Page 19 - Voice of the Persecuted Christians - Jan-Mar 2022 - 121

Susanna continued: ‘So in the nine months from January to September 2022 the situation got worse and worse. In July there was a huge
attack on a military convoy that was transporting food, and many were killed; the jihadists just wanted to
kill those giving help, of all religions, and that was horrific. But what was worse was that the politicians tried
to hide that they were failing and not capable of dealing with the situation. People were waiting for more than two months but there was no public information about how many people had been killed or injured. The military kept telling the people to calm down and promised “we will tell you later”. They asked the media not to publish anything. So people were just
The situation is still very insecure and unstable but Susanna adds: ‘There is much to be thankful to the Lord for. In the midst of all of this
we have Christians who stand firm, they go and they preach the gospel. Our local partners are still trying
to support local Christians [who have been displaced] in and around Ouagadougou. Last week they were going to visit persecuted children in the towns outside the capital, to help them.’
Christian refugees in Burkina Faso still need our help. Stock photo
for only nine months, fled to Togo with his family. A few weeks after
the coup, the new authorities started to provide food to refugee camps; Christian refugees who were starving to death in many refugee camps at last had some help. ‘But they still desperately need our help,’ says Susanna.
• That Dr Susanna’s team will be able to help their local partners
waiting and waiting but there was no information, nothing.’
said that even though there were explosions and shootings on the street – it was the start of the second coup – they were still going to help. ‘We must go to help, we prayed about this and it is time to go. We have to go, despite the risks,’ they told her.
Susanna said that Christians were at particularly high risk and were persecuted by jihadists. Many had to flee their homes, but were also reaching their neighbours in the refugee camps and sharing the gospel. ‘They had a good response,’ she adds. ‘The families of the new believers were also with them as they changed their religion, so it was very risky for them.’
Susanna adds: ‘It is amazing; they are so bold. They are so committed even though the situation is so dangerous.’
In September the Government sent 150 lorries with food and medicine to the northern commune of Gaskinde but the aid convoy was attacked. Reports said 37 soldiers and aid workers were killed. Susanna adds: ‘Again no information was put out on the news at the time and no official information was given.’
However, their bus was stopped on the way back so the group decided
to walk the 20 kilometres home in the dark. ‘It took them five hours and they had to hide along the way in case soldiers or jihadists would shoot them. That was so brave of them.’
At this point the mood on the streets of Ouagadougou started to turn against the new military government with many calling for action and even rioting. As a result there was a second coup, headed by a young military leader, Ibrahim Traore. The former President, who had been in charge
• For wisdom for the country’s new leader especially in choosing the right people for the government
‘They are so bold. They are so committed even though the situation is so dangerous’
• For safety for Christians, especially ministry workers and new believers
She adds: ‘Please do remember Burkina Faso in your prayers!’
PRAY
• For a willingness to engage with the international community
• For food and other aid to reach the needy (there are food shortages because of the Ukraine-Russia war)
(Sources include africanews.com; aljazeera.com)
*Name changed for security reasons
The local partner called her and
Children are among those who have had to flee
19