Woman Recovers Bible from Charred Remains of Home After Husband and Son Were Murdered
Never far from our minds and always in our prayers are persecuted believers around the world.
Christians in Nigeria have faced immeasurable suffering.
From last week’s report issued by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, The Christian Post states “Islamic jihadist groups in Nigeria are responsible for killing at least 4,000 Christians and abducting more than 2,300 other Christians in the first 10 months of this year alone.”
“The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom warned that religious freedom was deteriorating in Nigeria because of rising violence by non-State actors and that ‘poor governance’ was driving and aggravating that violence.”
Now, a new faith-based movie from Voice of the Martyrs — Rebecca: Nigeria — highlights the impact of this suffering and persecution on an individual level.
Jubilee Cast describes the storyline as “the true story of a Nigerian Christian woman who watched helplessly with her daughter as Boko Haram militants killed her husband and son and burned their home.”
The movie details the incredible moment when, as she searched the charred remains of her home, the widow found the Bible she and her husband received the day they were wed.
Rebecca talks about how she and her husband read the Bible together every day, says The Christian Post. She continues to use their Bible and says it reminds her of God’s faithfulness.
Despite her incredible loss, Rebecca states, “‘The Lord is a husband to all widows,’ she added. ‘I look to Him for every need. This is what I am still holding onto.'”
“Todd Nettleton, chief of media relations and message integration for VOM–USA and host of VOM Radio, told The Christian Post he hopes the film personalizes the struggle so many Christians face around the world.
“‘Every year for IDOP, we do a short film for churches to use, for families to use to kind of put a face on persecuted Christians, to put a face on the people that we’re praying for,’ Nettleton said.”
Nigeria is designated as a “hostile” nation in the 2022 VOM Prayer Guide. This status is given to nations where governments may try to protect Christians but persecution continues. Two other global hotspots where Christian persecution is on the rise are China and Iran.
VOM knows Rebecca’s story is essential for all Christians to hear and encourages prayer for believers everywhere to boldly proclaim the gospel, regardless of the cost.
They also hope her story will highlight the “importance of God’s word for our persecuted brothers and sisters.”
We must continue to pray for persecuted believers and to support those who give a voice to those who have none on the global stage.
