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Dan Marples, ON's first missionary to South Sudan, returned to the USA in
August 1966.
Jesus said to his disciples, "a leader among you is the one who serves ..." and "the son of man does not come to be served but to serve....." Mark 10:43-45. Dan has a tremendous potential for leadership because he is truly a servant and is a fearless young man. Only 23, he took an initiative that boggles the minds of his peers and family. He reached out to Sudanese Christians and shared with them the love of Jesus for three months over the summer of 1996. He had very broad choices as an American missionary venturing overseas regarding where to stay, what to eat and who to associate with. Instead, he dropped all his choices, fears and wants. He moved away from his comfort zone, as he put it in his own words. He humbled himself like a baby and rested on God's wisdom, protection and provision. He met and touched the people where they are. The people saw his sincerity and his compassion towards them. They themselves became humbled by that. They saw Jesus in this young man. He made genuine friendships with them which is something money can't buy. He was no longer a stranger in a foreign land but became one of them. Faithfulness and humbleness are priceless.
Dan acknowledged ON's leadership by allowing himself to minister to the people through the indigenous pastors whom God has already provided and put in place there. This is a key element of mission
guideline for those aspiring to be missionaries for ON in the future. The Holy Spirit used him mightily to do God's work among the people. He said, " Like Apostle Paul, God used me as his instrument to reach the Sudanese. I did not have to start anything from scratch. He is the potter and I'm the clay." In the church he was a pastor and evangelist. In the field, he was an explorer, a fact finder , a
teammate, a servant, and a relief officer. At home with his host he was a friend, a hard worker and a prayer warrior who maintained youthful zeal for God's work.
Dan left New Jersey for Kenya on May 28 and returned to New Jersey on August 19. Dan joined ON's director of operations, Mr. Michael Longwa, in Nairobi, Kenya and they went on evangelizing in the South Sudanese refugee camps both in northern Kenya and Uganda. In Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya they were received by camp pastors Jacob and John. In Kiriadongo refugee camp, Uganda they were received by camp pastor Charles. As a team, Dan preached and Mike led the worship team and baptism. The
South Sudanese refugees were very happy and blessed by having Dan with them.
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