The Devil on our Doorstep
CHRISTIANS UNDER ATTACK
Attacks on Northern Mozambique started in 2017. The terrorist group, known as Al-Shabaab, launched their first attack on the coastal city of Mocimboa da Praia, attacking police checkpoints. Thus began a cycle of violence that has continued to escalate ever since.
Over the past three and a half years, Al-Shabaab have attacked around 400 times in and around the province of Cabo Delgado. Thousands of people have been killed. Over 700 000 people have been displaced from Cabo Delgado, Niassa and Nampula.
The main reason for these attacks is believed to be for the oil. Cabo Delgado is home to the biggest gas project in Africa.
Another reason is possibly that Mozambique is considered a "Christian" country. While the jihadists have been known to attack anyone who crosses their path, their main aim seems to be Christians. 30-50% of the people displaced are Believers.
Thus, Mozambique has been declared a persecuted country.
Sources have confirmed that several Christians have been targeted.
One woman’s family was trying to escape when a group of insurgents took her husband and beheaded him. Photos were then sent out to various people as a warning. She has been left with two children to look after and is severely traumatised.
Another family was trying to get away when they took the oldest son and beheaded him as well.
50 people were beheaded in a sports field.
This is just the surface of all the horrible things that have happened to Christians in Cabo Delgado.
In March 2021, the insurgents moved into Palma (the town nearest to the gas project) from 3 different directions and started shooting, as well as throwing mortar bombs. Homes, shops and offices were lit on fire. Cars were shot at as people tried to escape. The insurgents ran after people, shooting at them as they were trying to escape into the surrounding bush. This went on for twelve days.
When all this was over and the insurgents were gone, the people from Palma started to return to the town. After spending days in the bush, they were exhausted and hungry, having lived on root vegetables and rain water for almost two weeks. The buildings were still smouldering. The roads were littered with bodies.
Most of these people ran from their homes with nothing but their clothes on their backs, so when they returned, everything they had was destroyed.
WHAT ARE WE DOING TO HELP?
Voice of the Martyrs South Africa has already sent copies of "Tortured for Christ" Richard Wurmbrand's story in Portuguese, as well as Portuguese Bibles into Northern Mozambique. We are trying to raise funds to send more Bibles as well. The people are hungry for the word of God.
Various organisations and churches in Mozambique are taking in refugees and feeding them with what little money they have. There are people who are transporting bibles, maize, oil, etc. to those in need.
But people are still lacking necessities, especially as winter has arrived and shelter is a problem.
HOW CAN YOU BE PRAYING?
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Pray for the safety of the Believers in Mozambique and for others to come to Christ.
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Pray that the government will provide protection through the military and police in Cabo Delgado.
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Pray for Al-Shabaab, that God will work in their hearts and they will come to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
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Pray for pastors and evangelists who are still going around preaching the Gospel, risking their lives to encourage those around them.
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Pray for the people who are putting all their time and money and becoming worn-out helping the refugees.
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Pray for those distributing food, seed packs, and other resources that are being provided.
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Pray for funds to be raised so that we can help our brothers and sisters in Christ.
WHAT DO THEY NEED?
1. Bibles in Portuguese and Swahili
2. Capulana material for clothes, nappies, bedding, etc.
3. Tarps for shelter,
as people's homes have been destroyed.
4. Water filtration systems
5. Personal Life Straw water filters.
WHAT CAN I DO?
If you would like to get involved, we need "PRAYER WARRIORS'. Secondly, we need "DONATIONS".
Hebrews 13:3 says
"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."
We have projects set up for Mozambique which are being monitored and distributed by missionaries and pastors. If you would like to donate, please click on the DONATE NOW link below and mark your donation as "Mozambique".
100% of your donation will be used to assist Christians in Mozambique.
Sources:
Personal contacts
International Christian Concern
BBC
The Africa Report
Sky News