This past month has taken us from hands-on training in the mountains of Vermont to crisis response in the villages of Sudan. Different places, same purpose. Whether preparing cadets for future missions or treating patients in forgotten corners of the world, the work continues.

Chazak Academy: Ropes Training in Vermont

Earlier in May, Class 4 received their Rescue3 International certifications in Rope Rescue Operator and Rope Rescue Technician. This course included learning and practicing things like patient care and packaging, mechanical advantage systems, anchors, rigging full systems for lowers and raises, and rigging a highline over water.

Their instructor -Mike Mather from Mather Rescue- has been an invaluable resource to Chazak over the years not only for his rope rescue expertise, but also for his life experience working in rescue operations, and training people all across the US and internationally.

Meanwhile, Class 4 is nearly finished with segment 1.4, and will soon be headed to Deadwood Outfitters in Idaho, where they’ll be completing their 1.5 Alpha training.

Chazak Rescue Update: Sudan

Later in the month, our field team deployed to Sudan alongside the Nikao Foundation to operate a medical field clinic for four and a half days. The location was isolated, and untouched by any form of healthcare. For many in these villages, it was the first time they had received medical attention of any kind.

In just a few days, our team treated over 2,200 people. The cases ranged from dehydration and cholera to worms, infections, bullets, and severe burns. These are all conditions that can be treated, yet without access to even the most basic care, they often become life-threatening.

Among the patients were Farid and Zahra* who had been badly burned in a fire several days earlier. Farid had severe burning across the back of his neck and wrists, while Zahra had severe injuries across both shoulders and arms.
*names changed for sake of privacy

When we reached them, their wounds were still open. They hadn’t been cleaned or covered, and flies had been gathering on the wounds. This is what medical needs look like in many parts of Sudan. Our medical team was able to clean and dress the injuries with the supplies that were carried in, purchased through the support of partners like you.

Their story is one of many, and it shows how urgent the need truly is.

One of our Guardians on the trip, Mina, wrote the following reflection:

   "Here I have everything and more, a floor, a chair with a back, simple amenities like a dishwasher and microwave and so much more. There they have almost nothing. No floor, no refrigerator, no running water, they don't even have permanent walls for fear of their enemies coming and burning everything to the ground.
  The different realities are not quite able to coincide coherently in my mind. The world I'm living in now seems real and that one just a dream. I am grateful I got to live in that dream world for a short time, it's difficult knowing that I barely scratched the surface in making a difference in their lives. But I did get to hand out medicine, treat a few burns, and pray over the sick.
  A part of me has to believe that these small actions matter and even if I can't change the whole country, these minute acts of love reflect Jesus in a world that does not know Him."

There’s a tension in this kind of work: the gap between what we wish we could do and the small acts we’re actually able to carry out. But we believe they matter, because the people matter.

More stories of our time in Sudan will continue to be released on our social media (@chazakrescue) in the coming days. Stay tuned!

‍Looking Ahead‍

From the rigging lines in Vermont to the clinic lines in Sudan, May was a month of forward motion. More stories and photos from the Sudan deployment will be shared in the coming days.

If you support this work through giving, prayer, or simply by staying engaged, thank you. You are part of this. Every supply carried in, every wound cleaned, every Cadet trained, is made possible because people like you choose to care.

To support our ongoing work in Sudan, click here.

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