James Maker Manyang
Moses Project Missionary
Home Village: Tong, Bor area in southern Sudan
Family: Wife, Rebecca Apajok Atem, and daughter, Akur Maker
 
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16
 
Maker thought it would be good if God called him to return home. His tumultuous life in Sudan included witnessing the deaths of friends and family, running from the Sudanese government and wanting for food on more than one occasion. And while life in America seemed like the answer to escaping troubles in his own country, she brought her own set of foreign challenges that were at times just as scary. Instead of questioning God, he responds by accepting God’s plan. It was the tragedy in his life that led him to become a follower of Jesus Christ, to pray intensely for the salvation of his people and to passionately tell others the truth that is found in God’s Word.
 
THE JOURNEY
When war broke out in Sudan, his village was attacked and he was displaced from his home. Maker and the other survivors of the village attack walked to a refugee camp in Ethiopia until the government there was overthrown. At that time, he and other refugees fled to the border of Ethiopia and Sudan to a town called Pochalla. What followed can only be described as living in a state of terror. It was difficult to find food. There was little water. Each day brought multiple bombings from the government in Khartoum and many were killed. The government was always looking for them, so Maker and his friends were constantly on the move.
 
Living in a war zone steered Maker to the church and a relationship with Jesus Christ. He knew that someone or something created him and knew that the “someone” had to be the God of the Universe. This revelation began a different kind of journey – one with hope. At the refugee camp in Kakuma where he eventually settled, Maker led his people in prayer and the study of God’s Word. Here, he excelled in his academics and was invited to join the International Rescue Committee, receiving training in nursing and medicine at night while he worked in the pharmacy ordering medicine for the clinics during the day.
 
When he was granted asylum to the United States, Maker settled first in Atlanta with other Sudanese Lost Boys. From communication to grocery shopping to driving on the freeway to navigating the subway system – everything was foreign and it was a lot to take in all at once. With his feet firmly planted in God’s plan, Maker took on a leadership role in the Sudanese church, leading Bible studies and heading up the youth ministry. During this time, Maker returned to Sudan to a great celebration and an even bigger blessing – a beautiful wife! Eventually landing in Houston, Maker enrolled in the College of Biblical Studies with a passion for learning more about God’s Word and trusting God for the next step.

THE CALL
When Maker heard about Aid Sudan’s Moses Project, he saw an opportunity to serve his people and was ready to return home should God call him. After praying through the decision, he feels certain God wants him to answer this call. With his medical background, Maker plans to establish healthcare clinics in his home village and provide his people with clean water. And with his wife and daughter living in Sudan, he is excited to be reunited with his family. Maker counts it a privilege to return home to Sudan with a purpose – to be a servant leader as he attends to the spiritual and community development needs of his people.