We were excited about the possibility of creating a high quality media to share about the Lord’s work within East Africa to supporters and possible new missionaries around the world. We were told it was a go and moved our family to Nairobi as it would provide the best placement for the media hub.

Unfortunately, there have been many unforeseen developments. A few weeks ago we were told that Taylor’s position, the only one filled of the nine epicenters around the globe, will be put “on hold” when we return to the States this May for home assignment. This basically means that as they step back and take a look at restructuring the regional media epicenter idea we will look for another position.

We would GREATLY appreciate your prayers for our family right now in this time of uncertainty. We would like to stay here in Kenya as it has become “home”. There is a possibility of staying with SIM but being seconded to another agency that has a wonderful and established media team. This team has actually been generous enough to share office space with Taylor this past year. We admire the media team and how they use their gifts to share about the Lord’s work. Though this move might make sense to us we don’t want to rush into anything.

Please be praying for guidance and wisdom as we look ahead for our next steps, that we would clearly see the direction God would have us go, and for a refreshing of our passions which led us to choose missions as a career. Please also be praying for SIM leadership as they take another look at these regional media centers which have the potential to be of great use for the kingdom.

The following are the events as we have been allowed to share. Skip to the bottom to see the latest update.

UPDATE 1

Overview/History of Henrick’s situation:
Henrik was doing church work in Upper Nile state, South Sudan. He was travelling with three other church workers (1 Sudanese pastor and 2 Sudanese elders). They were visiting the Atar area in Jonglei along with the other Sudanese church members:
1) Simon Minyang Bol (a Presbyterian pastor)
2) Isaac Chol Chuang (elder of the church)
3) Abraham Tuong (elder on the SIC church in Atar)

They were in the church in Khorwatch (spelling?) on Sunday September 19th and after worship services they went to the SPLA barracks to inform them that they are around. At this point they were all detained and we are told they spent the night outside. They were then escorted back to Atar to the SIM compound and held there under house arrest. When SIM leadership was notified, we sent messages to our SIM representative in Malakal, Mike Koski. Pastor Thomas Khodok (Sudanese member of Sudan Interior Aid) was also contacted. He obtained an SRRC travel permit and traveled to Atar to see the situation. They met up with Henrik and the other church members and were told that they should go to Canal to get their release. They travelled to Canal on September 21, 2010. When they arrived Pastor Thomas stayed at the deputy commissioner’s residence and the other four (Henrik with the 3 church leaders) stayed with the military. They were told that the military was waiting for the senior person to show to hear their case. On Wed, 22 Sept we learned that Pastor Thomas Khodok was also detained by the SPLA.

Our Efforts
Henrik’s love for the Sudanese people has resulted in a large effort by pastors and friends in Malakal to secure his release. They are visiting many officials on his behalf. Pastor Daniel Yhor here in Nairobi is working with the SPLM office here. SIC and Sudan Council of Churches leaders are engaged and working through their own contacts. We are also in touch with UN Security personnel offices in both Malakal and Juba.

Please join us in praying for his release soon. Acts 12:5 “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”

Chris for the SIM Sudan team

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UPDATE 2

24 September, Friday
In Canal, three of the five men were released. However, Henrik and Thomas Khodok remained in detention.

25 September, Saturday
Very heavy rain overnight and during the day ensured that not much could happen. In the afternoon there was a meeting at the military security office in Malakal. Pastor Kur Deng (SIC), Mike Koski, and others were there to negotiate and give information. The men are to be released tomorrow and brought by military escort to Malakal tomorrow. Henrik himself called me at 3:56pm and sounded like his normal upbeat self. His case of malaria which presented on 23 Sept is much better. He self-treated using Coartem.

Thanks to Pastor Kur Deng, Thomas Khodok’s brother, Pastor Mum’s brother, Mike Koski and others for their tireless efforts. When the men arrive in Malakal, we will let you know. Thank you for your prayers.

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UPDATE 3 (27 September, Monday)
Henrik and Thomas Khodok left Canal today and arrived in Malakal. They were escorted by security forces were kept for a time at the Security Base in Malakal. Isaac, an elder from the Atar church is with them.

Around 330pm, Isaac, Thomas, and Henrik were brought to the SIC Compound which SIM Sudan uses for a base. They were told they were restricted to stay at the compound. They are is fine health and good spirits. I was able to speak to Henrik personally and assured him of our support.

Charges against the men are being brought by army intelligence against Henrik and Thomas. The charges are for spying and trespassing. It is possible that there are charges against Isaac also.

Because the men were there on for spiritual reasons, we are certain they will be exonerated, however there are certain procedures that must be followed. For those procedures, Thomas and Henrik (and possibly Isaac) will need to travel with a military escort to Juba.

UN Security in Malakal states the matter is out of their hands. Apparently the whole process has become high level they are not able to influence the situation.

Only two of the original group of four are being charged.

Note that Thomas Khodok is a pastor of SIC and is currently assigned to the work with Sudan Interior Aid, the aid wing of the Sudan Interior Church (SIC).

Pastor Daniel Yhor Akec (SIC and Director of Sudan Interior Aid) and Chris Crowder (SIM Sudan Director) will travel to Juba tomorrow (28 Sept) to assist with the situation. We are also told that Rev Ramadan Chan (SIC) and General Secretary of the Sudan Council of Churches is in Juba as well.

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UPDATE 4 (29 September, Wednesday)
Pastor Daniel Yhor Akec (SIC and Director of Sudan Interior Aid) and Chris Crowder (SIM Sudan Director) made it to Juba/Sudan on the 28th September 2010. Henrik Ermlich, Thomas Khodok and Isaak Chol Chuang needed to be transferred to Juba as well by the military (using a commercial airline). Before they left Malakal they were given back the money which was taken away from them, finding that it was less 1104SDG (approx. 480USD). Georg Sieg (German Embassy in Juba) was there in Juba to meet Henrik, Thomas and Isaak when they arrived.

Chris Crowder also had a meeting with Georg Sieg at around 12:30pm to talk over what the further procedure could be. Georg was of great help in the negotiations with the Vice Presidents office on the 28th September 2010. The church delegates were also meeting that same afternoon to discuss this issue.

Henrik is doing good so far. The military treated him fair most of the time. We are thankful that he was not beaten or mistreated physically. But we can still say that he has gone through a tough time.

Currently it looks like a release could be possible today, according to a short statement of a lieutenant yesterday evening. They are waiting on the military base right now (10am) for their case to be attended. We are prepared to receive Henrik in Nairobi. The CMT has decided after the consultation with the member care personnel that he should come out for a debrief and a period of rest. Henrik has accepted this offer.

Thomas Khodok and Isaak Chol Chuang will fly back to Malakal. If the military will not come up for the cost of their repatriation flight back to Malakal, than SIM is willing to pay for that cost. We appreciate their help and that they were ministering with us.

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UPDATE 5 (29 September, Wednesday)
HENRIK, THOMAS AND ISAAK ARE FREE!!!

After they had been waiting at the military base for some time this morning they were finally attended by a lieutenant. The release was uncomplicated. Chris Crowder and Co. appreciated the lieutenant for his help and left the office.

Henrik Ermlich and Chris Crowder will be arriving in Nairobi (JKIA) today, on 29th September 2010, at 4:30pm. Me, Heinrich Klassen, will meet them at the airport. Daniel Yhor will fly to Nairobi the following day (30th September 2010) in the morning. Thomas Khodok and Isaac Chol Chuang are in the process of purchasing their tickets to Malakal. Their arrival will probably be in Malakal on the 30th September 2010.

We are talking one-on-one with some supporters as well as our sending church. Without the blessings from our church and supporters, we do not feel this would be a wise move.

Would you please intercede on our behalf so that we might be able to understand clearly what God would have for us and our ministry? This is an unexpected move early on in our careers as missionaries.

We do not foresee a change in our support requirement, but we are unsure as to how this would possibly effect the financial support coming in right now from our donors.

We are happy to be back with our teammates and Avery has taken to Sudan again quite well.

It’s hot. Our taxi driver told us that the last two days were very cold. During the rainy season, a hot day indicates rain is soon to come. So we’re looking forward to the first ‘real’ rain (+3hr down pour) in Sudan.

Unfortunately with the rain brings some not so fun realities. Our latrines are totally full of water. So using the bathroom is an new challenge and our shower drains are backed up. But the big plus is that with the water catchment system we built a while back, we never have to worry about water supply. Even with the massive amount of visitors (while we were gone) they never ran out of water.

We plan to be here for about two months this time around. Taylor’s sister, Allison, will be joining us for a week in November and then we’ll head back to Nairobi for a little more family time before she heads to South Africa for a bit.

Please pray that we are able to maintain good health. We want to get back to learning Arabic and do so without distractions as much as possible.

Historically the students have been uncompromising in various demands they have. Many if not all of these demands are directed at the head master of the school (an American missionary) and made personal, even though they have nothing to do with her. For example, they have long complained about having to pay tuition (a token amount that doesn’t come close to the actual cost).

This came to a head last week when the students posted their grievances on the wall of the school one morning. SIM chose to close the school temporarily until the local church board (who has been given ultimate authority over the school) can meet and make some decisions about the current events. The local piam (the leadership of the area villages) is resisting SIM’s move to shut the school (however temporary) and saying that SIM would no longer be needed should they shut the school.

The church leadership was to have met yesterday. Please be in prayer with us as our missionaries on the ground there as well as our leadership in Nairobi meet to discuss how we should move forward.

One important difference in the handling of situations in Africa is not so much WHAT should be done, but HOW it should be done. Relationships mean more than anything else in these contexts. Please pray that the missionaries can build relationships through these hardships and become closer with the community there as they work to seek an amicable outcome.

We were very blessed to be able to share with the community about the work Allison and I will be doing in Sudan. They received us with much love and prayed over us. After a quick lunch with the church body, Allison and I excused ourself for the 8 hour ride home. We made it back safe and sound.

Avery always gets a bit of schedule when we go out of town, but is sleeping longer a night. Such a praise for both of us.

Stay tuned as we have a lot going on these next few weeks.

The team is extremely diverse with missionaries from Ethiopia, Wales, New Zealand, England, Kenya, Canada and America. This creates such a unique experience while doing God’s work for his kingdom.