Dear Mission,
LIA has a long season of rich service in South Sudan, and God has blessed communities through the churches that have been transformed. All this despite the tribal conflicts, political division and instability. This weekend I read an AFP article entitled “UN says S. Sudan children raped, castrated, thrown into fires.”
Juba (AFP) – Warring forces in South Sudan have carried out horrific crimes against children, including castration, rape and tying them together before slitting their throats, the UN has said.
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- South Sudan rebels say they seized Unity oilfield, govt says in control Reuters
- S. Sudan expels UN official for predicting country’s ‘collapse’ AFP
“Survivors report that boys have been castrated and left to bleed to death… girls as young as eight have been gang raped and murdered,” UN children’s agency chief Anthony Lake said in a statement released earlier this week.
“Children have been tied together before their attackers slit their throats… others have been thrown into burning buildings.”
Tens of thousands are believed to have been killed in the 18-month war, although there is no clear toll. At least 129 children were killed in May in the northern state of Unity, scene of some of heaviest fighting in the civil war, Unicef added.
I reached out to connect with Gabriel, a young man who lived with my family during a previous season of severe instability. When I was connected with him on a friend’s cell phone, I learned that, three months ago, he and his family had to abruptly flee their home and village to find a peaceful place to stay. They are living in a nearby shopping center for collective security. Among thousands of others, they do not have a building to live in. Instead, they wander during the day and huddle for warmth every night. I asked if he wanted to come to Kenya and join us for this season, but he said his responsibility was to remain and protect his mom, siblings and young sister (1 month old born in these circumstances). His Father, who is a pastor, goes off daily to seek for food for the family.
More than ever, the church in South Sudan needs to be encouraged and built up. Political solutions are remote and distant. Relief from government agencies is not forthcoming. Insecurity continues and violence is rampant. The church seems to be who God blesses—and it is most resilient in the darkest of times….it is what lasts and offers both immediate and eternal hope.
We have a responsibility. We are called to be their voice. LIA has relationships in several communities in South Sudan that date back to before the country was born. By God’s grace, we have equipped churches in transformational development and they are familiar with our model. We have a national staff team located strategically in three towns in the country. A national board oversees our work and we are registered with the Government to serve in the nation. South Sudan is one of the countries we have claimed, in which the poor and the vulnerable will be transformed.
We have good news! One of our partners has committed to support our efforts in South Sudan with a $40,000 matching grant. This is great favor and we ask that you consider helping us match that $40,000, and even go beyond so that together we can respond to the plight of our brothers and sisters.
Would you join us in this special effort?
Please respond by writing a check to the address below. Or for a more immediate response, you may use the following link and mark “God loves the people of South Sudan” where it asks for “Description or Comments”.
Mail: PO Box 660367, Dallas, Texas 75266
Thank you for giving this your prayerful consideration.
In Christ,
Florence
