Beard Family to South Sudan

04/09/2026

Well our next few weeks are about to get busier. We have Suzy, Zeke and Michael coming to Tonj next week. We have lined up battery installations at the hospital, an 11-day teaching session for a certificate in church plant, more food distributions and 5-day teaching through the calvary chapel distinctives. Exciting times!

HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST WEEK

- All of Saturday and half of Sunday, The Beard family moved out of the house that we have been staying in. This is because termites have been going crazy eating our “termite proof” walls and roof. So we are pulling the walls out and replacing it with cement walls and replacing the roof with a plastic panel roof.

- On Sunday, Ben preached from James 2:14-26 about being saved by faith alone. It covered the issue that works does not contribute to salvation, but salvation produces good works.

- Since we have visitors arriving next week, Sarah has been busy preparing the rooms and getting logistics finalised for all their travel arrangements.

- On Wednesday, Ben shared a devotion about the difference between worldly peace and Godly peace. The world’s peace means no conflict. God’s peace exists even when there is conflict. God’s peace prioritises spiritual solutions and is comfortable with mystery.

- Sarah completed another milestone with the kids. Completing the remaining assessments for term 3.

- On Friday, Ben taught all the pastors for 4 hours about the Calvary Chapel Distinctive, “Having begun in the Spirit”. This is about Christians starting their calling in the spirit but drifting into the flesh during the journey. The drift often occurs because of success. We start to think that our success came from our own wisdom or abilities. So this encouraged them to start in the spirit, continue in the spirit and finish in the spirit.

- The Beards have finally set the beginning of November as the date for returning to Australia for furlough. With the date quickly approaching, Sarah is now in planning phase of finding our route home. This has been challenging! The cheapest route was through Doha (Qatar) which is right on the Strait of Hormuz. We didn’t think that was wise and Australian travel advise agreed. Dubai is not advised as well. The cheapest route appears to fly to Jakarta (Indonesia), to Bali, to Brisbane. This is interesting since we have never taken that path before.

- Sarah finished her week off with fellowship and bible study with female staff members. We shared from John 15:16 about how each one of us has been called and we need to be obedient to our calling and to be encouraged that Jesus is always with us and he will never leave us when we remain in His will. It was a great way to end a busy week.

“And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.” James 2:23

28/08/2026

2026 UPDATE #4

We are having an influx of missionaries coming in 2 weeks. Suzy and Zeke (our fearless leaders), Mike (American missionary) and Steven (Kenyan missionary). We are looking forward ro seeing their faces.

HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST WEEK

- On Tuesday, the Beard family attended a medical outreach at a different Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp. The kids played games with the kids, Sarah joined the pastor in praying for patients and Ben collected media while building relationships. While Sarah was ministering, a husband and wife came to her for prayer. They had never heard the gospel message before, so Sarah had the blessing of being able to share the Good News with them. Both of them came to accept Jesus into their hearts. It was such a joy to see their faces turn from the dispair of displacement to the hope that is only found in Christ.

- On Wednesday, Ben shared a devotion about the nature of God and the nature of Satan. Then he linked God’s nature to peace and Satan’s nature to conflict.

- On Wednesday, the Beard family returned to Kanap to register more Internally Displaced People (IDP) for a food distribution. We were surprised to see that even more people had joined the camp. Initially, there were 4,000 people. This time, there was approximately 7,000 people. We walked through the camp collecting media and building relationships.

- Today, Ben attended another food distribution at the church. The biggest one for In Deed And Truth Ministries history. We distributed 1000 bags which is 50,000kg of sorghum. It was a long and hot day but very rewarding.

- Ben has been interviewing candidates: 2x nurses and 1x lab tech.

- Today Sarah had the privilege of sharing devotions with the women staff members of IDAT. She shared about what it means to humbly serve Jesus and not elevating ourselves above others.

- It’s assessment time for the kids, so they have been busy at work trying to get their assessments completed.

21/08/2026

2026 UPDATE #3

3 weeks being back in South Sudan and we finally feel like we have caught up and getting back into the flow.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” Isaiah 41:10

THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

- On Tuesday, we returned to Zera (AKA Kanap) to see the Internally Displaced People (IDP). There was over 500 people needing healthcare. So the team went there on both Tuesday and Thursday to ensure that everyone got seen. The Beard family went to build relationships and collect media.

- Sarah has been using these stories to connect with our support base in Australia to help raise awareness. God has really blessed this endevour and we are blown away at how God is moving in the hearts of people around the world to help those most in need.

- On Wednesday, Ben shared a devotion from Jeremiah that God’s plan for a future and hope was a plan of peace: partially now and fully in heaven. When we look unto that promise in faith, it should cause us to pray for: (1) peace now (partial) and (2) Jesus’ planned future for us to arrive now (full peace). This pursuit should cause us to chase God with all of our heart.

- During the week, Ben developed a protocol and education package about nebulizing children. On Friday, he delivered the education to the whole team. About 60 attended the session.

- Today (Friday) we opened our newly renovated neonatal ward. After devotion, the IDAT team went over and laid hands on the neonatal ward and prayed upon the ministry. Today, we will shift 5-6 neonates out of the paediatric ward into the new neonatal ward. This is only half capacity. We will work our what does work and what doesnt work… deal with the teething issues… then we will increase to maximum capacity which is about 12 patients.

- It is an assessment week for the kids. So we buckled down with the kids to gst that done. Ben spent 2 hours each morning with Ryelle to catch up on English and get her autobiography written. Sarah focused on the remaining areas.

- Sarah has also been busy building student profiles in hopes of connecting with new sponsors.

- The hospital has been recruiting a temporary nurse and lab tech. Therefore, Ben has been reading CVs to reduce the group. He also wrote a test for the nurses which assesses: (1) Their understanding of Christianity and (2) their nursing knowledge. These exams are being held now and in the afternoon he will be marking those 12 exams.

This rain season has been very dry which has made it very difficult for people to grow food this season. Last night we had 4 hours of rain which was beautiful. We were so happy to receive it. However, when we woke up this morning it was cold and all we could think about was those IDPs without shelter who had to sleep on the wet dirt and in the coldness. Please keep them in your prayers 🙏

“Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help for him in God. But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.” Psalms 3:2-5

18/08/2026

15/08/2026

2026 UPDATE #2

Another busy week! Late nights, early morning. Hopefully that flattens out over the next week. We didn’t get many photos.

HIGHLIGHTS over the last week.

- Sarah had her final assignment for her subject due on Monday, so she buckled down and got it done over the weekend.

- On Tuesday one of our staff members was hosting a thanksgiving party. After facing a very challenging year, they wanted to thank God for His protection and healing. So Sarah took a carload of people and enjoyed the afternoon celebrating Gods provision.

- Ben shared a devotion on Wednesday about peace. He took the angle of the church being the ones restraining evil and when we are raptured, there will be no one to restrain evil.

- On Thursday, the Beard Family went to the church to do another food distribution. This was a bit intense again. Thousands of starving people standing at a gate trying to get inside for the chance of getting enough food for 1 week to 1 month.

- On Friday, Ben’s nurse side came out again. He delivered an education session on how to suction paediatric/neonatal airways using mechanical suction. We had doctors, clinical officers, nurses, midwives and clinical assistants present.

- Ben spent half a day on Thursday and a full day on Friday making an fundraising video for In Deed And Truth Ministries.

- It was Sarah’s Birthday on Thursday. We kept if low key. The kids cooked her breakfast and Jonah made her a tiger our of mud and then painted it. It actually looks really good 🐯🎉.

- Friday evening Sarah went over to the hospital to visit a patient. While she was there she got the opportunity to pray for a staff members child who had been admitted for a respiratory infection.

- When we were in Italy, we saw the biggest onion we have ever seen in our life. We had to buy it and bring it back to South Sudan. Jonah made the biggest onion rings ever for our weekend lunch. Now we are planting that onion root in the ground to see if we can grow another giant onion 🤣

- We have all been a bit sick. Some with respiratory illness and some with stomach sickness. Please keep this in your prayers. 🙏

- Ben walked into the maternity ward a saw a lady laying ont he floor. So he jumped in to help out with the emergency. Then he drove the ambulance to take her to the government hospital. So he upgraded from a nurse to a paramedic. 🤣😉🔥

“And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7

07/08/2026

2026 UPDATE #1

A Random update. We have been back into Tonj for 11 days. We tried to update you on day 7 but time and busyness prevented us.

It is hard to believe we were in Italy 12 days ago. We feel like we have been in South Sudan for 3 months.

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN DOING?

- we have returned to our routine things like Tonj Calvary Church on Sunday, Leaders devotion on Mondays, leaders meeting on Mondays, Beard devotions on Wednesdays, etc.

- Last Friday, IDAT did a food distribution 400 sacks. Each sack is divided between 4 families. This is enough to feed the family for 1 week to 1 month, depending on how many days they skip meals before eating again. It was good that Ben went alone because the people were so desperate that crowds were pulling every leader around trying to get food. Ben could not stay for long. He got some media and left.

- On Tuesday, Ben drove to Wau. This is about a 2.5 hour drive. This is the furtherest he has gone out of the compound since the beginning of the year. The freedom felt great! We bought furniture for the hospital, fixed the car air conditioner, bought meat and vegetables, looked for security batteries, had lunch and then returned to Tonj. It was a big day!

- On Wednesday, Sarah shared a devotion about not gossiping.

- On Wednesday, the Beard Family drove to a Internally Displaced People (IDP) cluster under a strip of mango trees. There was about 1,500-2000 homeless and hungry people. Despite their hungry situation, they were so delightful! A differnt vibe compared to the food distribution. Ben got pulled away from the main crew because every person wanted to get a selfie with him in their shelter. He couldn’t believe their big smiles despite their big hunger. Ben needed to be saved from the crowd. Otherwise he would still be taking selfies 3 days later 🤣.

- On Friday, Ben taught 50 of our pastors for 4 hours. He spoke about the importance of being CALLED to be a pastor. It was very fruitful time with great questions and conversations.

- Since receiving new equipment, the nurse in Ben has come out. He has been developing protocols and education for each piece of equipment so that we can safely introduce it to floor. He is working on: airway suctioning, protecting vulnerable people, Work Health and Safety, VAYU CPAP machine, CBC blood machine and intravenous pumps. A list that will keep him busy over the next few weeks.

- Sarah and the kids have been hard at work getting caught up with school and getting assessments done.

- Ben and Sarah have also started planning our trip back to Australia. Aiming to return at the end of November. It is very liquid at the moment.

There is plenty more happening in between. However, these are some of our highlights.

“Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him,
Nor speak anymore in His name.’ But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.” Jeremiah 20:9

06/08/2026

🙏 Keep this in your prayers 🙏

31/07/2026

This is what has kept us busy for the last 2 days. Yesterday, we took several truck loads of food from our compound storage to the Calvary Chapel Tonj Church.

Then Today we distributed the food which is very cluttered, busy, messy, hot, intense and rewarding.

29/07/2026

A fun day in the hospital serving with In Deed And Truth Ministries.

28/07/2026

WE ARE BACK! IN TONJ (SOUTH SUDAN)!

2 days of travel! Yesterday started off by waking up at 3am. Italy isn’t awake at this time. So no bus or train systems which we had mastered. We returned to our older ways of catching a taxi via the Uber app.

The first journey was a 5.5 hours hour flight from Rome to Addis Ababa (Ethiopa). We are happy that we were not thrown into Ebola quarantine this time 🤣. We had 30 minutes to disembark and get to our next flight for boarding. We made it with some marathon running through the airport.

The second journey was a 1.5 hour flight from Addis Ababa (Ethiopa) to Juba (South Sudan). We arrived at 4:30pm. We fed the kids and put them to bed. Then we enjoyed some fellowship with our logistics man (Makoc).

Today we woke up at 6am to conquer the final journey from Juba to Tonj in our cute little MAF plane. We flew with a full cargo of medical equipment that is a part of the opening of the opening of Noah’s Place Mission Hospital’s new paediatric ward opened in February and the Neonatal ward which will be opened in the next few weeks.

We are glad to be back home. After 3 weeks away, we start to get home sick with the broken routines, suitcase living, differences in languages, changes in lifestyles and separation from the comfort of our own home. We are ready to get back to serving with In Deed And Truth Ministries and doing the work that God has called us to.

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God who HAS SAVED US AND CALLED US with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…” 2 Timothy 1:8-9

For now… time to unpack our suitcases!