A Great Day

Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham has been personally involved in southern Sudan since 1993, when he visited the country to assess the growing civil war and his heart was broken over the suffering of the people. He talked with our staff immediately after attending the Independence Day celebrations Saturday.

“This has been an historic day, the birth of a new nation. I’m not sure if I’ll ever see this again in my lifetime. This nation was born out of a very difficult struggle for freedom. We saw the swearing in of a new president, President Salva Kiir, the lowering of the Sudanese flag, and the raising of the new Southern Sudanese flag. It really was a great day. Glory to God.”

Favorite Moment

Jehan Deng, information officer with the Government of South Sudan Mission to the U.S., describes her favorite moment from the Independence Day celebrations.

Celebration Parade

The Government of South Sudan Honor Guard plays “I Will Follow Jesus” as dignitaries arrive for the official Independence Ceremony in Juba.

Anthony’s Story

A South Sudanese man named Anthony stopped to talk to our staff as he arrived for the official Independence Day celebration on Saturday.

“We are so happy to have you Americans here. America has been our best friend because you understand the spirit of freedom. We have prayed for this, and today we are seeing God's glory.”

Bought with a Price

Melissa Strickland reports from Juba on Independence Day.

I’m watching the veterans hobbling down the street toward the Garang Memorial (in honor of Dr. John Garang, a southern Sudanese leader who was First Vice President of Sudan until he died in a July 2005 helicopter crash). I see one with a badly burned face. Many are missing arms and legs. Is it possible to use the word dignified to describe a stooped limp? I am in awe of these men.

The Excitement Builds

Ken Isaacs, Vice President of Programs for Samaritan’s Purse, reports from Juba on the eve of Independence Day.

Things are electric and jubilant here. Thirty delegations from foreign countries are coming in. Parades and singing appear spontaneously. Banners and billboards of congratulations line the sides of paved streets. Security forces have closed many of the roads and soldiers are stationed everywhere.

Tomorrow is Independence Day. The creation of the world's newest nation, South Sudan.

There will be many speeches, and it seems hard to accept that the program will be completed by the appointed time. A 21-gun salute. Taking down the Sudan flag. Raising the Republic of South Sudan flag.

Sudan President Omar Al-Bashir is attending and will be the next-to-last speaker. South Sudan President Salva Kiir speaks last. The victor always gets the last words.

Tonight we are attending a state dinner as guests of Salva. Also attending are the presidents of Eritrea, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, the vice president of Cuba, the Secretary General of the U.N., and many others. Franklin Graham is sitting at the front of the table with heads of state. I look forward to seeing the Eritrean president, as we have not meet in four years.

So it is a big time here. Everyone is happy and joyous. Smiling big smiles.

Problems hang over the future, and building a country will be as hard as winning one. But after Saturday the South Sudanese will have that chance.

Thankful for Answered Prayers

Dr. Benjamin Marial, Minister of Information for the Government of South Sudan, met Franklin Graham at the airport when the Samaritan's Purse President arrived Friday.

“For many years, Samaritan's Purse has been our great friend. During very hard times, we have prayed together for life and peace. Now, our prayers have been answered. Samaritan's Purse will be our friend forever. God bless you, and God bless everyone around the world who has supported your ministry to help us reach this day.”

A New Anthem

Samaritan's Purse staff practice South Sudan's new national anthem. These are the lyrics:

Oh God!
We praise and glorify you
For your grace on South Sudan
Land of great abundance
Uphold us united in peace and harmony

Oh motherland!
We rise raising flag with the guiding star
And sing songs of freedom with joy
For Justice, Liberty and Prosperity
Shall forevermore reign

Oh Great Patriots!
Let us stand up in silence and respect
Saluting our Martyrs whose blood
Cemented our National foundation
We vow to protect our Nation

Oh God, bless South Sudan!

Alvino’s Story

Alvino is a nurse who first partnered with Samaritan’s Purse in 2001. He joined the SPLA when he was 14.

“Before that time, our people used to say that no child should ever see a dead person. By the time I joined the army, I had already seen many deaths. I praise God that I lived through the struggle to see this day of independence. My friends sacrificed their lives for this freedom, and they did not die in vain. On Saturday, we will cry tears of joy as we celebrate our new country. Please pray that we will live at peace with everyone. The people of northern Sudan are also God's children. It is not right for us to fight each other.”

Staff Devotions

A member of our South Sudan staff prayed this at morning devotions on Thursday.

"In Jeremiah, it says 'I knew you were before you were born.' We know that this does not just mean that You knew Jeremiah or us as people. We believe that you knew about the birth of our new nation even as we were struggling through our painful years of war. As we look to Independence Day, we thank you in advance for the joy we will feel that day. We pray for the leaders of our country. May they always seek Your will."

Peter's Story

“Independence is hope to me. Sudanese are like everyone else. We want human rights. We want freedom. I feel like there is a reason to be the best person I can be. I want to work hard and build my new country. I am studying harder than I used to. I am happier ever day. I don't even want to go home this week. I just want to be in the streets of Juba with my people. They understand how happy I am, and I know what this means to them. It is hard to explain our joy to other people who are not Sudanese because it comes from hearts that have been filled with pain before today. We can finally start to say goodbye to some of that pain and put our eyes on our own free South Sudan. Thank you everyone who has prayed for our independence. Please keep praying that we will be strong.”

Samaritan's Purse , South Sudan , South Sudan , Images of South Sudan