Prayers for Sudan

First Arabic Presbyterian Church and the Sudanese Support Team ask for your prayers as the atrocities of war continue in Sudan. While the situation in Sudan does not often make the headlines in the U.S.A., we are following recent developments:

• The Sudanese Armed Forces report that acts of genocide, murder, rape, theft, forceable displacement and vandalism are being perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group in Sudan.
• As fighting intensified in western Sudan, Doctors Without Borders had to suspend its relief operations in the Zamzam Refugee Camp, ending life-saving humanitarian aid to thousands of displaced people.
• The Sudanese are feeling the impact of the reductions in foreign aid by the U.S.A. In South Sudan, the International Rescue Committee closed a project providing access to quality health care and nutrition services to more than 115,000 people. In Sudan, 90 communal kitchens have been closed in Khartoum (the capital city), leaving more than half a million people without consistent access to food.

(Sources: recent articles in the New York Times, Concern Worldwide, and the Associated Press)

Our Sudanese brothers and Sisters in Christ at First Arabic Presbyterian Church suffer, too, over deep concern for their family members and friends back home. The support from the Presbytery – both through prayer and financial gifts – is truly appreciated.

At the last Presbytery meeting on February 22, representatives from First Arabic Church, along with folks from the Sudanese Support Team, were invited to share their history, stories, joys and concerns. If you missed this presentation, here is a link to the video recording.