🌍 Nile Orphan Care Missions Update – July & November 2025
📐 Discipleship Training Center Construction
Psalm 127:1 (NIV)
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”
Two mission teams traveled to Juba, South Sudan to begin construction on our new 80x24 ft Discipleship Training Center Thanks to training from PCC (Partners for Compassionate Care), our local team learned how to pour the foundation. The building includes:
• 4 classrooms with a roll-up center wall for Sunday worship.
• A 16 ft veranda to shield from the intense heat.
• Space for expanded vocational training beyond farming and construction.
This project was made possible by the Birtcher Family Foundation, PCC, and families from Michigan and Jasper, Indiana. One Michigan family has led the effort and visited four times. God is using these individuals to bring hope and model Christian living. Nile Orphan Care continues to be blessed by the hard work and support of so many partners. The design of this building was originally a concrete 40x21 ft building. Andrew from Michigan, used his construction expertise and relationships in the area redesigned the building to what you see below. More space, cooler for our orphans ( heat dissipation of metal vs concrete which holds the heat of the day) and better versitility with retractable walls. We are grateful and blessed by so many folks.
Discipleship training center completed. Center wall can retract so we can have all kids inside for church!
🚿 Bathrooms & Water Systems
John 7:38 (NIV)
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
A construction expert helped install our first restrooms with running water, including:
• 3 bathrooms attached to the girls' dormitory.
• The first shower system ever available to our children.
• A septic system that conserves water and eliminates costly quarterly waste management.
Bathroom addition to our year old girls dormitory. First running water toilets in the orphanage. Showers and sinks to boot!
💡 Communications & Power
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
We’ve made major strides in infrastructure:
• A solar power system now lights the orphanage, enabling study after dark.
• A Starlink satellite provides internet access.
• Our old dining room is now a conference center for bi-weekly Zoom calls with PCC and discipleship leaders.
New Starlink satellite next to our new solar power provided by Partners for Compassionate Care out of Michigan.
🌱 Farming & Vocational Training
Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)
“They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Now in Year 3, our vocational farming program continues to grow:
• First harvest of papayas completed.
• Water distribution systems installed.
• Crops include cassava, cowpea, okra, and string beans.
While not yet enough to feed all children, this program teaches valuable life skills for when they age out of the orphanage.
Mango and papaya trees along with cow pea and cassavas add to our daily single meal of rice and beans.
👕 Clothing, Shoes & Backpacks
1 John 3:17 (NIV)
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”
• Sew Blessed Kentuckiana sent hundreds of custom-sewn outfits (our kids are tall!).
• PCC provided several hundred pairs of “Shoes That Grow”, expandable by 4–5 sizes.
• Many children still need shoes, but we are deeply grateful for these blessings.
Auntie Beverly from PCC getting clothes ready to distribute to our orphans. Some only have one set of clothes…
Team from Sew Blessed Kentuckiana - they have donated hand sewn clothes made special for our orphans - are kids are really tall
✝️ Spiritual Growth
Ephesians 4:4–6 (NIV)
*“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when y...
Tim Ferree with Discipleship global - DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING.
🕊️ Covet your prayers and support
We covet your prayers and support as we continue to provide hope and a connection to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Some are called to go, some to teach, some to pray—but we are all part of the body of Christ. Your individual support—whether through prayer, giving, or serving—is deeply valued and essential to this mission.
May God bless you as you walk with us in love, unity, and purpose
🌍 Rebuilding Hope: A Facilities Update from Nile Orphan Care – October 2025
In early 2023, Nile Orphan Care in Juba, South Sudan, was struck by a devastating flatline wind event that left a trail of destruction across our campus. Two dormitories were flattened. Our kitchen and four classrooms were destroyed. Three more classrooms lost their roofs. Debris from the collapse tore through several sections of our security fence. Five of our children were injured—thankfully, none required hospitalization. It was a moment of heartbreak and uncertainty.
Collapsed roof and debris from dormitory destruction
Security fence damage and community cleanup efforts
But in the face of devastation, God’s faithfulness never wavered.
🙌 A Story of Restoration
With limited funds but unwavering faith, our local leaders and a team of dedicated volunteers from the United States came together to chart a path forward. What followed was nothing short of miraculous:
• 🏠 Temporary housing was secured for all 192 of our overnight children, ensuring no child was left without shelter.
• 🧱 We partnered with a local construction expert who trained our older children to make concrete blocks—equipping them with practical skills and a sense of ownership.
Age appropriate orphans were taught how to make our own concrete blocks.
• 🛠️ Using those very blocks, the children helped build two brand-new dormitories, rising from the rubble with their own hands.
Concrete block kitchen, water tank and stoves. Above we are connecting our new solar powered starlink.
• 🍲 Our kitchen was rebuilt, classroom roofs were repaired, and the security fence was restored—all completed on the very day our temporary housing contract expired. God’s timing was perfect.
• 📚 This November, we will complete construction on four new classrooms, finally moving our 1st–3rd grade students out from under the trees and into safe, permanent learning spaces.
Today, our children have a secure place to eat, learn, and sleep. What was once a disaster zone is now a testimony of resilience, faith, and community. Go God.
📖 God’s Heart for the Fatherless
Throughout this journey, we’ve held tightly to God’s promises—reminders that He sees, loves, and defends the orphan:
Isaiah 1:17
💛 Thank You
To every supporter, prayer warrior, donor, and volunteer—thank you. You’ve been the hands and feet of Jesus in Juba. The work continues, but the foundation is stronger than ever.
Let’s keep building. Let’s keep believing. Let’s keep showing
March 2025
Looking Back: Where We See God Moving
In the past month, we have witnessed God’s hand in many areas. A shipping container filled with food and construction materials is successfully on its way and is expected to arrive in late April or early May. We see these children leaning into the Love of Christ.
Food Sustainability
Northside Christian Church and Lifeline Ministries have teamed up with a goal of supplying over 60,000 meals as part of the church’s Serve Day project in New Albany, IN. Additionally, we have secured local wholesale prices and availability on rice and beans, which can be mixed with Nutri-Plenty nutrient packs from Alliance for Better Nutrition, purchased through our friends at Love the Hungry. This will allow the single meal a day we currently provide to be healthy. Nutri-Plenty micronutrients reduce childhood morbidity by over 60%.
Drought and Heat Wave
NorthsideOver the past two weeks, we have experienced severe drought and a heat wave, which has significantly impacted the local community. Due to these extreme weather conditions, the government has temporarily halted daily school activities to focus on the children’s health and well-being. Though school was not in session, the compound is still the safe haven.
Facilities Improvement
Our friends from Partners for Compassionate Care recently completed a scouting and planning visit to the orphanage. They laid out the site for the replacement of our four classrooms, which will take place later this year. The team also connected the compound to the internet, enabling us to continue teaching, coaching, training, and discipling our teachers and staff.
Local Juba Volunteers and Staff
We want to highlight the dedication and sacrifice of our local team. We average between 30 and 40 folks in country who daily put these children’s needs ahead of their own. NOC is working to help offset their sacrifices financially.
Looking Foward: Where We Believe God Will Work
Discipleship Training in April and May
Our partners, including Tim Ferree from Discipleship Global (DG), will be leading discipleship training sessions. Our local team, led by Tor Jacob, continues to teach the basics of discipleship to our local team and six surrounding schools. In June, a team from Teach to Transform will provide trauma training and ministry for our young leadership and teaching staff. NOC strives to utilize what God provides us, as illustrated in the story of the two fishes and five loaves.
Using God’s Local Provision – He Always Finds a Way
The story of the two fishes and five loaves, found in John 6:1-14, tells of Jesus feeding a multitude with just five barley loaves and two small fish. Despite the seemingly insufficient amount of food, Jesus gave thanks and distributed it to the people. Miraculously, everyone ate as much as they wanted, and the disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. This miracle demonstrates God’s ability to provide abundantly, even from the smallest resources. It reminds us to trust in God’s provision and to be grateful for His blessings, no matter how small they may seem.
Relief Container
We are working towards obtaining the funds to send another shipment of food to Juba, leaving in early summer. Goal to fill with items we cannot source in country and provide food relief, working towards a second meal daily for the children.
Board Updates
The NOC board has welcomed two new members: Ted Miller from Jasper, IN, who recently retired from the healthcare industry and brings a wealth of godly wisdom, and Evan Nord from Louisville, KY. Evan and his wife, Katelyn, went on a mission with us to Juba last year. Both have been assisting the board on committees, with Evan officially joining the board this past session.
Founder Mission
John Deng Ater and his wife Deborah and their 5 children are planning a 2 month trip back to Africa this summer. This will allow Deborahs mother the first time to see 4 of her grand children. John will spend much of the time in Juba with the local staff. John and Deborah have given tirelessly over the past 12 years to drive and maintain NOC in South Sudan. If you would like to walk with them with support click the donate button.
