This morning we ask that you would join us, praising the Lord for his strong presence and mighty hand in the Rumbek community in Sudan.

We are beyond thankful and excited for the more recent developments in this great community, as God has remained faithful and has truly answered prayers.

We ask that you would take some time to truly think over and pray over the highlights of the community listed below, recognizing that these statements are a representation of transformation and empowerment for the beautiful people of this area.

-The Rumbek Medical Clinic is seeing 50+ patients a day on average.

-We were able to charter a plane to transport medicines and other supplies for the clinic.

-We have recently entered two partnerships that will funding of the school initiatives and nutrition  in the community, impacting upwards of 110 children.

-The Rumbek community has seen much rain lately allowing for crops and agriculture to flourish.

We thank God for the great favor shown to all the activities from here – the school, pastors training, clinic, farming and community work providing seeds and tools. We are so grateful for the work and are praying for continued growth in the community.

The rural vs urban divide is quite pronounced in Sudan. Health care for example, is developing much faster in the larger cities compared to many conflict-affected and disaster prone rural areas.  There are many factors hindering the increase in rural health care provision even though it seems since 2005 it has become more of a priority to the Sudanese government. The excess of many communicable diseases, food shortages caused many times by natural disasters, and a dependency on foreign relief are just a few barriers to an improved health-care system in rural cities like Rumbek.

In the midst of such despair however we are here to praise God for how he is working in one of our Sudanese partner communities, Rumbek.

The medical clinic in Rumbek, which opened early this year by a consortium of local staff and pastors, has continued to see an increased number of patients each week. Last week, a growth of over 40% patient turnout was experienced.  For this community to see regular health care services by an established clinic and trained physician is truly praise worthy. People suffering from illnesses, sickness, and significant wounds are able to receive treatment almost immediately, before the condition gets too serious and/or life threatening.

We ask that you join us in praying for sustained growth management at the Clinic in all aspects from drug supplies, staffing, to patient flow systems despite any barriers that will likely arise. We are also praying for continued development and establishment of health care services throughout other rural areas in Sudan.

Though the country is in the midst of a long standing, presently peaceful, civil war, many changes are expected in less than six months for Sudan. In January, a referendum vote is to take place that is likely to have a dramatic impact on the future of this country. And yet, in the midst of this national political activity, seeds of transformation are taking root in Rumbek, South Sudan.

One of our partners, Judy, a retired school teacher, traveled to Rumbek for the first time with LIA in November of 2009 by way of a short-term team from Southeast Christian Church. While there, Judy and her team saw the work of LIA through the partner churches in its beginning stages. The team also hosted a medical clinic for the community, to which Judy remarked the need was overwhelming, as they remained busy all day attending to various illnesses and wounds.

While spending time with the LIA staff in Rumbek on this trip, Judy commented that the original strategic plan for LIA Sudan was revealed to them through a simple drawing etched in the dirt. These plans included opening a permanent clinic and expanding a primary school. The community also wanted to construct a fence around the 18 acres of land to prevent cattle from coming through and destroying crops. The long term goal was to have a place for the community to be trained on agricultural practices that they could then replicate on their own. The empowerment in the local churches of the community would continue as well, through Bible training classes, fellowship, and prayer.

Almost six months later, Judy had the opportunity to travel back to Rumbek in April 2010. She shared with me that in just this short amount of time, the transformation taking place in Rumbek is truly remarkable.  Please take a moment to watch the video below and hear more about the development and progress Judy saw from her second trip:

We are so grateful to join God in the work he is doing in Rumbek, and throughout South Sudan.

Please keep praying for the staff in the Rumbek community, the clinic, the agricultural initiative, the pastors, the Bible diploma classes happening in the compound, the school and most importantly the Sudanese people. May songs of praise be heard as transformation continues to happen, lives are being changed, and the community of Rumbek is empowered.

FACT: In many parts of Africa, the production of food depends upon the intense physical labor of each family. When large areas of Africa are dislocated by war, especially southern Sudan where a civil war has been going on for 25 years, or adults die from the scourge of AIDS, fields cannot be worked, and food cannot be produced.  Unpredictable weather patterns and drought are another set back to the production of crops.

Source.

The three-day elections in Sudan, Africa’s largest nation, officially began April 11th but were quickly extended to a five-day vote ending this weekend. Complications with the election process lead to the extension. Initially many polling stations suffered missing and/or incorrect ballots and many Sudanese people claimed potential “vote-rigging”.  The vote is part of a peace agreement which ended two decades of north-south war in 2005.  This election is the first multi-party election in 24 years.

Would you share this crucial moment with us? - Please join us as we pray for Sudan.

There is great uncertainty as people cast their votes, but also anxiety as results and post election direction comes forth. In the midst of that we have workers in the country and partnerships with churches in both north and south Sudan.

We also have just commissioned a short-term team that will serve in our target communities in Sudan focusing on medical and construction projects. We have materials being offloaded to facilitate our work and medicines coming in by the flights. They will be joining our partner churches, reaching out in love to serve the least through multiple activities through out the week.

Please pray that we will be ambassadors of the peace of God, with an authority of the kingdom. That we will be wise and every poor decision will be arrested. That fear and anxiety will not deter our God given tasks. Pray for safety and protection from any potential frustration, confusion and crisis. Above all, pray for a peaceful and fulfilling election. Pray that the post election season will be filled with hope and direction.

Thank you for agreeing with us in these things and standing with us in prayer during this crucial week in Sudan.

To read the latest updates from the election process check out two articles from BBC.com: Sudan Extends Landmark Election after Ballot Mixup and Q&A: Sudan Elections in which give greater insight into the complicated election process, as well as what is at stake for the future of Sudan.

Fact: Sudanese voters headed to the polls starting yesterday, April 11th, and will continue until April 13th to elect their next president and 450-member National Assembly.  This election will serve as the country’s first democratic election in 24 years.

Factors such as a complicated voting process, high illiteracy rates, several parties boycotting the polls claiming fraud, and the nature of Sudan as a underdeveloped country have made for a rocky first day of elections.

To read more about the election in Sudan and an overview from the first day of voting check out the article, “Sudan’s Landmark Polls off to an Uncertain Start“ from bbc.com.

With our initial work in South Sudan beginning in 2008, it is truly amazing to see the growth and transformation that has taken place in such a short period of time.

In the Rumbek community we have developed partnerships with over 7 local churches, which have allowed for training and program implementation to begin.  Plans for this area include economic and agricultural development, orphans and vulnerable children programs, water and sanitation initiatives, as well as medical and health care provision.

We are excited to announce that on March 4, 2010 we were able to open our LIA Medical Program as the Minister of Health officially permitted the medical work to begin at our compound in Rumbek, Sudan.  Accompanied by the Minister of Health, three additional governmental officials examined the LIA facility, context, medicines, documentation, and conducted an interview of our Clinical Officer and Program Director. Media coverage of the event was broadcast over the radio throughout the region.

With great excitement comes the need for praise and continued prayer.

As the Sudan elections are set to take place next month on April 11, 2010 we ask that you join us in praying for peace and stability during the countries upcoming political transitions.  This election will mark the country’s first multi-party election since 1986.  Please pray that the people of Sudan will overcome projected obstacles that could hinder the occasion of a fair election, as well as the restoration of democracy.

To learn more about the election process and candidates check out an article from BBC News.  Also, to understand some of the obstacles facing the election and the tension created by current President, Omar al-Bashir read the article entitled, “They’re Off” found on The Economist.

Fact: In the rural settings of Sudan it is estimated that only 64% of people have access to an improved water source, and only 24% of the population have access to improved sanitation facilities.

Considering the necessity of water for not only for drinking but many other daily activities, as well as the fact that lacking sanitation is the world’s biggest cause of infection, these two percentages represent very serious issues facing the Sudanese people.

Facts found from Rural Poverty Portal and Water.org.

The future of Sudan is uncertain as election is coming in April 2010 and Referendum in January 2011. As we look forward to the election in April, we are soliciting you, our partners, to pray for peace and stability in Africa’s largest (geographically speaking) country.

At the same time, we want to keep you informed with the details and information that are relevant to the situation in Sudan. In an article by BBC entitled Critical Year Ahead for Sudan Amid Fears of War, we are further reminded of the serious situation facing this vast country.

This article serves as a great introduction to some of the complexities facing Sudan throughout this election season. The war that pitted north against south Sudan had a death toll around 2 million people and another 4 million were forced into exile (internally displaced).

There are various opinions held regarding the impact that the election time will have on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.  Though some believe that this agreement will hold throughout the coming months there is also a great potential for disruption and tension to arise.

We encourage you to take a look at the article and follow the news regarding this monumental time in Sudan’s history.

LIA has ongoing wholistic community development activities in both north sudan and south sudan (See Rumbek in our Annual report, pg. 12)

Please continue to lift up our brothers and sisters in Sudan in prayer.

Pray for the stability of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, keeping Sudan on a road to development and a peaceful future.

We are so grateful for our broad and vast LIA community in which we can join together to pray and support the people of Sudan.

My thy Kingdom come, and thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

The relative peace experienced in Sudan these last few years has been precious. Healing and development, though still at its infancy, is of great encouragement to the people of Sudan, and especially South Sudan.

LIA ’s ministry in South Sudan has been very well received, surpassing our expectations. Doors have opened and the favor of God has enabled great strides within such a short time. We are very thankful to God.

That said, we have the soon coming elections in April. This is a great opportunity for the Sudanese people to choose political leaders and we invite you to pray with us.

Pray with us that this will be a time of peace.

Pray that the election process will be free and fair.

Pray that we will come to greater heights post the election time.

Stand with the churches in prayer, holding up the precious people of this nation and the great hope they have for a peaceful and developing nation, which they can proudly call home.

Thank you for partnering with us, that they may have Life in its abundance.

Dr. Florence Muindi
President, LIA International

**We invite you to share your prayers and questions in the comment field for this crucial time in history for the Sudanese people.