Displaced to the mountains and drained of hope, but your help shows ‘we are no longer alone’

Violence by Boko Haram militants has displaced thousands of believers in Far North Cameroon. Your support is a lifeline to many, who are so grateful that you’re standing with them in their suffering.

Christians in Far North Cameroon displaced from their homes and drained of hope because of violent attacks are immensely thankful for your support – it’s showing them that they ‘no longer alone in this suffering’.

Cameroon is 43^rd on the World Watch List, with the Far North region the most vulnerable place for Christians to live because of unrelenting attacks by Islamic militants Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State – Western African Province). The government has even advised people to leave the region altogether, such is the threat of extremists.

Daily mountain treks and stolen possessions

“I relocated two years ago,” says Pastor Hamza*. “They [Boko Haram] came, they attacked. They killed. They burned the churches. Seven people died. They were burnt in the fire.”

As is the case across sub-Saharan Africa, the displacement camps many fled to are dangerously ill-equipped to care for people. There’s little food and the hygiene is desperately poor. Some instead find refuge at a church. Given the reliance on their land for survival, most decided to stay and sleep in the mountains. “We don’t dare sleep at home,” says a villager.

“Whenever they enter the village, they [Boko Haram militants] take people’s lives, especially Christians,” says Pastor Moustafa*. “They kill them and burn their houses. Every night we take our belongings and trek to the mountains. We stay there the whole night, and return the following morning.

“During the day, you feel a little at ease, until it’s about 3pm. Then you get anxious. Everyone thinks: ‘What will happen tonight? Maybe it’s my turn [to die]?’ You know, many die in the mountains. Their blood pressure is already very high, and they don’t have much to eat. My guess is that 80% of the people have lost it. They can’t think straight anymore.”

Even when villagers return to their homes each day, there is no guarantee they’ll find as they left it. “More than once, I came back from the mountain to find that they had stolen everything,” says Ali*, a villager. “Suddenly, I wasn’t able to speak anymore. I was numb. And then later my heart filled with bitterness. I couldn’t breathe anymore. That is how angry I would become. Because I had nothing anymore, nothing to sustain us, because they stole it all. It never ends. I want it to end, but it doesn’t. We must sleep in the mountains for safety.”

“They don’t have any hope”, says Pastor Hamza. “They say to themselves, ‘If they don’t kill us, it’s fine. If they kill us, it’s fine too.’ I can’t leave them in their despair. That’s why I come back as often as I can, to encourage them with the Word of God. At least we can suffer together.”

The power of presence

You’re suffering with them, too, helping meet some of the monumental needs caused by violence in the region. “Open Doors helps these displaced Christians in three ways,” explains Pastor Moustafa. “We give trauma care and we provide emergency aid. But maybe most important is that we frequently travel to our persecuted brothers and sisters, just to be there and to spend time with them and pray with them.”

In one distribution of practical caid, local partners provided 366 relief packages, which included rice, soap, vegetable oil, mats and sanitary products. Many of the recipients are widows who are caring for large families.

No longer alone

“I can’t thank you enough,” says Ali. “Thanks to all who have helped us. This aid proves that you understand our suffering. Thank you very much.”

“Thank you for visiting us,” shares Juldé. “God has blessed you and you shared your blessings with us. Thanks for doing that. Please pray for us, that we won’t backslide in our faith but that we trust God and keep firm.”

“You come to us, the IDPs [internally displaced people],” continues Pastor Moustafa. “You sit on the mat or even on the ground with the refugee. You cry with the orphans. You listen to the widows and cry with them. You go to the hospital and visit the wounded. You pray with us and you pray for us.

“Then, after you’ve discussed it with God, you bring your help. What you are doing is a blessing of the Lord for us. You have shared in our sufferings. Our people know that outsiders care for them. We are no longer alone in this suffering. Thank you for all your support.”

Alongside the immense gratitude is a final request for prayer. “Pray for faith,” says Pastor Hamza. “The faith of many has weakened. Pray that they will persevere and that we will have the strength to bear the suffering. Also pray for protection and the amount of suffering will decrease. Pray that our people can find food to eat.”

*Names changed for security reasons