I just received this from a friend of mine in Sudan:

Hi folks,

I have just received some news from Sudan that is very concerning, not only for our team plans this summer, but for the people of Sudan. Please read, and pray.

The area of Sudan where myself and Lori worked with the Ganza people, is in Blue Nile State. This is also where our team was set to travel to next week. Blue Nile State is one of three contested states that could go to the North or the South.

We have just received news that the army of North Sudan has given the Southern Army (SPLA) an ultimatum to leave Blue Nile State by tonight and surrender the area to the North, in a situation similar to that of Abyei last week. Unlike in Abyei though, there is a very large SPLA presence many of whom consider Blue Nile their homeland, and have been vocal in their commitment to protect it by force.

The situation reported on the ground is that Northern troops have moved to within 5km of southern troops in State of Blue Nile. This has prompted SIM, and other organizations to evacuate their personnel out of Blue Nile State, this is happening as I write this. SIM’s ministry in this part of Sudan, including the Ganza ministry has therefore been put on hold.

Therefore, we will not be going ahead with our plans to visit the Ganza in Blue Nile State this month with the Glasgow team. Alternative locations and ministry opportunities are currently being considered for the team, and we pray that God will use us in another part of Sudan. There are however much greater ramifications of this than that of changes to our trip, and to this end we’d like to encourage you to pray earnestly for a miracle of peace. There are many people there, Christians and otherwise who are in very serious danger, many of whom Lori and I know personally.

Please pray,

Peter