"But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39, ESV).

This newsletter tells an inspiring story about one Sudanese Christian named Jacob who followed Jesus' advice in Matthew 5:39. His gentle, steadfast witness has helped bring resurrection life to Tobo County in the Nuba Mountains.

Jacob is an evangelist with the Diocese of Kadugli, our partners in the Nuba Mountains. In 2023, Jacob was sent to Tobo County to tell people there about Jesus. The problem is that Tobo county is a predominantly Muslim area. For six decades Christian faith has been actively suppressed there.

After arriving, Jacob built a simple Nuba home of sticks, mud, and stones. His presence was greeted with suspicion and hostility. In fact, three different times, a gang of men attacked his home and burned it to the ground. What did Jacob do? He "turned the other cheek." He didn't take revenge. Instead, he rebuilt his house (three times!) and kept telling his neighbors about Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

As a result of Jacob's steadfast faith, things have begun to change in Tobo. The (Muslim) governor of the county has invited Jacob and Bishop Andudu to organize and host several peace-building workshops in the area. Above is photo of one of those workshops, in which you will see Bishop Andudu (front center, wearing tan) and Jacob (back row, straight above Bishop Andudu, wearing a blue shirt).
And here's a surprise: Twenty of the men in this photo were the ones who repeatedly attacked and burned Jacob's home to the ground. Now these men are Christians, and they are learning how to bring peace into their communities.

Pax Dei for Nuba provides support for this good work, and you can help by continuing to pray for the Nuba people and, if you are able, by clicking on the button below to financially contribute.