Pastors displaced by violence in South Sudan receive materials to minister to their neighbors
By Shanna McClarnon, Information Officer for Samaritan’s Purse in South Sudan
Conflict broke out in South Sudan on December 15. It what seemed like just a matter of moments everything changed for the people of the world’s newest nation.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced due to the ongoing crisis, most of them women and children. Many lives have been lost and thousands of South Sudanese have crossed into neighboring countries seeking safety and refuge.
Tens of thousands are sheltering at UN peacekeeping bases. They are afraid to leave because they fear insecurity outside the compound walls. They have nothing to return to; their houses were either destroyed by fighting or looted following the violence.
Standing by our mission to provide spiritual and physical aid to hurting people, Samaritan’s Purse equipped pastors living at one of the IDP sites to help meet immediate needs.
We provided the pastors with essential everyday items including food, cooking materials, and sleeping mats. Passionate about their responsibility to care for those in need, the pastors then distributed the items to widows and orphans also sheltering at the compound.
What a beautiful sight to witness pastors who have lost everything continue to tend to their flock by serving the “least of these!”
Overwhelmed by the items they received, many of the women detailed how they lost their husbands as a result of the current fighting and explained that their children will now grow up without their fathers. They shared their hopes and dreams for the future of South Sudan and listed their needs, as they have lost all their belongings.
Despite all that they have endured, the women and children continue to cling to their faith.
“Samaritan’s Purse is like the good Samaritan because they have provided for us in our time of need,” one woman said.
The needs indeed are great, with hundreds of thousands affected by senseless acts of violence, but God is greater! Psalm 68:5 proclaims God is the “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows – this is God, whose dwelling is holy.”
Please pray for South Sudan as Samaritan’s Purse continues to live out our calling to offer assistance in Jesus’ name.
