‘I look up to see a tiny, shy smile, quickly hidden. But I saw it, and my heart soared. Yes, you sweet girl, I finally cracked that hard shell.’ 

AIM missionary Marlene was serving in a mud-walled classroom in Torit, South Sudan.

It was an achingly hard town to teach in. And this student was reluctant. She never joined the games or class activities, and tried to hide her damaged arm. Anger radiated from her body. 

She was not the only child facing significant challenges. For many children in South Sudan, the opportunity to go to school cannot be taken for granted. According to UNICEF, more than 2.8 million children are out of school, with girls forming the largest group. And fewer than half of primary school teachers have received formal training. Years of conflict, poverty and displacement have left schools struggling to meet the needs of their communities.

Many children have also experienced significant trauma through war, famine, alcohol misuse and child marriage. It’s a rough environment to wake up to each day. But they do it. Their resilience is astounding and humbling.

In this environment, Christian teachers have an opportunity to make a lasting difference, offering children an education, encouragement and the chance to hear about Jesus.

And for this child, today was different.  

In that shy smile, Marlene noticed the girl’s changing heart:

‘Today you took the risk, you tried, and you succeeded. Tomorrow you might try and fail, but I know you will have the confidence to weather that storm and I will still be here to hold your hand if you need me.’ 

South Sudan is a country with its doors wide open.

In Marlene’s experience, sharing the gospel at school is welcomed! She writes:  

‘When I first moved to the Lopit mountains, one of the girls in my neighbourhood had stopped attending school. I was privileged to teach her to read and write, and she returned to complete primary school. She attends high school in Torit, and we still meet for weekly Bible studies, where she improves her reading comprehension, and the Lord deepens her knowledge of Him.  

In a country where girls seldom complete primary school due to home demands or early marriage, it is a blessing to make a difference in at least one life.

There are so many more opportunities to reach the lost for Christ through education’.