The de Leeuw family served with AIM from 2014-2021; first serving on an AIM team working in Tororo, Uganda, and later serving on a team living and working in South Sudan with the Laarim people.

In July 2016 Ard and Carin joined the Focus team working among the Laarim in South Sudan. The Laarim are spread in small settlements across the rugged Boya mountain range, around 250km east of Juba. Laarim life revolves around their cattle and for many is dominated by traditional African beliefs and spiritualistic rituals. The de Leeuws’ initial focus was on cultural understanding and language development, learning from the Laarim by sharing their lives and building relationships with them. The de Leeuws then worked with this fledgling church to enable, encourage and disciple new believers. The Focus team ended in 2018, and after a Home Assignment in the Netherlands Ard and Carin returned to South Sudan until April 2021 to lead a new ministry team to continue the work among the Laarim.

As they lived and worked among the Laarim, they learnt the language and culture and spread the gospel through their relationships. They also discipled local believers and helped them to grow in their faith, encouraging them to follow Christ and bring the gospel to the people around them.

The de Leeuws wanted the Laarim to have the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus and to see God powerfully at work, changing lives and growing his church among them.