Cush
Library
Empowering Minds, Enriching Souls: Where Books Build Bridges and Communities Flourish
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.”
Proverbs 3:13-14
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Bank Details
BSB: 633000
Account: 206082646
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Who?
This library is being created to complement the work of RP Global Mission's Cush4Christ ministry near the town of Aweil in South Sudan.
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South Sudan, located in East Africa, gained independence in 2011, but faces ongoing humanitarian challenges, including public health issues, climate and economic shocks, conflict, food insecurity, and governance problems. It is considered one of the world's poorest countries. English is the national language, with over 70 other languages spoken among 64 ethnic groups, with Dinka being the largest.
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In Northern Bahr El Ghazal, the Cush4Christ ministry serves the Dinka people. Aweil, the nearest large city, is about an hour away by car. Education is now available to local children but healthcare is expensive, internet access is unreliable, and societal challenges include early marriage for girls, frequent school absences for domestic work, polygamy, and abuse.
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The Crossroads Training Centre, Cush Christian School (CCS), and other facilities, CCS is staffed by an American principal and indigenous personnel with no formal training. The library is a new concept in this setting, expected to serve students, school staff, pastors, missionaries' children, and eventually, the broader community. It is expected that it will require time, exposure, and promotion for regular use to be adopted by the local community.
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A committee of passionate individuals from the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia are organising the selection of books, delivery to Aweil, and set up.
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Read more about our story here.
What?
The library will be comprised of three collections:
Ministry Resources
This collection will assist ministers in their sermon preparation. It also contains books about pastoring a congregation, personal growth materials and general ministry resources.
Teacher Resources
These include books for educators to improve their teaching practice, resources that can be used in curriculum development, as well as items that can be used directly with students.
General Collection
This collection will feature quality non-fiction titles, picture books, and chapter books. It will be utilised by the school, those involved in the Cush4Christ ministry, and eventually the wider community.
Where?
To begin with, the resources for the ministers will go into a building on the compound that was a former radio station but is currently being used as meeting rooms.
The Teaching Resources and General Collection will be housed in the school. This is a dynamic set-up based on how it will best meet the users needs.
When?
This depends on how quickly we can raise funds and gather volunteers. We would like to see the rest of the books purchased, crated and shipped before July 2025 (Phase 1) knowing that things may move more slowly once they depart Australia. Ideally, the books will be in Aweil and we can send a librarian to help set up and train a local worker in January 2026 (Phase 2).
This is perhaps the most important question of all!
Under our Purpose Statements you can read that we recognise the Bible as the "inspired, infallible word of God" and as the primary medium through which God has revealed Himself. This is evidence of the profound role literature plays in conveying divine truths and shaping the Christian worldview. Literature contributes to a deeper understanding of the Bible. When literacy skills grow and develop, a fuller understanding of Scripture is enabled. Books offer a window to the world and the human condition and provide experiences beyond the here and now. This offers a richer context for the truths of the Bible. A library is more than a book repository; it serves as a gateway for broadening perspectives and fostering a deeper understanding of how we can glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Hebrews 13:16 begins, "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have..." God has blessed us with a group of individuals with the desire, skills, knowledge and passion to meet this need. Please consider how you might join us on this journey.