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| Sudan |
Have you ever had such a passion
for something that no matter what path your life takes or other projects that
occupy your time, your focus keeps returning to it? Writing has been one such
passion for me. With God’s help, I’ve been able to enjoy my writing career
becoming a reality.
But I’m speaking of a different sort
of passion. One on a totally different level. One that God pierced my heart
and mind with many years ago. And in His perfect timing, if it is His will, I’ll
also see this come into fruition.
The plight of the Sudanese people
captured my heart almost fifteen years ago when I read a book written by
Canadian missionary and radio host Cal R. Bombay, "Let My People Go." He
traveled to Sudan with a group of other missionaries apart from an official
affiliate because their mission was illegal in Sudan.
The missionaries
secretly purchased slaves' freedom during the 1990s genocide committed in southern
Sudan. The book outlines the quest by the Arab Muslims in the north against the
predominantly Christian south to wipe out their culture and convert them to
Islam. After villages were burned, slave traders sold the women and children
into bondage to the north Sudanese landowners. The missionaries
risked their lives to travel to Sudan and buy slaves from the Arab kidnappers
then return them to the south. I’ve read the book so many times, it’s dog-eared
and remains one of my favorite books.
Sudan’s civil war spans decades and
rather than try to explain it, which would take thousands of words, it’s easier
to share this quote from International Medical Corps website that summarizes
the situation well:
Less publicized
than the conflict in Darfur to the north, the humanitarian crisis in South
Sudan after more than four decades of conflict, is arguably as urgent. The
First and Second Sudanese Civil Wars between North and South Sudan spanned most
of the last 50 years. The latter claimed nearly two million lives and left four
million others homeless. The civil war ended in 2005 with the signing of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), giving South Sudan autonomy and its people
the right to self-determination through a referendum on independence after six
years. The referendum took place in January 2011 and the Republic of South
Sudan became a sovereign state on July 9, 2011. However, despite many successes
under the CPA, South Sudan remains one of the most underdeveloped areas in the
world. (International Medical Corps)
After gaining their independence,
South Sudan citizens continue to be attacked by North Sudan forces and the
likes of Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) who routinely
kidnaps young South Sudanese boys, terrorizes them, and forces them into military
service. South Sudan has needs on all fronts—humanitarian, infrastructure,
medical, spiritual, safe water, and basic survival.
Since my heart has been stirred
for the Sudanese, it’s been my desire to travel to Sudan as part of a mission
effort. And though I feel God gave me this desire, He has to make it happen. My
effort would never succeed on its own. So many obstacles have to be
supernaturally overcome, not the least of which are my own human weaknesses. We’re
working on those. J
Meanwhile, I support others the
door has opened for, which brings me to the Gonzalez family who’ve become
special friends in the last two years. Dawn is a fellow Christian writer and
mother who I share many things in common. Her husband Mike pastors Columbia World Outreach Church in Columbia, SC, and their son Adrian is a Christian
singer. Mike and Adrian will travel to Sudan and then to Kenya in
August to participate in pastor training conferences. One of the many things sorely lacking in South Sudan is training for Christian pastors. Among Adrian's music is Christian rap, which is well received in African countries.
Please pray for their
mission work, as well as their spiritual and physical health. The Missions page
listed at the top of the blog has more detailed information about their trip. If
you would like to prayerfully consider giving a financial donation to
help pay for this costly trip, please click on this link to make an online donation. They have roughly half of the trip’s
expense left to raise.
And most of all, please pray for
the South Sudanese people whose needs are many.
Our worship song is “My Hope Is
In You,” by Aaron Shust, dedicated to the Oklahoma City victims and their
families in this difficult time of mourning and rebuilding. Aaron sings from a
place of his own pain. His toddler son suffered a rare, life threatening
illness God healed him of. Then Aaron’s wife gave birth to a baby boy with Down’s
Syndrome who’s had major health problems. This video is heart-wrenching, but it
speaks well to where our hope is found—in the comforting arms of our Savior.
If you have a need, I’d love to
pray for you. Leave a comment or e-mail me confidential requests. Would you
please take a moment to pray for others who leave comments, as well as those
listed on the prayer list at the top of the blog? I’d sure appreciate it. J
God bless,
Laura
✞
©Laura Hodges Poole
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