August 2025 Newsletter
San Diego for South Sudan!
Last month, we had the incredible opportunity to travel to San Diego to raise support for our ministry serving in South Sudan. It was an honor to attend the mission weekend of Suzy’s sending church, Horizon Church in Rancho Santa Fe, and connect with ministry partners and new supporters. We shared stories from the field of transformation, faith, and evangelism, as well as how our ministry is impacting thousands through medical care and CHE, bringing hope amidst great challenges and ongoing insecurities.
The heart of the trip was connecting with people who believe in the vision and are eager to join the team and support the incredible work the Lord is doing in Tonj. One of the blessings was receiving a check from children attending Vacation Bible School at Horizon! Such a joy to witness these little kids collecting money for missions.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this trip possible by hosting us and providing a car. We are grateful San Diego, for standing with us. Together, we are making a difference!
As I am new to this specific networking and fundraising role, I am asking for your help. It doesn’t matter what state you live in, I’d love to come and share with your church or you can host a fundraising evening/event. Please prayerfully consider introducing me and IDAT to your church, the more people praying and partnering with us the more villages we can reach with the gospel.
Beard Family Back in Tonj!
On May 6, the Beard family joyously arrived in Tonj for their 2025 ministry service. Sadly, within weeks, tribal conflicts and cattle raids swept through the town, creating insecurity and fear in every home. After just four weeks, the Beards were evacuated to Kenya, leaving Tonj with heavy hearts.
God faithfully redeemed their time in Kenya, where they made some important connections and completed Community Health Evangelism (CHE) TOT 1 & 2 training. In his new role as Operations Director, Ben strengthened existing IDAT relationships, formed new missionary partnerships, visited two significant mission hospitals and preached in churches. What the enemy intended for harm, God used for good.
Four weeks ago, a new governor in Tonj began peace efforts, with a mass disarmament and began engaging with communities in conflict. Stability quickly improved, allowing the Beard family to return. Their joy in reuniting with the community was great, but the season also revealed the spiritual battle behind the unrest.
The IDAT leadership team was burdened by the disruption to our ministry and the gospel being shared, and so prayer became our strongest weapon of warfare! We called on missionaries, partner churches, and believers in Tonj to intercede daily for peace. Hallelujah, peace has been restored and the Beards are back! Please continue to join us in praying for our communities as they recover from this unrest.
Hope in a Time of Hunger!
In Tonj, a mother’s hardest decision isn’t what to cook—it’s how she will ration her food (if she has food) and when her children will eat, today or tomorrow?
Recent tribal fighting, cattle raids, and insecurity in our area have created a food crisis, with thousands of families facing hunger and rationing food. Just because we don’t see it firsthand doesn’t mean it’s not happening. The problem feels overwhelming to us but it’s not to the Lord Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation, scripture reveals God’s deep love and concern for the poor, and He calls His people to open their hands and hearts to defend their cause and to treat acts of kindness toward them as service to Him.
In Deed and Truth Ministries (IDAT) is committed to helping in any way we can by responding with urgently needed food relief. We have already begun food distributions to reach widows, orphans, and displaced families. We invite you to get involved and help us reach more people in need.
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed.”
Proverbs 19:17
Through prayer, partnership, and perseverance, we believe both physical and spiritual hunger can be met in South Sudan.