“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Ps. 82:4
On April 15th, 2023, Sudan erupted into a civil war which has subsequently broken the nation into several pieces. Violence has laid waste to most of the cities, including the capital, Khartoum, which lost 90 percent of its industry in just a few months.
More than 12 million Sudanese have been displaced, and now more than 24 million face famine conditions. Most international food aid is being filtered through the Islamist factions fighting each other and turned into weapons against civilians… or being sold to line the pockets of the Generals.
More than 1 million people have fled to the Nuba mountains region alone and are now trying to survive on leaves, bark, grass, and whatever else they can scavenge. As many as 100 children are dying each day of malnutrition.
In response, the Nuba church is reaching out to help in whatever capacity it can. And Persecution Project is partnering with the Nuba church as it seeks to serve its community.
There are four main hospitals inside the Nuba mountains, serving a patient population of over three million souls.
Two of those hospitals, Gigaiba and Tujor, rely heavily on the support of Persecution Project. We already provide more than 80 percent of all medicine distributed at these hospitals. Today, the major need is therapeutic food to treat starving children.
Last month, we shared about the terrible famine conditions in the Nuba and our desire to save 1,000 children by Christmas. This month, we can report much progress.
Because of the generosity of our ministry partners (you!), we were able to double our initial commitment. Our current goal is to deliver enough food and medical aid to save 2,000 children before the end of the year.
Despite major logistical challenges due to the war and bad weather, our teams have managed to get through… sometimes pushing tractors and other vehicles through rivers and bogs using raw human power.
With your continued prayers and support, we will reach our goal and end 2024 on a very high and encouraging note. Not only will thousands of lives be saved, but 100 times that number will be encouraged and strengthened by the witness of our ministry.
The Nuba people are surviving on leaves and grass, but also vapors of hope. Hope can keep you going even when food supplies have run out. The love of Christ ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of the Nuba community is changing the entire society. Bellies might be empty, but all the Churches are full.
The Nuba people know they cannot rely on the UN or USAID or the EU Commission on Human Rights. But they can rely on Christ, because when all the big government-backed charities fled the region after the first shot was fired, it was the Christians who remained… and have continued to minister to the people.
There may be a lot of suffering right now in the Nuba, but you can be assured that the Advent season will be observed with much celebration, even if many cupboards are bare. That is because hearts remain full, thanks to the Holy Spirit working through your active compassion.
Merry Christmas!
