A series of attacks in the DRC this past weekend, including a church massacre, has left at least 49 dead and 20 children kidnapped.
Early on July 26th, Islamist extremists attacked a worship service at Blessed Anuarité Parish in Komanda, DRC.
Christians had come to Komanda from nearby towns for a 2-day celebration. The extremists attacked during a prayer vigil around 1 AM.
“They killed some believers who were in the church hall. Those who tried to flee were caught at the door and slaughtered in the compound. Others who made it to the road were also caught and killed”, said an Open Doors local church partner who visited the community on Monday after the attack.
Pieces of clothing, shoes, slippers and bags could be seen strewn across the floor, as the panicked believers tried to flee.
Before and after the attack, the extremists (part of the Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF) also killed Christian individuals in nearby villages and burned houses and cars. All told, our field partners gathered that 49 Christians were killed during the Saturday and Sunday attacks, men and women alike.
In Komanda, the ADF also took at least 20 children hostage. Before retreating, they looted businesses and set shops, houses and cars ablaze.
“We buried 37 Christians killed by the ADF.” said Aimé Lokana, leader of the parish.
These believers were laid in a mass grave dug with support from the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).
“Relatives of some victims who had come from different villages for the silver jubilee decided to take their bodies back to their villages for burial,” said our local partner, who was present for the mass burial.
The amount of grief was overwhelming. Our local partner said that some wept at the loss of their loved ones, while others lamented over the abducted children at the mass burial. “It was sadness upon sadness.”
"If God listens to us, why does He allow these [extremists] to continue to make us suffer?...please Lord, come to our aid. We are at the end of our rope."
“I held the hand of a woman whose child had been abducted. I told her not to despair, to continue trusting God, because He is the God who makes the impossible possible. I told her not to lose hope, that she was not alone, and that we are praying for her and her child.”
For some like 31-year-old Jackson* (pseudonym), the incident was a déjà-vu. He had previously fled an ADF attack on his community to seek refuge in Komanda. This area has long been a hub for people fleeing ADF attacks.
“Really, if God listens to us, why does He allow these ADF to continue to make us suffer? This is the second time these ADF have burned down my shop.” he told our local partner. Such questions are natural in the face of calamity.
But like many in this troubled part of the country who have lost faith in the government security apparatus and administrative actions to solve the situation, Jackson believes only God can help them out. “Please, Lord, come to our aid. We are at the end of our rope”, he cried out.
Despite this devastating attack, the church community of Komanda remains faithful and resilient. Having buried their dead, the church has organized a 9-day prayer service to cry out to God for their plight.
“In the face of the situation that has befallen us, we ask all Christians around the world to pray for us during this critical time, but above all to unite with us who died valiantly defending their faith”, Lokana said.
“Let us help each other more with prayer so that the children return home, so that we can see them again,” echoed Kavugho Malasi, whose 12-year-old daughter, Christine was among those kidnapped.
Pray
Please join believers in Komanda in praying for God’s comfort in this troubled time.
Thank God for the burial which took place without incident despite tension in the area.
Pray that the Lord will touch and transform the hearts of the ADF fighters. Pray for their repentance and that they will come to know Jesus.
Pray for the kidnapped children to be returned safely.
Continue to pray for the government security forces in securing the inhabitants from the ADF and pray for peace that lasts within the DRC.
