Sudan: Bringing Hope to the "No-Fly" Zones of Sudan, Page 2

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"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not dispairing" 2 Cor. 4:8

	Kamissa's home in ashes.

Bringing Hope to the "No-Fly" Zones of Sudan

The woman was sitting on the ground amidst the dirt and ashes. She had no home left. The whereabouts of her husband and daughter were unknown. All their family's possessions were now ashes being blown about by the winds. One could tell by the look in her eyes there was no comfort for her. Even though we came from the other side of the world and couldn't speak her language it was obvious what she was experiencing. The heartbreak and desperation reached into the depths of her soul and were spoken to us through her eyes, the only way things this heart wrenching can be communicated. The only 2 possessions this exhausted, weary soul had left were the ragged dress she was wearing and the hope that her husband and daughter were still alive, somewhere. Her name is Kamissa. She is from a village in Sudan that has been burned to the ground. Her village is located in a NO-GO zone.

Food provided by ICC.

The story of Kamissa is all too frequent from this land of devastation. International Christian Concern (ICC) has completed its 3rd trip to Sudan. ICC along with ministry partners Persecution Project and Faith in Action teamed up for our 2nd joint trip. By partnering with other ministries interested in serving the suffering in Sudan, we were able to accomplish much more than we could have individually. We were able to purchase 53 tons of relief supplies consisting of many necessary items that were destroyed when their villages were attacked, including food, clothes, blankets, fishing tackle, gardening tools, soap, and much more.

The objective of this trip was to deliver crisis relief into the "NO-GO" zones and areas regarded "RED-INSECURE" by the United Nations. Crisis relief is delivering food and materials help to sustain life in areas receiving no other assistance. NO-GO zones are areas in which the Government of Sudan (GOS) forbids the delivery of any relief aid.

	Only the fortunate managed to escape with their lives to swamps like this when their villages were attacked.

Because of the concern and generosity of our faithful supporters, we were able to make a difference in the lives of Christians and others in three villages. For the sake of security these villages will remain unnamed. All three areas were in what are called "No-Go zones." In one village there were several hundred people who had fled from a village several miles away that had been completely destroyed. Their only possessions were the clothes on their backs and a few items such as cooking pots. These exhausted people had traveled through the swamp regions for close to a week in order to reach this only village in hope of finding help and safety from the war. The only shelter they could find was under some trees which had very few leaves left or in the surrounding swamplands. The daytime temperature reached close to 110° Fahrenheit. Water is scarce and food even more scarce. The village may be safe now. However, it is only a matter of time until they may have to face the fury of the advancing GOS troops who at present surround them. 

This is a scene from everyday life inside the borders of Sudan. For 18 years these people have endured. ICC remains committed to assisting the Christians in Sudan.

Another village we visited was the temporary home of several hundred internally displaced people (IDP's) as the UN refers to them. Here we met with the governor of the region as well as an army commander. No other aid had been brought to this area for over a year. In addition, food supplies were short and the influx of refugees had brought the situation to crisis levels. This village also was completely surrounded by warring factions and most likely would be the target of future attacks. We had camped for the night sending our plane back for more relief supplies to return the next day. We were able to spend time offering encouragement in their church. They told us the only answer for their problems is God, and that we were an answer to their prayers. We spent the evening being treated to a specially cooked meal. 

(Click here for more information on Sudan.)

Continued on Page 3...  

POSTED:  June 2, 2001

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