Thunder begins to rumble. White hot lightning sears the darkness, burning up the Sudanese sky in its brilliance. Wind vehemently shudders the trees outside and seems to shake the room where I’m crouched on the bed inside. In a matter of minutes, the storm shrieks in. Hard and fast and intense the rain crescendos in a violent rhythm as it drums the metal roof. The storm surrounds me entirely-I can hear nothing else-it envelopes me. A chill runs up my spine.
I feel like storms in Sudan mirror the unrest here. Things from the outside may at first glance appear calm and then all hell can break loose without a moment’s notice.
South Sudan has had decades of conflict and war. The people courageously fought and finally won independence in 2011. Yet, after only a mere 2 years of independence it was ravaged by war once again. This time from within. There are 2 big (in African terms this means influential and wealthy) men in South Sudan who are fighting for power-the current President Salva Kiir (who is from the Dinka tribe, South Sudan’s largest tribe) and former Vice President Riek Machar (who is Nuer, the second largest SS tribe).
There is an African proverb that says “When two elephants fight, it’s the grass that gets trampled.” I see this come to pass here as thousands of innocent Sudanese people have lost their lives, millions their homes and their families because of the actions of government officials.
Isaiah 18: 1, 7 says “Beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, there is a land where the sound of wings is heard. A time is coming when the Lord Almighty will receive offerings from this land divided by rivers, this strong and powerful nation, this tall and smooth-skinned people, who are feared all over the world. They will come to Mount Zion, where the Lord Almighty is worshipped.” (Good News Translation)
These verses are referring to the Sudanese people. Our Ugandan and Kenyan friends tell frightening stories of these people-even today they are seen and feared. Yet, my God’s perfect timing, it is AMAZING to live and work among the SS people in this country that this prophecy foretells of. To see how God has been at work the past few years in drawing some people to Himself-of giving them a hunger for His Word. I see it in the big smile stretching across my Dinka friend Vivianna’s face as she translates a Bible story she had never heard before to the other listening women. She is giving the Lord offerings of service as she translates God’s Word.
I hear it in the heart wrenching stories of Pastor Moses’, a former SPLA leader as he miraculously survived gruesome battles during the war. He gives glory to God for saving his life and then goes on to plant 6 churches. He is giving offerings to God of evangelism.
These tall and smooth-skinned people: God is calling them to Himself. It is a story that only God can write-a story of redemption and hope against all the odds. And I’m so thankful to be a part of it. I am humbled to be a part of the work God is doing here. It fills me with joy from my head to my toes, it floods my heart with peace that passes all understanding at the greatness of our God.
I don’t know what is in store in the future for the people of South Sudan. I only know that God is in control. Although a storm of continued fighting and death may be coming, as a flood may rush in and leave devastation in it’s wake, there can also be hope and peace for the people of South Sudan. For the ones who choose Jesus Christ, although this life may be extremely difficult, there is the hope of heaven and eternity with God that they may set their eyes on. And no one or nothing can EVER take that away from them!
