Mozambique (MNN) — Mozambique has come to a standstill as deadly post-election violence grips the nation. Riots, driven by a generationally fueled social revolt, were met with harsh government crackdowns, further inflaming public anger.

According to Darrel Templeton of MegaVoice, the unrest has disrupted every facet of daily life.

“It affects everything from commerce to distribution of food to stores that do have food not opening for fear of problems, banks not working, postal and deliveries not working, and so everything is in in upheaval and chaos because of the shutdowns,” he says.

Photo of an audio Bible, courtesy of MegaVoice.

Misinformation and propaganda played a role too, adding to the pressure Christians face from Islamic extremists. It points to the deeper agenda beneath the chaos.

“Almost all of the missionaries in that region (northern Mozambique) have had to flee to neighboring countries, or at least to the south,” Templeton says. “Many of the believers are hiding their Bibles or destroying [them], because if the Bibles are found in the homes, when they (terrorists) come through, they could be killed just because of having the Bible,” Templeton says.

“It’s definitely more of the same, and people trying to set up an Islamic State in Mozambique.”

Still, it’s an incredibly complicated situation. Riots can be sparked by one thing, but people join them for various underlying reasons — perhaps economic or political reasons. But in Mozambique, spiritual/religious propaganda is fueling another dimension.

“[They are] telling the people that they are Muslims at heart, and they need to return to their Muslim faith. It’s very complicated,” Templeton says.

MegaVoice is working with a partner to supply hundreds of solar-powered audio Bibles in northern Mozambique. The units are smaller than paper Bibles and more easily hidden.

“We have another order for another 800 units that are to go from the south. We were just talking with our partner there,” says Templeton. “They said, ‘Pray for us. Pray for the teams.’”

Pray for these believers putting their lives on the line to bring others God’s Word.

 

Header photo courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs USA.