Could you imagine waking up to gunshots?
Your wife and children running outside
of your home to see what was going on,
getting caught in a trap,
and then being brutally killed
because of a vengeance between people groups
yet your wife and children were completely innocent?
You then look up and the church you pastor
is completely engulfed in flames?
This is the reality of one man we met.
Could you imagine waking up to rebels coming to burn down all the Christian homes, businesses, and churches in your entire village?
Could you imagine being the one who decided to leave his home with his brother and sister to protect the church from being burnt down, looking back and seeing your own home on fire, completely destroyed?
Could you image being the head of a village
of over 500 people
and waking up to your home on fire?
Could you imagine leaving your home
and seeing your entire village
being surrounded, burnt, and massacred?
Could you image being the head of a village
and not only losing 250 villagers
but also 10 of your own children
and 4 of your own grandchildren?
This is the reality of one man we met.
Could you imagine
waking up to multiple
armed men in your room
who not only cut off your nose
and severely slashed your arm,
but they also killed your mother
and sister
who are in the same room as you?
Could you imagine
being 20 years old
and being the only survivor
of your family?
Could you even begin to imagine, because I cant. Even being here amongst these villagers, I cannot even pretend to relate with them. But these stories are the harsh reality of the villages of Nigeria who have been affected by the senseless tragedies that have occurred recently.
Each of the stories of the people that we met today have been different and each have been affected in different ways, but one thing unites them all… hope. Each and every one of them embraces hope and will not stand for fighting any longer. Some of these people we have met that have lost everything and still have even gone to neighboring villages to see how they can help out.
Could you imagine, despite hardships such as the ones of these experienced by these amazing people, claiming the hope of Christ? I know, now I can. For God works everything for good. Jos will be a place looked up to across history for their hope in Christ and stand for peace.
