A Summer In The Psalms: Can You Hear Me Now? Psalm 71 by Pastor Rick Allen
FBC Corvallis Sharing August 30, 2009
Comments Off The situation in southern Sudan remains difficult for believers which the Theisens hoped to serve before medical problems forced them to return home last fall.
Their push north from Uganda into the Sudan to begin a new work remains unfinished, and the situation calls for concerted prayer. The Theisens had returned to Africa in 2003 to assist the Ma’di Baptist Church planting effort around Kampala, Uganda in discipleship and community development. They now work in missions coaching.
Sudan’s problems draw considerable international media attention, U.N. and Africa Union peacekeeping forces, but much work remains undone, and there are signs the region may be returning to greater lawlessness.
Last month, two female aid workers (one Irish, one African) were kidnapped. Some news agencies report they may be released during Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, which began Aug. 22.
Earlier this year, the Hague-based International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for crimes against humanity. The Sudanese government-backed violence against those in Darfur has left some 300,000 dead and nearly 3 million displaced from their homes.
In the south, the Ugandan rebel group Lord’s Resistance Army has recently launched a wave of reprisal attacks against the southern Sudanese in response to a U.S.-backed attempt last December to bring LRA leader Joseph Kony to justice. Since late July more than 180 people have been killed. Some 25,000 of 230,000 displaced people from area wars have entered southern Sudan, seeking refuge. Food supplies remain a problem, affected by drought.
Dozens of rebel groups operate in the country and tribalism causes groups to engage in cattle rustling and to dispute water rights. Please pray for the church in Sudan and the Theisens as they transition to new work in Portland. (See http://sudanpartnership.org/wordpress/)
Ramadan Muslim prayer focus — The Guhayna people of Sudan
Nomads wandering Central Sudan, the Guhayna trace their heritage to Bedouins who trekked across the deserts of Saudi Arabia centuries ago. Numbering some 1.3 million, the Guhayna embrace rigid codes of honor, loyalty and hospitality; strong men’s roles, the value of children, subservient women and adherence to the five pillars of Islam. Confessing Christ as Lord has serious consequences. No one is actively reaching out to the Guhayna for Christ. (Taken from 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus.)
Comments Off Knowing Jesus: John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:15-20 by John de Vos
FBC Corvallis Sharing August 23, 2009
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