The other day Simon returned from doing a flight to Sudan. Most days are "normal" for him although I don't know if even I would say it was just another "day in the office' as most flights have a tale to tell. Anyway this particular day he came home to say that he had almost been arrested. He had flown into a certain place in Sudan, which will remain nameless, only to find that the President of Southern Sudan had just landed there. To say his security detail weren't happy was an understatement. After many conversations and Simon proving his right to be there by producing the properly stamped paperwork he was free to go. Simon said it was a bit hairy for a while but thankfully it all turned out well. Southern Sudan is due to have elections next month so the President is doing his rounds. Its an interesting time for Southern Sudan and we are not sure how it is going to go. Many NGO's have evacuation plans in place in case the need arises. MAF and other NGO's would value your prayers that God would intervene and that there would be peaceful elections. If Sudan goes to war it will have far reaching implications not only for the people of Sudan but neighbouring countries also. We need to pray for peace as this country and its people have gone through years of suffering.
One NGO group that Simon flew to Sudan a while ago said that there are first world, second world and third world countries and Sudan is far from all three. This group had seen a lot of countries on its travels but Sudan was the worst it had seen in terms of need.
Simon is currently up in Sudan tonight and will be doing some flights for the MAF Juba programme tomorrow. Pray for safety for him and pray for the staff that God will give them wisdom in the next few weeks concerning the upcoming elections.
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