HOUSTON DYNAMO GAME
Sudanese Attend Their First Soccer Match

On June 12th, Sudanese watched their first Major League Soccer game between the Houston Dynamo and the New England Revolution! It was a great game as these two teams have met in the finals the past two seasons and as soccer is the most popular sport in Sudan, it was a special treat for the adults and kids alike.

Executive Director Peter Swann and Mission Trip Director Andrew Brown attended the game with the Sudanese and want to thank all the Aid Sudan supporters who donated 39 tickets so this event could take place – it was truly a special gift to the community. For each $20 ticket that was sold or donated, the Dynamo team donated $10 to Nothing But Nets. Nothing But Nets is a program where bed nets treated with insecticides are distributed to families in Africa to help prevent malaria - the number one killer amongst children in Africa.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Nothing But Nets campaign, those who gave tickets to the Sudanese and Bryan Kraham and the Dynamo organization for their support of the southern Sudanese!

AID SUDAN HOSTS PACKED HOUSE AT ANNUAL GALA
Peter Swann Announces Strategy Plan for Ministry

On Tuesday, April 29th, Aid Sudan held the annual gala celebration to a packed house at First Presbyterian Church in Houston. The attendance doubled from last year as approximately 300 Sudanese and Americans gathered together at this year’s event!

While guests enjoyed dinner and fellowship at their tables, they were entertained with traditional southern Sudanese music led by Moses Project missionaries Agook and Maker, a silent auction and a live auction with items such as a Roger Staubach football, Lance Berkman baseball jersey and large framed photo of southern Sudan. The crowd was moved by testimonies from the southern Sudanese as Maker Manyang shared memories of the attack on his village and how two million people were lost in the war. He spoke of the need for basic necessities such as water, healthcare and education to demonstrate how everyone can be a part of the revival in southern Sudan.

Made possible by the huge support of donors and prayer warriors, Executive Director Peter Swann made a big announcement regarding Aid Sudan’s strategy for ministry in southern Sudan that encompasses southern Sudanese and Ugandan missionaries, a Village to Village project that tackles the needs of southern Sudanese communities one village at a time and a radio station project that will help spread the gospel in southern Sudan via the airwaves.

Thank you to our Director of Houston Events Jessica Ray for taking care of all the logistics and to all our volunteers who helped make the night happen. Special congratulations to Elizabeth Hankins, author of The Calling, who received the Volunteer of the Year award.

The night was a reflection on what Aid Sudan has accomplished and an anticipation of where we want to go from here. We hope you will continue to join us on this adventure in ministering to the people of southern Sudan!

AID SUDAN 5K
Run a Mile, Save a Village; Walk a Mile, Save a Child

An overwhelming turnout - over 370 people took part in the Aid Sudan 5K Fun Run/Walk, hosted by Houston’s First Baptist Church and Memorial Hermann Health Network Providers on Saturday, April 5th! Americans and Sudanese ran side by side to raise funds and to support the southern Sudanese community.

After the race was complete, everyone gathered together to hear Executive Director Peter Swann and Moses Project missionary Maker Manyak speak about the work at Aid Sudan both in the local Houston community and in southern Sudan. To close a beautiful and encouraging day, a group of local Sudanese filled the air with traditional Sudanese songs.

Special thanks to First Baptist pastor Gregg Matte for joining in the festivities, KSBJ’s Liz Jordan for promoting the event on-air throughout the preceding week and all-star baseball player Lance Berkman for his great support.  And congratulations to first, second and third place in the Sudanese group – Mohammed Babiker, Rafael Daniel and Paul Dol.

Congratulations to all the runners - it was a great accomplishment and we are looking forward to the same unbelievable experience next year!

For additional photos of the event, visit our main photo gallery.