This issue is a 'Arise Africa' special so we learn about our persecuted African brothers and sisters.
1. Pastor Michée remembers his father Filbert. When he was singing everyone could feel the presence of God.
Pastor Michée recieved a text his village was attacked and had the anxiety of calling and not having his call picked up.
He rang his sister and hiding in a bush she said their father had been taken away.
He later saw a picture of a dead body with his father's shoes.
Christians in the attack were handcuffed, taken to the church with their eyes covered, they were shot dead.
2. Nathalie saw two people on a motorcycle heading to her house, she started praying in the church.
When she came out two terrorists tormented her about her faith.
She hid in a garden when she saw men attacking her village, she heard the sound of gunshots in a church.
When they had gone she found her children but her husband was shot dead.
3. Why pray for the persecuted church in general and in these articles? Open Doors confirms that when you speak to persecuted Christians it is the first thing they ask for.
4. Esperance from the DRC- The ADF stormed her village and she fled with her husband and children.
They later returned but the ADF came back, forcing them to Butembo, where they live in extreme poverty and the family of 8 sleep in two small rooms.
The children are no longer in school and to feed them Esperance and her husband must walk 30 km to collect grass to sell to livestock keepers.
5. Tsongo- a father of six who was forced to flee with his children and wife the ADF attacks.
Courageously, his two daughters stayed behind to shelter displaced Christians in their home.
The two daughters later went back to the farm but never returned. A week later, their bodies were found.
Tspngo and his wife now live at his younger brother's house. The son risks his life returning to the farm when food is needed.
To conclude- these Christian brothers and sisters mentioned are as much our family as our biological one, so always let us pray for them.
Below- Pastor Josiah holding a picture of his deceased wife, now in glory.
