Meet Robert Betts, an African missionary and MAF passenger, who disciples believers and teaches farming skills in remote communities.
Robert Betts dreams of a strong indigenous church in South Sudan and he is encouraged by the efforts of local Christians to build for the future.
The Africa Inland Church (AIC) Kenya missionary flew with MAF, from the Lopit area of Eastern Equatoria back to the capital Juba, feeling encouraged about the impact of church planting.
‘For a long time, we were discipling a very few people, but now we can see that the number is growing,’ he says.
‘We are beginning to see churches being built. Simple buildings made of grass and poles – just using the things that they have. We need to praise the Lord. They are doing it by themselves.
We have to go and do what the Lord has called us to do and he himself will do it. Our work is just obeying God.
‘My main ministry is discipleship. We have discovery bible stories in our village five times a week. For discipleship we use Theological Education by Extension. I also help them in their farms with some skills to improve the productivity of their farms.
‘Every day is packed! A normal day – I go to different villages then on Sunday we have a service.’
Robert is in his ninth year of serving in the Lopit area where South Sudan AIC works in partnership with Africa Inland Mission. MAF flights allow Robert and his wife Caroline to attend meetings, visit his family and support the growth of African mission with his knowledge and expertise.
MAF has really played a big role, we are grateful for their service. I don’t think we would be serving here without MAF.
‘MAF has really played a big role, we are grateful for their service. I don’t think we would be serving here without MAF.’ he says.
The rhythm of life in the village starts before sunrise. The best time for bible study is in the cool of the morning.
‘Activities happen very early in the morning. My wife is a teacher and goes to school to teach the kids. In the evening, she has a reading programme that she has started under a tree near our house with the local kids,’ Robert says.
Through teaching and discipleship, Robert is planting and watering believers– and leaving the rest up to God.
He says the ultimate aim, leaving behind a strong and self-sustaining indigenous church, is a long-term endeavour.
‘Being a missionary is a long-term thing. My parents were missionaries too, so I have always known that you cannot achieve things quickly. It’s about being there for the long term. We need to keep going. It might take twenty years to establish if we keep going,’ he says.
‘We have to go and do what the Lord has called us to do and he himself will do it. Our work is just obeying God.’
Robert hopes the growth he sees will continue and increase.
‘We are working in four villages now. It is busy. There are more villages that are unreached. Even some where the schools are not functioning. We are praying for more workers because we are finding that we are few.’
I have always known that you cannot achieve things quickly. It’s about being there for the long term. It might take twenty years to establish if we keep going