Boko Haram and the Faithful
Amputation by Boko Haram, Author Voice of America (PD)
WARNING: Graphic Images
The following is excerpted from an article in the March 2021 edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Magazine. VOM, http://www.persecution.com, is a Christian non-profit serving the persecuted church.
“She never expected to suffer persecution, but when Naomi’s town was overrun by Islamic terrorists, she was ready. Her church and the Bible had taught her well: ‘Persecution is God’s Word being fulfilled’…
Boko Haram, whose name means ‘Western education is forbidden’…began waging an insurgency across northern Nigeria, targeting military installations, police stations, government buildings, churches and civilians…
The day of the invasion, Naomi was working on her plot of farmland…when she heard distant gunfire. ‘The Muslims who were at the farm with us told us to be careful while going home,’ she recalled, ‘because they knew what was happening.’
Naomi’s first concern was for her children at home. But as she rushed down the road toward town, she and several other women were caught by Boko Haram fighters. ‘They asked us to show them the houses of Christians, and they challenged us to renounce our faith,’ Naomi said. ‘They threatened to kill us if we did not.’ “
“After Naomi pleaded with the militants to let her go, telling them she was a widow with children, the group’s leader took pity on the women and released them.
‘All I could think about was my kids,’ Naomi said…She ran past the horrific scene of headless corpses as she searched for her children. And after she gathered her family, they ran into the forested Mandara Mountains, where they would remain for the next two years [before fleeing to Cameroon]…
The children slept in caves with their parents guarding the entrance…But the danger below was never far from their minds. ‘Day and night, there were bullets everywhere like water,’ Naomi said…
Naomi and the others kept hoping they’d be able to return to their homes, but Boko Haram never left. Naomi felt desperate and alone. ‘I had only God,’ she said, ‘and I talked to Him. He gave me the strength I needed’…”
We are told that Islam is a religion of peace. And there are certainly those who practice it as such.
But there are tenets in the Quran which are deeply troubling.
Surah 5:51
“O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them.
Surah 60:13
“O you who believe, do not have friendship with a people with whom Allah is angry.”
Surah 66:9
“O Prophet [Muhammad (Peace be upon him)]! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be severe against them; their abode will be Hell, and worst indeed is that destination.”
Surah 9:123
“O believers, fight the unbelievers who are near to you; and let them find in you a harshness; and know that God is with the godfearing.”
As Christians, by contrast, we are to love our enemies, and do good to those who hate us (Matt. 5: 44). Pray that, when our turn comes, we do not fail.
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse https://avoicereclaimed.com
A Lawyer's Prayers 
I recently watched a megachurch pastor and congregation reveling in and fixated with choosing a suitable partner for a beautiful single lady in their congregation, celebrities coming up with handsome would-be husbands competing for the lady’s hand. I was nauseated – ‘playing games’ while true Christians suffer in so many places for the sake of Christ. In sharp contrast the 17th century mystic Fenelon urged Christians to embrace the Cross (their spiritual death to the sinful/ugly self) and not to resist it. Cf. Mk. 8:34-35; Gal. 2:20; etc. Heb. 11 gives us the true nature of faith, it’s worth another read. I pray that I will not have to face the ultimate trial (‘& lead us not into temptation’/the Lord’s Prayer), and if I am, that overwhelming grace will be given to a very weak man. In the mean time we are encouraged by the apostle Paul to day once for all and daily, are we not?
Thanks Anna, for once more being true to the Gospel, ‘the faith once delivered’ (Jude 3), and speaking up on the part of God’s beloved, suffering people.
Oops, ‘to die once for all and…’ Forgive me if I’m over-reacting…
You are not overreacting, Erroll. Certainly not in my opinion. I wholeheartedly agree that the Western church has lost its way. The number of heresies being espoused today is appalling. Far too many churches cater to the senses, promulgating doctrines of demons that tickle the ears (1 Tim. 4: 1; 2 Tim. 4: 3). Like you, I pray to be worthy when our time of testing comes.
Erroll, I share your nausea. Was this in the West, or Nigeria? That nation seems to have become a welcome harbour for such evils from the West. In that case, it would be a deep irony that such things are being perpetrated in the same nation that is afflicted by Boko Haram. And in both cases, they are among those “…whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”
I have often written about Boko Haram…just I have about Daesh…the Islamic State and their persecution of the Copts—no peace there Anna—
something about chopping off the heads of the innocents while the West and her churches stand idylly by infuriates me.
But when we can’t stand up within this own county of ours…how should we expect a showing on a larger and more frightening stage?
Well said, Julie.
I apologize for the small frustrated rant— but our western churches have not and will not stand up to terrorism let alone stand up to their own very obvious destruction from within…
It was not a rant in my book, Julie. You are welcome to express yourself here anytime.
Thank you Anna!
Such tragedy is happening in Nigeria because of Boka Haram -they have caused much devastation just like the fulani herdsmen, the Taliban and ISIS. It’s so easy to forget to pray for our brothers and sisters who suffer so thank you for reminding us! May our mighty God protect them and guide them to safe pastures. God bless.
I heartily join in that prayer. God bless you, too.