It has been more than seven years since the first serious crisis erupted in Jos on 8th September 2001 At this time, there was much destruction and thousands were killed. Jos was beginning to heal, and many hoped, expected and prayed that this would never happen again.
On Thursday, Nov. 27th, local government elections were held for all of Plateau State. For the Jos North Local Government area it was the first in ten years due to concerns that an election could provoke a crisis. The voting was conducted peacefully. But at dawn on Friday morning, we awoke to gunshots and black smoke rising from several communities in Jos. There are reports of armed people, some in fake Army uniforms coming in from other states and even from outside the country.
Many people seemed to have been taken by surprise that violence started even before results were announced. Hundreds, likely thousands of people have been killed across both religious communities during three days of rioting. Churches and mosques as well as many shops, homes and vehicles have been burned. Pastors seem to have been a specific target and several have been killed. Jos is still under partial curfew, but by Monday people began to move around a little.
We are thankful that there are no reports of casualties among the mission community. Many are out doing relief work—medical, distributing needed food and water, and comforting the grieving.
An estimated 30,000 people are reported to be in 13 refugee camps. Many thousands more are homeless but staying with friends and families in the community. The spiritual needs are the greatest, and tens of thousands are suffering, grieving for lost loved ones, and worried about their futures. Many are still searching for missing family members and friends. The violence and hatred displayed over the past few days will naturally lead to anger and bitterness. We pray that by God’s grace—supernaturally—people will turn to Christ and be healed and the cycle of hatred and bitterness will be broken. The top three physical needs identified by a consortium of aid agencies are: medical supplies, clean water, and food.
Please pray with us for the city of Jos and for Nigeria:
For Government officials that they will have wisdom and courage in dealing with the crisis. Pray particularly for Governor Jonah Jang, a Christian believer and Umaru Yar ‘Adua, the Nigerian President.
For Christian leaders that they will be able to communicate to believers the need to follow Christ and to demonstrate His love. Pray too that there may be Muslim leaders who are men and women of peace.
For the mission community that they will also have wisdom and physical strength in ministering during this period of crisis.
For the end of hostilities and the beginning of spiritual and emotional healing for the city of Jos. Many are severely wounded not only by what was done to them, but by what they have also done to others. Pray for both repentance and forgiveness.
For resources to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those impacted by the crisis.
We thank God for the way that he is already working through his people. ECWA Pastor Joshua and Cecilia Tuwan’s home was burned early in the crisis. They lost everything including the pastor’s book set that Joshua received at the SIM Pastor’s conferences in Jos in 2003. Today he and his wife wept as they received a gift of a Bible and other books he needed provided through the gifts of God’s people. SIM Mission’s Apollo Crescent Compound sheltered several hundred refugees fleeing violence during the height of the crisis. The SIM/ECWA Evangel Hospital treated hundreds of wounded people during these last few days. Many other believers have been showing God’s grace by nursing the wounded, comforting the grieving and feeding the hungry.
Thank you for your continued prayers for SIM Nigeria and your Christian brothers and sisters in Jos.
“ . . . and he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:19b, 20a
Craig Ewoldt
Here is anohter update and testimony from our friend and NT prof. Dr. Danny McCain:
As for as we know right now, though communication is still difficult and we certainly do not have all the records, we know of only three students that were killed. However, one of my former students at the Assemblies of God seminary, who was a district superintendent over 122 churches was killed. I know of at least two more pastors who were killed. I have heard of at least one report of 18 churches being burned. The final death toll will not be as high as last time but in the four or five square miles closest to my house, the fighting and destruction were more intense.
I will be leaving tomorrow to go down to Gboko to perhaps the largest gathering of Christian leaders in Nigeria where I will speak at least three times. Please pray for us.
I am sure you have heard from Craig and Beth. Perhaps they told you that they sent over 200 Bibles and some other literature which we have been distributing primarily to those whose homes were destroyed or looted and their Bibles destroyed. However, we have also been sympathetic to those who claim that they do not have Bibles. I gave away four Bibles to four policemen yesterday who are guarding the front gate of the university permanent site. I thought that was a nice way to say thank you for their service. To you and Matthew, I want to say thank you for making these available to those who have lost so much. When we gave one Bible to one lady, she held it up, smiled and said, "They may destroy everything else but the Word of God will last forever. It is this that we need more than anything else."
If you would like to give toward replacing books and Bibles of the Chrisitian community in Jos, use the "give" link at the top right of our blog's main page. Thank you!
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