DEEP UNDERSTANDING: Sudan, July 09
It would be impossible to subsume the entire history of the conflict in Sudan in a paragraph. Let it suffice to say that during the Second Sudanese Civil War (1985-2005, currently experiencing a six year period of relative peace pending the outcome of a referendum to be voted upon in 2011), nearly 2 million people were killed. Most of them were civilians. Most were in Southern Sudan. A startling number of them were women and children. It was one of the greatest losses of life since World War II. Political, tribal, religious, and other differences aside, there is no question that this has been a terrible, terrible tragedy. And it is too soon to say that it is over.
Many men in Sudan have shared their stories with us—how their lives were utterly torn apart. One man related a ghastly truth, “Even now, two boys (my nephews!) are living as slaves in the North!” “I saw my three sisters killed,” said another. It was an impromptu gathering. I guess we each felt the need to voice our reasons for what we are doing. We went around the circle, each man telling a story, the details of which I cannot bear to relate. These men have seen the worst—the absolute worst.
And yet, incredibly, they forgive. They dare to hope. I shall never forget the words that concluded this short extemporaneous meeting. I thanked God for bringing me into the presence of such sacrificial greatness. I still feel humbled.
The words were spoken by a man who, as a boy, endured unfathomable brokenness. His sentence hung in the air—glittering raindrops of redemption in a war-torn and wasted land. His words basked in the genuine assent of all present. Each nodded and remembered his own loss, and his own story of salvation:
“The only hope for peace in Sudan—is for us [he gestured at the group of wounded but risen men] to bring the gospel to these Muslims.”
Ty for Dawn Treaders
Angelina 