Prayers For FRM and Sudan from Vicky Bentley

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
I plead with you to stand in the gap for Sudan. I have just received word that our chaplains in the Nuba Mountains, 50 men who ride for Jesus in our camel corps, have continued to bravely defend the faith. About two weeks ago a church was overrun. This particular church has been literally burnt to the ground by the Mujahedeen (Islamic terrorists who kill anyone who is not a radical Muslim) in the past. The chaplains have stood with the persecuted believers and even managed to force the government of the North to rebuild the ruins (using the international community’s established channels to protect human rights). When the church was attacked again it was deliberate. You see, all the chaplains were gathered in a city center awaiting the chance to be flown to our base for the Refresher Course. The army sent for Jaber Tutu, our head chaplain in the Nuba’s, to rush to the scene to prevent any killings of Christians. I learned that just as the Mujahedeen are known to be willing to pay any price for their faith – so too the chaplains have been given a name meaning, “They are the Fearless Christians of the Army.” These men are known to be willing to lay down their lives for the gospel, to protect the innocent, and to defend the weak and God is using them to protect our brothers and sisters suffering horrible persecution.
 
Furthermore, Wes and I have always desired to expand FRM/FRMA’s programs to this area. We established a small base back in 2008, but we have the desire to do much more. We have been planning a trip to refresh and re-equip the chaplains in November. I learned today the chaplains anticipate war will break out at that time due to the upcoming election. Per the terms of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the SPLA and the GoS, several areas were labeled “Marginalized.” These areas were not included in the boundaries of the North or South. As such, before the referendum allowing the people of the South to decide by vote to unify or secede, these “marginalized areas,” MUST be given a chance to vote which boundary they belong too. That vote has not yet happened. According to our chaplains, rumors are flying that the vote will take place at the expected time of the refresher. The chaplains said, “We don’t care about our incentive or supplies, we care about the ministry. To ask you to come when the danger is so high is too expensive for us, we need you to be there for us. We will gladly wait until God opens another time for you to come safely. Pray for us!”
 
My heart is broken for these people who have already suffered so much AND they have been discipling 30 men from Darfur for class eight in our Chaplains Training Program. I am working now to try and get flights to get these 30 men to our base for the school. Please pray! Wes and I are asking you to pray fervently for the following things:
·      Pray Jaber and the chaplains with him will be protected from all evil.
·      Pray the enemy will be stopped dead in his tracks from harming any other Christians
·      Pray for the elections, rumored to be held in November 2010, to be peaceful.
·      Pray the regions of Southern Kourdufan (Nuba Mountains), Darfur, Blue Nile, Abiyei, and all other marginalized areas will be free from the tyranny of the North FOREVER!
·      Pray for us to get flights for all 30 of the chaplain candidates.
·      Pray we can arrange a refresher course for these men BEFORE the election.
·      Pray God continues to give Wes vision for ministering to this nation no matter how intense the fighting becomes
·      Pray for the women and children of these marginalized areas, my heart’s desire is to go and live among them, to serve them and show them Christ’s great love for them. Please ask God to open a way!
Agape,
Vicky
FRM/FRMA South Sudan