Sudan advocacy group formed locally

PORTLAND -- Friends of Sudan, a new advocacy group, was recently formed to bring awareness to Christians concerning the ruthless campaign of genocide in Sudan that has left millions of Sudanese Christians homeless, starving or dead.

The group will deliver presentations to area churches. "”We hope to stir believers in Oregon to compassion and action,” says Friends of Sudan member Suzanne Donaldson. “As Christians, it is essential we show the love of God to those who are suffering."

Keith Humphrey, organizer of the Rally for Sudan held earlier this summer in Portland, pulled together other concerned people to form Friends of Sudan.

The group is comprised of people from several local churches. Some members are from Sudan and hope to enhance the project with first-hand experiences.

Samuel Dilla, a group member from Sudan, says it was a miracle he was able to escape Sudan and immigrate to America, but he is very concerned about family members who are still there.

Friends of Sudan plan to work to raise interest and support for international and local groups involved with Sudan. Voice of the Martyrs, Blue Nile Project, Samaritan’s Purse and Lutheran Family Services are just a few of the organizations that are aiding the Sudanese refugees.

There are a number of practical ways that churches can become involved. Blankets of Love, a program run through Voice of the Martyrs, provides a way for churches to collect good, useable blankets and ship them to Sudan. Lutheran Family Services connects eligible refugees with churches who want to sponsor them. Through the Blue Nile Project, churches may send Bibles and school supplies to refugee children and teens.

Friends of Sudan also plans to provide up-to-date information regarding the current situation in that African nation..

Churches and Bible study groups are encouraged to invite Friends of Sudan to give a presentation, which can be customized to fit each congregation’s needs and time restraints.

Presentations can in-clude video footage of the Sudan crisis, music and drama, testimony from local Sudanese Christians, books, videos and free literature.

Churches that are intersted in scheduling a presentation should call Deborah Dombrowski at (503) 873-9092.

For general questions, e-mail Humphrey at wayimp@yahoo.com.