HELP

This weekend the sermon was about how we as a church can work to help the oppressed. So often it is easy to forget that millions of people around the world have no access to food, clean water, health care and basic shelter. I know in my own life I get distracted by my desires to live the normal middle class life instead of focusing on how I can help those in need.

Perhaps the greatest area of need is in the Darfur region of the Sudan. Currently, the government is using militias to commit genocide against its own people and plundering their belongings. The best information estimates that over 2 million people have been displaced and 400,000 people have been killed. It's one of the worst human rights violations since world war 2. What's sad but not surprising is that nobody in the west really seems to care. The travesty in Darfur is under reported and our country's response has been underwhelming in terms of demanding an end to the violence. I just read this morning that the UN's peacekeeping force has been ineffective and is on the verge of pulling back due to safety concerns.

What is causing this lack of interest? Is it because we think this is just Africa being Africa? Would we be more concerned if this were happening in Europe? Maybe the media is to blame for our ignorance and if we only knew more, we would do more? Is it because it seems so hopeless and overwhelming that we don't know where to start or how to help? Whatever the reason, we as a church are called to take action.

What can we do? My church is committing a portion of our tithes to World Relief which is a Christian organization that provides food and medical help in Darfur. I would encourage you to talk with your local church about doing the same or consider donating yourself. Here is their website: http://www.wr.org/wherewework/sudan.asp

Additionally, I would encourage you to write congress and the president asking them to take stronger action against the corrupt Sudan government. Remind them that our country has a history of standing up for those around the world who are persecuted and we have a moral obligation to put an end to this genocide.

Finally and most importantly is prayer. I know this sounds cliche but those families in Darfur deserve our attention and our prayers. I firmly believe that if every American Christian sincerely prayed for the people of Darfur that we would see a dramatic end to the violence.

For more information on Darfur I would encourage to watch this video:

http://www.cfr.org/publication/13129/crisis_guide.html