Christians tense after killing of aid worker

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. " - Psalm 127:1 [NIV]

Mauritania

Tensions remain high for Christians in the capital of Mauritania following the killing of American Christian aid worker, Christopher Leggett, last week.

Leggett was shot in a crowded market area in front of the language and computer school he operated in Nouakchott. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the North African unit of the al-Qaeda terrorist network, claimed responsibility for the murder on an Internet site, accusing Leggett of "missionary activities." A North African al-Qaeda spokesman aired a statement on an Arab TV station saying the group killed Leggett because he was allegedly trying to convert Muslims to Christianity.

At least two gunmen approached Leggett in broad daylight and shot him in the head three times. Leggett directed an aid agency that provided training in computer skills, sewing and literacy, and he also ran a micro-finance programme. More than 1,000 mourners attended Leggett's funeral in Cleveland, Tennessee, where he grew up. He leaves behind his wife Jackie and their four children. The family had lived in Mauritania for six years.

Following the shooting a number of believers were arrested, while the Christian community remains tense because of the renewed threat by al-Qaeda and the lack of security in the country. Several aid workers now have a 24 hour police guard and others have been forced to temporarily leave the country.

Source: Compass Direct

Please pray:

1. For peace in the country following this latest outbreak of violence and for protection for the Christian community against future terrorist attacks
2. That the work and witness of the aid agency Leggett pioneered would continue
3. That Christians living in Mauritania would be given courage to stand firm in their faith and challenged to reach out in love to their communities.

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