Two Valley men headed to Sudan on humanitarian mission

MAT-SU - Two local people are traveling to southern Sudan to spread words of encouragement to residents who have been forced into slavery, or killed, because of their beliefs.

Chris Raymond and Bob Byron, pastor of Mid Valley Christian Center, are traveling to the Nuba Mountain region in southern Sudan to give relief to victims of genocide that is reportedly being carried out by extremist Muslims who have eight armored divisions in the area.

Those who arent killed are forced into slavery, with 350,000 people already indentured, Raymond said.

These people need to know the world has not forgotten them, Raymond said. Thats what we are doing. We want them to know the world understands what they are going through.

Raymond said it is not a Christian thing, its a humanitarian thing. The extremist groups are killing other Muslims in the region who dont share their same views.

From a humanitarian perspective, there is something for everyone to rally behind, Raymond said. It really is a non-secular mission.

The groups mission is being touted as the Alaska Sudan Outreach. Raymond and Byron are scheduled to leave around the first of June and travel to Sudan.

They will land in the highly troublesome area and give notes, cards and photographs to the affected citizens.

They are looking for people to submit encouraging notes and cards to take with them.

Churches from Barrow to Ketchikan have been giving us letters of encouragement for them, Raymond said.

Raymond said that a Bible verse sums up his entire mission. Like water to a thirsty soul is good news from a far country, reads Proverbs 25:25.

And what farther a country or state than Alaska? Raymond asked. We have a lot of resources in Alaska, and our mystique is among those we can use.

Alaska Sudan Outreach is looking for monetary donations, but none of the money will go toward travel expenses or administrative costs, Raymond said.

All money raised goes directly to Sudan relief.

Donations, including encouraging cards and letters, may be mailed to KATB, P. O. Box 210389. Anchorage, AK, 99521. Make sure to note it is for the Alaska Sudan Outreach.

The account is being maintained by KATB, a Christian radio station. It is nondenominational, as is the mission itself.

The money gets split 50-50 between Voice of the Martyrs, a Protestant-based group, and Sudan Relief and Rescue, a Catholic-based group.

This isnt one religion or another, Raymond said. Its for the common good of people who are being killed simply because they dont believe in the same thing as another group.