22nd March 2026

On Friday the El-Daein Teaching Hospital in the state capital of East Darfur was hit by an army drone strike. 64 people including 13 children  were killed, and 89 others wounded, including 8 members of staff, the World Health Organisation said yesterday. Commenting on the attack on the teaching hospital Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "Enough blood has been spilled. Enough suffering has been inflicted. The time has come to de-escalate the conflict in Sudan and ensure the protection of civilians, health workers, and humanitarians,"  The hospital is now understood to be non-operational "due to the extensive damage". 

The war in Sudan broke out in April 2023, when a power struggle over the integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the Sudanese army escalated.

It is estimated that 250,000 people have been killed and around 14 million people displaced, and about half of the country's population faces hunger as a consequence of the civil war. The fighting also triggered the world's largest humanitarian crisis, including mass killings and widespread sexual violence.

Loving God we pry for our neighbours in SUdan who have been living with war, violence , death and destruction for nearly three years.  So, many have been forced from their homes and livelihoods - not even those in hospital are safe from the violence. Forgive that disagreements and differing visions of hte future result in war and the deaths of innocent people.  May the leaders of nations around the globe work with the fighting factions in Sudan to being an end to the humanitarian crisis.  We pray that humanitarian aid will get to those who need it and thank you for those who risk their own lives seeking to help others - grnt them your protection. May love win this conflict. In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

A woman in Southport, UK, was struggling with painful family issues and was in a “dark place,” even considering ending her life. She went to the car park to sit alone during her lunch break when Liam, the carpark attendant, approached her with a friendly smile and struck up a conversation asking her if she was having a nice day. Liam had been a local celebrity for saving a mans life. What followed was a short chat that, she says, changed "everything" for her. She said: "[At the time] I felt completely alone, like the whole world was against me. I was falling apart. ... We chatted about work and I asked him how his job was going. I mentioned that I had heard about the incident where he saved a gentleman's life. When he spoke about it, the way he described what he did really stayed with me. ... He told me that if I ever needed help, or just someone to talk to while in the car park, I should always feel free to come and speak to him. "It was like he knew my situation. Those words might have seemed small in the moment, but to me they meant everything."

Following her encounter with Liam, the woman's  outlook changed. She said: "I believe Liam was there at exactly the right time, and without even knowing it, his kindness helped save my life."  The woman added, "I'm in a much better place now. ... Liam's kindness, compassion and the way he speaks to people really make him special." 

We thank you now, our God,

with heart and hands and voices,

who wondrous things has done,

in whom your world rejoices;

who from our mothers' arms

you blessed us on our way

with countless gifts of love,

and still is ours today.

We praise you bounteous God,

that all our life you're near us;

your give us joyful hearts

and blessed peace to cheer us,

to keep us in your grace,

and guide us when perplexed,

and free us from all ills

of this world in the next.

All praise and thanks, O God,

to you our Father given,

and Son, and Holy Spirit,

who reign with you heaven.

You're one eternal God,

whom heaven and earth adore;

for us it was, is now,

and shall be evermore.

Martin Rinkart, 1586 - 1694

tr. by Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1873,  alt.