Changing Situation in Sudan
The violence that pervades the country of Sudan is nothing if not complicated. In Darfur, it is a complex mix of racial hatred, tribal warring, and political opportunism. The civil war between the Muslim north and the predominately Christian south was a little simpler as far as motivation, but has suddenly grown very complex.
A few years ago, the north and south signed a peace agreement that ended the civil war as such, though it did not stop the violence against Christians perpetrated by the ever-present Islamic militias. The peace agreement allowed members of the southern government, based in Juba, to have representation in the northern, Khartoum government, so that both sides would work together. Last week, that peace agreement took a blow as the representatives of the southern government (Sudan People's Liberation Movement, or SPLM) pulled out of the northern government in protest.
This move has many, including myself, wondering if Sudan's imminent future contains another civil war. The last one was the longest civil war in Africa's history, causing the deaths of 1.5 million people, and going back to war could have tragic consequences. Much remains yet to be seen, and of course, God is in control. (I think particularly of Proverbs 21:1: "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.") We need to be praying not only for the country of Sudan, but for our brothers and sisters in Christ that have so much to lose if war returns.
I would also ask you to pray for our upcoming trip and long-range projects planned for Sudan. Our planned work is in an area controlled by the northern government, even though there is a large population of Christians. It is an area that was devastated in the last civil war. Now, more than ever, our work is needed, and pray that God would open all of the doors as He leads this project forward!
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