The violence has been particularly intense in Beyla city, 150 kilometres northeast of Nzérékoré. Describing the scene, a local priest identified as Father Joseph says, "Almost all the houses and shops belonging to Christians, or people affiliated with Christians, have not escaped the fury of attackers." In Beyla alone, two churches were burned and several buildings were ransacked. Within a Catholic compound, assailants looted and burned the nuns' quarters, the presbytery, and most of the offices.
Similar acts of violence were reported in the neighbouring city of Moribadou, home to workers for the mining giant Rio Tinto, and also in the city of Sinko. About 10 churches were destroyed in that outbreak of violence, which lasted nearly three days. Throughout the region, a number of people are still missing. Churches and local NGOs are trying to reunite families. Some Christian families have found refuge in military camps and surrounding villages.
World Watch Monitor warns that Islamic fundamentalism is increasing in southeastern Guinea. The organization claims that the violence perpetrated in this part of the country has strong religious dimensions. In the nation of 10 million people, 85 percent of the population is Muslim. Christians represent only 4 percent of the overall population.
Pray that God will bring great peace and comfort to the troubled hearts of His children in Guinea, at the same time, drawing them closer to Himself and reassuring them of His unfailing presence. May the displaced members clearly sense His leading as He carefully guides them into safe areas of refuge and reunites them with their missing loved ones. In addition to providing for all of their physical needs, may He bring total restoration and healing to shattered lives, families and communities. This, of course, includes His work of salvation in the hearts of those instigating the violence.
UZBEKISTAN: Authorities Attempt to Stifle Ministry of Children's Camps
Sources: Forum 18 News Service, Assist News
The government officials of Uzbekistan, a country once part of the former Soviet Union before its independence in 1991, is attempting to deprive the registered Baptist Union of the land it owns and uses to run summer camps for children and families. State officials are claiming -- without any apparent legal foundation -- that the land was "illegally" purchased in 2000.
In a separate incident, an unrelated children's camp organized by local Protestants in the Samarkand Region was raided. It is reported that the raid made against 31 participating adults and children included the deployment of 30 regular police officers, 20 members of the riot police squad, and 30 additional officials from the regional tax authorities, fire department, Sanitary-Epidemiological Department, as well as members of the regional administration.
Reportedly, the police officers began brandishing their rubber batons during the raid. They "collected statements from everyone -- even from small children separated from their parents." After over six hours of questioning, and additional raids made on the alleged organizers' homes, it is expected that charges will be brought against six Protestants.
Representatives of the Baptist Union have filed a complaint to the Prosecutor-General, stating that "the future of Uzbekistan cannot be built on the plundering of religious organizations." Other stories of persecution can be found at the
Uzbekistan Country Report.
Despite the frustrations of having to contend with opposing government officials, may God grant the leaders of these Christian camps much wisdom, patience, and an extra measure of His grace. In fact, may their response to the opposition serve as a strong and vibrant Christian witness to all involved. Our Lord promises in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of Hades will not prevail against the church, and that includes the church in Uzbekistan. As a result of His intervention in both situations, pray that these ministries will be able to move forward boldly... reaching even more people with the Gospel.
EGYPT: Christian Girl Shot After Attending Bible Class
Sources: Morning Star News, Assist News, Fox News
While walking home from a Bible class at her church, a Coptic (Egyptian) Christian girl was recently shot and killed in Cairo by an unidentified gunman. Ten-year-old Jessica Boulous of the Ain Shams section of Cairo was killed during the early evening of August 6th while walking with her Sunday school teacher from the church to her home. According to a Middle East correspondent, the teacher turned to buy an item at a market stall only to look back and find Jessica lying motionless in a puddle of blood. A Muslim shopkeeper, who saw the child fall to the ground, quickly ran to her side. He took off his shirt, wrapped it around her motionless body and rushed her to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Jessica's uncle, Nasr Allah Zakaria, said the killing has devastated the family. "I just can't believe she is gone," he says in a state of shock. "She was such a sweet little girl...like a daughter to me." Nasr, who pastors an evangelical church in Egypt, continues by saying that violence against Christians "seems to be normal" in Egypt now.
"Violence or intimidation against Christians has become almost a daily occurrence in most parts of Egypt," adds the previously mentioned correspondent. "In the aftermath of the protests that led to the removal of Mohamed Morsi as president, militant supporters of Morsi have...called for revenge against Christians."
The new wave of attacks has included drive-by shootings, kidnappings, destruction of church buildings and Christian-owned property, and now lethal shootings. Unidentified vandals have painted graffiti on church buildings and Christian-owned homes and businesses declaring, "Egypt is Muslim, not Christian." To view an informative nine-minute video clip addressing the tremendous challenges believers in Egypt are facing,
click here.
Pray that the 'God of all comfort' (2 Corinthians 3:5-7) will minister in a special way to all who hold this precious child dear to their hearts. May He somehow assure them of the fact that she is now completely safe with Him, bringing to their remembrance the promise that they will one day be joyfully reunited with her again. In the meantime, may they sense our prayers and, most of all, God's strength upholding them during this difficult time. Please also pray for other fellow believers in Egypt who need His strength, comfort, safety and encouragement in the midst of the country's political and spiritual battle.
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