The church in Northern Nigeria needs help. Bibles are in short supply. They are one of the most important tools for churches to teach adults and children and a crucial tool to reach people with the story of Jesus. Unfortunately, Bibles are hard to come by, and for most people it would be a huge expense to buy a Bible as people are already under financial pressure.
Therefore, the contribution from Danish European Mission's donors is a great help, which arouses enthusiasm among Christians. A total of 2812 Bibles and songbooks and 1000 tracts have been received and welcomed.
Bibles give local Christians hope in tough times. Islamic groups like ISIS, Boko Haram and Fulani persecute people groups that they do not consider to be orthodox - including Christians. They come on motorcycles and attack villages. They kill, burn houses and churches and abduct for ransom. Christian schoolchildren are particularly vulnerable to abduction. For example, one Islamic group attacked a Christian school and abducted up to 200 students. In general, persecution in northern Nigeria is very complex because it is not only based on religious differences. In some places, it's about gaining access to areas where cattle can graze.
Centuries ago, Luther said: "The church grows under persecution." It still holds true today - also in Northern Nigeria. The church is on the move. They set up schools, build wells, give medicine to the vulnerable and much more. In addition, the churches are sending out evangelists to build new churches. All this is happening despite the adversity they face.
Nigerian Christians talk about the importance of Bibles
"I am very grateful to God for the Bibles and songbooks that we have received. They are very valuable to us in Nigeria as it is very difficult to get these things here. The Bibles and songbooks are a great encouragement for all of us to spread the gospel. I would like to thank everyone who helped pay and send Bibles and songbooks to us."
"We thank God for all the Bibles we have received. To be honest, when the church told us that the Bibles had arrived, people didn't believe it. They didn't believe that people in this big remote area would be remembered to such an extent. But now we have received the Bibles. It's a testimony that the church keeps its promises. It has become huge for people around here."
