Day 304; Sunday, October 31, 2010

Kanga People of Sudan

Today's Devotional

Proverbs 25: 21 "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you."

This proverb quoted by Jesus shows us one of the things that makes God’s Kingdom unique. In Christ’s way of doing things, the believer is required to show mercy, compassion and generosity, even to his enemies. What a revolutionary idea! Such generosity can draw non-believers to Christ like words can never do.

Pray that you will glorify the Lord by showing mercy to your enemies. Pray that He will show you how to do this in His way.

Today's People Group

A group of people slowly approached the farming village in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan. The Kanga farmer stopped hoeing his field to examine the new guests. A man approached the farmer. “We seek sanctuary. We’ve fled from South Sudan because Muslims are no longer welcome in that country.” The Kanga farmer smiled. “You’re welcome to stay with us. My people were once refugees too.” At that moment the crackle of distant gunfire was heard, reminding everyone that there was unrest just across the border in South Sudan.
The Kanga people live in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, which for years has been a place of refuge for many people groups. Centuries ago the Kangas fled to these mountains to get away from Arab armies that had invaded what is now Sudan. These armies introduced Islam to this region. The Kanga people eventually converted to Islam along with most of their neighbors. Today there are few followers of Jesus Christ among this people group.

Pray for peace in the Kanga homeland. This people group now lives near the border with the newly independent country of South Sudan. Ask God to protect the few born again believers among the Kanga people. May they be emboldened to share Christ and His ways with the people around them. Pray that a mission agency would reach out to the Kanga people.

Learn more at Joshua Project.

Today's Devotional

""

Today's People Group

Learn more at Joshua Project.

Today's Devotional

""

Today's People Group

Learn more at Joshua Project.

Yerwa Kanuri People of Sudan

Today's Devotional

Ecclesiastes 1:2 "“‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!’”"

If anyone could ever affirm the truth of this statement, it was the author, Solomon, King of Israel. He had it all—power, wealth, honor, glory, wisdom, and a large family! Yet he proclaimed it all worthless. Why? Solomon had forfeited the enjoyment of God’s blessings by his disobedience. Even though he was used of God to bless the Queen of Sheba (in Ethiopia), Solomon encumbered God’s plan to bless “all the families of the world” because of his sins of marrying many pagan wives and then being led into idolatry by them. With the channel of blessing diverted to personal pleasure, Solomon evaluated life as vain, empty, and futile.

Pray that the Kanuri people will learn to become focused on the things of God rather than diverting their resources to personal pleasures.

Today's People Group

Once-powerful rulers often don’t know where to direct their energies after they lose their power. This has been the experience of the Yerwa Kanuri people of Sudan, who began losing their power in this region during the early years of the 20th century. The British took power in 1914, and the influence of the Kanuris became much less significant. Nevertheless, they do still exercise a degree of influence on the surrounding people groups. Several other people groups have adopted various Kanuri practices and traditions in language and culture.
The Kanuris are tall and very dark in complexion, carrying a stately, dignified look. Making their living primarily through farming, the Kanuri people also do various other things during the dry season, such as raising livestock. Many of the Kanuris in cities perform government jobs.
Islam has remained the dominant religion of the Yerwa Kanuri people since the 11th century. This carries with it the belief that husbands should dominate their wives, with no recognition of any sort of equality. Along with Islamic traditions, many Yerwa Kanuris also practice many superstitions, using amulets and charms in a vain attempt to aid in pregnancies and protect themselves from the spirits of the dead.

Pray that the Church will begin going to the Yerwa Kanuri people to befriend them, connect with them, and touch them with the gospel.

Learn more at Joshua Project.