Though sinners do evil a hundred times and prolong their lives, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they stand in fear before him. Ecclesiastes 8:12 (NRSV)
Banja Villagers (1970)
Military Massacre
On July 26 1970, many Sudanese Christians were massacred in the village of Banja on the Sudan-Congo frontier. It was one of the many attacks made upon settlements in Southern Sudan as part of the long-running civil war between the Islamic government of the North and the rebels of the largely-Christian South.
Soldiers from the North burst into a church in the village and attacked while the Christians were praying. They held the pastor and congregation captive by tying them to chairs while they scoured the village, killing everyone in sight. Once they had finished massacring the villagers, their attention returned to the worshippers. The soldiers shot the Christians and set the church ablaze. As they did so, the commander shouted, “We’re shooting you in your church. Let your God come and save you.” Everyone inside died. Reports of the massacre came from the 14 villagers who survived.
God bless Sudan, the largest country in Africa. Guide her rulers and grant her peace based on justice and freedom. Renew the Church and give your children the power to be peacemakers. Have compassion on the suffering Church. Bring about reconciliation, stability and a hunger for your Word, for your name’s sake. Amen.