Here was Umar's text at 5:53AM:
Pray for us Christian. Muslims have started killing in Church since 1 hour ago. Some of us are the target. So we are trapped inside the church. Mobile Police are....
Here is the report from Umar 12:27PM:
Praise the Lord!!! Yes, my family, I and our entire congregation have been rescued by the military. Just got home. Thank you so immensely.
January 18:
1:24 AM Jan 18.
Good Morning. So far: 48 people killed, 4 people badly injured. 1 of our church burnt completely. Military police are now all over the place. Curfew imposed.
"Our lives as a family is in danger We have been warned an hour ago that I and our church
could be attacked tonight. The time here is 2;48
no power no weapons but He is enough We could make it or not, it is up to Jesus. Thanks for prayers and concerns. Umar
January 19:
Email from Umar:
Dear Friend,
Jos, Plateau State - Nigeria the city we live in is engulfed in a religious violence since 3 days ago. People killed as at this morning were under a 100. But from 10am this morning to now 5:04pm more than a 1000 people have been killed. And yet the violence unabated!
Hundreds of churches burnt, houses destroyed, properties set on fire. The evil is simply unimaginable! Just close to our house, we saw 35 dead bodies! People have been killed all around us, somehow our house has been skipped. Almost like Psalm 91:7-16. But I am sure is in answer to prayers!
Oh! my God! Please pray, pray, and pray!!!
Government has imposed 24 hours curfew and the army had been drafted to contain the situation. Our area has been deserted living me and my family in the hands of God.
Thank God we have food that may last one week. But as to whether we will make it to another morning is up to God.
Please pray along.
Next Email:
Dear Friend,
Isn’t anger the most addictive thing? Or is it the heart that is thoroughly evil?!
Lots of Christians have been killed today, and understandably we are all angry. The natural thing that will seemingly ameliorate the pain is revenge. But revenge on a 14 year old?!
Just now, a 14 year old Muslim boy who obviously missed his way from his parent and desperately looking for anywhere to hide for his dear life fell into the hands of angry Christian youth. No, I wasn’t there. But a Christian adult called me and urged me to get there at once to try to persuade the Youth to spare the Youngman.
Is terrible! They had already slaughtered the young boy, cut his body into pieces and put into the fire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, what will happen this night???? And in the days to come????????
Umar
January 20:
Email from Tom Patton
Dear friends,
I just got off the phone with Mark Chase who received a text message from Umar as we were talking. Umar said that his mother and three brothers are missing and two more of his churches have been burned. Much violence still going on. 24 hour curfew at this point. Please forward to those brothers and sisters in your sphere of influence.
Much love,
Tom Patton
Today, January 21:
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” 2 Cor. 11:13-15
Dear Friend,
It is heart rending what is happening minutes after we talked. Muslims in army uniforms pretending to be real Nigerian army are mercilessly killing Christians. Two truck load of death bodies just passed by. As a result of seeing these death bodies, our Youth are all out to take the fight into the Muslims dominated area to fight it to finish. What is even startling is that women are the ones in front leading the fight.
The cry of little children breaks the heart. Except God intervene somehow, tonight could be the darkest night in the history of religious crisis in Nigeria.
By the way, my mother’s house located in a Christian dominated area has been completely burnt to ashes and my Mom and three Muslims brothers are nowhere to be found since yesterday evening. The four of them might have been killed, I fear.
Furthermore, some of our church members have lost their loved ones, and few have run to my house (11 people). So far 3 of our churches have been burnt down. Our little food supply has been exhausted. No security, no food, no money.
But all hope is not lost! Something good is coming out of this darkness (Rom. 8:28). Wasn’t it Dr. Ravi Zacharias quoting C.S. Lewis who said, “In our pleasures God whispers, but in our pains God shout, God’s megaphone.”
Could there be any better time to exemplify the love of Christ than now? Both Christians and Muslims are overwhelmed with this devastation and loss of lives. Women and innocent children are lying in hospitals. Many people will be indifferent which is the greatest sin. But you and I should act and take advantage of this opportunity to share the love of Christ.
Please pray, and help us to give even a cup of water for the sake of Christ. We could take Bibles, food stuff, evangelistic tracts and pay hospital bills.
No, not everyone will accept Christ. But everyone should have the opportunity to hear. This much, we can do together for the Lord sake.
Thank you and if this is my last then so be it in Jesus name. If I make it through the night, then by the grace of God you will receive an email from me tomorrow.
Slave of Christ,
Umar
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If you can, please pray for the violence, and their protection. It is a blessing and miracle that Umar has been safe thus far.
