Introduction / History Bullets screamed through the night air while airplanes and helicopters zoomed through the black sky. The Turum girl jumped up from her mat on the dirt floor. Her family joined her in racing out of their hut. Dodging bullets, the family joined others of the tribe, all running for the nearby bushes to escape the atrocities of the Sudanese military.
This attack along with others came only days after a supposed peace accord had been signed between the Turum tribe and the hostile Rzigat Aballa tribe. The Turums represent a relatively small group-about 5,000. They easily fall prey to more numerous people groups with stronger ties to the Sudanese government.
Throughout this month you will see that scarce water and arable land motivate attacks between rival peoples. But the national government seems to undermine local and regional steps towards resolution.
Meanwhile one source indicates that over a million people have turned to Christ in Sudan in recent years. Repulsed by the brutalities they see by the government and rebel groups, many reject that path to embrace God's forgiveness through Christ.
Pray that Christian relief organizations will show unconditional love among the Turum people and their enemies.
Pray that Christians will join efforts to end ethnic cleansing and to bring about reconciliation in Christ