EAST AFRICA — Munah* is a young woman from east Africa and one of only a handful of Christians in her strictly Muslim tribe. Her family’s choice to forsake the beliefs and practices of their people group came at the considerable cost of isolation.But an Open Doors trauma care programme is helping her in healing from the physical and emotional abuse she endured.

*Name changed for security reasons.

Munah*, name changed for security purposes:

We left the ways of our tribe and our culture and we started to follow Jesus. But since we abandoned our culture and our old ways, people rejected us. They told us we didn’t belong there.

Muna is a young woman from East Africa and one of only a handful of Christians in her strictly Muslim tribe.

Her family’s choice to forsake the beliefs and practices of their people group came at the considerable cost of isolation.

Munah*:

They looked down on us and they kept their children away from us. We were bullied at school because of our faith. They said we didn’t have a clan or culture. We were chased away from their homes when we went to play with their children. And if their children came to our place, they were beaten and made to leave. We couldn’t have any friends. We were always afraid that villagers might kill us.

Sometimes when we left our farm, people let their animals onto our farm to eat our crops. Often they cut down our fruit trees. I realised that we were always surrounded by enemies who were stronger than us.

Then one particular and harrowing incident showed just how vulnerable Muna was.

Munah*:

My parents went to a church service a little bit far from our home. I was alone with my sisters when one of the villagers came to our house in the evening. I was laying on the bed when he came in and raped me. I was unable to defend myself against a grown man.

The trauma of the attack impacted Muna’s physical and emotional health. But she was directed to a trauma care programme run by Open Doors Partners.

Munah*:

I had ulcers, stress and I couldn’t go to school. I suffered from severe headaches. I wanted God just to end my life. I couldn’t find any purpose in my life.

In the trauma training, I finally understood that God is with us and that he helps us to go through our challenges. I also learned to share my problems so that I can be encouraged by others.

The blame I reserved for God turned to gratitude and I continued healing. I accepted my body and started to take better care of myself. I became a caregiver and a friend to those who have gone through similar situations.

Read more news on Christian Persecution, World Missions, and the Refugee Crisis.

About Open Doors UK

Open Doors is a non-denominational mission that supports persecuted Christians in over 70 countries where Christianity is socially or legally discouraged or oppressed. In their work, they provide vital support, training, and resources to those facing persecution or discrimination.

Resources that they provide include distributing Bibles and literature, running leadership training, assisting with socio-economic development and intercessory prayer. They also help victims of violence and disaster, including widows and orphans, with practical support such as relief aid, livelihood support, and community development projects.

Their vision is of a world in which every Christian who is persecuted is remembered and supported by other Christians. They pray for a world where there is no persecution.