South Sudan

Since independence from the British in 1956 Sudan has suffered ongoing civil conflict. A quarter of the world’s refugees are Sudanese.

Because of the influence of Churches of Christ in Aweil, refugees from the Aweil region have naturally sought support from Churches of Christ when they arrive in Australia. At the request of their leaders, an ecumenical Sudanese congregation was established in South Australia in 2006, under the oversight of Magill Church of Christ. Leaders of the United Sudanese Fellowship approached GMP asking if our churches would support their communities in Sudan.

In June 2008, Joseph Mawien, minister of the United Sudanese Fellowship, and Steve Blacket, minister of Magill Church of Christ, travelled to Sudan to meet with church and community leaders and explore the potential for a ministry relationship between our respective communities. Earlier this year they returned to grow relationships and confirm partnerships.

Profile

Population: 42.2 million (UN 2009)
Languages: Arabic, English, Nubian and local language dialects
Average life expectancy: 56 years (men), 60 years (women) (UN)
Literacy: (15+) 60.9% (HDR 2007)
Major religions: Islam (70%), Animist and indigenous beliefs (25%), Christianity (5%)

Sudan is the largest and one of the most diverse countries in Africa, with deserts, mountain ranges, swamps and rain forests. It is the tenth largest country in the world and borders Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya and Uganda.

Made up of many tribes and language groups, Sudan can be divided into three main regions. The north includes the capital Khartoum, located in the fertile Nile Valley between the Nubian and Libyan Deserts where the population is predominantly Arab and Islamic. Southern Sudan is fertile, mostly undeveloped, and the population is African with a strong Christian influence. The region of Darfur is in Western Sudan. The people are African and practice a mixture of traditional religion and Islam.

Since independence from the British in 1956 Sudan has suffered ongoing civil conflict. In 1985 the South rebelled against the imposition of Sharia law, sparking a civil war that lasted until 2005. Southern leaders estimate 5,000,000 have been displaced and as many as 2,000,000 killed.

Since February 2003 Darfur has been decimated by government sponsored militia following a call for Jihad. While a peace treaty between north and south, signed in 2005, has been maintained under the watch of UN observers, the conflict in Darfur continues.

In 2007 Sudan was named the world’s most unstable country. A quarter of the world’s refugees are Sudanese.

An interim government based in Juba, the Southern capital, was providing self-determination for the South until a referendum in February 2011 decided the proposed independence of Southern Sudan. On 9th July 2011 the Republic of South Sudan became Africa's newest nation.

Despite being the sixth fastest growing economy in the world, Sudan still faces formidable economic problems to rise from a very low level of per capita output. Agriculture production remains Sudan's most important sector, employing 80% of the work force and contributing 39% of GDP, but most farms remain susceptible to drought. Chronic instability — including the long-standing civil war, adverse weather, and weak world agricultural prices — ensure that much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years to come.

Sources: UN website, BBC Country Profile

Churches of Christ in Southern Sudan

Churches of Christ in Southern Sudan are indigenous churches founded by local leaders with the support of American churches. Since 2001 churches have been established in various parts of Aweil, in Northern Bahr Al Ghazel (below Southern Darfur). A Bible College has also been established to train Churches of Christ pastors and evangelists. The churches have also developed clinics, wells, agriculture and micro-enterprises.

A number of Churches of Christ trained pastors have held key positions in the state government of Northern Bahr Al Ghazel and the Government of South Sudan.

Partnership with Australian Churches of Christ

Because of the influence of Churches of Christ in Aweil, refugees from the Aweil region have naturally sought support from Churches of Christ when they arrive in Adelaide. At the request of their leaders, an ecumenical Sudanese congregation was established in South Australia in 2006, under the oversight of Magill Church of Christ.

Leaders of the United Sudanese Fellowship approached GMP asking if our churches would support their communities in Sudan.

In June 2008, Joseph Mawien, minister of the United Sudanese Fellowship, and Steve Blacket, minister of Magill Church of Christ, travelled to Sudan to meet with church and community leaders and explore the potential for a ministry relationship between our respective communities. In December 2009/January 2010 they returned with Ros Stafford-Green to grow relationships and confirm partnerships. They also delivered much needed medical supplies including birthing kits. The team who visited in July 2011 were encouraged by the progress made in the establishment of Emmanuel Centre which included a program to feed and educate 240 child victims of war. This has brought hope and a brighter future for their young lives.

Partnerships that have evolved and are evolving include:

• Supporting Rev. Angelo and his team with their ministry amongst Darfurian refugees. They provide refugees with shelter, food, and basic medical assistance. His face shines when he explains that Christians and Moslems have become like a family.  Many aid agencies are being forced to leave Darfur therefore this support will be even more critical in the months to come.
  A program to provide food, housing, clothing and education is being developed in Marialbai in Aweil West County for children who have lost their parents in the civil war, leaving them at risk and without proper care or education. The Chief has offered a large piece of land in Marialbai for this ministry. You are invited to join the sponsorship program for these children.
• Finance has been donated to resource the teams from Aweil who travel north to provide care for the displaced communities in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps from the border between Aweil North and Southern Darfur. The new settlers struggle not only with traumas of war and relocation, but also are vulnerable to famine and diseases such as malaria.

  Resourcing the previously defunct Aweil Civic Hospital. Two midwives Deborah and Ang’e have requested basic medical kits, and some simple equipment for their maternity section.  A medical team in Adelaide is currently working towards sending a team to provide basic training in obstetrics.

• Supporting the existing Churches of Christ and the Aweil Bible College through partnerships with Australian churches.
• Supporting the establishment of a Church of Christ congregation in Aweil Town which will be the hub of ongoing support into the Aweil region. The need in Sudan is overwhelming, but there are clearly people caring for those in great need that we can partner with. Amongst people who have so little, even the smallest contribution can make a significant difference. For more of the story of the development of this partnership see http://fairdinkamate.blogspot.com.

Prayer Points

• Other churches with Sudanese congregations are also connecting with other regions. Pray for clear direction for those involved in deciding which needs will be focused on in these communities that have suffered so much.