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Urgent Prayer Request from African Missionary
Fri., Jun. 8. 2018 4:55pm EDT
We received an email today from our friend (and ApX fan) Randy Braden in Waldo OH. He asked us to pray for his friend Liz, a 29-year-old missionary in Pemba, Mozambique, Africa. Randy was best friends with Liz's father, who passed away on that same mission field five years ago.
What you're about to read is not some internet hoax. We know Randy personally, and he has known Liz all of her life. The email she sent is horrifying, mind-boggling, and awe-inspiring all at the same time. We asked Randy for permission to share it with you:Family,
I'm writing you to ask for prayer. There have been some attacks here in our province by a group of radical Islamists over the last 5 months, recently however the attacks have increased and become much more brutal.
They have started burning houses, raping women and beheading people. Two weeks ago they beheaded ten villagers two children in an attack. This last week there have been 4 attacks in the last 4 days where they have burned down villages and beheaded several. They are moving south in the direction of Pemba and the last attack last night was less then 2 hrs away. The radical group has issued a statement that they are coming to Pemba to target gas: oil companies and Iris.
The threat is severe enough that the president called Heidi last night. So far many of our churches have been burned and we have lost Mozambican family members in these horrific incidents.
Heidi and Rolland sat us down and gave us the facts and the option to feel free to leave. They asked us to stay only if we have no fear on our hearts. It's safe to say no one is going anywhere. We ended this heavy meeting with dancing and laughter in true African style. I am surrounded by some of the bravest believers in the world right now and honored to live this tough season with them.
I've know about these attacks and been tracking them for the last 5 months. Myself and a small team here have been putting together an emergency evacuation plan as well as emergency care for our children and missionaries. Now all that being said if the government mandates all foreigners leave tomorrow I would have to get on a plane and go.
As of right now I do not plan to leave and have no intention of doing so. I signed up for this. The truth is I gave Jesus my life a long time ago it's not been mine, and I did to say yes with a condition not being persecuted or uncomfortable. So please don't ask me to come home, you know my answer.
The Bible tells us to consider it JOY when we face all kinds of trials, it tells us not to think it strange when the world persecutes us, and to take heart because Jesus has overcome the world. So I ask you guys to pray along side us for the safety and protection of our pastors, our kids, our Mozambican family and our base. Pray for the families who have suffered horrific trauma these last two week, pray for peace and an end to this fighting. And pray many more would encounter Jesus and be saved in these days of testing.
My day to day has not changed yet I can still get to the farm, but I have a strict government issued curfew and limited travel mobility. Please pray for our farm families that each of them is protected in this time as well.
Please share this with your church family and friends who will pray alongside. We're in a battle, not with flesh and blood and bullets are flying. But Jesus is King and still seated on the throne.
He is worthy,
Love you much,
Liz Please join us in prayer for Liz and the people of the village where she ministers. As Randy told us, " I have known Liz since she was born. She is very special to me. And since both her father and mother are with the Lord, I feel very responsible to pray for her."
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