Source: www.csw.org.uk
January 25, 2020
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Revelation 21:4)
Last week we asked you to pray for Reverend Lawan Andimi, the chair of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Adamawa state, who was abducted by the Boko Haram terrorist group. We are deeply saddened to report that Rev Andimi was executed on Monday 20 January, after the terrorists, who allegedly had demanded a £2 million ransom, rejected an offer of around £10,600.
As Christians, knowing there is life after death, we nevertheless value the gift of this life; and we join in mourning an uncommonly courageous man, who, despite knowing death was a very real prospect, maintained a calm and deep faith that will continue to inspire for generations. In a video released after his abduction, he said, ‘Don’t cry, don’t worry, but thank God for everything.’ We give God thanks for Rev Andimi’s life and witness, for his courage and his faith, and we ask you to pray for comfort for his wife and children.
You may already have heard about another case in Nigeria we’re working on – the plight of children of the DuMerci orphanages.
‘Our parents have spent the last 28 years of their lives providing the best for every child…We the children of DuMerci cry out to the world and general public to say no to injustice. He is not a criminal…’
This impassioned plea comes to you from 27 children in Nigeria who have been taken from Christian orphanages that were their home.
The only father they’ve known – Professor Richard Solomon Tarfa, who founded the orphanages with his wife Mercy – was arrested on Christmas Day 2019 and has been held in detention ever since. He is accused of ‘criminal conspiracy and abduction’, but in reality, Prof Tarfa and his wife are falsely suspected of converting Muslim children.
‘Please all meaningful people around the world, we are calling to you come to our aid and stop this menace on our home. We want to be reunited with our family..’
Campaign today for Professor Tarfa’s release.
In summary, please pray:
• For Professor Tarfa to be released immediately and without precondition.
• For every effort to frame Professor Tarfa to fail.
• For the children to be returned to the only home and the only parents they know.
• For emotional and mental healing for the children, who have already endured such trauma.