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Pray that God would be with our brethren in Sudan. Here is an update from them (if you want a 5 minute big picture of what is happening watch this):
The situation in Sudan is very dire and we are asking you to pray with us for the people of Sudan. Below is an update from a few days ago of what we at Greater Reach are facing.
Written April 26
“GRA had just sent five translation teams back to Sudan to do the community check of their translation of the 50 Open Bible Stories, when the war began the next day. Four of the teams (20 men) are in the Nuba Mountains, and one of the teams (6 men) is in Khartoum. We are of course concerned for them.
The 28 networks that GRA serves are in various parts of the country, but most are in three key areas: Darfur, the Nuba Mountains, and Blue Nile. All three areas are, along with Khartoum, hot spots for the conflict. One of our network leaders called Tut today while we were together in Orlando for translation meetings with our partners. He reported that they have been able to get 50 families out of Khartoum to a nearby town that is not in the center of the conflict. They are in the shell of a building that is being built but have no food. Then Tut was sent a WhatsApp message from an elder in a church in Khartoum. He reported that he and his family are living on the street after their building was bombed. We sent them help today.
We are sure that this is just the beginning for us. With 200 Sudanese MBB graduates of our Jesus Impact School of Mission serving in Sudan in addition to our 28 partner networks, we know that the opportunity and challenge of helping our brothers and sisters in Christ has just begun. We realize that at some point there will be a “world” effort to respond to the food and water crisis. Until then, GRA is positioned to encourage those we have trained and served to assess the need that is in front of them and communicate how we might help them to help their neighbors. Banks are closed however the African system of being able to send small amounts by phone from Juba to phones in Sudan is still functioning. These transactions are limited to $200 USD per day per recipient. Gratefully, this makes providing immediate help possible.
Our networks in El Fashir and Nyala Darfur are reporting mass destruction of homes and businesses. Thousands from Sudan’s Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile state are crossing the border into South Sudan’s Yida and Maban refugee areas. Yesterday 4,000 crossed over from Blue Nile state alone. GRA is currently building an Equipping Center for ministry in Yida, and we have staff there as well as in the Maban refugee area. They are assessing needs and will make recommendations to GRA soon.
GRA has much experience with war and ministry. All of the GRA team grew up in war as a result of Sudan’s previous 22-year civil war. The central path as GRA maneuvers through the reality of war is prayer. Their experience with war is that God still has a plan, their call is unchanged, and He will direct their efforts and reveal the required obedience needed through prayer.
During COVID God directed and GRA moved forward without pause and even grew as a ministry. Through the war in South Sudan, God opened the door for GRA’s ministry in refugee camps in five countries of Eastern Africa. We know that God cares, and He will reveal how we can continue to serve.
GRA has some funds remaining in an Emergency Fund which is ordinarily used to help MBB leaders who are being persecuted. However, we will use it during this emergency to assist with JISM graduates and their families, our House Church Networks, and hopefully help them reach out with some level of help to their Muslim neighbors. Most likely this fund will be exhausted in the next week.
Pray for Sudan, for God’s servants in Sudan, and for GRA as we work to fulfil our call.”
P.S. Keep praying for Shanna. The baby’s due really soon! |