We thank the Lord for this incredible news! While the hostages were tentatively transported to government housing and are expected to return home at some point, an uncertain future awaits some of these precious sisters in Christ.
The fate of persecuted hostages
Many of the women—who were widowed, kidnapped and held hostage for years by the extremists—now have no spouses, homes or livelihoods to return to. And some have several young mouths to feed after being subjected to sexual assaults and forced marriages in the Boko Haram compound.
To secure their release, the Nigerian authorities infiltrated Sambisa Forest near Cameroon and Niger—where the extremist group maintains a stronghold to execute strategic attacks. When the successful rescue operation concluded after several days, Nigerian authorities stated that the hostages appeared to be very weary and were wearing tattered clothing. Some had been in captivity for several months while others stated that they had been held for a number of years. One of the freed captives, Nala*, said that she longed to escape but feared that her children would be harmed—or that she would be tortured if apprehended.
Despite the chaos of Islamic extremism in Nigeria, the Lord is at work among His people. Global Christian Relief and our partners are on the ground in multiple Nigerian refugee camps, meeting these needs of courageous women and innocent children who have been negatively impacted by Boko Haram. And support from the Body of Christ makes it possible.
Administering aid to persecuted Christians in Nigeria
For example, our displaced sister in Christ named Esther received a small business stipend from GCR partners in order to start her own bakery and snack shop. Now, through the generosity of others, she has money to provide for her family. Esther says, “It means a lot to my family. With the profits I make, I can purchase books for my children and support them. I can cover my children’s school fees.”
Watch the video below as GCR’s President & CEO, Dr. David Curry, visits Esther in a Nigerian refugee camp to encourage her entrepreneurial success after so much personal hardship.
