Missionaries to Sudan 9.9.08

Greetings from Khartoum,

 

We have recently entered the start of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, in Sudan.  Muslims fast during this holy month from dawn until sunset.

 

It seems during this month there are challenges to the emotional and physical health of many people in this area.  Unfortunately, we have not been exempt from these hard times.

 

The day before Ramadan began Shellie and I started feeling sick and before nightfall, we were both dealing with a violent stomach bug.  We took turns visiting the bathroom all night hoping for relief the next morning.  High fevers, cold chills, sore muscles, and intestinal problems characterized the challenges we faced for a couple of days.

 

The morning after our rough night the power went out all day.  So we spent the day in our bed trying to “sweat” the sickness out in 100 degree heat.

It seemed like we were in the bad scene of a Hollywood movie.  Our power was finally restored by 8pm and we were able to rest more comfortably until midnight when a sand storm came through and knocked the power out again.

 

Thankfully we were able to pick-up some medicine and have now recovered very well.  I’ve started running again and Shellie is feeling strong as well.  We are very thankful that God kept Nathaniel healthy while we were sick.  He may have been hard to keep up with during our sickness but at least he wasn’t throwing up and going through 20 diapers a day at the same time.

Admittedly I was jealous of his diaper wearing ability with my frequent trips to the bathroom.  I thought it might have been a lot easier to put on a pamper and stayed where I was .

 

We are all aware that physical sickness can ultimately lead to physical death if the illness is not treated or the body is not allowed to recover.

In much the same way, spiritual sickness can eventually lead to spiritual death if the cause of the problem is not dealt with.

 

The word “Ramadan” comes from “ramida” which denotes an intense scorching heat and dryness.  As I meet with our neighbors and talk to Sudanese nationals I continually get a feeling that there is a spiritual dryness in their lives.  They fast and pray out of religious obedience but in their lives remains spiritual sickness and death because they have not dealt with the root of their problems: a denial of a living God.

 

We would like to ask for you to pray this month for our Muslim neighbors that they would see in us the light and truth they are searching for.

Please pray that God would grant us the ability to share the “medicine” they need for their dry and weakened spirits.

 

From the sands of Sudan,

Zach