Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The power of a book

I have recently started to read the book Escape From Slavery by Francis Bok. The book is Bok's true story of his life as a modern day slave. The issue of slavery is something that God has placed on my heart, so I therefore have a tendency to read books that are of this nature. However this particular book has touched my life in an even bigger way than many of the other books that I have read.

As you have probably noticed through reading my other blogs I have a love for the people of Sudan, the Dinka tribe in particular. One of the special things about the book Escape From Slavery is that it is about that tribe. Francis Bok is from the Dinka tribe. He is not from the same location that I visited while in Sudan but he is part of the same tribe none the less.

While reading Bok's book I could imagine every thing that he was talking about. I would imagine the land and the huts. I could even see the people. Bok's book not only is a good read for anyone who wants to learn more about modern day slavery but it also helps the reader understand more about the Dinka culture.

Bok also goes into some details about his life in a refugee camp and his life in the United States. The book is very eye opening. I would highly recommend it. If you decide to read it and you find that you learned a lot. I would also recommend a few other books. If you want to learn more about the plight of the Dinka I tribe I would recommend the books Why Haven't You Left? by Marc Nikkel, and Lost Boy No More by Abraham Nhial. If you want to read more about modern day slavery I would recommend the book Slave by Mende Nazer.

All three of these books are good reads and very educational. I find that they do a good job at opening my eyes to issues that I didn't know existed in the world today. They also do a very good job at connecting the reader to issues in which they are writing about.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

There's a God in this City

Chris Tomlin wrote an amazing song called "God of this City." Every time I hear this song it reminds me of the Dinka people. They have gone through so much. Evey thing that they had was destroyed. People were killed or taken into slavery. Anyone who wasn't caught by the raiders had to run for their lives. While running many of the people were gunned down, eaten by wild animals, or starved to death.

Some of the Dinka people lived on the banks of the Nile river and tried to wait out the war. Others went were able to get across the Kenya/Sudanese border to find a save haven in a refugee camp. Neither the river nor the refugee camp were completely safe. In both cases the people ran a huge risk of starving to death. The Nile is also full of Crocodiles and other animals of prey. The refugee camp was packed to the brink, they shoved as many people as they could behind the barbed wire fence.

Today the Dinka people are going home to nothing. Every thing is gone, but they have persevered. They still love God with all of their hearts. Even after everything that has happened to them God is still at the center of their lives. The song by Chris Tomlin is the Dinka people. They have seen hardship and even when it looks as though all hope is lost they see God. God has used them in wonderful ways in the past and He will continue to use them for his glory.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The Harvest Moon Run

The Harvest Moon Run is an annual race that is run in Moon Township, PA. All of the race benefits go toward the people of Southern Sudan, especially the Dinka Tribe, through two organizations. The first organization is Christian Solidarity International, which helps free slaves in countries like Sudan. The second organization is Good Shepherd Leadership Training Center, which I mentioned in my last blog entry.

The race is a 5K run/wallk and a 10 mile run. Last year was the first year that the race took place and it had close to 350 people sign up to run in it. I, Bethany Storm, was the first coordinator of the Harvest Moon Run. I coordinated the race as my senior project. God had put a passion on my heart for the people of Southern Sudan and those being held captive in slavery. The race was a perfect opportunity for me to raise awareness about the plight of the Sudanese people.

This will be the second year that the Harvest Moon Run will be taking place and it is being run by another senior from Moon Area High School, Will Aldridge. The race is a perfect opportunity for people to help the people of Southern Sudan without actually getting on a plane and flying over there to see them.

If you are interested in running in the race or giving a donation you can visit the Harvest Moon Run website. Every little bit helps. Your donation may help give someone back their freedom or an education.