Report Out of Sudan
Taylor Thomas
December 1, 2004

    Recently, I spent almost two weeks in Sudan learning the people and ministering to their needs. There were times I thought to myself, "I can't believe I'm in Africa." At one point Sam (the 7-year-missionary-to-Sudan) turned to me, "I still can't believe I'm in Sudan." We laughed. We were able to laugh together a lot (which was good because one could have turned to depression with what we saw and heard). We had a team of 6 men along with SPLA (Sudanese Peoples' Liberation Army) soldiers going into northern Uganda and New Sudan (southern Sudan). We spent most of our time in Nimule, New Sudan working on the compound and preaching to the people and celebrating Jesus Christ in singing and dancing. We spoke to over 4,000 people seeing at least 70 profess Christ as their Savior. The people there lead simple lives and showed us deep respect. Though they lead kind and quiet lives, a cloud of oppression lingers overhead in the way of evil militant groups who displace whole villages, kill parents (leaving many orphans) as well as children, and rape women, young girls and young boys. An ongoing war for all of 21 years has plagued the Sudanese people. 2 million have died, many of them murdered, with 1.8 million being displaced in these some two decades. A quarter million have been slain at the hands of rebel militia. The Darfur area of Sudan (mostly Muslim) has seen 50,000 die from disease alone, as well as another 20,000 from starvation (largely because Christians are rejected by the GOS--Government of Sudan). I've thought to myself, "this genocide has gone on almost my whole life, yet this is the first I am hearing about it! Why? Why hasn't anyone told me until now?" If I have only just heard, well maybe it's just me but this probably means that little is being done about it from the Body of Christ where I live. Why?

    I met men who have been shot 3 and 5 times, one man who had his arm shot off, a girl who was shot in the back, and another girl who had been raped by several soldiers to the point that she could not walk. I spoke with one of the soldiers who told me two of his infant children had died because they could not afford medical assistance. He also told me how he and the soldiers he serves with have gone 72 hours without food and water, just fighting. I spent some time with another man and his family, William (he translated for us--he also slept outside in the bush one night when rebel militants were close) shared how his family has gone 3 days sun up to sun down without food. If we do not inform each other, who will? Sam and his soldiers have rescued 333 children from the front lines of battle. As you read this, families will starve, children will die, and your brothers and sisters killed. "Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves are also in the body" –Hebrews 13:3.

   Our ministry is seeking to work in conjunction with World Missions Shekinah Fellowship (www.boyerspond.com) to minister to the people in New Sudan. Narrow Road Ministries is planning to send me again into Sudan for 3 months to counsel the children in the late summer. Remember the orphans and widows who cannot defend themselves. Forget not.
 
In all sincerity for Christ's glory and renown,
Taylor Thomas
Narrow Road Ministries

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