Dear Friends and Family,
Please visit Aimee's and my new blog site for all updates from this point onward: http://justinandaimeemaier.blogspot.com/
Our wedding will be July 3, and Aimee and I are hoping to return to the field as early as September. Please pray that God's timing and plan will be revealed to us as we seek a position overseas with Samaritan's Purse.
With much love,
Justin and Aimee
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Engaged!
Aimee Burlingham and Justin Maier were engaged on May 1, 2009.
My proposal to Aimee was long anticipated as we had been apart for many months during my time living in Sudan. My initial plan was to propose to Aimee immediately upon seeing her, appointing May 1 as the special day. However, on April 30, Aimee discovered the surprise and neither her nor I could stand the thought of another day apart from each other. So, I drove throughout the night from northern to southern California to be there when Aimee awoke the next morning. Our reunion was wonderful. At last, after four long and difficult months apart, we were together! We spent the afternoon in Santa Monica and, that evening, I took Aimee by the hand and lead her to the shoreline. There, I kneeled to ask Aimee to be my wife. She said YES!!! After the proposal, Aimee and I went to the restaurant Casa del Mar for dinner which had an incredible ocean view, and then we walked to the Santa Monica pier and rode the ferris wheel. The mild breeze felt perfect in the dusk of Spring, and Aimee could not have looked more beautiful in my arms. When back in the car that evening, both Aimee and I were exhausted from staying up the night before. I drove Aimee to her apartment where, to Aimee's complete surprise, there was a party of friends waiting for her. Aimee and I told the story of our special day to the eager excitement of dear friends.
The blessings God has bestowed upon me are too numerous to count. I have left the place that I love to be with the woman that I love, with the prayer that I will soon be able to take her with me to the mission field. Aimee loves the Lord wholeheartedly and has a fervent passion and clear calling on her life to serve Christ by ministering abroad. Words cannot express the joy, encouragement and support Aimee has brought to my life, nor can words describe how much I love her. To have Aimee beside me gives me such hope and peace and strength; I am excited to see what God has in store for our lives as we serve Him together.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
A New Season
My term in Sudan has come to an end. However, please continue to read this blog as there are many exciting events occurring in my life in the upcoming months that I am happy to share with you. And, it is my prayer that I will return to the field soon, and be able to tell more stories of the struggles, hopes, and the freedom found in Christ of those in the impoverished and war-torn areas of the globe.
During my final two weeks in Sudan, Samaritan’s Purse partnered with UNMIS for the use of the UN's heavy equipment in order to level a football field/track for a neighboring school and the local community. I worked closely with the Bangladesh battalion stationed in Yei who were anxious to serve and assist in whatever means possible. I am grateful for their help and for the ability to leave something small behind for the community before my departure.
I will miss Sudan. It was difficult to leave, yet I cannot be more content about what, or rather who, I am coming home to. While speaking with dear friends on the field about this transition, they reminded me that there is a season for everything in life, whether for growth, or patience, or joy, or sorrow. Some seasons come by choice, others by circumstance. Yet, in all seasons we must find contentment. And, in every season hope can be attained if trusting in the Lord. In whatever season our lives have been placed, that season will soon pass, the time will end, and a new day will await us. Therefore, we must embrace each season as an opportunity for growth, looking onward toward what lies ahead, always striving to fulfill our life’s great purpose, and knowing that until death, until we see Christ, our purpose will not be complete. I am convinced that if not for my term in Africa, being placed in a region where it was easier for me to find contentment in the Lord without the numerous distractions that swarm the western world, than I would not be prepared for the season that I am now entering.
During my final two weeks in Sudan, Samaritan’s Purse partnered with UNMIS for the use of the UN's heavy equipment in order to level a football field/track for a neighboring school and the local community. I worked closely with the Bangladesh battalion stationed in Yei who were anxious to serve and assist in whatever means possible. I am grateful for their help and for the ability to leave something small behind for the community before my departure.
I will miss Sudan. It was difficult to leave, yet I cannot be more content about what, or rather who, I am coming home to. While speaking with dear friends on the field about this transition, they reminded me that there is a season for everything in life, whether for growth, or patience, or joy, or sorrow. Some seasons come by choice, others by circumstance. Yet, in all seasons we must find contentment. And, in every season hope can be attained if trusting in the Lord. In whatever season our lives have been placed, that season will soon pass, the time will end, and a new day will await us. Therefore, we must embrace each season as an opportunity for growth, looking onward toward what lies ahead, always striving to fulfill our life’s great purpose, and knowing that until death, until we see Christ, our purpose will not be complete. I am convinced that if not for my term in Africa, being placed in a region where it was easier for me to find contentment in the Lord without the numerous distractions that swarm the western world, than I would not be prepared for the season that I am now entering.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Safari
During the Easter holiday, Jeremy (a friend and my replacement as Base Manager) and I drove from Yei into northern Uganda, undergoing one final African adventure before the completion of my term in Sudan. Driving south, the road prior to entering Uganda hugs the border, literally linking the two countries of Sudan and DRC (Congo). National flags fluttered on each side of the open mud saturated road, ostensibly unconcerned with the concept of “secure borders.” Upon arrival in Uganda, we discovered a comfortable lodge with a pool and good food in the northern city of Arua, a six hour drive from Yei.
The following day we headed further south to Murchison Falls National Park where the Victoria Nile River flows toward Lake Albert before continuing north. Murchison Falls is a 20 foot wide passage, merging the massive Nile before plummeting 400 feet in a series of three cascades to the river bed below. Crossing the Nile and touring the park, we directed our own safari, driving amongst herds of elephants, giraffes, hippos, monkeys, water buffalo and antelope. That evening we returned to Arua and then back to Yei the following morning.
The experience of driving in the equatorial, lush climate of Northern Uganda or passing through hundreds of villages within East Africa, never fails to astound me. Although I have lived in Africa for nearly fourteen months, the excitement has not diminished and the blessing is not overlooked. I am thankful the Lord has called me to serve in regions such as these, and I pray it will be merely a short wait before He leads my ministry back to the field. I consider Northern California as my home; however, it is alongside the people of Africa and the Middle East where I now belong and desire to live. In a few weeks I will be back in the States. My work here will be missed, yet I am very thankful to see my family, as my time with them is long overdue and greatly needed. And, I am gladly suspending my service to return home to my beautiful girlfriend who awaits me.
I am grateful for your devoted prayers and loving support. With much affection, Justin
The following day we headed further south to Murchison Falls National Park where the Victoria Nile River flows toward Lake Albert before continuing north. Murchison Falls is a 20 foot wide passage, merging the massive Nile before plummeting 400 feet in a series of three cascades to the river bed below. Crossing the Nile and touring the park, we directed our own safari, driving amongst herds of elephants, giraffes, hippos, monkeys, water buffalo and antelope. That evening we returned to Arua and then back to Yei the following morning.
The experience of driving in the equatorial, lush climate of Northern Uganda or passing through hundreds of villages within East Africa, never fails to astound me. Although I have lived in Africa for nearly fourteen months, the excitement has not diminished and the blessing is not overlooked. I am thankful the Lord has called me to serve in regions such as these, and I pray it will be merely a short wait before He leads my ministry back to the field. I consider Northern California as my home; however, it is alongside the people of Africa and the Middle East where I now belong and desire to live. In a few weeks I will be back in the States. My work here will be missed, yet I am very thankful to see my family, as my time with them is long overdue and greatly needed. And, I am gladly suspending my service to return home to my beautiful girlfriend who awaits me.
I am grateful for your devoted prayers and loving support. With much affection, Justin
Murchison Falls
The Victoria Nile River
Jeremy elephant hunting with coconut
Friday, March 20, 2009
Franklin's Visit to Yei
In early March, Rev. Franklin Graham visited the Samaritan’s Purse Yei compound while touring Sudan. During his time in Yei, Franklin was able to see newly constructed churches and greet local congregations. He also participated in an Operation Christmas Child gift distribution at a nearby orphanage.
Franklin’s stay in Sudan came at the time of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) indictment of President Bashir. On March 4, Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the first such warrant issued against a head of state by the ICC. Mr. Graham opposed the indictment, saying that Bashir’s arrest could possibly hinder the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) established in 2005, leading to instability, and potentially reverting the fragile nation back to war. He stated that Bashir surely needs to be brought to justice, yet now is not the time. As malevolent as Bashir is, he played a critical role in instituting the CPA, which can easily deteriorate with his removal. The primary concern is to ensure peace; “justice without peace would be a hollow victory” said Mr. Graham (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/opinion/03graham.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=franklin%20graham&st=cse).
Since the issuing of the arrest warrant against Bashir, 13 NGOs have been ousted from Khartoum and Darfur, leaving thousands of lives at risk who would otherwise be receiving needed aid (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7929805.stm; thankfully, the expulsion of aid workers has not reached the south, who fall under the GOSS’s immediate jurisdiction). Aside from the ICC indictment, other unfortunate incidents have occurred the past two weeks. Sanja Asiri, a village 3 km from Yei, was raided by LRA soldiers with machetes, killing 8 people, and instilling fear throughout Yei. The following week, an SPLA soldiers’ protest in Yei town blocked all roads leaving Yei, confiscated vehicles, vandalized banks and looted shops; the chaos provoked a visit from Sudan's Vice President Salva Kiir and suspended work for 2 days at the Samaritan's Purse compound. Samaritan’s Purse staff and operations have been unharmed but Yei River County and regions throughout South Sudan are at perpetual unrest. Please continue to pray.
On another note, I would like to announce that my contract with Samaritan’s Purse in South Sudan will end in early May. Originally, as stated in a previous entry, I was signed on until Feb 2010. However, with much prayer and great contentment, I am following the Lord's guidance elsewhere at this time in my life. I plan to revisit the states for a few months, after which time I desire to return to Africa, perhaps even to Sudan. I have loved working for Samaritan’s Purse and hope that God will provide me another opportunity to assist them in the future. Please pray for me during this transition. It is a very exciting time in my life, as I am returning home to be with my girlfriend Aimee. And, although I am leaving a job I love, I am confident of God’s calling and my life’s passion to minister and serve abroad, and I trust that God will lead Aimee and I to the field soon.
Thank you for your loving prayers and support.
Franklin Graham with team
Colleagues at Yei Base
Franklin’s stay in Sudan came at the time of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) indictment of President Bashir. On March 4, Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the first such warrant issued against a head of state by the ICC. Mr. Graham opposed the indictment, saying that Bashir’s arrest could possibly hinder the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) established in 2005, leading to instability, and potentially reverting the fragile nation back to war. He stated that Bashir surely needs to be brought to justice, yet now is not the time. As malevolent as Bashir is, he played a critical role in instituting the CPA, which can easily deteriorate with his removal. The primary concern is to ensure peace; “justice without peace would be a hollow victory” said Mr. Graham (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/opinion/03graham.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=franklin%20graham&st=cse).
Since the issuing of the arrest warrant against Bashir, 13 NGOs have been ousted from Khartoum and Darfur, leaving thousands of lives at risk who would otherwise be receiving needed aid (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7929805.stm; thankfully, the expulsion of aid workers has not reached the south, who fall under the GOSS’s immediate jurisdiction). Aside from the ICC indictment, other unfortunate incidents have occurred the past two weeks. Sanja Asiri, a village 3 km from Yei, was raided by LRA soldiers with machetes, killing 8 people, and instilling fear throughout Yei. The following week, an SPLA soldiers’ protest in Yei town blocked all roads leaving Yei, confiscated vehicles, vandalized banks and looted shops; the chaos provoked a visit from Sudan's Vice President Salva Kiir and suspended work for 2 days at the Samaritan's Purse compound. Samaritan’s Purse staff and operations have been unharmed but Yei River County and regions throughout South Sudan are at perpetual unrest. Please continue to pray.
On another note, I would like to announce that my contract with Samaritan’s Purse in South Sudan will end in early May. Originally, as stated in a previous entry, I was signed on until Feb 2010. However, with much prayer and great contentment, I am following the Lord's guidance elsewhere at this time in my life. I plan to revisit the states for a few months, after which time I desire to return to Africa, perhaps even to Sudan. I have loved working for Samaritan’s Purse and hope that God will provide me another opportunity to assist them in the future. Please pray for me during this transition. It is a very exciting time in my life, as I am returning home to be with my girlfriend Aimee. And, although I am leaving a job I love, I am confident of God’s calling and my life’s passion to minister and serve abroad, and I trust that God will lead Aimee and I to the field soon.
Thank you for your loving prayers and support.
Franklin Graham with team
Colleagues at Yei Base.
.
Related Links:
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Congolese Refugees in Lasu
Fear of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in North-eastern Congo has impelled thousands to seek refuge across the borders of nearby Uganda, the Central African Republic and South Sudan. Reportedly, more than 900 Eastern Congolese have been killed in LRA raids since mid-December. On February 14, I visited Lasu, located 28 kilometers from Yei near the Congo border, where 6,000 Congolese refugees fleeing from the town of Aba have settled within the past week. A convey of UN and NGO vehicles traveled to the site to conduct an initial assessment of the situation. The urgent need of food, clean water and medication are gradually being addressed. It is likely that these refugees will not return home until the security situation in Congo is fully controlled.
There is a church on site in Lasu (Nyori) that Samaritan’s Purse has built which has been encouraged to hold daily prayer services and provide shelter. Please pray for the Congolese refugees in Lasu and those aiding them.
Refugees line-up to register with UNHCR
Road to Congo border
There is a church on site in Lasu (Nyori) that Samaritan’s Purse has built which has been encouraged to hold daily prayer services and provide shelter. Please pray for the Congolese refugees in Lasu and those aiding them.
Refugees line-up to register with UNHCR
Road to Congo border
.
Related links:
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Voices of South Sudan
My Story
By: Pastor Ayumba
I was born in 1972 at a village called Abukini in South Sudan, near the Congo border. At the age of five, my mom died and I was left with my dad, but he was too old to be able to take care of us or even care for himself. Due to these difficult circumstances and the need to properly care for my dad and family, I decided to marry at the age of sixteen, where I began to learn family responsibilities.
In 1994, the Sudan civil war between the southern rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the northern forces reached my village. I realized that my family could only be safe in exile, so we fled to Uganda. Life in Uganda soon became hard because of the Lord Resistant Army (LRA) rebels. They burned the houses of the refugees and even fellow civilians in Uganda.
By God’s provision, Yei was liberated in early March 1997, which prompted my family and me to return home from exile. While on the way from Uganda to Sudan, we needed to cross through Congo (formerly known as Zaire). The Congolese militias did not like Sudanese refugees entering their country. If a Sudanese was caught by a Congolese soldier, he would be handed over to the government in exchange for food items, such as salt and sugar. Older men were sold for ten bags of salt, while youth were sold for twenty bags of sugar and ten bags of salt.
I even witnessed my pastor being sold and brought to Yei. At the time, the northern military was imposing Sharia (Islamic) Law across all of Sudan, including the Christian south. My pastor was commanded by soldiers to say “Allah Akhbar” (God is great). Instead, he proclaimed “Halleluya Yesua” (Halleluiah Jesus). He was beaten and again commanded to exclaim “Allah Ahkbar;” his response was the same, “Halleluya Yesua!” For this act of defiance, he was tortured and thrown in prison, but the key for the prison could not be found. The guards looked for the key for nine hours but could not find it. Finally, they released him, saying “go, you cursed!” The guards then followed the pastor home to his church of worship in Yei town, and burnt the church down.
I remember one night when many Christians were imprisoned for praising the Lord. The soldiers said to them, “if God is really here, than prove it, let Him save you!” After hearing this, I gathered a group of believers together and we began praying unceasingly throughout the night for those captured, believing that God would rescue them. At 3:00 am, the prisoners showed up at the front door while we were still praying for them! We praised God for releasing our brothers in Christ!
Then there were the Antonovs (Soviet built bombers operated by the north). You knew they were near by the loud, buzzing sound of the engines, and fear would immediately take hold of you. Only one question raced through your mind, “where will the bombs fall?” I remember one night in Yei when we heard that terrible sound approaching. An SPLA traitor climbed high in a tree, signaling the Antonov to drop its bombs over our church. We began praying, and none of the bombs fell on our church.
Christians were often treated badly and suffered for their faith. If a person agreed to be a Muslim, they were given food daily (some that converted to Islam were branded with hot iron on the buttocks as a symbol of their allegiance in order to obtain food rations). For those who remained Christian, some were thrown into the Yei River or put in an empty sack and thrown into a pit as a result of refusing to be a Muslim. At times, we also had trouble with the SPLA, the army who was there to protect us. At nearby churches in Lainya, SPLA troops would use the buildings as their barracks and force the congregation to carry bullets and weapons to the frontlines. They would also raid villages, looting our possessions and livelihood. Many terrible things happened during the war, yet even still, the promises of God were not forgotten by the believers.
When the church was persecuted, many Christians went underground or joined other fellowships of believers, holding small prayer gatherings at their homes and under trees. However, the church could not be defeated or weekened and today it is strong and growing. I will continue to pray for peace in Africa and more specifically my country Sudan. I encourage the Christians to remain firm and united serving the Lord’s people for life. Neither poverty nor hardship nor death will separate me from the love of God as it is written in Paul’s letters to the Romans (8:38-39). May the Almighty God bring an end to the suffering and the persecutions of the Christians in South Sudan.
By: Pastor Ayumba
I was born in 1972 at a village called Abukini in South Sudan, near the Congo border. At the age of five, my mom died and I was left with my dad, but he was too old to be able to take care of us or even care for himself. Due to these difficult circumstances and the need to properly care for my dad and family, I decided to marry at the age of sixteen, where I began to learn family responsibilities.
In 1994, the Sudan civil war between the southern rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the northern forces reached my village. I realized that my family could only be safe in exile, so we fled to Uganda. Life in Uganda soon became hard because of the Lord Resistant Army (LRA) rebels. They burned the houses of the refugees and even fellow civilians in Uganda.
By God’s provision, Yei was liberated in early March 1997, which prompted my family and me to return home from exile. While on the way from Uganda to Sudan, we needed to cross through Congo (formerly known as Zaire). The Congolese militias did not like Sudanese refugees entering their country. If a Sudanese was caught by a Congolese soldier, he would be handed over to the government in exchange for food items, such as salt and sugar. Older men were sold for ten bags of salt, while youth were sold for twenty bags of sugar and ten bags of salt.
I even witnessed my pastor being sold and brought to Yei. At the time, the northern military was imposing Sharia (Islamic) Law across all of Sudan, including the Christian south. My pastor was commanded by soldiers to say “Allah Akhbar” (God is great). Instead, he proclaimed “Halleluya Yesua” (Halleluiah Jesus). He was beaten and again commanded to exclaim “Allah Ahkbar;” his response was the same, “Halleluya Yesua!” For this act of defiance, he was tortured and thrown in prison, but the key for the prison could not be found. The guards looked for the key for nine hours but could not find it. Finally, they released him, saying “go, you cursed!” The guards then followed the pastor home to his church of worship in Yei town, and burnt the church down.
I remember one night when many Christians were imprisoned for praising the Lord. The soldiers said to them, “if God is really here, than prove it, let Him save you!” After hearing this, I gathered a group of believers together and we began praying unceasingly throughout the night for those captured, believing that God would rescue them. At 3:00 am, the prisoners showed up at the front door while we were still praying for them! We praised God for releasing our brothers in Christ!
Then there were the Antonovs (Soviet built bombers operated by the north). You knew they were near by the loud, buzzing sound of the engines, and fear would immediately take hold of you. Only one question raced through your mind, “where will the bombs fall?” I remember one night in Yei when we heard that terrible sound approaching. An SPLA traitor climbed high in a tree, signaling the Antonov to drop its bombs over our church. We began praying, and none of the bombs fell on our church.
Christians were often treated badly and suffered for their faith. If a person agreed to be a Muslim, they were given food daily (some that converted to Islam were branded with hot iron on the buttocks as a symbol of their allegiance in order to obtain food rations). For those who remained Christian, some were thrown into the Yei River or put in an empty sack and thrown into a pit as a result of refusing to be a Muslim. At times, we also had trouble with the SPLA, the army who was there to protect us. At nearby churches in Lainya, SPLA troops would use the buildings as their barracks and force the congregation to carry bullets and weapons to the frontlines. They would also raid villages, looting our possessions and livelihood. Many terrible things happened during the war, yet even still, the promises of God were not forgotten by the believers.
When the church was persecuted, many Christians went underground or joined other fellowships of believers, holding small prayer gatherings at their homes and under trees. However, the church could not be defeated or weekened and today it is strong and growing. I will continue to pray for peace in Africa and more specifically my country Sudan. I encourage the Christians to remain firm and united serving the Lord’s people for life. Neither poverty nor hardship nor death will separate me from the love of God as it is written in Paul’s letters to the Romans (8:38-39). May the Almighty God bring an end to the suffering and the persecutions of the Christians in South Sudan.
Pastor Simon Ayumba (left) and Pastor George at Kediba Parish
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