This weekend, I get the opportunity to share a report of my Sudan trip with our church here in Nairobi and to give a first hand report of our missionary to Abiriu, Sudan, which means I have to sum up the whole thing in less than two minutes of video and audio report. That is why I am blogging today. I want to get some thoughts that will summarize the thoughts I want to leave with our people in Nairobi.
Three things come to mind regarding Sudan in this year of the Extraordinary:
1. Extraordinary Hardship: Sudan is a hard place and is not for the feint in heart. A combination of war, generation gap and the proliferation and supply of assault weapons among the civilian population has created a bit of a wild west scenario. Illiteracy has made reasoning a challenge at every level of authority and arguments can easily escalate into violence quickly. It is the graveyard of many missionaries and relief workers. It is also the graveyard of many Kenyan and Ugandan business people. The UN and many aid organizations have lost hope of a solution for Southern Sudan. But that is where God's people can make a transforming difference...
2. Extraordinary Opportunity - If you are the right people... Sudan is a land filled with opportunity for the godly. Most Kenyans and Ugandans who have died because of immorality. It is hard to find a friendly face on the streets of Rumbek, but I can report with great excitement, that Silas is a happy man who loves where he is serving and the people he serves. Whereas many foreigners are seen as intruders, he is fully accepted and loved by the villagers of Abiriu and Abiacho, the village that houses New Sudan Lighthouse Church. In Abiriu (where Pr. Samuel and Silas live) we have been given approximately 3000 acres of land to come (and I quote) "...open our eyes!" The elders of Abiriu have been approached by Muslims from the North to sell them land and they have refused, but have freely given us land as Christians. The invitation has been extended to all our friends.
3. An open door to engage in the birth of a nation - Southern Sudan is set to hold a referendum in Jan., 2011 to decide whether they want to secede from the rest of Sudan and become their own nation. I believe that they will vote to a man to do so, and we will witness the birth of the 196th nation of the world. We are invited to be there... We have the door. We have the training, we have the character, we have God with us. Let us go up and bring the New Sudan to Christ! Lets really open their eyes!
