Making a difference

After the war began in Sudan, thousands of people sought refuge in neighbouring countries such as Oumar's*. “People continue to come, even two years later," he shared. "They left everything just to be safe in our country. 

“As we are Christians, we have a role to play in this situation. In Luke 10, we see the story of the Good Samaritan; it teaches us a lot. [The OM team] decided to work with the refugee community. We started by distributing mosquito nets, blankets and carpets. The need is so big. We can’t cover everything, but we need to do what we are able to do.” 

While the team was allowed to enter the refugee camps to distribute aid, they were forbidden to share the gospel there. However, people often leave the camps and go to the city.  

Along with a friend, Oumar started to share with the Sudanese he saw at coffee shops. “We have 17 guys who have accepted Christ so far," he shared. "They are actually getting baptised soon. We are also thinking of opening schools for discipling people.” 

While giving practical aid helps in the short term, Oumar wants to draw on his experience as a tailor to offer business training to help people in the refugee camps plan for the long term. In the future, the team would like to offer microloans to cover the cost of setting up a small business. 

“The refugees are open to all this. We thank God for this. They see that Christians are helping them,” Oumar added. 

'You look like a Muslim'

Oumar met Ali* when he visited a coffee shop looking for food. After being offered breakfast and a cup of tea, Ali continued to meet Oumar regularly to talk.  

At one meeting, Ali asked, “Why are you different?” Oumar replied that he was a follower of Jesus, and his relationship with Christ made the difference. 

Ali was surprised and said, “Culturally, you look like a Muslim. How can you say you are a Christian?” 

Oumar told the man that religion is not about clothing or culture; it is something that is in the heart. He asked to know more about “the Jesus of the Bible,” and Oumar took the opportunity to share the good news and why Jesus is the only Saviour. 

“After that, he accepted Jesus,” Oumar said. “I found a restaurant [that hired him]. He gave me as a reference. I told them he is my brother, as he gave his life to Jesus. 

“He always attends Bible study. He reads the Bible very well and sometimes even he surprises me. There are some stories I don’t know and he will find one and tell me.” 

Powerful prayers 

Oumar and Ismail* met at a coffee shop, and on learning Oumar was a believer, Ismail exclaimed, “Christians have very powerful prayer!” 

He shared that he had been working in Libya when he was kidnapped. While Ismail was being held, someone called his mother and told her what had happened. She decided to ask people in the mosque to pray for him. She also asked her Christian neighbours to pray.  

One of them said, “We prayed for your son, and he will be released. So don’t worry.”  

After a month, government officials found the place where Ismail and others were being held and released them all. Ismail returned to his mother and heard how the neighbours had prayed and said he would be released, but hadn’t expected anything in return for their prayers. 

After many conversations, Ismail learnt more about the true God and now attends church.  

Oumar said, “God is amazing, and He always gives us new ways to share. As we are human, sometimes we are afraid and don’t take the step. But I think that if we take the step, God is always helping us. He always gives us the wisdom and ability to do amazing things for Him.” 

Pray for the team, which has limited resources and no budget for the work. Ask God to provide for the team’s personal support as well as for the business training and microloans that Oumar hopes to distribute.

*name changed