Undying Hope: Theil's story
By late 1996, Theil, harboring a hope to leave, had found a role at his local church in Khartoum, called Kalakla Teria Church. He was a youth leader and had found a strong community of believers, an oasis of faith. But the government had other plans. In early 1997, the government bulldozed nine churches in one day, including his.
As a young man with hopes of furthering his education in Khartoum, Theil faced a tough decision. Young men had to pass through “Public Defense Force” training before they could continue education. In 1995, Theil joined one other South Sudanese in a cohort of 300 to 500 students. He was the only one from a Christian home. For weeks, the young men endured a strict diet of Islamic teaching.
Once he completed the course, he could move on to college, but at any time he could be called up to go to South Sudan and fight.
“This was when I began to think about leaving Sudan,” Theil said, saying simply that he could not return to South Sudan just to destroy his land.
By late 1996, Theil, harboring a hope to leave, had found a role at his local church in Khartoum, called Kalakla Teria Church. He was a youth leader and had found a strong community of believers, an oasis of faith. But the government had other plans. In early 1997, the government bulldozed nine churches in one day, including his.
Theil met with his pastor soon after the church destruction to seek advice. He took another step toward leaving Sudan. He also spoke with his father, who gave him his blessing, saying, “Theil, you know why you are here. You know between right and wrong. Do what is right.”
Once he set his plans in motion, Theil soon found himself in Damascus, Syria, where he spent some time before finally finding a way to the United States. Two charities in New Jersey supported him, connected him with a local family, and settled him into a new chapter in his life.
Theil arrived in the U.S. on September 27, 1998. He did not speak English, but through a translator he caught a sharp lesson. his second day in the U.S., his host mother drove him to the projects. He joined Raritan Valley Community College and started with his ESL classes.. That was the 1st step of his journey to America.
Attending Rotary District 7475's Assembly with his wife and son.
Soon after that day of deep impression, Theil wrote out a 15-year plan for his life, beginning with an education, which he completed at Rutgers. There were milestones he needed to achieve before 2014. He wanted to learn English, finish college, and find a way to bring his wife Rose, then his mother and his siblings, to the U.S., and finally return to South Sudan.
Having completed his first 15-year plan, Theil is now in the middle of his next 15-year plan, one that will move him into and through the Bay Area residency, and back to South Sudan, where he will apply everything he has learned since leaving for Khartoum as a young boy. His education, spiritual formation, life and leadership experience, and most importantly his ardent practice of faith will all come together and be used to answer his calling to be an advocate for the voiceless in South Sudan.
