Maluak Tat, a Dinka herdersman in his early thirties, was a recent casualty of violence that has erupted in Tonj, southern Sudan, as a result of cattle raiding.
He and another man were escorting their cows early morning when they were ambushed and sprayed with bullets. His colleague was killed and Maluak was shot four times, the worst of which was in his throat.
Missionaries Sabet and Suizie Kuj, based in Tonj, reported:
‘Every two days or so we awakened to the sound of gunshots and people running from their villages to the town centre, seeking safety.’
Violence against hospital
The nearest hospital that could perform surgery for Maluak is in Wau, a rough 63-mile road trip.
After a three hour drive, the mission staff discovered that recent violence directed at the hospital in Wau had led to the hospital staff going on strike. They could not get treatment for Maluak there.
Sabet, in Juba that day, asked MAF to bring Maluak to a hospital in the southern capital. Pilot Simon Wunderli collected Maluak and his brother-in-law Maker, who was accompanying him as his carer.
Upon their arrival, Sabet shares ‘my heart was moved when I saw his throat had a large hole. He was breathing through this hole and was in great pain.’
Maluak was transferred to Juba hospital and underwent an immediate two-hour operation. After that he was transferred to Khartoum to receive further specialist treatment.
Eyes of excitement
For both Maluak and Maker, it was their first time in a plane, and their first time in a big city. Maker only speaks Dinka, so Sabet assisted them in Juba. Sabet continues:
I was able to share with Maluak how God has some unfinished work with his life. I also shared the Gospel with his brother-in-law, Maker, who accepted the Lord, having never heard the Gospel before or that there is life after death. What excitement I saw in his eyes as I was sharing the promises we have when we go to Heaven.