NIGERIA: “I can’t even thank you enough”

Mercy is one of thousands of Christians LIVING IN A displacement camp in Nigeria. She fled Fulani militants who killed her mother and sister and abducted her father. Your support and prayers are helping her survive – and know that she is loved.

Your outreach has been the biggest aid anyone in this world has given me,” says Mercy. “I’m still surprised, and very grateful. I’m grateful for all you’re doing.”

Mercy lives in a displacement camp in Nigeria. Like millions of other Christians in the region, she had to flee extreme violence and now lives in a camp with scarce food and water. It’s still a dangerous place to be, and Islamic militants often attack those who go in search of food. So your support is making a life-changing difference – thank you.

Thanks to your prayers and gifts in the ongoing Arise Africa campaign, Open Doors local partners have been able to bring much-needed food supplies to Mercy and other persecuted believers like her. There is still so much to be done, but you’re already showing Mercy how much she is loved by her international family.

Two traGIC attacks

“Before the unrest, we didn’t think the attacks would reach us,” she explains. “We went to sleep but woke up, due to a gunshot sound. It sounded very close to us.” Fulani militants were attacking her village in Mbagwen district.

The family began to run for their lives – but, Mercy remembers, her father went back to grab something vital. Her mother followed. “Before she could reach him, she was shot by the Fulani [militants] and she died on the spot,” says Mercy. “They got hold of my father and abducted him.” It’s clear that the family was targeted for their faith: Mercy explains that the militants didn’t attack the Muslims in her village. “They’re still living there. They’re the ones occupying our homes right now.”

Tragically, Mercy’s ordeal wasn’t over. She fled to her sister’s house – but Fulani militants later came and attacked her village too.

“We are suffering and hungry”

After so much unimaginable persecution, Mercy came to the displacement camp. It is safer, but conditions are terrible. “We are suffering and hungry,” she says, “and look at the bumps on my body – they’re caused because I sleep on the floor. I cough a lot and it makes me unable to sleep.”

She’s been in the camp for four years. It makes your support all the more valuable.

“We, the occupants of this camp, are really suffering – you people came and gave us food and I am very happy,” says Mercy. “We didn’t used to have anything to eat, but since you gave us food, we’ve been eating… I thank God.”

“I can’t even thank you enough”

She adds, “I can’t even thank you enough – may God keep you all and may your days be long. I thank my brothers and sisters that have brought us this great help. I thank you all. God should strengthen your hearts to help those that can’t help themselves. And God should bless whatever your hands do; let it be good.”

Thank you so much for helping Mercy, and many others like her. Please keep answering the call of the African church in this displacement crisis. Give your support, sign the petition, share a prayer.