GUINEA: STUDENT MALU AND HER FAMILY IN HIDING

Malu’s* father, A PASTOR, was killed four years ago when HE TRIED TO STOP AN ANGRY MOB THAT WAS intent on destroying HIS CHURCH church. Today, Malu and her family remain in hiding, fearing that those behind the attack will come after the rest of the family.

“One day, we were at home, some people came over attacking the church to set it on fire”, 22-year-old Malu* remembers. “My father, who is one of the church leaders, had done everything he could to defend the church. The people refused to listen to what my father had to say, and they burnt down the church and the house. They destroyed my father’s life and killed him.

Image: Malu looking out over the city where she lives…

“This situation has affected all members of the family. It affected everyone, my brothers, my sisters, my mother, and myself. The death of a person is not at all easy, without God’s help you can’t get through it at all.”  

According to Open Doors local partners in the country, extremist Muslim groups in the area initiated the unrest to try and get all the Christians to leave the area.

IN HIDING AND ON THE MOVE

The police have launched an investigation into the attack, but four years later, no arrests have been made.

For their own safety the family decided to split up and are constantly on the move as they fear being targeted themselves.

Malu shared: “This loss has not been easy to live with, because my father was there to take care of everything. School fees, food, lots of things. He was here to look after us. He was the one who gave us that fatherly love we want as children.

“He was the one I had fun with, the one I went for walks with. The one with whom I shared the word of God, today if he is not by my side, it affects me a lot. I have to say it hurts me a lot.”

Image: A house of a Christian family, destroyed during the unrest in 2020

Malu recently started her university studies and is receiving trauma counselling at the local church. 

She shared this prayer for her and her family – pray it now with her: 

“God may you watch over my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and myself. Because we are all pupils and students, Lord help us to continue in our studies; to reach our goal. And above all, may You help us to become really attached to You. Because we can’t let go of Your hand. It’s truly a privilege to accept you Lord Jesus. Lord may you always give us the strength to cling to You, to remain truly faithful to You until You return. May You help us and, above all, may You help us to forget the past…Amen”.

*Names changed for security reasons…