The Face of Love in Southern Sudan

Born without her left hip, leg and
kidney, Michele Perry, 32, has faced adversity from birth. By age 13
she had already undergone 23 surgeries.

Not
allowing her disabilities to sideline her, the Florida native went on
to become a missionary in the slums of Bangladesh, India and, most
recently, Yei, Southern Sudan.

“My
visible sign of need opens doors … to share Jesus,” she says. “People
want to know why I am here and how I could possibly be happy, so I tell
them about the One who is the love and joy of my life—Jesus.”

Perry
is the founding field ministry director for Iris Ministries Sudan
(IMS), a ministry that works in conjunction with Heidi and Rolland
Baker of Iris Ministries Inc. in Mozambique.

She
and the indigenous IMS team now care for 110 children in residential
care and around 90 children in their community care program.

“I’ll
be honest, I do miss hot baths and 24/7 power and the Internet, but in
the long run, it is a small price to pay.” For Perry, these challenges
can’t compare to living God’s dreams for her life.