Waiting for a new arrival...

Esther Kiyingi is a Ugandan missionary to Sudan, and a close friend of YWAM Arua.

Esther and her husband Martin, first came to Arua in 2003, and stayed with the YWAM team as they prepared to follow God's call to go to Sudan. After one month in Arua, the Kiyingis moved to Yei, Southern Sudan, and planted a church called Christian Missionary Fellowship International (CMFI). CMFI is an evangelical ministry involved in preaching the Word of God, planting churches and making disciples all over Sudan.

Currently CMFI reaches out to the community around Yei with education and health projects. Esther is a doctor and is able to use her medical skills to bless the local community and open hearts to Jesus.

CMFI has also started a nursery school (preschool) and a Primary school, and are in need of more teachers, especially in the preschool.

At the moment, Esther is in Arua with us at the YWAM base awaiting the birth of their baby. In 2004, Esther came down to deliver from Arua, but sadly, the baby died. They named her Joy and took her back to be buried at their new home in Sudan. It was an extremely difficult time for them, but Esther believes it helped them to be more accepted in the community, as many of the Sudanese women have had miscarriages or had babies die. Sharing that common ground of loss bridged a cultural gap between Esther and the Sudanese ladies, and united them as women. Now we pray that they will grow in their relationship, and that one day they will be united in the Spirit as sisters in Christ.

Please pray for Esther as she nears the time of delivery. The baby is due Wednesday, the 25th, but even as I took this picture this morning, Esther said she was feeling contractions. Whether they are the 'real' ones, or whether she still has some days to wait, we ask that you stand with us in prayer for her and the baby's health and safe delivery.

For more information about their ministry in Sudan, e-mail: emfisudan@yahoo.com

Thank you for your prayers!