At a Nigerian refugee camp, children wrestle in the mud, making do with what little they have to entertain themselves. Women gather together, stooping over pots of steaming rice under the wet, open air. And the men assist each other in the repair of makeshift, ragged homes their families are forced to live in. This is what our field partners saw recently while visiting One Internally Displaced People Camp in north central Nigeria.
Those humble images may not appear appealing to most, but these refugees have some very precious things in common: Jesus and community. A group of people thrown together because of violence and oppression are a community who have learned how to strengthen, encourage and comfort each other with love that only comes from God.
One Internally Displaced People Camp (OIDPC) houses about 21,000 people - all Christians or from Christian villages displaced by the increasing Fulani militant violence. Despite the large number of people, there is a sense of order in the camp. A camp leader presides, giving structure and direction with the help of 'block leaders' who are assigned sections of people to monitor and keep safe. The people living in OIDPC are happy to have one another. They have learned to be grateful for their community, relying on each other and serving those who need help.
All is not rosy, however. It's the rainy season in Nigeria. The night before Open Doors visited, there was heavy rain. They saw a woman in the camp taking advantage of the wet climate, using the thick mud to make bricks for a rain barrier around her tent.
Field partners shared that most people might only get one meal a day. In the rainy season, it's harder to start a fire to cook food - if they have any. Sleeping at night is difficult with the heavy rains and the need for proper shelter.
Friends, let's remember those who have lost their homes and livlihood because of persecution. At this very moment, they are struggling to survive. Let's pray for them today.
Father, when you live in people, they live differently. Thank You for this example. Give the people in this camp special grace to demonstrate Your Love to all around them as a witness for Jesus. And for those in the many, many other camps around the world, fill their hearts with faith and courage to endure until they can go home again one day.
Thanks so much for praying, Elohim bless you. Taken from Open Doors USA text alert.
Those humble images may not appear appealing to most, but these refugees have some very precious things in common: Jesus and community. A group of people thrown together because of violence and oppression are a community who have learned how to strengthen, encourage and comfort each other with love that only comes from God.
One Internally Displaced People Camp (OIDPC) houses about 21,000 people - all Christians or from Christian villages displaced by the increasing Fulani militant violence. Despite the large number of people, there is a sense of order in the camp. A camp leader presides, giving structure and direction with the help of 'block leaders' who are assigned sections of people to monitor and keep safe. The people living in OIDPC are happy to have one another. They have learned to be grateful for their community, relying on each other and serving those who need help.
All is not rosy, however. It's the rainy season in Nigeria. The night before Open Doors visited, there was heavy rain. They saw a woman in the camp taking advantage of the wet climate, using the thick mud to make bricks for a rain barrier around her tent.
Field partners shared that most people might only get one meal a day. In the rainy season, it's harder to start a fire to cook food - if they have any. Sleeping at night is difficult with the heavy rains and the need for proper shelter.
Friends, let's remember those who have lost their homes and livlihood because of persecution. At this very moment, they are struggling to survive. Let's pray for them today.
Father, when you live in people, they live differently. Thank You for this example. Give the people in this camp special grace to demonstrate Your Love to all around them as a witness for Jesus. And for those in the many, many other camps around the world, fill their hearts with faith and courage to endure until they can go home again one day.
Thanks so much for praying, Elohim bless you. Taken from Open Doors USA text alert.