It’s an all-too-common story: an attack against God’s people on one of the most important days of celebration for Christians. We see examples of this almost every year—you don’t have to go back very far to remember the horrific Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka in 2019.
But the latest example happened less than two weeks ago—a series of brutal attacks against mostly Christian communities in Nigeria, all right around Christmas. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, multiple villages in Nigeria’s Plateau State were attacked by suspected Fulani militants.
The villages are largely populated by Christians, meaning the recent attacks fit with the broader theme of believers being targeted by these militant groups.
“Confirmation on the identities and motive of the attackers will be slow to come in,” says Jo Newhouse, spokesperson for Open Doors operations in sub-Saharan Africa. “We can only go on what we know has been happening in this region over an extended period. We know that mostly Christian farming communities have been suffering attacks by Fulani militants over many years now. While the blame for the attacks usually falls on issues like climate change, ethnicity, socio-economy or politics, the religious element to these attacks should not go unrecognized. Over and over, we have seen defenseless Christians attacked without any provocation whatsoever.” To date, 140 deaths have been recorded as part of the attacks.
According to Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List research, Nigeria remains the most violent country in the world for Christians—and sub-Saharan Africa is the world’s deadliest region for God’s people. The statistics are horrifying. Out of every 10 Christians murdered for their faith, 9 are killed in this region. Out of 2,700 Christians kidnapped in 2022, 92% were in Nigeria.
“It is tragic that many fellow Christians who were looking forward to a peaceful Christmas celebration with loved ones and their local congregations, found themselves brutalized once again,” Newhouse says. “Those who managed to escape the carnage with their lives are now uprooted, traumatized and in mourning. We need to pray fervently for our brethren to experience the Lord’s abundant grace in the midst of these circumstances.”
Please join us in prayer as we lift up the victims of this latest attack and their families.
Two more Christians in Gaza were killed this week.
Two Christian women were killed by bullets on Saturday, December 16 while in the compound of the Catholic Church in Gaza city. As with many other Palestinian Christians, they had been sheltering in the church since the beginning of the war between Hamas and Israel.
According to a statement of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem the women were killed by an Israeli sniper. “Nahida and her daughter Samar were shot and killed as they walked to the sister’s convent. One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety. Seven more people were shot and wounded as they tried to protect others in the church compound. No warning was given, no notification was provided,” says the statement of the church.
The statement also says that earlier that day another convent was hit by an Israeli tank. That convent is part of the church compound and houses 54 disabled individuals, who were unable to stay in that building. Of those, some need respirators which they not longer have access to.
Three other persons in the church compound were wounded due to the heavy bombing in the area. The Latin Patriarchate speaks of a ‘senseless tragedy’. “We are at a loss to comprehend how such an attack could be carried out.”
In the church buildings and the compounds of the Catholic church and the Greek Orthodox church, where most of the ~1,000 pre-war Palestinian Christians found shelter, people live in constant fear of the bombardments by the Israeli air force. Those who found shelter in the church buildings face scarcity of food, the lack of sufficient toilets and the lack of shower opportunities.
War
On October 7, Hamas launched a surprise terror attack on Israel that killed about 1200 people in Israel, mainly citizens. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) responded with bombardments and a ground offensive in Gaza. Although the Israeli authorities ordered all people to leave Gaza, many stayed – including almost all the Christians . The Christians decided that the church buildings are the safest place for them to stay, instead of fleeing to the south of the Gaza strip where they don’t have church buildings or relatives.
Before this past weekend over 20 other Christians have died due to the bombardments, 18 of them when Israel targeted a house close to the Greek Orthodox church, causing significant damage to the church building.
Talking with those hiding in the church buildings is a challenge. Often there is no connection possible. For about a month already, these people are not able to leave the church compounds. “With Open Doors’ support they were able to buy mattresses and they bought food and drinking water… That is how they are surviving right now,” one of our Palestinian contacts says.
In the churches, committees have been formed of those who found shelter there. They organize the logistics in the churches, and some women groups are responsible for the cooking of the meals. Sometimes there is only food for one meal during a day. “Often most of the food goes to the children.”
Christians in the West Bank are also affected by the conflict in Gaza. “Last week Open Doors organized a meeting for young Christians from different Christian denominations in the West Bank. We were there with some 130 youth, they came to the meeting where they were encouraged with a message of God who has a purpose with everything that is happening. They listened to a message from Romans 8, especially verse 28, ‘And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ (NIV). When they left they were really encouraged.”
Pray
Please pray that everyone involved in the fighting will look to God instead of to violence.
Pray for comfort for those who lost loved ones.
Pray for those stuck in the church buildings in Gaza, for their physical and emotional wellness.
Thank God for those bringing food and drinking water.
Thank God also for the meeting where so many young Palestinian Christians were encouraged last week.
These are difficult days for Sister Elisha* from Central Asia.
She loves Jesus. She has for a long time – it’s not easy to be a Christian in Central Asia, but for Elisha, it’s worth it. Elisha, along with her mother, are two of a few Christians in an area that is mostly Muslim. Despite being a religious minority, it hasn’t stopped them from talking about Christ.
When some of their relatives converted to Christianity, the undercurrent of pressure from their social circles increased. It came to a head when Elisha shared the gospel with an elderly neighbour who was nearing the end of her life. Wonderfully, she chose to follow Jesus.
When the woman’s family found out about this, they were not pleased; and the brewing conflict finally erupted. Members of the community grew angry at Elisha and the other Christians – sadly, the persecutors included even some of Elisha’s own relatives.
The pressure against believers that already existed has only increased. The group of Christians face hardships – beatings, humiliation, threats and curses. Elisha, among others, was beaten very badly.
But it is perhaps most difficult for some of the new Christians. Elisha has a long history of journeying in faith, but some of her relatives do not. Facing persecution is a new reality for them.
Will you pray for this increasingly dangerous situation?
The local church is working to support the Christians as much as possible, but the pressure continues to grow. The concern now as that violence will ramp up. Even the elderly neighbour that Elisha shared Jesus with has been targeted: her relatives have threatened that she will not be granted a burial if she dies as a Christian.
Please pray that this whole situation does not lead to an open attack on Christians, to murders or to further violence. Such danger is very high.
Pray for:
Elisha and her mother – their faith, their safety.
Elisha’s converted relatives – their faith and safety.
For local Muslim community and Christian believers to have wisdom to resolve the conflict in a peaceful way
For the elderly Christian woman – for her faith and peace in her heart
Fifteen to 20 years ago, northeast China used to be a safe haven for North Korean Christian believers. But now, helping North Korean believers has become a significant risk.
A man dressed in a blue labourer’s uniform and wearing a black cap rides his bike at an easy pace over a hardened road that runs parallel to the Tumen River. Three barefoot women wash their family’s clothes in the gentle stream, and two children play with pebbles.
The whole scene couldn’t be more tranquil.
That is, it would be … if you weren’t looking from behind a two-meter-high barbed wire fence. Or if you didn’t see the small bullet holes on the riverbank across the water. And if you didn’t notice the watch tower in the distance, or the pole with cameras and megaphones nearby. And yet, this is now a common scene in northeastern China, along its border with North Korea.
Only 15 to 20 years ago, it was still relatively easy for North Koreans to cross illegally into China. And because so many of the North Koreans were supported by local Christians, this part of China became a fruitful mission field.
But that has changed. The appointment of Xi Jinping as China’s president, the COVID pandemic, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have turned this mission field into a minefield for Christians.
A riskier crossing
It’s understandable why people would want to leave North Korea, even if it’s only a temporary visit to China. The country is home to the brutal dictatorship of Kim Jong Un, and the horrific prison system is a risk for anyone who steps outside the lines of the regime. Christians are also heavily persecuted—North Korea currently ranks No. 1 on the Open Doors’ World Watch List.
North Korea also grapples with regular food shortages. A BBC report this summer interviewed people from the country who spoke of neighbors dying from starvation. It’s an echo of the famines of the 1990s, which killed at least 1 million people.
And yet, the number of North Koreans who make it to the South continues to drop, suggesting a larger pattern. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Unification, 2,000 North Korean escapees arrived in the South in 2006 and until 2011, South Korea accepted between 2,000 to 3,000 North Koreans every year. In the 2010s, that number dropped to between 1,000 and 2,000.
But in 2020 only 229 refugees made it. In 2021 just 63 came to South Korea, and in 2022 only 67. What happened?
“The first reason is Kim Jong-Un,” explains Brother Simon, who works with Open Doors’ North Korea ministry. “He succeeded his father in 2011 and was not even 30 at the time. His power base was weaker than that of his father and grandfather, and he had to oppress the North Korean people even more. He increased punishments, made laws stricter, and enforced the borders. At the same time, the Chinese government also strengthened the security in the border area. It wasn’t only difficult and dangerous to cross the border, but once in China, it was much harder to leave that country. North Koreans got stuck.”
The COVID pandemic had a major impact too. “Until the beginning of 2020, it was difficult to escape from North Korea, but not impossible,” Brother Simon says. “When the pandemic hit, the border was completely closed on both sides. Lockdowns in both China and North Korea prevented any people from traveling. This made escaping nearly impossible. China was the first country to implement restrictions and about the last to lift them. North Korea began very late, but also kept the restrictions for a long time.
In 2022 only 67 North Korean refugees arrived in South Korea. That number is down from between 2-3,000 in 2011.
Changing alliances and laws
Brother Simon also points out that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a negative effect on Christians and their fellow citizens in North Korea, too, because the war has changed North Korea’s relationship with its more powerful neighbours.
“The geopolitical arena is always changing,” he says. “Because the US and the West have supported Ukraine and isolated Russia, Russia has now become a stronger partner of North Korea. Not only Russia, but China, too. There was a time when China was critical of North Korea, but right now, they act like they are friends. This bond has been strengthened by the war in Ukraine.”
The pandemic had at least one upside. China hardly arrested any North Koreans because they were unable to repatriate them to their own country. But now that the borders have reopened and China’s President Xi Jinping and North Korea’s Leader Kim Jong-Un are friendlier, many North Koreans have been arrested and repatriated.
According to Human Rights Watch, China recently deported more than 500 illegal refugees, most of them women. “They will be asked if they have had contact with Christians”, says Eun-Kyung, another North Korean who was able to escape. She knows what it is like to be put in a van and driven back to North Korea. She was caught several times in the past but managed to escape twice and be released once. She was one of the lucky ones. Not everyone survives starvation, torture, and hard labour.
“The important thing is not to admit that you have read the Bible, been to church, or met any South Koreans,” she says.
The situation has also grown more dangerous because of China’s own changes in its laws. Doing mission work among North Koreans in northeastern China became risker when China amended a counter-espionage law, broadening the definitions of what is considered spying and increasing punishments for perceived crimes.
This law is vague and ambiguous and leaves much open to the interpretation of the authorities. It makes it much more dangerous to share certain information with foreign nationals.
“In practice, this means that Christians who help North Koreans can be detained and sentenced to 10 years in prison for conducting spy activities,” says Brother Simon. “And local Christians who want to meet foreigners need to report that in advance to the police. Doing mission work has become more dangerous.”
‘Jesus is still at work’
This is confirmed by Sister Han*, a contact of Open Doors in China. She doesn’t live close to the area where she helps Christian North Koreans who live in China, and she has to travel to that part of China. “Ever since the pandemic, I cannot take the bus anymore,” she says. “There are just too many checkpoints. I have to go in a local car using a local driver. And I have to wear local clothes. Basically, I travel in disguise if I meet North Korean women.”
These North Korean women have usually been trafficked and forcibly married to Chinese husbands. They receive food, support and Bible study from Open Doors. “If we meet in the countryside, we feel relatively free,” says Sister Han. “But if we meet in a building in the city, we must be very careful and sing and pray softly. You can always see that the women are nervous. Who knows who is watching or who is listening.”
But that doesn’t mean Open Doors and its local partners have stopped the work of serving North Korean believers. “Yes, the work continues,” says Lee. “But we have to be even more cautious. China is the country with the most sophisticated monitoring system in the world. You can’t even buy a train ticket without showing your ID. Then there are cameras connected to databases that make use of face recognition software.
“The Chinese government will always know where you are. But so does our Lord God. His Spirit helps us to reach the North Korean people who come to China. Jesus is still at work.”
When the world watched with horror as violence swept through Manipur State in northeastern India in May 2023, many were shocked at how many Christians were killed and how many churches were burned. More than 10,000 followers of Jesus were displaced.
One person who probably wasn’t surprised that religion played an important role in the brutality is Istuti*, an Open Doors partner from Manipur. She knows about the violence against believers among the Meitei. “They suffer secretly,” she says.
She should know—she’s one of them.
Growing up a Hindu Meitei
Growing up, Istuti was a Hindu, just like most people in the Meitei people group. “I used to worship idols,” she says. “We have a temple in our house, and my father used to serve [in] the temple as a Hindu. So, I also used to serve at the temple. I didn’t know the Lord.”
But Istuti’s life changed when a chance visit to a church led her to hear a sermon on John 3:16. “That word took to my heart, and I felt that God loves me so much, He gave the only Son for my sin,” she says. “I came to know my Saviour—my personal Saviour! And I was so happy when I went home. I was so excited. I had so much peace in my heart, so much joy that I shared to my family.”
Istuti’s family did not share in her excitement. It wasn’t long before her father began regularly beating her violently, destroying her Bible and persecuting her. “[My new faith] provoked the anger of my family because before, I used to serve all the idols, and suddenly I stopped,” she explains.
“When I read the Bible, they’d throw the Bible or they’d burn it,” Istuti remembers. “They’ve burned [more than five of my Bibles]—but I used to have a small Bible that I hid under the hay [on our land]. We have cows and buffaloes, and whenever my father told me to go and cut the hay, I was so happy that I get to read the Bible! When I would finish, I would hide the Bible again.”
Her family also stopped her from attending church, even tying her up on Sundays so she couldn’t go. Over the course of her teenage years, Istuti endured regular abuse for her faith in Jesus. She was beaten so severely one Christmas she couldn’t leave her bed. Her father kicked her out of the house one time, and she had to stay in the jungle. One of her uncles even offered to kill her.
That was now 20 years ago. Istuti was able to escape her situation and attend Bible school. She’s now married and has been able to leave her family home, though she still wants to have a relationship with her family. But this upbringing is why the violence in May wasn’t surprising—and why Istuti continues to pray for peace and the hope of Jesus among the Meitei people.
‘They want to erase Meitei Christians’
When churches and Christian villages were set on fire by Hindu extremists on May 3, 2023, Istuti was in a neighboring city in a different state, conducting a training with other believers. She was also expecting a baby. “There was lots of tension that night [in May],” Istuti remembers. “The people were struggling … Our volunteers and believers kept calling me all night. They couldn’t sleep! I was on the phone all of May 3 and the next day—they told me that they [Hindu-extremist groups from her own Meitei community] were forcing them to [re]convert [to Hinduism]. ‘They are going with guns!’ they would tell me. They were even beating women and children.”
What’s most heartbreaking for Istuti is that members of her own family participated in these attacks.
“That hurt the most. They burned my church.”
“That hurt me the most,” she shared, her voice breaking. “They burned my church. After they burned the church, they forced [the Meitei believers] to reconvert … All my relatives, they are the ones who destroyed my church. “My neighbors, my relatives, all of them are included in destroying the church … They feel that Meitei Christians support the tribal Kukis, so they want to erase all the Meitei Christians and they want to destroy Meitei churches.”
The Hindu extremists went to Meitei believers, demanding they reconvert and sign a statement saying they had left behind their faith in Jesus. “The [extremists] told [the Meitei believers] they should stop being Christians, that they should come back to being Hindu,” Istuti says. “And they cannot build churches anymore. That’s what they stipulated on a paper and told them to sign. They were beaten if they didn’t sign the paper.”
Istuti was torn and deeply troubled. Her faith and ethnicity seemed at war. She couldn’t help her fellow believers in the Kuki tribes because she is Meitei—and she was being targeted by Meitei extremists because she follows Jesus.
“I was lost, I just prayed – ‘Lord, please heal our people, heal our people,’” she says. Istuti couldn’t go back to Manipur because of the violence, and the grief took a toll on her body. Devastatingly, the emotional trauma was so dramatic that she miscarried her baby.
‘I believe the Lord will save them’
Months after the May attacks, Istuti continues to grieve the loss of her baby, and the continued hostilities among her people. Yet, she continues to hold on to who God is.
“I remember the word of God says that from Isaiah 40: ‘Do not be afraid, I’m with you,’” she says. “That word encouraged me a lot and I know He strengthens me until now. He’s always with me.”
She also hasn’t stopped praying for her family. “I love them so much,” she explains. “I’m praying for them. I believe the Lord will save them. My prayer is that one day, they will testify that Jesus is their Lord.”
One of the things Istuti rejoices about is the fact her father, who persecuted her before, came to know Jesus before he passed in 2020. She shared: “My father told me ‘what you are doing is right. Because of my fear, because of the pressure of the community, I have behaved like that. I am so sorry. I know that what you are doing is right.’” Istuti remembers this answer to prayer as she continues to pray for her family and her country.
“I want everybody who’s praying for Manipur to know that [Meitei Christians] are facing lots of suffering. I want to give them a voice, to pray and stand with them,” she says. “Everybody hates them because they are Meitei, and people don’t see how they are struggling. They are struggling [with oppression] from their family, from their relatives, and those who are pastors, they are facing being beaten, and are threatened [with death].
“Even in my community, when I became a Christian, they told me to reconvert! My family, my relatives, all of them! But I strongly stand because I know that the Lord will be with me. Jesus died for me; why do I need to reject [Him]? I cannot deny Him. I cannot leave my faith, even if they kill me.”
As one of Open Doors’ local partners, Istuti continues to reach out to Kuki and Meitei believers affected by the ongoing violence in Manipur with grocery relief, presence ministry, and other practical aid. Thanks to your gifts and prayers, she’s been able to help Christians recover from the horrific violence.
*Name changed for security reasons.
Pray with us
Continue to pray for peace in Manipur—pray that the Kuki-Christian tribes and Meitei-Hindu tribes will find reconciliation.
Pray for the ministry of Istuti with affected believers during this conflict. Pray that the Lord will continue to use her mightily and that He would protect her.
Pray for Meitei Christians who are a small minority in their community. Pray that they would stand strong in the promises of God in Christ, and that they would hold on to their faith despite being forced by their own friends and loved ones to recant their faith.
Praise God for Istuti’s enduring faith and testimony. Praise God for changing the heart of Istuti’s father—please continue to pray for the rest of her family to know Christ.
Pray for Open Doors’ partners like Istuti who take the risk to reach the persecuted church amid challenges and dangers.
A father experienced the brutality of his son after he, his wife, and his other children decided to commit their lives to Jesus and turn their backs on ancestor worship.
Huu Dat*, in his 60s, a husband, and a father to six children is a tribal believer from northwest Vietnam who became a follower of Jesus in July this year. When a friend introduced him to the gospel, Huu Dat, together with his wife and four children, chose to follow Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
Huu Dat’s eldest son (in his 30s) who only found out about his family’s conversion later, became mad. He demanded them to denounce their faith and return to ancestor worship, yet no one budged—they continued to worship the Lord. He continued to persuade his father to return to their old belief, yet Huu Dat was also firm. In their tribe, the prevailing belief is that converting to any religion is an act of betrayal and brings dishonour to their family and their tribe.
Come late October, frustrated and angry with his family’s conviction not to deny Jesus, the eldest son attacked Huu Dat, his father, and repeatedly hit him with a thick wooden rod. The beating left a long deep wound across his face and broken ribs.
In this tribal area of Vietnam, converting to another religion is seen as betrayal of tradition.
Huu Dat’s pastor, an OD local contact who is taking care now of Huu Dat and his family, says, “Despite what his son did to him, he continues to keep their faith in the Lord. His family continues to believe in the Lord. No one can change his faith now, not even the pain.”
Isaac*, another local partner who monitors the situation recently shared, “This week, Huu Dat was brought to the hospital due to intense and persistent pain in his upper body. He was checked and found that he had a few bone fractures. We are now preparing the help that we can give for his medication and for his family. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
“This incident has also been reported to the local authorities; yet since it is a family matter, they said they won’t get involved. Huu Dat’s local church has also informed the registered evangelical church about this incident, and they ask for everyone’s prayer for the family.”
Will you pray with us?
For God’s continuous healing and protection for Huu Dat, as his injuries are quite serious.
For God’s love to continue to reign over Huu Dat and his family which will be seen by the eldest son. May the Lord use their lives to draw the eldest son’s life closer to Him.
For understanding and remorse for the son who beat his father. Pray that the Lord works through his life and he too will willingly welcome Him in his life.
In a vibrant community of stilt houses, where the ebb and flow of the tides shape daily life, a 12-year-old girl named Jenny is carving a new path for herself and future generations.
Jenny comes from Southern Philippines, where opportunities for education seem far beyond her reach. In Jenny’s culture, tradition often overshadows the pursuit of education, leaving many youngsters to follow the familiar path of marrying at an early age, often as soon as they reach puberty. Early marriage has long constrained the potential of countless young women in Jenny’s community, which is why Open Doors local partners started a literacy class there – to give Jenny and many others like her an alternative option, and allow them the opportunity to dream.
Jenny usually helps her mother and sister at home with the chores. Her father toils tirelessly as a fisherman to provide for their needs, while her mother dedicates herself to nurturing their household. After helping her mother, she goes to school with her older sister, walking 30 minutes away from their home.
In school, Jenny says she is discriminated against by judgmental classmates and teachers who base their opinions solely on her tribal background. Consequently, she often finds herself isolated, without many friends. “They treat me badly because I can’t buy the same things as them. Even though we are in the same place, they stay away from me. I also hear mean words, not just about me but also about my family.”
Now in fourth grade, Jenny has a passion for learning that burns brighter than ever. With the literacy program, Jenny is not only equipped with the necessary tools to excel academically, but a powerful spark within her has been ignited – now, she can dream, and dream big. “Through the literacy program, I have developed strong reading and writing skills, enabling me to thrive in my studies,” she shares.
“I want to be a teacher!”
Jenny’s favorite subject is math. She likes the thought of being able to solve problems – in fact, now, she can help her mom. “When mama and I go to the market together, I help her with counting the payment when we buy food.”
Today, Jenny stands among the top students in her class. “I want to make a positive difference in the lives of others,” she shares. “I want to be a teacher.”
Jenny and her family have endured immense heartache and distress as a result of the prejudice they face, simply because they belong to a low-ranking tribe. This cruel discrimination has led to devastating economic hardships.
“My father works very hard, day and night, going far away from home to catch fish and provide for our family. When he comes back, we all gather as a family on Sundays for worship, which is a precious and cherished time for us.“
Jenny’s father, a devoted fisherman, faces persecution alongside his fellow fishers. Criticized for his unwavering faith in Jesus, he is unjustly restricted from fishing in certain areas. These obstacles have amplified the challenges he faces, making it increasingly burdensome to sustain their livelihood. However, their difficulties are further compounded by rival fishers who seek to dominate the fishing grounds. This has resulted in threats, violence, and even killings within the community, leaving Jenny’s father at constant risk. Despite these hardships, they trust that God will provide for their needs.
One particular day etched itself into Jenny’s memory, as she witnessed her father shedding tears for the first time. “It was truly heartbreaking to see my father return home devastated after days of demanding work,” she recounts, her voice breaking. During that time, there was chaos in the fishing area caused by rival fishers who resorted to violence and even targeted and killed fellow believers. “My father could not fish for several weeks due to the unsafe conditions,” Jenny continues. “It was a tough time for our family, but I am grateful that God took care of us and helped us.”
Jenny’s unwavering love for learning shines brightly, even in the face of tremendous adversity. Despite enduring mean comments and judgment from classmates and teachers due to her tribal background, she remains determined and thirsty for knowledge. Her resilience and unwavering spirit inspire those around her, offering a glimmer of hope that challenges can be overcome with perseverance and support.
Jenny wants to express gratitude to the people who are helping her learn: “I am truly thankful for the support provided for the literacy class. It has not only helped many children, including myself, but also inspired us to dream big, knowing that we have Jesus by our side.”
During Christmas, Jenny, and her family, along with their house church, come together for worship filled with singing and dancing, followed by a joyful shared meal. When asked about what she thinks of Christmas, she shares: “I absolutely love Christmas because it fills me with happiness! We play games, enjoy delicious food, and exchange presents. It is the only time I receive a gift, which makes it even more special for me!” She added, “Isa Almasih died for our sins. During Christmas, I remember how much He loves me and my family.”
Last Christmas, Jenny wished for good health for her parents. She dreams of growing up and making her parents proud with God’s help, as she envisions the person she will become. “I want to become a youth leader in the house church, like my older sister. I pray and hope that one day, I can help others grow in their faith, just as my older sister does now.”
This Christmas, you can help children like Jenny gain literacy skills! Visit the Open Doors Gifts of Hope catalogue to give the gift of literacy today.
Bethany has had to endure more than anyone should. But thanks to Open Doors partners and your gifts and prayers, she’s been given new hope to be a resilient light for Christ.
Bethany* has been through more than one person should be able to handle.
We met Bethany through her daughter, Mary*. Mary was abducted during a Fulani militant attack on her village in northwest Nigeria. She and three other women were held for 54 days, during which she repeatedly suffered sexual violence. After Bethany paid a ransom that impoverished her family, Mary was released.
But that was just the beginning of Bethany’s catastrophic year. A short time after her daughter was returned to her, Mary died unexpectedly after a short illness.
And then, only a few months later, Bethany herself was kidnapped while she was working on her farm. “Life in the hands of my abductors is an experience I will never forget,” Bethany says. “All I did was cry day and night and pray to God to rescue me. I felt the pain my daughter Mary felt when she was kidnapped last year. I kept asking God, ‘Why me?’ I was still hurting over the rape of my daughter by these wicked men, then the pain of losing her just when I thought God was wiping my tears. All these events left me heartbroken and hopeless.”
Bethany was released about a month later. But she was left with the scars of all the horrific things that have happened to her. She could have become just another sad story about what is happening to Christians across sub-Saharan Africa, the most violent place in the world for believers.
But Bethany’s story doesn’t end there—thanks to your gifts and prayers.
“I don’t think I would be alive today”
After Mary’s abduction, Open Doors partners had come alongside her to help her with trauma care. “I remember when my daughter attended the healing program, she came back full of hope and love,” Bethany says. “Everyone in our community kept talking about how she changed.”
And so, when Open Doors found out Bethany had also been kidnapped, our partners invited her to a similar program at the trauma centre.
Through this, God has worked a miracle. “This one week I have spent in the center has brought joy, hope and reassurance of God’s love for me,” Bethany says. “The teachings were so practical, and I felt the program was designed just for me. Listening to other women share their stories helped me know that I am not alone.
One of the parts of the program is a section where the women gathered to literally take the things they are burdened by and lay them to rest by pinning them to a cross. This was the most meaningful thing for Bethany. “The best part of the program ‘was taking my pains to the cross.’ I dropped everything that made me sad at the feet of Jesus, and I felt peace and joy.”
Bethany is incredibly grateful for the support of Christians like you that has allowed her to find this place of peace and healing. “Thank you for allowing God to use you to mend broken hearts,” Bethany says. “I remember when my daughter came here … Little did I know that one day I would go through the same experience and be invited also for trauma healing. If I did not attend this program, I don’t think I would be alive today, maybe I could have committed suicide just to find rest from all the pain. But God is not done with me yet; thank you.”
But because of your gifts and prayers, Open Doors partners were able to help Bethany even more. Before Mary passed away, our partners gave her money that she used to buy a piece of land in a safer area for her family. And so, our partners decided to make Mary’s hopes a reality and supported Bethany with the construction of a house on the property that Mary had purchased. They decided to surprise Bethany with it when it was done.
When Bethany was kidnapped, it created some uncertainty—but the builders continued in faith that Bethany would be released, and she’d be given a finished home.
The house remained a secret until the day finally came when the team could take Bethany to her new home. After she completed her trauma healing program, partners traveled with Bethany to the plot of land that Mary bought for them.
“My brethren in Christ, I am grateful to you all because what Mary [or Charity] wanted to do for me, you gave yourselves to do it for me,” Bethany said. “God, who is in heaven, will bless you double-fold. I am sure my daughter would be happy and saying ‘thank you’ from heaven, because her dream has been brought to reality. I lack the best words to say thank you.”
Inside her new house, kneeling on the ground, hands in the air and tears rolling down her face, Bethany broke into song: “Father, all things are possible with You,” she sang. “We are grateful to You, God. Because all things are possible with You.”
Join us in thanking God for Bethany’s life and that He has brought good out of the suffering she has experienced. Her scars will stay, but because of you and the global Church, she is not left hopeless.
It’s been a few weeks since the brutal attack on a Christian community in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that left 35 people dead. The attack happened on October 24 near the town of Oicha, and was carried out by suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). The ADF has carried out many attacks in the DRC and neighboring Uganda, and perhaps most alarmingly, has close ties to the Islamic State group.
“Many people—[including] mothers, women [and] children—were executed and beheaded,” shared Reverend Gabriel, a church leader in Oicha. By October 28, many of the victims had been buried.
Now, Rev. Gabriel and other church leaders in this part of the DRC are asking for the prayers of the global Church. “Many of these people [were] Christians,” Rev. Gabriel said. “They [were] servants of God, and teachers in our schools … it is the Church that is under attack. We call on the whole world to pray for us.”
Pastor Paluka, a a lecturer at the Biblical Institute in Oicha, echoed the urgent need for prayer: “Really pray for us so that [the funerals] happen in peace and pray for the situation we are going through, because the fear increased when the enemies entered the city,” he said. “Your prayer is very important to us at this time when we are going through pain.”
Will you stand with your brothers and sisters in the DRC as we pray with them?
Pray for the families and communities left behind by those who were killed in the massacre. Ask God to be near to them and bind up their wounds.
Ask God for an end to the violence in the DRC. It has become so prevalent and created a massive displacement crisis. Pray that God would bring His peace to this part of sub-Saharan Africa.
Pray for the resilience of the church. Pray that they would be able to mourn with one another and walk with each other through this time of deep suffering.
Pray for the hearts of the ADF fighters, that they would see the hope that Jesus offers them—and that they would see He loves them more than they could possibly know.
Pray for Open Doors partners as they walk alongside the church in the DRC. Pray our partners would be able to equip the local church to provide spiritual and physical support to Christians in crisis.
On Friday, November 3 around 6:30am, a bomb fell on the mission house of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco in Khartoum, El-Shajarah. Since the start of the war the nuns have welcomed Christians and non-Christians alike. Open Doors sources share that a group of children and two nuns sustained injuries, as well as the headmaster of a school. Altogether 23 people sustained injuries (4 adult and 19 teenagers and children).
The next day, the church building used by both the Evangelical and Episcopal Church in Omdurman, was also bombed. At least six children have died following the bombing. The explosion not only damaged the church, but also the Orphan boys’ house situated in the church compound, killing the children.
Earlier in 2023, conflict escalated between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary
Rapid Support Forces. It is believed that these church buildings were hit because they are situated in between the two warring factions. Sources suspect the bomb was fired by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
A partner on the ground in Khartoum shares that there is no way to know for certain if the church buildings were bombed intentionally. However, the Salesian nuns were providing much needed shelter and care for many who had been unable to leave Khartoum. “The nuns gave people a safe place to stay, water, food and electricity to charge their phones. They even provided medical care,” OD partner shares.
Representatives of the warring factions in Sudan’s ongoing conflict in October agreed to meet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to resume negotiations. The fighting between the SAF led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has so far “killed more than 9,000 people and displaced some 5.6 million since April”.
Sudan sits at number 10 on the 2023 World Watch List. While it looked for a time like it was on a positive trajectory in regards to human rights (including religious freedom), a military coup in 2021 effectively undermined the progress that had been made. That political instability resulted in the current conflict, and the Sudanese church continues to find themselves at risk of imprisonment and violence.
Pray
Pray for complete healing and quick recovery for the injured.
Pray that relief will reach the Church in Sudan, especially those who are still in ‘hot zones’.
Pray for God’s protection over Christian leaders who are in the ‘hot zones’ who have decided to continue helping and serving the Church irrespective of the circumstances.
The day the Helping Others Pray and Encourage (HOPE) team came to the darkened room, it was a day after room had been destroyed. It was in a sub-basement, and it had been a place of worship for over 300 Christians in Pakistan.
But one day in August, this room—along with countless other churches and homes—were destroyed and demolished. That’s because this room is in one of the communities in or near Jaranwala, Pakistan, where a violent mob attacked Christian homes and places of worship.
The HOPE team, an Open Doors partner, was there thanks to your ongoing support. As the team looked around the ruins, they saw the pieces of air conditioners that were hanging on the wall the day before, now just twisted pieces of metal mixed with a pool of solidified molten plastic. The burned metal wires were left exposed on concrete pillars; the building was unsafe and could easily collapse.
What once were chairs were now just mangled metal. And perhaps the most alarming sight was the pile of Bibles in the center of the church. They were still smoldering from the bonfire that the mobs had started to burn these copies of God’s Words.
But the HOPE team was particularly drawn to a shocking sight: a charred cross, 11 feet high and 6 feet wide. It dominated the altar space. And it was still there, in its metal holders. Miraculously, it was left damaged but whole—a reminder that God’s people, the Body of Christ, had claimed this place as holy ground.
The HOPE team prayed. One of the leaders promised to the Christians gathered there to help them rebuild their church. “We will start with the cross,” he said.
Less than a week later, the HOPE team returned to the church, with a new cross, exactly the same dimensions as the charred one.
When the team walked into the church, everyone stopped working. Several of the congregation who was gathered outside followed the team into the church hall. The HOPE team took off their shoes and stood on the altar. The pastor came in and helped remove the charred cross. It was gently laid in a white cloth and slowly wrapped with care.
The renovation work had begun.
Many of the people standing there began to cry.
The HOPE team spoke and counseled the group. They recalled weddings and happy memories of Christmas and Easter services with carols and joyful shouts of “He Is Risen indeed.” So much had been witnessed at the foot of this cross. It was hard not to see that the gathered believers were losing a part of their history—a part of themselves.
The pastor himself was very sad and prayed a prayer for the new cross and a prayer of thanksgiving for the HOPE team who brought them this precious gift. The cross was dedicated; new clasps were installed. Now, new memories can be made under a new cross. Jesus is alive and able to withstand anything—He has promised that His Church will always endure and that He will be with us, and perhaps the installation of this new cross was just a glimpse of that reality. This community of Pakistani Christians will continue to follow Jesus, knowing that the power of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection will always persevere.
Thanks to your support, the HOPE (Helping Others Pray and Encourage) Community—an Open Doors partner on the ground—has been equipped to help with both immediate and long-term needs in the affected communities. Please continue to hold these precious and vulnerable brothers and sisters in your prayers and urgently mobilize your church to pray for their safety, protection—and for peace. You can continue to support HOPE’s ongoing efforts in these areas of ministry on the ground.
Pray
Join us in praying for continued restoration and hope for the Jaranwala community in Pakistan.
Pray that the efforts of the HOPE team would bear fruit and that Christians would be able to come together to rebuild their community after the attack.
Pray for safety and protection for the church from any future attacks.
On Tuesday morning, October 24, the community in Oicha, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo woke up to gunshots and 26 people killed in their town. The Allied Democratic Forces, a group linked to the Islamic State are thought to be responsible for the gruesome attack.
“We have just placed 26 bodies in the morgue of Oicha’s general hospital,” said Darius Syaira, Beni territory’s civil society representative.
Open Doors field sources say the attack started at around 9:30 pm when armed men stormed the Christian neighbourhood of Masosi, situated some 2km into Oicha city centre.
“When the people heard gunshots at the beginning, they thought thieves had come into the village which is not unusual but when the cracking of bullets lasted for an hour, they then knew it was the ADF”, shares Mumbere, a Christian youth leader within the community.
Many people began running when they heard gunshots. In the process, some were caught and slaughtered with machetes, others died of gunshots on the spot and far away; and those who could not flee were burnt in their houses.
As of Tuesday October 24 morning, at least 26 bodies had been identified. Field sources signal some 12 children amongst the casualties, and that the figures may be higher. The bodies of the children were brough to the Oicha General Hospital mortuary. 12 houses were also burnt, shops were looted, and many Christians have been reported missing including women and children.
“This is a bad situation,” said one local pastor.
Another source shared, “This situation like in previous incidents can cause Christians to resort to traditional religions in search of protection for their families”, commented a field source.
These incidents happen amongst many others in the North Kivu province, Beni territory especially. Christians need prayer from the body of Christ and strength from God to survive the severe suffering the face at the hands of the ADF.
The Landscape of North Kivu province, DRC.
Pray
Pray for the believers in Oicha who have lost family and friends in this attack. May God’s Spirit be a comfort to them and a source of peace in this difficult time.
Pray for the local church leaders ministering to this faith community. Pray that their words and actions will be encouragement to believers, that their presence will be a source of strength and a reminder that God is longsuffering but not blind to the injustice and pain they face.
Pray for the upcoming general election – that it will be peaceful and fair. Most of all that whoever is elected will be a God-fearing man. “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” – Proverbs 21.
YOUR YEAR-END GIFT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.
Persecution is growing, and so are the needs of persecuted believers. More Christians need Bibles, discipleship, trauma counselling, and relief aid as they face violence, displacement, and loss.
The Canada Post strikes slowed the arrival of gifts during this critical time of year. Will you help?
Your support will empower persecuted believers through Bibles, training, relief aid, trauma counselling, and more.
Persecution is growing, and so are the needs of persecuted believers. More Christians need Bibles, discipleship, trauma counselling, and relief aid as they face violence, displacement, and loss.
The Canada Post strikes slowed the arrival of gifts during this critical time of year. Will you help?
Your support will empower persecuted believers through Bibles, training, relief aid, trauma counselling, and more.
War
The pastor himself was very sad and prayed a prayer for the new cross and a prayer of thanksgiving for the HOPE team who brought them this precious gift. The cross was dedicated; new clasps were installed. Now, new memories can be made under a new cross. Jesus is alive and able to withstand anything—He has promised that His Church will always endure and that He will be with us, and perhaps the installation of this new cross was just a glimpse of that reality. This community of Pakistani Christians will continue to follow Jesus, knowing that the power of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection will always persevere.
