Can you remember what you were doing in 2017? Does it seem like a long time ago?
That’s how long Christians in northern Mozambique have been enduring the savagery of the Islamic State.
Can you imagine eight years of living through an Islamist insurgency – especially knowing that, as a follower of Jesus, the terrorists have you in their sights?
Islamic State Mozambique glories in the slaughter of Christians and the burning of churches
These Islamist insurgents glory in the slaughter of those they call “infidels”. They boast on social media of burning churches and butchering Christians. They have pledged to build a caliphate that will subjugate all who oppose them.
More than half a million people have been forced from their own homes by the violence.
Among them is Pastor Jorge.
Jorge witnessed an Islamic State attack in northern Cabo Delgado Province. He saw the church where he ministered burned down. Thankfully he – along with his wife and three children – was able to escape to a safer location further south.
The bamboo church building where Pastor Jorge now ministers to those forced to flee from their homes
Jorge’s family are among around 7,000 families who have sought safety in this region.
Moved by a desire to serve both the Lord and His people, Jorge planted a new church. It now has 120 members – all IDPs – and continues to grow.
But food is scarce. The church members had to leave animals and farming equipment behind when they made their escape. They want to start farming again, labouring with their own hands to meet their own needs.
All they need is you.
Could you donate towards the cost of a corn mill that will allow the Christian farmers to grind their own corn? Could you buy a goat for a church member as part of a church-wide sustainable livestock project?
Above all, can you pray that the Lord will meet the urgent needs of our suffering brothers and sisters?
How you can pray
Lord God and Heavenly Father, thank You for the faith and resilience of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We pray that You will bless their plans for corn production and livestock rearing, so that they can provide for their own needs. Please bring an end to the Islamist insurgency that so dreadfully affects Christians and others across northern Mozambique, for we ask it in our Saviour’s Name.
How you can give
£15.50 ($18.60; €17) could pay for 50 bricks to be used in the construction of the corn mill
£44 ($52; €48) could buy a male and a female goat as part of a sustainable livestock initiative
£1,126 ($1,351; €1,238) could cover the entire cost of the corn-milling machine
