Todays Missions News: Since the arrival of the Seleka rebels (Muslim extremists) in Bangui, Central African Republic, Pastor Obona* has been maintaining a low profile. Well-known in his district because of his pastoral activities and the planting of churches, Seleka had him in focus as soon as they arrived in his district. [Pastor at the gate to his house] “Some brothers warned me,” he states. “They said, ‘Be careful, Pastor: they are looking for you. Hide yourself and your family!’ My wife and children left first. When I left the house, it was 7 p.m. and the Seleka were already arriving! As I left, we passed each other. Fortunately, by the grace of God, I was able to slip through the net under His protection.” But the flight came at great cost with one of their children not surviving the stress. “We had taken in an orphan who was nearly 15 years old. This boy was unable to cope with the situation. He fell ill and died.” The rebels plundered Obona’s house and then occupied it. “A well-intentioned imam told them that it was the house of a servant of God and that they would be cursed if they didn’t leave. They must have been afraid, because they left.” However, until security is restored, Obona does not dare take his family back to their home. In the lingering insecurity, their family life has been completely disrupted. “My family has been scattered,” he says. “My wife and I live at another pastor’s house with our youngest son. Our other children have been scattered amongst other pastors.” (Source: Open Doors)
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 21:11:07 +0000
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