Setting: Sudan
Time Period: 2000

“Sudan” by Art Ayris and Ninie Hammon is the story of a father’s unrelenting love and sacrifice to find his daughter who was kidnapped by Muslim human traffickers. This novel of war between Muslim gorilla’s against Sudanese Christians is based on a true story. May we all learn to appreciate the life we have been blessed with – for, what the Sudanese people have been through, and many other nations like them, has been more than what I know I could bear.

They were nothing but farmers with fields of crop, some cattle and mud huts. But one morning, they lost almost everything and everyone when the gorilla’s came, shot almost everyone in the village and rounded up the girls and young women to be carted away. Akin, daughter of Idris, was one of those girls. Against all odds, Idris sells all he has and sets off to find his daughter and bring her home. He walks to the largest town, hires someone to guide him and does all he can. While many called him foolish, the story that unfolds in “Sudan” is as miraculous as his mission is impossible.

The words “based on a true story” are printed on the front cover right below the title. As I read chapter after chapter from the safety of my living room, each page told tragedy after tragedy the Sudanese Christians have faced at the hand of a Muslim government who will do anything to make them disappear. I’ve read my share of suspense / thriller type novels, and though I know there are many fictional elements to this book, the reality that the basic things in this story actually happen in real life is stunning. The depravity. The hatred. The disregard for human life. It’s real. So, while I’m going to tell you that this book was well written, had three dimensional characters and deep themes of sacrifice and forgiveness – I’m also going to tell you it’s a sad, heavy read. Done well, but the truth of it can be hard to swallow at times.

Conclusion: I’m glad I read this book. It taught me a lot about what’s going on in other parts of the world and how people everywhere are in need of Christ. Though I’m glad that both the fictional take and the real stories had happy endings for the characters named, it’s overwhelming to think of the two million Sudanese who didn’t get the chance to have one. We need to read books like this to remind us that Islam isn’t just another religion or way of worshiping – it’s a holy war to them. May stories like this urge us to reach out, pray and help our brothers and sisters around the world when we can.