Gilberte Bussiere, a Canadian nun who is in her mid-70s, as well as Giampaolo Marta and Gianantonio Allegri, two priests from Italy, were all involved in social development and education within the country. At last report, there was no news of the missing missionary workers.
Sources suspect that the Islamic group Boko Haram may be responsible for the abductions, as the group has kidnapped other Christians and foreign nationals in the area. Cameroon's north -- which borders the countries of Nigeria, Chad and Central African Republic -- has become a base for such militants.
"Our Muslim neighbours have expressed their compassion and sympathy towards us. Many say they fear that a scenario similar to that affecting their immediate neighbours, Nigeria and the Central African Republic, could happen in northern Cameroon," a church leader shared.
Please bring Gilberte, Giampaolo and Gianantonio to our Lord in prayer, asking that He sustain and encourage them during this difficult trial. Pray that they will very soon be released unharmed. Until then, may they be a witness to their abductors of the love of Christ, prompting them to learn more about our Saviour. Please also pray for peace and stability in northern Cameroon.
To post a prayer of support and concern for these abducted believers, please visit our
Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.
BAHRAIN: Child Beaten for Her Faith
Source: VOM USA
A 10-year-old girl was badly beaten recently by her mother and uncle after she told them she believed in Jesus.
The girl's father has been a believer for several years and is open with his family about his faith. During a recent conversation with her mother and uncle, the girl was asked what she believed. This was her reply: "I believe what my dad believes. I believe in Jesus."
The child's mother and uncle immediately began to beat her, leaving her badly bruised. Despite the beating, the girl and her father remain committed to following Christ.
Ask God to grant physical and emotional healing to this young girl as she recovers from the ordeal. May her faith grow stronger each day, despite the pressure she will surely continue to face. Thank the Lord that her father is also a believer, and pray that he will be a source of comfort and strength for his daughter as she follows Jesus. Finally, pray for the girl's mother and uncle, that they may also come to accept Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
For more stories about children facing opposition for their faith, as well as activities and videos geared especially for kids, please visit VOM's website for children at
www.KidsofCourage.com.
RECENT PRISONER UPDATE
IRAN: Farshid Fathi Injured by Prison Guard
Sources: Mohabat News, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Elam Ministries
Farshid Fathi, a believer serving a six-year prison sentence for "political offences," was among more than 30 prisoners who were injured by guards and security agents in Evin Prison on April 17th. (For more information on Farshid's sentence, please visit
this page.)
Forces from the Intelligence Ministry, Revolutionary Guards, and over 100 prison guards were involved in the violence, which left dozens of prisoners seriously injured. Farshid suffered a broken foot and toe when a guard stamped on his bare foot to prevent him from assisting an injured inmate during the attack. The assault occurred after the inmates protested against an aggressive inspection that had lasted for over five hours.
Three days later, on Easter Sunday (April 20th), Farshid was finally transferred to a hospital where he was treated with a cast. However, he will also reportedly need surgery in the coming weeks.
He later wrote the following note:
"Today I celebrate our Lord's resurrection (with) mixed feelings of joy and pain in a different way and in a different place. My left foot is in a cast after they broke it last Thursday in violations they applied against helpless prisoners under the excuse of inspections. After three days of pain, finally they took me chained and shackled to a hospital on Easter morning. Though I was in dire pain, I took it as a gift from our Lord to get out of prison -- even for a few hours. Of course, we forgive them for all they have done to us because we are followers of the One who says, 'Father, please forgive them because they don't know what they are doing.' So my dear friends, please...pray for me that I may know Him and be found in Him and the power of (His) resurrection."
Thank the Lord that Farshid was eventually able to receive medical attention. Pray that he will continue to recover, and that he will promptly receive any further necessary treatment. May Farshid and other imprisoned Christians in Evin Prison be a source of reconciliation and peace between fellow prisoners and their authorities, so that the violence will cease. Finally, please also pray that Farshid will be filled with renewed hope and joy as he faces a six-year prison sentence. May he continue to look to our resurrected Lord for strength and grace while serving Him behind bars until granted release.
To write a letter of encouragement to Farshid Fathi in his own language, please visit
VOM's letter-writing website.
