Living daily at risk of unspeakable torture, becoming enslaved, or killed at the hands of brutality.

(VOP) Imagine, for a minute that you live in a land where slavery is rampant.  Imagine for a minute that a walk in the park, or simply going to the store could find you in the hands of barbarous rebels who wanted nothing more than to rape, torture or kill you. Imagine for a minute while riding a bus to visit family, to get to work or go home at the end of the day suddenly overtaken by evil men demanding that you recite a prayer to their deity which is foreign to you. Imagine how you would feel knowing you couldn’t and the result would most likely end in your death.

This is reality for many in Africa from Somalia to Nigeria, even as far north as Libya.  A recent slaughter took place in Kenya as a band of Muslim rebels attacked a bus load of people, and when the men couldn’t recite the Muslim ‘shahada’ they forced them to lay on the ground and shot them.  One man who survived said they must have thought that another already shot him. He laid very still until they left.

There are reports that 33,000 Nigerians are still in the caves and starving. They were forced to flee the Boko Haram to escape death. The same report says that Boko Haram has stolen tear gas canisters that they are now throwing into the caves.  (More) Why is this barely reported by the West?  Why is it not repeatedly denounced by the UN?  Nigeria has been embroiled in a political struggle amid reports of human rights abuses by the military, which prominent leaders deny.  Yet, no one is helping the many in the most dire situations, nor interested in the truth.

FACT: The people are suffering, many to the extreme. Based on the magnitude of need, they have received little aid relief, safety, nor much sympathy.  It appears Western leaders along with the UN are not interested in the ethnic cleansing and what is called by some, a genocide taking place. History repeating itself?

One of our Nigerian contacts witnesses these horrific scenes and great suffering on a daily basis. He described to us a recent trip to deliver relief. While traveling, he felt the sudden urge to leave the car, he said God was guiding him to get out the car and run into the bush.  He demanded the driver to stop the car and urged him to leave too, but the driver refused and continued down the road.  He didn’t get very far. The car was attacked, robbed and the driver beheaded.  These are occurrences faced by those brave enough to offer love, sympathy and aid to those suffering immensely.

It has become common place for people of Western nations to accept the fact that their governments are supplying aid to rebel groups in Syria and other places, including weapons.  It has been presented to them as necessary to help rebel groups who are fighting evil, so it’s honorable to arm them.  But what is the truth?

It’s reported these weapons are being shared and trafficked in a ways unimaginable to most. Many in these groups, no matter what they portray to the West, are uniting with one another for one goal, to set up one government, one law, (Sharia) that will as they believe, rule the world. Rebels trained to kill as many ‘non-believers’ as possible. To rape women, force conversion, marriage, and torture those they kidnap.

In another recent attack at least 40 were killed by two female suicide bombers in Maiduguri. One entered a roadside trading area and detonated herself. While people were trying to get to the wounded, the second woman blew herself up causing more damage and death, preventing help from getting to the victims.  (More) A calling card of Boko Haram.  Again it begs the question, could these females be captives that were kidnapped?

Cameroon, that borders Nigeria is closing 130 of it’s secondary schools as they have become targets of Boko Haram (Western education is sinful).  It is understandable why they would want to do this for the protection of children. However, many feel this will only embolden the terror group as, ‘mission accomplished’.  Again, why does the West remain silent? These terror groups have catapulted the Middle East, Africa and Asia from a modern-day world that has prided itself on movements toward equivalence and peace, into the dark ages wiping out thousands of years of history, all vestiges of civility and growth toward peace and equality for all.

World leaders have instituted failed foreign policies that have set 1/4 of the world on fire, with cataclysmic results.  They have fueled and aided a war of attrition.

“Attrition warfare is a military strategy in which a belligerent attempts to win a war by wearing down the enemy to the point of collapse through continuous losses in personnel and material. The war will usually be won by the side with greater such resources. The word attrition comes from the Latin root atterere to rub against, similar to the “grinding down” of the opponent’s forces in attrition warfare.”

Is the West ‘complicit’ in these killings, tortures and genocide of minorities?  While this snake continues to grow governments continue to slice up the spoils.  And the people, innocent victims are starving, or suffering immense & indescribable torture. Do they view them as simple casualties of war? While thousands are forced to flee from this evil, fear and hatred grows in strength.

Amid the cries from the West to stop all travel to Africa due to Ebola, many now question if they should mission to this Continent. Who is going to help these people? Who will provide comfort, food, clothing, spiritual support and encouragement for these children and their families? Many are hiding and unable to even find a crumb of food or water.  While African leaders have met with the West, no sustainable solutions are forthcoming.  No condemnation, only defensive statements when challenged such as, “We have given military support.”

You can be their voice, you can be their spiritual family.  Your prayers and voices do matter.  Over and over we hear the same thing, “no one cares.”  No one is helping, are we forgotten? Sadly, for most of the world this is true. Too few care, “Africa’s always in crisis, what’s new?”

These are our brethren! Innocent people who are being ripped apart by this erosion of civilization in modern times. Spreading an evil ideology that’s beginning to make the dark ages look pale in comparison. Today, atrocities are being carried out with blindness in part for a civilized world.  Why not start, or help to start a conversation in your church, your parish, your neighborhood and help with a mission there. Ask your community leaders, your Representatives, your Senators for their help. You would be surprised at the lack of interest for missions boards in this region. Didn’t Christ tell us not to fear?  So why are not more of these agencies helping.  We have heard that they do not wish to plan their activities in these areas facing untold evil.  Why not ask your pastor about your mission board and how they can do more?  Watch, a minister who is speaking out and aiding.

Again, send your prayers to the throne of God, but start a conversation this Thanksgiving.  Lets start a revival with the Holy Spirit guiding us with Spiritual fire instead of manmade flames.

We, at VOP have answered God’s call “Whom shall we send.” Won’t you help?  Help us to go, or bring a voice from the front lines to tell us first hand, their heart wrenching testimony? Won’t you wrap your arms around our family who needs us so desparately?  Will you answer God’s call, can you hear His voice? We can’t do it without you.

As we are thanking God for our blessings this season, let’s remember and act for those less fortunate and suffering.  Let’s do as Jesus said:  “Truly I tell you what you did for the least of these, you did for me.”

Together with your generous support, we can reach the goal to alleviate their suffering. In darkness and desperation, let us serve in love, with open arms and giving hands to provide light and hope.

Everyday, we thank God that He is working through you to care for His children and further His Kingdom! As you have greatly blessed others, may God continue to bless you. Thank you so much for your support.

VOP Advocate Team