Hosting African’s longest running war, Sudan has seen the deaths of over 1 million of its citizens and the displacement of over 2 million. Upon first visiting Sudan in 2006, I will confess to you that there was a slight bit of apprehension. Initial preparation of traveling to Sudan had us catching up on its bloody civil war which was temporarily halted at the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in January 2005. But once we boarded Samaritan Purse’s DC 10 that took us from Nairobi to Lochi and then into Mundri, South Sudan - there was no turning back - and after we returned, there was no turning our backs either.
Southern Sudan has suffered much at the hands of heir neighbors in the north but it has not left them without hope. It has, however, left them with little access to safe, clean drinking water. Imagine hundreds of thousands of people returning to their homelands after war gives way to peace, only to find your water supply damaged beyond repair. Or to establish new living arrangements where there is no water because it’s the only thing you can find. We’ve walked miles with them to see the water they serve their families to drink, clean and bathe with. We are committed to serve Sudan through the local church in the coming years and look forward to bringing others along side of us in order to evoke change throughout the country.
In Sudan, Neverthirst works in partnership with an international aid organization which has been working in the country for over 20 years. Through our work with this organization, we are seeking to strengthen the CPA implementation on a grass roots level through enhanced delivery of safe sustainable water solutions and comprehensive capacity building packages. Our targeted outcomes include improved health due to reduction of water borne diseases, reduction of poverty, a gender balanced society and most importantly, we desire to see the lost come to faith in Christ as these local churches preach the Gospel to their neighbors.
Today, there are approximately 12 million living without clean water and only 20% of the population has access to adequate sanitation. In the spring of 2008, we visited a local hospital in Lui, Sudan and prayed over bed after bed of those suffering from water related diseases. For us, it wasn’t enough just to pray - we had to move toward action. 1 John 3 commands us not to simply love with words, but with actions and in truth. We desperately want to rid that hospital of water related diseases. You can help.