“He will always be my God” – Ernesto’s update

Below is an update from Ernesto from Mozambique whose story we shared in February. Though Ernesto still suffers from profound physical and mental wounds, he continues to trust in his Saviour, Jesus. He thanks you for the part you played in helping him heal.

You may remember Ernesto* from Mozambique, whose story we shared in February. You may also remember the shocking details of the suffering he experienced at the hands of Islamist extremists who, one day, invaded his village and burnt it to the ground.

Many lives were lost in the attack, and Ernesto almost lost his, too – but for the intervening grace of God. Here, Ernesto reflects on life since that fateful day and how your support has helped him to keep trusting in God.

“I thank you”

Ernesto remembers with absolute clarity the assault that extremists carried out on his home in northern Mozambique – an area in which Christians particularly suffer because of greater extremist activity.

“We couldn’t see where we could go, because everywhere was surrounded,” he recalls. “There were people who managed to escape.”

But Ernesto was not among them. Once captured, the attackers tried to force him to recite an Islamic prayer – but he refused because of his faith. The consequences were severe.

“The most painful parts were the nails they hammered into my body and the burns that pain me so much even after all these years,” he shares. “I am not totally healed yet. It was difficult for me to put food on the table.”

Until you stepped in.

“I thank you for the food I received every three months. I was finally able to put food on the table – I was able to feed the children. Everything was possible because of my brothers and sisters in Christ,” Ernesto confirms. “Last year, brothers in Christ supported the construction of my own house, and this year, I received a financial contribution to start my own business. As I speak, the business is doing very well.”

Because of your generosity, the burden of the pain that marked Ernesto’s days grew lighter – but it is still a significant part of his life.

“I am also grateful for my health. In 2022, and even last year, I was doing poorly and I had to have surgery,” he recalls. “I cannot say I am completely healed now. Please pray for me.”

Ernesto’s prayer requests

Ernesto continues in asking for your urgent prayers for his country: “I want to ask for prayers for all the people who are refugees in other districts – people who don’t have a place to rest, food to eat and water to drink. At this very moment are districts that are going through a bad situation, in all Mozambique too. Let’s pray that they can overcome all of these difficulties.

“Let us also pray for all the churches in which brothers [believers] are refugees. They should be in church sharing their faith. The children should be able to play football. We should be spending time together, if we had that freedom, without running away in fear,” he shares.

The need and opposition he and others continue to face across Mozambique for their faith in Jesus could be reasons to grow disheartened – but Ernesto’s testimony says otherwise. It is the testimony of millions of believers across sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

“Since the incident happened, my relationship with God has not changed,” he boldly affirms. “I still go on and say this because I believe in Him. I never left Him, I never gave my God up. He will always be my God.”

*Name changed for security reasons