We are hearing good news and difficult news from our
colleagues in South Sudan. We wanted to share, so that you can rejoice with us
and also pray.
1. PRAISE: A few new church buildings are going up - both in Juba and also in remote rural areas.
One is a church plant near the edge of Juba, supported by a larger SSPEC
congregation in Juba. Another is in the western town of Aweil, where a church
elder from Juba visited and was inspired to give a significant contribution to
help the church get their own land.
2. In Pochalla, in the remote eastern region of
South Sudan, the church has begun planting their cooperative farm for the
second year. This is a significant opportunity for church members to work
together to increase the food security and economic security of their
community. Some farmers in that area have been killed recently, so please pray
for protection as people work in the remote fields.
3. We grieve to hear of more than 200 people killed
when youth of the Murle tribe attacked several villages of the Nuer tribe.
Cattle were taken and several people abducted in the attack. These tribes have
been in conflict for some time, and it appears this was a revenge attack.
Inter-communal attacks have also happened in the Rumbek region, where I visited
in early March. We continue to pray for peace and an end to these attacks! For
more about this news and what the Presbyterian Church in South Sudan is doing
to try to help, see this article.
4. Covid-19 is increasing quickly, with 655 confirmed cases as of May 25. We have heard from friends and the news
that there seems to be an increase of people dying of suspicious causes,
although not confirmed cases of Covid-19. Pray for the health system to keep up
with the testing and treatment needed and for wisdom in the decisions made to
contain the disease. Our colleague Rev. Philip Obang also laments the increase
in hunger as many people are not able to work and activities are limited.
We are grateful that in Christ we are one body with our brothers
and sisters in different parts of the world, and that we join together in
rejoicing, grieving, and praying.
“Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with
boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16
1 comment:
Thank you for keeping us posted on the good and the bad, alike. We will pray with you.
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