1. We hear of our brother in Christ Jemal in Ethiopia- his village was destroyed by terrorists in Ethiopia.
His business was going well until it and his home were destroyed by the radicals overnight.
Jemal had to sleep with his family in a shelter where he had to sleep with 12 other people along with his family.
Jemal talks about the discouragement- the thing that hurt him the most was that the terrorists were men who he had opened the door to- men who he had been friends with.
A pastor asked Jemal "Are we still in the hearts of minds of believers around the world, praying for us?" Let his question resonate with us in the West.
Praise God that from Open Doors Jemal has recieved trauma care and that he has now been given tools to restart his business from Open Doors!
2. We read of accounts of the Benue terrorist attacks in Nigeria.
Open Doors partners in Nigeria were on the scene to meet the brothers and sisters in Christ who were victims, most with nothing left in shelters.
The response is raw and real- "What can you tell these people at that point in time that will calm their minds and make them feel God is there? I had no words- what do you say?" No misquoting Jeremiah 29:11 here!!!!!
The team provided the victims with aid and prayers.
3. Last yesr I mentioned Pastor Soré from Burkina Faso.
He is still doing his ministry in an IDP camp and his ministry has grown. He even says he will stay if that is God's will.
4. We learn of our sister in Christ Rifkatu.
She had married Zamai a pastor and despite threats, they had no choice but to work on a farm.
While she was returning from the farm, she and her sister in law were abducted by militants and were assaulted over the course of three days.
Eventually they were freed and Zamai was happy to see his wife again but Rifkatu was obviously traumatised.
To make matters worse, when Rifkatu had a baby daughter, villagers started spreading false rumours the baby was from the militants.
Rifkatu went to sn Open Doors trauma care centre where she has now fully healed- she learnt to take her pain to the cross.
END
Thank God for the work Open Doors does and never forget to pray for your persecuted family in Christ across the world!
