles.​​ We've needed young people with these kinds of skillsets for some time, and are trusting the Lord for more! We also have the pleasure of hosting Erick as he serves here.

A Great 2022 Spiritual Retreat!

Our spiritual retreat was held at the end of March. We praise the Lord that we were able to take a day of spiritual refreshment focusing on our theme of “Investing for Eternity.” Pastor Phil Jerome from Prairieview Missionary Church was our guest speaker. We were also able to spend time in praise and worship led by Cody Collier from WFRN.

The challenge was good, and the fellowship was sweet. John is on the spiritual enrichment committee who planned this annual event. Many thanks to them! They also led us through some fun activities including a trivia game, logo knowledge quiz, and even a team, paper-airplane contest (Jean's design won!)

Delaware Bible Church (Ohio) Missions Conference

We were really pleased to be invited to participate in Delaware Bible Church's annual missions conference. We were able to share during one of the services, participate in a life group, have a part of the kids' program during the conference, and be able to sit on a panel during one of the sessions. Praise to God and thanks to Delaware for having us there! The fellowship was great, our hosts were great, and the church has the most willing children who volunteer easily.

Praises

1. Our two apprentices Erick and Bryan began service this past month. We praise the Lord that they have reached 100% of their financial support.
2. We praise the Lord for a good and busy time spent at Delaware Bible Church at the end of March.

Requests

1. ​Please pray for two appointees who continue to build their support team.
2. Ask the Lord for the ministry workers we need to fill key roles. "The harvest is plentiful, the workers are few...."
3. As COVID-19 continues to fade, please ask the Lord to open many doors wide going forward for worldwide ministry.

Already Seeing Impact in Uganda

We appreciate the financial gifts and prayers of our partners for the gospel. We are excited when they want to partner with us on a deeper level! For example, sending a work team to serve alongside us at SonSet Solutions for a day is one way. 

One of our churches was thinking outside the box when they explored a possible collaboration between SonSet Solutions and their church to work with one of the other missionaries or mission organizations they support. They explored ways that SonSet could provide a solution for another missionary overseas they support to make a three-way partnership. 

Working with SonSet Solutions, they chose to enhance and further the ministry of a pastor and church planter in Iganga, Uganda by sending a Solar Media Center (SMC) from SonSet Solutions – providing a technology solution for Pastor Ronald of Liberty Transformation Church. 

Mike Tapia, our SonSet Solutions Power Team leader, traveled to Uganda in January and was able to install a SMC. There are several stories of God's provision during his trip there.  We praise the Lord for that on his trip there. The photo below shows Mike Tapia (far right) and Pastor Ronald is next to him. Pastor Ronald's wife is also pictured.

Though the church is located between two Muslim mosques, Pastor Ronald has seen growth in the church from five members in a house church situation to around 200 members.
Recently, we received communication from Pastor Ronald of the impacts that this Solar Media Center has already made. Here is a summary:

1. They are able to watch the Jesus Film and other visual Bible stories on their mobile devices. People are able to sit at the church and watch these movies, and this has transformed the girls and boys who are being mentored to become ministers and servants of God.
2. The loud speakers have allowed the church to penetrate the community, which is mostly Muslim. They play gospel music, sermons, and Bible reading audio right from the church's media room.
3. Sunday school children are able to watch the story of Jesus and learn about Jesus this way.
4. By using the solar power, the church's power consumption has been reduced to 50% of what it was.
5. The solar power has allowed the church premises' lights to remain on continually. This was a problem in the past due to the power shortages and load sharing in Uganda.

In addition, Mike had this story to add: As Mike and three local men were installing the system, a young boy appeared at the door where Mike was working. Unable to speak English, the boy held out a smartphone. Sensing what the youngster wanted, Mike took the device from him and connected the boy to the SMC. Soon the boy was able stream the Jesus Film on the phone.

We praise the Lord for his work to bring this collaborative effort together. We give God the glory for this, as only He could put this all together! It is wonderful being part of one body in Christ.

Praises

• Praise the Lord for our partners–we appreciate your prayers and deep giving. You are so faithful and are great reflections of God's faithfulness.

• ​We praise the Lord for a good time with family as we celebrated Chinese New Year. We enjoyed favorite Chinese foods together as we remember those who have gone before us.

Requests

• Please pray for Pastor Ronald and Liberty Transformation Church in Iganga, Uganda as they minister to their community on newer levels.

• ​Two more SMC units are being installed in the Dominican Republic soon. Please pray for the pastors and ministries who will soon utilize the SMC to expand their reach