It was a hot day, 104 degrees of heat rippled across the dry grass as Mimi with her head hung low walked toward her home. There were little tears streaming down her dusty face leaving little trails as she dragged a torn pillowcase behind her. If you peeked behind her you could see a small wift of smoke rising up from where she had departed from.
The kids had all worked together to build a citadel of grass huts where they set up “home” and played during the day. After a few snake sightings it had to be burned down for their safety. Mimi had come from gathering her things. A sigh escaped from her lips and she said, “now we are all of us refugees, Kawaijja (white skinned), Dinka, Shilluk, Mabaan, and Uduk. All of us kids are refugees together.”
The image of Mimi and her words have been haunting me the last few days as we’ve been praying, crying, and praying some more. It tells the story of loss, rebuilding, and loss again. It tells the story of children who know what it is like to be driven from home, the effects of losing everything and the uncertainty of rebuilding. It tells a story that I cannot put into words well through my limited exposure, experience and griefs. It tells the story of South Sudan.
Often we obey God and as we obey we walk through graveyards of failed expectations and fields of surprise joys and blessings. Often when things don’t go as planned we trust in blind obedience that God has a plan as we grieve, at times he gives us clarity as he whispers, “for such a time as this I have brought you here”. It doesn’t make any of the griefs or tears shed go away but it is a gift of clarity of action and purpose.
Dear friends as we reflect on 2013 we see a landscape of graveyards and fields of unspeakable joys. In this time many questions remain but God has been whispering to us that he brought us here for this time and that even though we are sad and grieving in our graveyard of buried hopes He has a reason for each puzzle piece this past year. Our hearts are so burdened for our second home, our second family and the faces, the friends, the people that make up this country. Our beloved South Sudan is in a battle, a battle where fear and hatred are strong contenders against hope, peace and love. Will you join us in passionate prayer for the Prince of Peace to reign in South Sudan?
I am writing because I believe that you are a part of our South Sudan team for such a time as this. I believe God has softened your heart and love for this country over the years so right now you could stand alongside this nation in prayer. We know we pray to the Prince of Peace who can change a nations history, and redeem even this in a powerful way. Stand with us?
-The C- Family
1) Please pray for those that know God and are seeking God in South Sudan that as they are faced with a difficult crisis of who they will pledge their allegiance to, family, tribe, politically and personally that their obedience to God will first and foremost guide both their actions and allegiances.
2) Please pray for the Sudanese church and leaders, especially this Sunday these leaders have the ability to really set the tone for the church’s response in conflict. Pray they will take this responsibility seriously and use the authority God has given them to lead the church in a way that honors Christ.
3) We love this African Proverb; Wood already touched by fire is not hard to set alight. Please pray that Satan will not use the history of South Sudan to hurt the people and the church and to blind judgement or suspend morals. Pray that the past sins and hurts will not be used to stir up conflict among people.
4) Finally pray for the Southern Sudanese, as they deal with grief, fear, and for many needing to flee or seek refuge yet again from violence. As is often the case the action of a few affects the response and lives of the many.
Tvrdik Family Mongolia! We are praying earnestly tonight, tomorrow and the days ahead for peace!
Thanks Tvrdik family!
praying from Charlotte, NC.
Thank you Mary!
Praying for South Sudan and the beautiful people that our Lord loves and gave His life on the cross for. May our God bring peace and safety and salvation as they walk through this time…such a time as this. First Baptist Church, Eugene, Oregon.
Thank you for praying for us the South Sudanese people. Yes, the Lord loved us and he died for us (John 15:13-14)…
Thanks Vikki!
Praying for all these things from Auburn, WA!
Thanks Katie we love you!
Praying from Snohomish, Washington.
Thanks Linda!
Praying from Auburn, WA
Thank you Debbie!
You are in our prayers. We’re so thankful for this message that gives us more specific guidance in how to pray. Love and blessings to you as we celebrate our Savior’s birth.
Steve and Kathy
Thanks for praying Kathy and Steve
Praying from Glendale Arizona
Thanks Leanne!
Praying from Huntersville, NC
Thanks for praying Carolyn
Dave, Daniel and I are praying for you from Lake Tapps, WA. Thank you, Abuk, for your godly perspective, your example of faith, and your encouragement to us, as members of your prayer team, to fulfill that God-given role.
Thank you for praying Gwen Dave and Daniel
Gene and I are praying with you from Lake Tapps, WA.
Thank you Anne and gene!
Praying in Grand Rapids, MI…thanks for giving us specific things to pray about.
Thanks Marcy!
Eric and I are praying fervently in Auburn WA
Thanks Diana, Eric and Corban 🙂
We Continue to pray with you, thank you for sharing specific ways in which we can pray. Love you guys!!!!
Maple Valley, WA
Thanks Katie love to you!
We are continuing to pray for you, your safety, your ministry, and the Sudanese people and the crisis there. It is often in the News here. (We know you from CBM and your parents. I am Zac Z’s Mom.)
Thank you Diana!
Todd and Sue Friedman are continuing in prayer.
Thanks Friedmans!
Thanks all for praying for us – the South Sudanese. My home is that, time will come when we will not be known by our tribes, but by out true Identity in Christ Jesus and as South Sudanese nationals. One day, people in this nation will not accept to be called by their tribes. They will be known as citizens of South Sudan.
Amen! This is God’s will and Love. I pray for with you.
Praying from south Florida– for The Lord to give His children in South Sudan the strength & courage they need each day.
Thank you so much Jan!
Praying in Dubuque IA.
Thank you Jim!
Praying in Fargo, ND. We have Sudanese living here and attending our church from the Melut and Rom area.