South Sudan (MNN) — South Sudan is again on the brink of civil war. The latest wave of violence erupted earlier this month when a youth militia overran South Sudanese army barracks.

The government responded with force, and chaos spread throughout the country. At least 63,000 people have fled the capital. “The [U.S.] State Department has issued a level four warning for Americans, which is their highest level,” Dane with unfoldingWord says.

“They say, ‘If you go [to South Sudan], you should leave a DNA sample with your family doctor so they can identify you later.’”

Hostility between President Salva Kiir’s allies and his long-time rival, First Vice President Riek Machar, has been at its highest since a temporary peace deal was initiated in 2018. Because of the rising tensions, Germany has temporarily closed its embassy in South Sudan’s capital, Juba.

“‘There is the violent crime like carjackings, shootings, and ambushes. Foreign nationals have been victims of rape, sexual assault, armed robberies, and other violent crimes,’” Dane says, reading from a March 9 notice.

“The State Department ordered the immediate departure of nonemergency personnel from Juba because of an increase in crime, kidnapping, and armed conflict.”

Continuing God’s work

unfoldingWord trains and equips local believers to translate the Bible. More about that here. Partners who work on translations in neighboring Sudan are based in South Sudan.

“It’s pretty serious, but our partners are still working. They’re still translating the Bible,” Dane says.

(Graphic courtesy of unfoldingWord)

As part of its “Whole Bible, Whole Nation” initiative, unfoldingWord trains, coaches, observes and assists Sudanese partners in establishing foundational expertise in technology, software usage, translation principles, and equipping trainers. Equipping Sudanese church planters will enable them to translate the Bible into all the heart languages in Sudan.

Support Bible translation in Sudan through unfoldingWord.

Sudanese evangelists are incorporating Bible translation into their church planting strategy. Ramadan provides a unique opportunity for translators to showcase their work.

“Very often, we hear stories of Muslims coming to Christ during Ramadan because He appears to them in dreams and visions and speaks to them,” Dane says.

“The next thing you know, He leads them to someone with a Bible they can read in their language.”

Pray the Lord will use Bible translations in minority languages to introduce people to Jesus.

 

Header image depicts a Sudanese combatant with G3 rifle. (Photo courtesy of Steve Evans/Wikimedia Commons)