Bible distribution in South Sudan goes up a gear

Our team in South Sudan has taken delivery of a new 4x4 truck, paid for by Bible Society supporters in the UK.

The Toyota Land Cruiser will help deliver half a million Bibles this year, across a country which is five times the size of the UK and has very few real roads. Previously, the team were using motorbikes to try to deliver Scripture.

It was paid for with donations from thousands of Bible Society supporters, who responded to our appeal at the beginning of 2015.

Edward Kajivora, who leads Bible Society’s work in South Sudan, said, ‘This vehicle will penetrate remote areas to distribute the Scriptures. It will bring light to the villages and dark areas. The impact this car will have is tremendous, because instead of coming to Juba to fetch Bibles, now the Bibles will go to the people.’

He added a particular message of thanks to supporters who helped buy the truck: ‘You do not know us and we do not know you, but Christ has bound us together in his love.’

The vehicle was dedicated at a small ceremony last month by Bishop Arkangelo Lemi, the Presiding Bishop of Africa Inland Church. A newly-employed driver will be responsible for the maintenance of the 4x4, and the truck has already made its first journey outside Juba.

It was bought following an appeal we mailed out to Bible Society supporters in January this year, and which appeared on our website. More than £45,000 was raised – enough to buy the £37,000 vehicle and pay the shipping and customs costs too.

The 4x4 arrives at a critical time in South Sudan. Conflict between the Dinka and Nuer tribes has left the country in political and economic turmoil, and hundreds of thousands of people are still living as refugees in their own land. The truck will mean Bible Society’s team can reach the areas worst-hit by conflict, in the north.

Bible Society in South Sudan was launched in January 2013, 18 months after the country gained independence. However, plans for new projects were put on hold when violence erupted in December that year. Despite having to sleep under their beds for fear of stray bullets, Edward and our team stayed in the country to serve the local community.

In the last year they have distributed practical aid and Scripture booklets to hundreds of refugee families arriving in Juba. Edward, a former Bible translator and ordained minister, said, ‘Trouble brings people closer to God. We want to give people the Scriptures to remind them that, whatever happens, God is always with them.’