A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and wailing.
It’s Rachel crying for her children; she refuses to be consoled,
because her children are no more. (Jeremiah 31:15, CEB)
This week has been filled with violence and loss. Even as we are processing the pain felt in France and Yemen, we hear of the massacre by the Boko Haram in Baga, a small town in Borno State, Nigeria. According to the BBC, the extremist group has burned nearly the entire 10,000 resident town and taken control of 16 neighboring villages. Reports vary widely regarding the most recent massacre, but the death toll is estimated to be in the hundreds, with some reports placing it as high as 2,000.
Please join me in praying for all who are affected by these evil acts. The General Board of Global Ministries condemns this brutality. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are building peace in the face of atrocity. We continue to pray for peace in northeast Nigeria where the Boko Haram has unleashed years of terror.
Dr. Olusimbo Ige, who works with Global Ministries’ Global Health unit, is originally from Nigeria. In response to the tragic news she lamented, “It is sad that young girls can be kidnapped, innocents slaughtered and entire villages and towns taken over with such impunity. Our thoughts and prayers are with our sisters and brothers in Nigeria and we join our voices with those of others praying for peace and justice to reign in Nigeria.”
Please join Dr. Ige and the people of Nigeria in the lifting up the words of the Nigerian National Anthem, “O God of all creation direct our noble cause, guide our leaders right. Help our youth the truth to know, in love and honesty to grow, and living just and true, great lofty heights attain to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.”
Thomas G. Kemper
General Secretary
United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries
- See more at: http://www.umcmission.org/learn-about-us/news-and-stories/2015/january/0109insolidaritywithnigeria#sthash.GAw0UsLa.hUInF2zX.dpuf