Sudan (MNN) — When the Sudanese army recaptured Khartoum last month, many hoped that Sudan’s war would end. Diplomats pushed both sides to come to a peaceful resolution that would end record-breaking displacement and bloodshed.
Instead, the conflict is escalating as it enters its third year today. The Rapid Support Forces have killed more than 300 people in two aid camps since Thursday.
unfoldingWord partners are among the 14 million people forced to flee their homes. “All of their lives are at risk, and they’re all worried about their families,” Dane* with unfoldingWord says.
“Most of them have experienced being displaced, yet they’re still working [and] translating the Bible for their people,” he continues.
“They see the Gospel and people meeting Christ as the only thing that will save their country.”
Scripture in minority languages
unfoldingWord teaches indigenous church planters how to translate God’s Word into their heart languages. More about that here. “There are 11 Bible translation teams working in Sudan’s unreached people group languages,” Dane says.
“Our partners there have completed drafting 20 New Testament books into Sudanese Arabic. They’ve drafted and have done the secondary checking on five Old Testament books.”
“They see the Gospel and people meeting Christ as the only thing that will save their country.”
(Photo courtesy of unfoldingWord)
One minority language group, for whom Sudanese Arabic is a second language, works parallel with the Sudanese Arabic translation team. “The [group was] able to tell the guys doing the Sudanese Arabic work, ‘Wow, these are excellent tools. Thank you so much. We’re using them right away,’” Dane says.
“The [group] has already translated our unfoldingWord Open Bible Stories, which are 50 Bible stories from Genesis to Revelation, for evangelism, discipleship, church planting, and translation training,” he continues.
“They’ve been trained to use all our tools, and they’ve completed five books so far: Jonah, 3 John, 1 Timothy, Ruth, and Esther. So that’s where things stand regarding the actual translation progress.”
Courage in action
This translation work doesn’t happen in a vacuum but within the context of persecution and risk. When Sudan’s war began, Dane interviewed the head of unfoldingWord’s partner organization, who says Sudanese church planters know their Gospel work puts them in harm’s way.
“He said, ‘In Sudan, if you’re going to obey Christ and plant churches and preach the Gospel, your life is forfeit. We carry our death certificates in our pocket,’” Dane recalls.
“They know they may die doing this, and yet they do it anyway because they love God and their countries.”
Now that you know, could you hit the “share” button? “With Ukraine and the war in the Middle East, Sudan is getting ignored,” Dane says.
“Share their story as much as you can on social media.”
Additionally, you can help this vital translation work continue in Sudan by giving to unfoldingWord’s “Whole Bible, Whole Nation” project. Your support drives a holistic process that reaches remote regions, equips communities with the tools they need, and trains church leaders to bring the Bible to life for new generations.
*Name withheld for security purposes.
Header and story images courtesy of unfoldingWord.
