Feet to the Fire in Nigeria

Walking for the first time through remote villages nestled in the grassy hills of Nigeria, I was greeted by groups of villagers with curiosity and interest. Some of the children backed away, probably because they had never seen a white woman before. But before long I was praying for some sick ladies who came to me and lifting up to God the prayer requests of three village chiefs.

All three requested prayer to have schools for their children and clean water to drink instead of the dirty river water they shared with animals. Just my being there seemed to strike a chord with them, as if to say they were not alone. It was my privilege to show them God had not forgotten them.

I was there on a personal mission trip to Nigeria not only to bless the people, but to walk where they walked and see the real Nigeria. I wanted to see the needs first hand and learn how to help.

It wasn't long before I began to find out. The villages appeared peaceful and serene, yet a shadow remained. One village was largely Christian, but a gaze up the hill showed the tents of their Muslim Fulani neighbors. The Fulani are a nomadic tribe of herdsmen who appear peaceful, but their presence next door was ominous because of reports those same neighbors had left their camp to participate in a jihadist attack miles away, killing Christians en mass in the name of Allah.

Because of this, the men of the village were taking turns guarding their homes all night. No attack had taken place there, yet. But the fact remains that 7,000 Nigerian Christians have been slaughtered for their faith in 2025 alone. 

Such attacks have increased since they first began in the early 2000s, and since 2009 it's estimated 50,000 Christians have been killed, largely in northern Nigeria. Whole villages have been wiped out, taken over by Muslims and given new names. Many have been buried in mass graves. Survivors find themselves with no homes, no livelihoods, sometimes with no loved ones. They have no choice but to live in deplorable conditions with little food in a camp for displaced people, called IDP camps. Even there, the threat of further attacks remains.

Rachel's Story

Rachel is one young mother living in a camp since 2018. With no husband or provisions, she had to give up her children for others to raise and was left alone. 

"They destroyed everything, but we leave everything in the hands of God almighty," Rachel said.

A Widow's Lament

An elderly mother at the camp told of the agony she faced.

"They burned down my home and killed all my children. They killed my husband too," she mourned. "Now at my old age, I do not have anyone."

The Cry of a Mother

When Islamic militants surrounded her villlage last June, another young mother fled to a nearby village with her children. She later returned to find her husband had been killed, leaving her to raise their six children alone.

"I struggle to feed the children. Everywhere I turn, doors appear to be closed," she said. "I have no one to lean on except God. But I forgive those who killed my husband and brought me so much pain and suffering."

Nigeria's Own Missionaries

Stories like these touched the heart of Nigerian missionary Samuel Afang, a former pastor who now serves in Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Last July he organized an outreach with medical volunteers to bring food, relief supplies, and health care to needy people who had just survived a vicious attack. The team's provisions, meant to help 50 people, were stretched to help the crowd of 1,000 who turned out. Most needed medical attention.

"We did our best to stretch our resources, but it was a privilege to serve," Samuel said.

Unlike in the U.S. or other first world nations, such attacks on the villagers are not followed by organizations rushing to bring humanitarian aid. Those suffering are left to pick up the pieces alone or with very little help.

Moved with compassion, Samuel has now dedicated his life to help the survivors. He relocated to Plateau state in the north, where many attacks have been occurring, and has a plan not only to provide relief and medical care, but to eventually disciple and treat the whole person, meeting spiritual, physical, and psychological needs.

"The aim is to provide mental health sessions, vocational training, and access to education for the children," Samuel explained. "We want to empower them to become self sufficient and break the cycle of dependency."

This is where we in the western world can help. Besides the need for prayer, finances are greatly needed to help the victims. The July outreach was completely funded by only three donors from the US. Churches in Nigeria either don't have a vision for missions or are already giving donations to friends or relatives who were attacked.

Samuel tried to organize two more outreaches that had to be delayed for lack of finances.

But that didn't stop him. With only half the amount raised as the July outreach, the team held an outreach on December 23 outside a Catholic church in the city center of Bokkos, Plateau state. In spite of warnings that a Christmas massacre was being planned there by Islamic militants, Samuel and his team faithfully went and gave their relief aid to a large crowd from the nearby displaced persons camp.

"I'm so grateful we were able to provide medical care, food, and little gifts for the kids for Christmas," Samuel said.

Besides praying with the people and sharing from the word of God, Samuel even dressed up like Santa to hand out gifts.

"To see the joy on the kids' faces was a treasurable moment," he said.

Although I wasn't present to see that joy, it was my privilege to meet Samuel in Nigeria and hear first hand what God is doing through him. He asked me to help get the word out about the great needs the victims face. 

"Your support and encouragement mean a lot to me," he said. "I'd love for you to help share this opportunity."

Would you pray and ask God how you can be a part? At the very least, lift up a prayer for these devastated brothers and sisters in Christ who have lost everything for their faith. Missionaries receive no salary, and every donation given to Samuel's ministry will go toward food, water, relief supplies, medical care and staff to help them. 

But perhaps praying and giving is just the beginning for you. Why not put your feet to the fire top and volunteer for Light A Candle's upcoming outreach in Nigeria in June? I can attest, you will never be the same!

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
Matt. 25:40 KJV