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I
was informed that within an hour of me flying out
of Sudan in January, a truckload of soldiers had arrived
to arrest me.
Despite
numerous warnings, Bishop Bullen Dolli and I determined
to fly into Southern Sudan for the Easter services.
On the mission aircraft, chartered by Frontline Fellowship,
were 19 bicycles and a motorbike for pastors and teachers,
lots of books and stationery for schools, and Bibles.
Easter
in Lui
At
the airstrip, an enthusiastic choir singing joyful
hymns welcomed us. On Good Friday, I preached in the
Church in Kotobi, which had previously been destroyed
by helicopter gunship attack.
On
Easter Sunday, I was officially received into membership
of Lui Diocese as a minister of the evangelical Episcopal
Church of Sudan. Then Bishop Bullen announced that after
7 years, I will no longer preach as a guest, but for
the first time as a minister of the Episcopal Church
of Sudan (ECS).
The ECS is the largest Protestant denomination in Sudan
and it is Reformed and evangelistic. I preached on the
Resurrection of Christ and there was much rejoicing.
Almost every one of the over 1000 people attending the
service came to shake my hand afterwardsFilm Evangelism
Most
evenings, the Frontline team: Tim, Hansie and Michael
held film evangelism meetings either in the
open air if weather permitted, or inside churches
when it was raining. The beginning of the rainy season
complicated our movements, especially the river crossings.
With the river rising ever higher with each crossing,
we had to place our equipment and literature on the
roof rack. The river water flowed over the bonnet
(hood) of our truck and poured into the cab. We were
soaked up to our chests on some crossings, but by
Gods grace our vehicle, with its precious loads
of Bibles, books and film evangelism equipment, made
it across every time.
Thousands
flocked to see Jeremiah Films new video Terrorism
and Persecution - Understanding Islamic Jihad. They
stood in shock and awe to see the dramatic footage
of the Islamic terror attacks on the World Trade Centre
in America and on their own churches and communities
in Sudan. There was also great rejoicing in Bariland
as we screened the first Jesus film in the Bari language
to them. The Arabic Gods Story film was also
very well received.
Working
for Reformation
For
leadership training, I conducted a Biblical Worldview
Seminar in Kotobi and a God and Government Seminar
in Yei. (Although the Seminar in Yei was disrupted
by a summons for interrogation by Military Intelligence)!
Before
going to Yei I spent several days at the Christian
Liberty High School, teaching on the history of the
Reformation. Michael and Hansie made great progress
with renovations and building projects. Michael also
took the students for physical training (PT) and Timothy
and Nathan (a visiting teacher from America) taught
on other subjects. Hansie followed this up by screening
a whole series of Reformation films.
Anniversary
Celebrations
The
first anniversary of the opening of Christian Liberty
High School (CHLS) was celebrated with a special Chapel
service, a feast and an enjoyable wildlife film "Beautiful
People." Each student also received a CLHS T-shirt
with the verse:
"The
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"
Proverbs 1:7
The
Teachers T-shirts declared:
"All
Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correction and training in righteousness
so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped
for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16 17
The
workers on the base also received a T-shirt each.
Their verse is:
"Whatever
you do, work at it with all your heart, as working
for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23
"There
are those who would like to kill you"
Several
people, including soldiers, warned the Bishop and
I not to go to Yei. They were convinced that our lives
would be in jeopardy there. "You have many enemies
in Yei. There are those who would like to kill you,"
we were told by different people, in different ways.
"The
Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall
I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life
of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against
me to slander me, when my enemies and my foes attack
me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege
me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against
me, even then will I be confident." Psalm 27:
1 - 3
Flying
into Captivity
The
charter aircraft that we had booked needed maintenance,
so the charter company sent us two smaller planes.
One certainly cant complain when the pilots
put a high priority on our safety. However, we now
had a smaller weight allowance, and much of the cargo
had to be left behind, to follow on future trips.
In the two aircraft were Bishop Bullen Dolli, Canon
Kenneth Baringwa, Rev. Jeffrey Kayanga, our missionary
Timothy and an American volunteer, Michael.
We
learnt later that the radio message that two aircraft
were coming, instead of one, was not forwarded to
the necessary authorities in Yei, and there was some
consternation with the anti-aircraft battery when
a second, unexpected, aircraft arrived. We later heard
that some individuals actually wanted to open fire
on the aircraft.
"The
angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him
and He delivers them." Psalm 34:7
Tribal
Tensions
In
Yei, we were immediately made aware of several intrigues
and undercurrents that were complicating our ministry
plans. One of the problems was that there were some
serious tensions between the Dinka cattle herders
and the various Equatorian tribes. Because of the
government of Sudans scorched earth campaign,
many tens of thousands of Dinka cattle herders had
been displaced from Dinkaland and had found refuge
for their families and for their herds in Zandeland,
Bariland and Moruland, in Equatoria.
As
the Dinka cattle had trampled on and eaten much of
the crops of the subsistence farmers in Equatoria,
there were strong emotions on all sides. There had
also been many crimes against people and property,
including murders and previously unheard of rapes
of even old grandmothers and young girls. In Zandeland,
resentment had spilled over into violent incidents
where some cattle herders had been killed by vigilantes.
There had been no such violence in Moruland, but even
the normally easy-going and long-suffering Moru people
had reached their limit.
The
community was unanimous the Dinka cattle herders
and their herds must return to their own areas. In
this decision, the Equatorians had received approval
from the leaders of the SPLA, who themselves are Dinka.
The
Dinka people are the vast majority in the South
approximately 1,7million. The Zande are just over
500 000, the Bari 380 000 and the Moru just over 100
000. While the Dinka are cattle herders, the Equatorian
tribes are mostly agriculturists. The tensions between
the nomadic cattle herders and established farmers
had been exacerbated by crimes against people and
property.
Now,
after 11 years, the cattle herders were returning
to Dinkaland. However, most of the leadership of the
SPLA are Dinka, and many of the junior officers and
commanders plainly resented the Equatorians, particularly
the Moru, who have the highest levels of education
and tend to be leaders in education and medicine.
The general consensus was that the moves to arrest
or assassinate the Bishop and myself were primarily
motivated by these tribal tensions.
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Accusations
and Threats
When
the charges against us became known, it certainly
seemed to be connected with the eviction of
the displaced Dinka and their cattle from Moruland.
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The
accusations were that: Bishop Bullen Dolli and myself
were in touch with the Khartoum government; we were
arming the Moru people to revolt against the Dinka
leadership of the SPLA; to separate Moruland from
the rest of the liberated New Sudan; to invite the
Arabs back into Moruland and to cause a split in the
SPLA.
"
he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
then he goes out and spreads it abroad. All my enemies
whisper together against me; they imagine the worst
" Psalm 41: 6 - 7
There
were fears expressed about our safety and we were
warned not to venture outside of the compound without
an escort. We were also informed that the security
at the compound we were staying at had been increased.
"
Malice and abuse are within it. Destructive forces
are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave
its streets." Psalm 55: 10 -11
Welcome
and Warnings
We
were warmly welcomed by the Governor of Equatoria,
Samuel Abu John Kabasi. Governor Abu John was a veteran
of the first war, Anyanya 1 (1955 1972). By
the end of the war, Samuel Abu John had risen to being
second-in-command of the resistance movement. He later
attained the rank of Major General. The governor is
one of the most senior veterans in the SPLA. Governor
Abu John had been one of the very first leaders to
welcome us to Equatoria, when we began our ministry
there early in 1996. The governor was fully aware
of the accusations against us and the intrigues to
undermine our work in Southern Sudan. He warned us
that we had numerous enemies who were working tirelessly
to slander us. As on previous occasions, I found the
governor well informed and astute. We had the opportunity
to show the new Jeremiah Films video, Terrorism &
Persecution, to the governor in a private showing.
Overcoming
Sabotage
From
the first day in Yei, we found that much had been
done to undermine our itinerary. We were informed
that the planned seminar had been suspended, and there
was much uncertainty. However, with a few strategic
meetings, Bishop Bullen was able to set in motion
new arrangements to conduct a God & Government
Seminar, and church services for each of our team
members to preach at on Sunday morning. We also planned
to conduct outdoor film evangelism outreaches every
evening in different languages, outside the cathedral.
Complications
abounded. Every couple of hours some new threat or
challenge surfaced. Our host, Rev Wesley, had to rush
around to the Commissioner of police and the local
authorities when there was an attempt to cancel our
outdoor film evangelism. As a curfew was enforced,
and as there had even been nighttime bombings of Yei
in the past, special permission needed to be obtained.
Then some officials saw something sinister in the
fact that two planes, instead of the expected one,
had arrived to bring our team in.
Passports
Seized
Shortly
after seeing the governor, we received a summons from
the Director of Public Security. The governor was
surprised at this, and sent his personal assistant
with us. When the Director of Public Security saw
the governors assistant, he was plainly surprised
and requested him to wait outside as he had "work
to do" with us. The governors representative,
Lexton, informed the Director of Public Security that
as these were the governors guests, he was instructed
to observe the proceedings. More negotiating followed.
Finally
it was agreed that our host and the governors
representative would wait just outside. Now we were
expecting the interrogation to begin. Instead, the
Director of Public Security demanded our passports
and travel documents, and then told us we were free
to go - but we had to return first thing on Monday
morning for interrogation. He specifically told us
that he did not want to interfere with our church
services on Sunday, but that our documents were being
held while they investigated various charges brought
against us. Our film evangelism programme that night
was cancelled.
More
discussions and questions followed. Our hosts were
plainly becoming more and more concerned. We were
informed that the tribal tensions concerning the eviction
of the Dinka cattlemen and their herds from Moruland
was being exacerbated by the incessant accusations
of some foreigners.
"These
accusations are coming from your people" I was
told.
"What
do you mean, my people?" I asked.
"Its
coming from white people".
"Well"
I said, "not all white people are the same. They
certainly cant be called my people, if they
are so against missionaries."
"These
are your brothers," I was told. "These are
people who call themselves Christians, even missionaries.
They used to work for you!" More details of the
incredible accusations and intricate plot were revealed
every day, and with each interrogation. They told
me that a disgruntled ex-Frontline Fellowship worker,
whom I had dismissed, was one of the main people making
these accusations.
"Even
my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my
bread, has lifted up his heel against me."
Psalm 41:9
Preaching
Under Arrest
Late
on Saturday night, we were informed that several of
our church services planned for Sunday morning had
to be cancelled for security reasons. Despite the
fact that we were the guests of the governor, and
that we were being investigated, there were fears
that some individuals would take the law into their
own hands and attempt to murder us. Reports came in
that there were plans to have us poisoned and if that
failed, to have us ambushed on the road. There was
concern that our lives would be in danger if we attempted
to go ahead with the services planned at the Dinka
congregation and at other places on the other side
of town. As a result, three of the planned services
were cancelled and all of our team members combined
for the Communion service in the cathedral.
"For
I hear the slander of many
they conspire against
me and plot to take my life." Psalm 31:13
Bomb
Scarred Cathedral
While
Kenneth and Jeffrey went to conduct the Sunday morning
service for the Moru congregation close by, Bishop
Bullen, Michael, Timothy and I went to the cathedral.
The well-built Yei cathedral bore the scars of many
aerial bombardments. Shrapnel scars in the roof, walls
and windows testified of the aerial bombardments by
the Sudan Air Force. We arrived to choirs of young
people singing joyful hymns. Timothy and Michael gave
testimonies, I preached the sermon and Bishop Bullen
conducted a communion service. Afterwards we delivered
and distributed large quantities of Gospel literature
in Bari, Zande and Arabic. I was informed that there
were people from the Public Security office listening
carefully to what was said and preached. (Later we
were told that they had been most impressed and affected).
Jesus
in Bari
That
night, we had the joy of screening the Jesus film
in the Bari language, for the first time in Bariland.
One of the translators who had worked on the film
project saw the film himself for the first time that
night. This was the first film that had ever been
produced in the Bari language, and there was much
excitement to hear two hours of the Gospel screened
in their own language.
Chief
of Staff
The
next morning, Governor Abu John took our team to meet
the Chief of Staff of the SPLA, Commander Silva Kiir
Mayadit. Commander Silva is the second in command
of the SPLA. He received us most graciously, and listened
carefully and patiently to our concerns. He said he
was sorry for the regrettable mistreatment of our
missionary, Tim Keller, when he had been arrested,
threatened with being shot and our mission radio confiscated.
He was shocked and saddened to hear that the radios
we had donated to the Episcopal Church of Sudan had
also been confiscated, and two church radio operators,
Joseph and Dominic, had been whipped with over 75
lashes each for resisting handing over the radios
to the soldiers.
The
complications and tensions involved in the return
of the Dinka cattle herders to their own lands, was
also discussed.
Our
almost 4-hour meeting with the Chief of Staff was
opened and closed in prayer and the Commander then
supplied a letter instructing the Director of Public
Security to give us back our passports and travel
documents, so that we would not be delayed in departing
on our scheduled aircraft the next day.
Summonsed
from the Seminar
Everyone
was most relieved and encouraged after this very positive
meeting with the Chief of Staff. The Governor drove
us to the Public Security Office, to drop off the
letter, instructing them to return our passports.
We then rushed back to the Cathedral in order to continue
the God & Government Seminar, which I had begun
earlier that day, and which Rev. Jeffrey was conducting.
There
were numerous civil leaders, including the Commissioner,
at this Leadership Training course. I was barely ½
hour into my lecture on the necessity for the rule
of law, for respect for life and property, and due
process, when a summons arrived for me to come immediately
downtown for an interrogation with Military Intelligence!
I wanted to first complete the seminar, but my hosts,
who looked most serious, insisted that I had to go
immediately. The participants were shocked. This incident
seemed to highlight the importance of the principles
we were teaching.
"For
God is the King of all the earth
God reigns
over the nations
" Psalm 47: 7 - 8
Interrogation
The
Bishop and I were separately interrogated by a Board
of combined Military Intelligence and Public Security
officials over the next 4 hours.
As
the interrogation proceeded, it became clear that
some of the interrogators found the charges quite
incredible and were just trying to get to the bottom
of this intrigue. There was plainly much respect for
our work and track record. The questions were respectful
and objective. And, in fact, on several occasions
I was told: "Youve done nothing wrong.
You have been a great friend to the movement. Please
do not be discouraged by all of these accusations.
We need you to continue to do just what youve
been doing, to even do more."
At
the end, we all stood up and, holding hands, concluded
in prayer. The Military Intelligence interrogators
assured us that as far as they were concerned, the
matter was resolved, we were cleared and they were
sure we would get our passports back within the hour.
Later we were informed that perhaps we would only
get our passports back later that night or early the
next morning.
Gods
Story in Arabic
As
the sun was already setting, I raced back to the church
to join Timothy as he prepared to show the Jesus film
in Arabic. However, there was a part that had malfunctioned
in the video machine, and we had no spare. With the
people assembling to see the advertised Jesus film
in Arabic, we had to make a plan quickly. As we had
Gods Story in our VCD evangelism kit, we connected
the VCD player into the video projector and were able
to screen Gods Story in Arabic.
There
was great enthusiasm about this powerful Gospel presentation,
which begins with Creation and the Fall, and goes
all the way through to the Crucifixion, Resurrection
and Ascension of Christ. As on other occasions, this
very compelling video production made a great impact
on all who attended.
Midnight
Visit
As
our plane was coming in at 8:00am in the morning,
we packed as much as we could and were just getting
under our mosquito nets, into our sleeping bags, when
there was some commotion at the gate. It was the Director
of Public Security at 11:30pm! And he didnt
come with good news. Despite the positive response
of the Military Intelligence Committee that had interrogated
us that afternoon, he announced that he was not satisfied
with the results, that his work was not yet complete
and that we were not yet free to go. He would continue
to hold my passport and that Bishop Bullen and myself
were not allowed to leave.
As
the chartered aircraft was already prepositioned on
the border, and as its cargo of Bibles, bicycles and
other equipment had already been loaded that evening,
and as the radio operators would not be on their station
before 7:00am in the morning, there was nothing much
we could do. Reports also reached us that there were
serious threats to assassinate the Bishop and I. There
was concern that a petrol bomb or grenade could be
thrown over the fence on our huts and that we might
be shot down while fleeing from our burning tukels.
"Strangers
are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life."
Psalm 54:3
Murderous
Threats
After
somewhat of a sleepless night, we were up early -
long before sunrise. Some of our team went to the
Governor to request his intervention. As soon as the
radio operator came to the compound, we sent off an
urgent communication to the charter pilot, urging
him to delay the flight as long as possible. By Gods
grace, he had not taken off yet and was able to hold
off until 12 noon. This gave us some more time to
seek intervention by the Chief of Staff and the Governor.
As
the morning progressed, more and more reports came
in that indicated that the situation was actually
far worse than we had appreciated. "Your accusers
are tireless, it seems that their main purpose in
life is to discredit you and the Bishop. Every day
there are new accusations. This man that you dismissed
from your mission has been in the Public Security
Office, even this morning, handing over more papers,
with accusations and information to use against you.
Some of your investigators are most concerned that
should you be released, that the threat to your life
would increase. There are those Dinka commanders who
have been influenced by your accusers so much that
they would kill you out of hand".
"
If a foe were raising himself against me
but
it is you. My companion, my close friend, with whom
I once enjoyed sweet fellowship." Psalm 55: 12
- 13
"Surely
we could be provided with an escort?" I asked.
"There
is no escort that would be sufficient to protect you
from the kind of people who are determined to have
you killed", I was informed.
By
now the information came in that our pilot was en-route
and due to land at the airstrip just after noon. Some
decisions needed to be made. "If you or the Bishop
attempt to leave, you will be killed," we were
bluntly informed.
"Those
who seek my life set their traps
all day long
they plot deception" Psalm 38:12
"Well,
what about the rest of our team?" It was felt
that there was no restriction on them leaving. So,
I urged the rest of our team to prepare to leave on
this flight. They all expressed their willingness
to stay with the Bishop and I. I assured them that
they could be of more use to us outside than in Yei.
They had their own ministry responsibilities to attend
to. Tim, Michael and Jeffrey headed for the airstrip.
Canon
Kenneth Baringwa insisted on staying behind with us.
En-route the vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint and
the security officials looked to see if the Bishop
or I were present in the vehicle. Somehow, they missed
Timothy.
As
Tim had been the first one arrested back in December,
and as we had information that they were also after
him, this seemed to have been an oversight. But Timothy,
sitting in the back of the truck, was apparently overlooked
and escaped.
The
flight came in and delivered boxes of Gospel literature
in Bari, and took our team back to Mundri with more
bicycles, books and equipment for the churches there.
Rev.
Jeffrey, as the Secretary of the Diocese of Lui, had
to begin the Synod (which only occurs every 3 years).
Michael rejoined Hansie to work at our mission base,
renovating the buildings and running the school. Timothy
returned to Kenya and informed the SPLA authorities
in Nairobi of our arrest. This set a whole sequence
of events in motion.
"
call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver
you, and you will honour Me." Psalm 50:15
Victims
of Disinformation
There
were other interrogations. In one of the interrogations,
I was informed that the security people had received
information from sources within the Khartoum government,
that the National Islamic Front was going to place
4 short-wave radios into Western Equatoria for espionage
purposes. When Frontline Fellowship brought in three
radios for the churches last year, it was assumed
that Bishop Bullen Dolli and myself must be the ones
in contact with the Arabs. It was at this point that
arrest warrants were issued for the Bishop and myself.
This
information helped us all make some sense of the whole
intrigue. After the Lui Cathedral was bombed by the
Sudan Air Force on 28 December 2000, it was 3 weeks
before we even learned of it. Realising the desperate
need for communications equipment, Frontline Fellowship
began to make it known that there was a need for short-wave
radios for communication in Southern Sudan. This project
was fairly well known and it would have been very
easy for the government of Sudan to exploit this opportunity
for their own purposes. It is now believed that this
was a disinformation campaign, orchestrated by the
Sudan government, to cause problems for our missionaries
and for the churches, as well as to discredit the
SPLA for arresting Christian leaders. Had the plans
to murder Bishop Bullen and I been successful, then
this campaign would have been even more effective
as the blame for our deaths could also then be attributed
to the SPLA.
"Your
tongue plots destruction. It is like a sharpened razor,
you who practice deceit. You love evil
falsehood
and grew strong by destroying others."
Psalm 52: 2 - 7
Bishop
Bullen Dolli is well known for his strong public stand
against the National Islamic Front government. He
recently received an award for defending religious
freedom, from the Institute for Religion and Democracy
in Washington DC. Throughout 35 States he testified
of the NIFs brutal religious persecution of
Christians in Southern Sudan.
Bishop
Bullens cathedral in Lui is still in ruins from
a bombing campaign by the Sudan Air Force. It seemed
particularly incredible that the Bishop could be accused
of collaborating with the Islamic regime, as his only
brother was dragged behind a car and then burned alive
by them.
My
own writings and work of behalf of the suffering Christians
in Sudan is also well known internationally, particularly
my Faith Under Fire in Sudan book and the various
videos which we have helped produce. The government
of Sudan has even published articles on their official
website, which states that: "Peter Hammond should
expect to be bombed when he comes to Sudan
Hammond should expect to be shot on sight
because
his writings make him an enemy of the State."
To harass and undermine the ministry of this conservative,
evangelical Bishop and our outspoken mission, would
obviously suit the purposes of the persecutors in
Khartoum.
To
arrange for our deaths, would also have removed two
of the most outspoken and internationally well-connected
Christians campaigning for religious freedom in Southern
Sudan. Had this elaborate intrigue succeeded, it would
have seriously eroded support for the SPLA. The vast
majority of the supporters of the SPLA in Sudan are
Christians, and most of the foreign support also comes
from Christians. To have convinced the SPLA to arrest
such well known Christians leaders, who have so vigorously
worked to expose the atrocities of the government
of Sudan, was a serious setback for the resistance
and a victory for the Islamic dictatorship.
"They
dug a pit in my path but they have fallen into
it themselves. My heart is steadfast
I will
praise You, O Lord, among the nations." Psalm
57: 6 - 9
International
Prayer and Pressure
As
it became known that Bishop Bullen Dolli and I were
detained in Yei, articles were written from accross
the world When the Bishop failed to arrive in Lui
for the Synod, and it became known that I had not
boarded my chartered aircraft, and therefore was going
to miss other flight connections and meetings scheduled,
it was assumed that we must have been arrested. Phone
and fax lines hummed. Many e-mails went around the
world. Soon, the SPLA Office office in Nairobi was
receiving hundreds of e-mails, faxes and phone calls,
from concerned people world wide. Even the British
Foreign Office and US State Department contacted the
SPLA, expressing their concern for the safety of Bishop
Bullen Dolli and myself. Prayer and pressure provide
protection for the persecuted.
When
the leader of the SPLA, Dr. John Garang was informed
of our arrest, he asked: "surely that is not
the same Peter Hammond who wrote Faith Under Fire
in Sudan?" When he was told that it was, he groaned
and said: "Now it is Peter Hammond himself who
is under fire in Sudan"! As Commander Garang
had met with Bishop Bullen just recently, and had
given his assurance that nobody would dare arrest
such a respected Christian leader as Bishop Bullen,
he was reportedly most angry.
Released
but not out of danger
Orders
were then issued that Bishop Bullen Dolli and Dr.
Peter Hammond were cleared of all charges and were
free to travel anywhere in the New Sudan. SPLA Commanders
were also instructed to provide us with every protection.
When
I saw the Director of Public Security and Deputy-Chief
of Military Intelligence the next time, they were
in full military uniform, they were most polite and
friendly, and after returning my passport and travel
documents, we concluded our time with them in prayer.
And
so we were released and free to fly out of Yei on
Thursday April 11th. However, there were still serious
concerns about our safety and speculation as to what
some of those with murderous intentions may decide
to do in the light of this new development.
Torrential
Rain
I
woke up to rain splashing onto my face, through the
thatched roof and mosquito net. Outside torrential
rain was pouring. The rainy season had begun in earnest.
I wondered if the plane would be able to land in such
conditions. The torrential rain continued all morning.
Even as we were driving out of town to the airstrip,
we were driving through large mud pools and with constant
rain. We kept praying.
Answered
prayers
Incredibly,
as we drove onto the airstrip, we drove into sunshine.
The rain was still falling heavily on three sides, but
the airstrip was clear. There were some puddles on the
airstrip, but the ground was hard enough for landing.
Shortly after that, we heard the welcome sound of the
charter aircraft, and soon we saw the plane break through
the clouds, circle the airstrip and come in for a slightly
damp landing. Arrested in Yei ...
The
pilot informed us that we had been the subject of
some serious prayer. The very fact that this aircraft
was on its way to Mundri and able to divert to pick
us up in Yei, was just one such answer to prayer.
The fact that the Lord kept the rain away from the
airstrip, to make possible the landing, was another
major answer to prayer. We were able to fly to Mundri
and deliver the Bishop and Canon Kenneth to the Synod,
and then pick up some other missionaries who were
needing to be flown out from that location.
The
rainy season had definitely started. We flew through
clouds and over very green and wet areas. It took
four flights to get me to Nairobi, and another two
to get me back to Cape Town. All along the way, I
met Christians who had been praying for us, and who
were rejoicing that the Lord had once again answered
prayers, opened prison doors and set the captives
free. We continued to praise God that He works all
things together for good, for those who love Him and
are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
And that God is able to take what man means for evil,
and use it for good (Genesis 50:20). By Gods
grace I was able to make our missions 20th Anniversary
celebrations in Cape Town and now a Missions Conference
in KwaZulu/Natal.
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We
continue to pray that the Lord would use this
situation for His glory, to mobilise more prayer
and support for the persecuted in Sudan and to
strengthen His work in Sudan.
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"Trust
in the Lord and do good;
delight yourself in
the Lord and He will give you the desires of your
heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and
He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine
like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the
noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently
for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways
when they carry out their wicked schemes
the
salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; He
is their stronghold in times of trouble. The Lord
helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from
the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge
in Him." Psalm 37: 3 40
For
all those who prayed and worked for our release, thank
you very much. We are most grateful, and we will seek
to work even more diligently and effectively, as God
has been so gracious as to give us a new lease of
life and liberty.
Dr.
Peter Hammond
Related Resources:-
Terrorism
and Persecution (video)
Sudan,
the Hidden Holocaust (video)
Faith
under Fire in Sudan (book)
Doctor
comes to Lui (book)
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