HOUSTON OFFICE

Houston is home to approximately 1400 Sudanese. Under the direction of David Humphrey, the Houston office is pleased to work with area churches and other volunteers to provide help and encouragement for southern Sudanese in the area.

HOUSTON HAPPENINGS
Aid Sudan Stays Busy in July

Volunteers Lend a Hand at Sudanese Community Center – A group of youth volunteers from Bay Area First Baptist Church in League City, TX spent a day at the new Sudanese Development Center. Before work began, this group listened to the Sudanese as they shared their stories and showed photos of their beloved Sudan. The enthusiastic group then sorted and organized clothes in the clothes closet, put together office dividers to create a mini storage room and presented the center with many wonderful books for the growing library. As a special gift for the little ones, two of the teens entertained children with a clown and magic show that concluded with a presentation of the gospel. Many thanks to the youth of Bay Area First Baptist Church!

Sudanese Music Blesses Wedding Ceremony – Committed Aid Sudan volunteer Kathy Peterson married Ron Wells in a ceremony at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston. Since Kathy and Ron often worship with the Sudanese on Sunday, they invited the Sudanese to sing one of their traditional Dinka songs in their wedding. It was a very special time of worship and many of the Sudanese enjoyed their first wedding ceremony in the U.S.

Sudanese Share with Local Church – Bethel Independent Presbyterian Church, one of Aid Sudan’s partner churches, invited local Sudanese to sing and share their testimonies during Sunday worship. During the service, Sudanese filled the sanctuary with the sound of drums and beautiful Dinka music as Sudanese and Americans worshipped together. One of the Lost Boys, Chol Jok, moved the audience by sharing his personal journey and the story and plight of his people. The Sudanese then spent time with the children sharing pictures and answering inquisitive questions that only children can ask.

We thank the family at Bethel for their embodiment of Deuteronomy 10:19 - "You are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt."

Computer Class Kicks-Off – On Thursday July 31, a basic computer class began at the Sudanese Development Center. Touched by hearing Moses Project Missionary Jengmer Yat speak, Bill Christian of Digital Professionals responded to this need for an instructor. The class promises to be a great opportunity for education and friendship.

SUDANESE COMMUNITY CENTER
Center to be Resource for Houston's Sudanese Community

The Houston Sudanese Development Center officially opened its doors! The center will be a hub for a number of different activities including meetings, community celebrations and life skills classes.

During the grand opening celebration, the Sudanese honored the many different groups that helped make the center possible. Music filled the air and many prayers of thanks were offered to God for the fantastic space and all that could be accomplished in years to come. Aid Sudan presented the Sudanese leaders with a special gift – a beautiful picture drawn by volunteer Susan Kiser. Truly honored, the crowd erupted in loud applause and traditional trilling from the Sudanese women.

Numerous volunteers and churches in Houston came out to celebrate the event – it was a momentous occasion for the local Sudanese community! 

For previous Houston events, click here.

LIFE SKILLS CLASSES

To acclimate Sudanese into the American way of life, Aid Sudan’s Houston office offers several life skills classes. Taught by local volunteers, the classes offered include cooking and nutrition, English as a second language, computer skills and discipleship of local Sudanese church leaders. For information on teaching or enrolling in these classes, please contact David Humphrey at david@aidsudan.org.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

Come worship with the local Sudanese community! The Aid Sudan team attends worship at the Sudanese Community Church which meets each Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at ChristChurch Presbyterian in Bellaire. Click here for directions.

GIFTS IN KIND

There are many ways you can get involved and make a difference in the lives of the southern Sudanese in Houston. One of these ways is to donate tangible items based on the specific needs of the community. We are currently accepting donations of like-new books for the Sudanese Community Center Library.

Additionally, there is a growing need for like-new computers and laptops. Aid Sudan will be glad to receive any computers or laptops and pass them along to waiting Sudanese friends.

If you’re interested in volunteering to help in any way or if you have any questions about the local work in Houston, please contact our Houston Director, David Humphrey at david@aidsudan.org or 713-414-5493.