After a family in south-east Kenya put their faith in Christ in November, Muslims gave them one day to return to Islam or be killed, the father said.
‘We were given a day to either recant the Christian faith or face the sword, as well as lose all the privileges the Muslims had given to us,’ said Abdul Abuk-Bakr of Sera village, Garsen.
Pastor’s prayer
Abu-Bakr had suffered a serious illness for more than two months, visiting various hospitals without improving, when a pastor whose name and church are undisclosed visited him. The pastor prayed for Abu-Bakr in Jesus’ name, and the married father of two received instant healing.
The next day, his entire family decided to place their faith in Christ for salvation from sin. The pastor’s church joyfully received the family as new members, and word of their conversion spread. It reached the mosque and the same day threatening death messages were sent to Abu-Bakr.
Given a day to return to Islam,the family sought refuge at the church site. During Friday prayers, Muslim leaders at the Sera mosque announced the family’s punishment for leaving Islam, Abu-Bakr learned.
‘The family of Abu-Bakr are now infidels and have become apostates, and they deserve to die,’ a mosque leader said. The family has since moved from one Christian home to another, and the couple have hidden their children in a place of refuge.
‘Life for us is now very difficult. The Muslims are monitoring our movements,’ Abu-Bakr said. ‘We have decided to take our two children, ages 4 and 5, to a Good Samaritan’s home. Though they are missing our love at their tender age, their security is more important.’
He and his wife are concerned about how they will obtain schooling for their children, he said. ‘We are at crossroads, not knowing what to do – no home, no food, life-threatening environment and children away from us,’ he said. ‘At times we are missing peace. My wife has been having sleepless nights thinking about the children. We really need prayers to remain in the Christian faith and the peace that comes from God.’
