Act with Lutheran World Relief: April 13th is a Day for Darfur
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ACTION ALERT: 4/1/08
On Sunday, April 13th advocates from around the world will voice their concern for the on going conflict in Darfur by holding events to create awareness, educate and raise funds for ending the violence in Darfur, Sudan.
Take Action
- Visit www.lwr.org/advocacy to request postcards to send to your Members of Congress asking for increased U.S. diplomatic support in any future peace talks, funds for development in the region and the proper support needed to fully deploy a United Nations/African Union Peacekeeping force in Darfur.
- Participate with Lutheran World Relief’s partner the Tents of Hope campaign during their “Hope is Global” events on April 12th and 13th. Paint, quilt or needlepoint on a tent to artistically express your concern for those affected by five years of violence in Darfur or raise money for humanitarian organizations like LWR working in Sudan. To learn more visit www.tentsofhope.org or contact Gretchen King at gking@lwr.org.
Situation Update
Since 2003 violence in Darfur has displaced nearly 2.5 million individuals from their homes and caused the death of over 200,000 people. Recent fighting in neighboring Chad has created further instability in the region and increased attacks on camps and villages have forced thousands more people to flee while making humanitarian relief further complicated.
The people of Darfur have long awaited peace, to achieve that they desperately need more support from the international community and United Nations. At the end of 2007 troops of the approved United Nations/African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur began to be deployed in the region. However, three months into the peacekeeping mission only approximately 9,000 troops of the 26,000 requested are in the area. Additionally, the mission is in dire need of equipment and funding to properly protect the civilians being targeted in attacks. This is just one of the many obstacles facing future peace in Darfur.
LWR has a longstanding commitment to the people of Sudan dating back to work with farmers in the early 1970s. LWR’s presence continued through the famines of the 1980s and the devastating civil war that began soon after. LWR is responding to the crisis in Darfur, assisting with IDP and refugee resettlement in Southern Sudan, and working with Sudanese refugees across the border in Kenya.
Prayer
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. - Psalm 9:9-10
God of trust and assurance, stronghold for all people,
As we remember the people of Darfur, make our remembering powerful.
From the light of Christ’s empty tomb, we pray for those in darkness.
From the stronghold of your peace, we pray for those in turmoil.
From the steadfastness of your love, we pray for those in chaos.
God of trust and assurance, stronghold for all people,
As we remember the people of Darfur, make our remembering persuasive.
Move us from remembering to acting, from passivity to passion.
Guide us by your decisive love, that we may be voices for the innocent,
Advocates for the oppressed, and activists for the abandoned.
God of trust and assurance, stronghold for all people,
As we remember the people of Darfur, make our remembering potent.
As you shattered the power of sin and death, reform our reluctant hearts,
Hold us in your mercy, guide us by your grace, and lead us in your love.
Amen
LWR encourages congregations to incorporate this prayer into services on Day for Darfur, Sunday, April 13th.
THANK YOU for considering this action. By raising your voice you are making inroads to peace in Sudan.
For more information, or to join the LWR advocacy network individually, please contact advocacy@lwr.org or Gretchen King at gking@lwr.org.
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.
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Ask Others to Advocate with LWR - Sign-Up Sheet
Initiate your advocacy efforts is in your home community. Ask your congregation, neighbors, family and friends to join with you in working for peace, justice and dignity for our brothers and sisters around the world by signing up to receive occasional LWR advocacy updates. Copy this resource and send filled in copies to LWR.
Join LWR's Advocacy email network.
For more information, please contact advocacy@lwr.org.
