By Emmanuel Kwada
A heartwarming gesture of kindness and compassion is bringing joy to thousands of displaced Nigerian Christians this Christmas season. An Iowa-based nonprofit organization, Equipping the Persecuted Initiative, founded by evangelical missionary and activist Saul, is distributing over 40 cows to provide beef to victims of Islamic terrorism in Nigeria.
This act of generosity aims to put smiles on the faces of those who have been forced to flee their homes due to violence and persecution. Saul estimates that one cow can feed up to 500 people in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp.
Since its inception, Equipping the Persecuted Initiative has helped over 400,000 victims with food, shelter, medical treatment, and free education for orphans. This annual Christmas intervention, launched last year, seeks to encourage and enable persecuted Christians to celebrate Christmas with renewed hope.
Saul recently led a team from the United States to Nigeria to show solidarity and launch the distribution of cows
Despite the ongoing violence and travel advisories, Saul recently led a team from the United States to Nigeria to show solidarity and launch the distribution of cows. The team visited a makeshift village for 400 displaced Christians on the outskirts of Abuja, where they donated a 120-pound cow.
The recipients of this kindness expressed their gratitude, with camp leader Gaji Yusuf Mazha saying, “I lack words to express our gratitude… All I can say is God bless you.” Mazha described the donation as lifesaving, adding that the school built by Equipping the Persecuted Initiative in the village of Kutara has given them hope for a bright future.
55,000 Christians have been killed in the last four years by insurgents and kidnap-for-ransom terrorists
The plight of displaced Nigerian Christians is a result of the escalating violence and terrorism in the country. According to reports, as many as 55,000 Christians have been killed in the last four years by insurgents and kidnap-for-ransom terrorists. The Nigerian government has been criticized for its failure to protect its citizens, particularly in the north central region.
Lawmakers and rights activists have accused President Bola Tinubu of concentrating military action in majority-Muslim states, ignoring attacks in the so-called Christian belt. The situation has forced over 1.3 million people to flee their homes, with many seeking refuge in IDP camps.
Our mission is to help our brothers and sisters in Christ… We want to bless as many people for Christmas as possible
In the midst of this chaos and uncertainty, the kindness and generosity of organizations like Equipping the Persecuted Initiative offer a beacon of hope and comfort to those affected. As Saul said, “Our mission is to help our brothers and sisters in Christ… We want to bless as many people for Christmas as possible.”
Sources: TruthNigeria
