By Ed Lyons

The Word of God is both valuable to and appreciated by the Nuba people of Sudan. A few years ago, I was visiting the Gigaiba Referral Hospital to check on the status of some projects.

One morning while I was walking through the village, I heard the familiar voice of Abdelaziz. He was probably a hundred yards away and sitting on the wheelchair tricycle we had previously given him.

Abdelaziz suffers from cerebral palsy and has difficulty getting over the rough terrain of the Nuba region. The wheelchair tricycle makes it possible for Abdelaziz to be more independent.

As I gazed in his direction, he was frantically waving his greetings to me. I smiled and waved back before proceeding to my scheduled meeting.

When I returned to my accommodations later that evening, I discovered Abdelaziz waiting for me. We had a nice visit before saying goodbye for the night. During the night, I was awakened by a torrential rainfall and remember being thankful I wasn’t outside getting drenched.

In the morning, I saw Abdelaziz outside the compound completely soaked and sitting in the mud under our vehicle. I immediately brought him inside thinking he had returned early that morning.

I discovered Abdelaziz had never gone home. Unbeknownst to us, he had remained all night under the vehicle during the downpour. I will never forget his response when I asked why he had stayed in such an uncomfortable place.

He said he wanted an audio Bible and was afraid we would leave before he returned. With tears in my eyes, I handed him what he had requested.

Abdelaziz is not the exception. I have met numerous Sudanese whose only desire is to have their own copy of God’s Word. Please help us meet this great need.

As I recount this story once again, I am reminded of Psalm 119:162, “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.”