NIGERIA – Last summer, Open Doors shared the story of Rose from Nigeria. Her husband, a pastor, had been murdered by Fulani militants. Their partners recently visited her again and she told them, despite her troubles: “The Lord has not forsaken me.”

When Open Doors met Rose in June 2020, we found a woman who held onto her faith despite her suffering. Rose’s husband, a pastor, had recently been killed by Fulani militants who raided their village in Nigeria’s middle belt. She was pregnant too. Rose’s baby was born in the summer, but lately sadly died due to an illness.

Rose:

“I only put my trust in God to see me through.”

“She died on the 12 December, 2020. Honestly, my baby dying was so hard for me, because it happened not long after my husband’s death.”

Despite her tragic losses, Rose keeps trusting in God, as she raises her two other daughters, Esther and Joy.

“My hope is to see my children walking in the ways of God. I wake them up to read the Bible to encourage our hearts and to help come to grips with what happened to their father and the baby. Sometimes their father’s death disturbs them. Sometimes they ask where he is. When I answered that he travelled very far away, they become very sad. I want you to join me in prayer for my children. Please pray that God continues to provide for me so that I can bring them up to live meaningful lives.”

Rose’s suffering last year was worsened by the difficulties caused by Covid-19 and the government lockdown. But she’s grateful that Open Doors local partners supported her with essential relief aid.

“During the past year since I have become a widow, truly the Lord had not forsaken me. I have received help from different people including you. God has also blessed by farm. I got a good harvest. I really want to say thank you for all the help and support you have given me. From my husband’s death to my baby’s delivery, you have been there for me I want to say thank you. There is nothing I can say or give that is great than ‘thank you.’”

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.

Read more news on Widows, Christian Persecution and Disaster Relief.