by Amber Holloway, Partners International
Horn of Africa Area Director, Mark Bardwell, reports on several key events taking place in Sudan, Kenya, and Somalia. Please join us in prayer for our partners in this region of the world.
Africa Inland Church-Sudan reported last week that in addition to their church building in Dar el Salam (Khartoum) that was bulldozed last month, four more churches (including one of AIC’s) have been demolished. Also destroyed was the medical clinic that Partners International has been helping repair and stock with medicines. The reported rationale for the demolition is that all of the believers have moved to South Sudan and “there are no more Christians in the North.” This is certainly not the case. This declaration is deeply troubling for all believers who remain in this region. Please pray for wisdom and encouragement for the churches.
Demonstrations in Kenya
Our partner Pastor Musa reported that a large demonstration took place in Garissa, Kenya, recently. Residents poured into the streets to demonstrate
against the increased insecurity in the region. Last Wednesday night, five people were shot dead and four others seriously wounded when gunmen attacked a hotel. The week before, two people were shot and killed along the Nairobi-Garissa highway. “The targeting of Christians and security personnel is a very worrying trend,” Pastor Musa said. “Kenya has experienced a series of gun attacks and explosions after its troops rolled into Somalia last year to hunt down Al-Shabaab militants who had been blamed for several insecurity incidents. It is believed the attacks are being committed by remnants of the terror group. Please pray for us.”
Somalia Reopening
On a positive note, for the first time since Black Hawk Down in 1993, the U.S. officially recognizes Somalia’s government. We pray this progress will mean new opportunities for ministry in the future.
Thank you for praying!
