Latest update on VOMC partners in southern Sudan

Here is the latest email from Global Response Network with an update on the crisis facing GRN staff who are being falsely accused of hitting a woman with their truck.

Dear Friends,

Tom and our field coordinator are safe. Thank you so much for your prayers, they are working. Here is an update on their situation:

Tom and our field coordinator gave their statements on the “accident” today (again, the woman is making up the story that she was hit by GRN’s truck – totally lying). The Police chief of the county is leaning toward believing that they are guilty of hitting the woman. The woman is still holding to the fact that she was hit by Tom and our field coordinator’s truck as well. She is still in the clinic and won’t let go of her stance. Tom is free to leave the country at this point (a high official they have favor with is standing in his place) and our field coordinator will have to go to court which could possibly take up to a month. No mob formed against them today.

Now, a few more details...

The day before Tom and our field coordinator were accused falsely of hitting this woman, 10 United Nations workers were abducted, beaten and tortured, all only a mile from where Tom and our field coordinators “accident” occurred. The next day is when Tom and our field coordinator were accused and threatened for 4 hours. That is also when there was a search happening for these UN workers. Also happening that day, a high ranking government official of southern Sudan was the target of an assassination plot as he was returning to his hometown in the same county where Tom and our field coordinator were being held. The official’s driver was killed and he was wounded. Also, the commissioner of the area was traveling with the police chief of the entire Central Equatorial area, who was one of the people behind the assassination plot (the commissioner didn’t know this). Finally, the governor of southern Sudan was also traveling the country that very day as well. So all this was happening on the very day Tom and our field coordinator were being wrongfully accused and threatened. The devil was having a hay-day in that area to say the least that day.

So, all that to say, Tom was wondering why none of the people in higher rankings were coming to his aid that day. Little did he know that all this other stuff was happening the very same day - they were tied up in that. Finally, the head of the Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, Lawrence, caught up with Tom and apologized for not being available to help Tom and our field coordinator. He was aware of their situation but couldn’t get to them because of all this other stuff that was happening simultaneously.

Tom and our field coordinator have favor with Lawrence and the Commissioner, and know they are not guilty. However, as said before, the woman still claims she was hit, and the local police chief is leaning in that direction. Our field coordinator is going to have to go to court at this point unless things change. Tom is also concerned for our field coordinator’s safety too.

Please continue to pray for justice to be done, and the truth to come out. Your prayers are making a difference. Little did we know that Tom and our field coordinator were one of many scary situations that were occurring in that area that day. Tomorrow they will be meeting with high ranking officials in the government about all these situations, and what can be done to help prevent these several things from happening again. Pray Tom and our field coordinator will continue to have favor in their eyes and will speak clearly the words needed to be shared.
Again, Tom and our field coordinator are safe. Thank you for praying for us and them, and we continue to ask for your prayers on their behalf.

The Zurowski’s

We would encourage you to show your solidarity with the Zurowski’s and the GRN staff by posting a prayer on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.