A Christian of Somali descent has been badly injured after his militant Muslim relatives beat him to an unconscious state on February 7th. The relatives had ambushed 26-year-old Hassan in an area outside of Nairobi because he and other Christians were holding mid-week devotional times in their homes.
At 9 a.m. that Sunday morning, Hassan and his 15-year-old brother were on their way to a worship service at a church located about ten kilometres from their home when the incident took place. As the brothers made their way down a pathway off the road, their uncles suddenly attacked Hassan from behind.
"They hit me with a blunt object, and I fell down bleeding," Hassan recounts. "Then they stepped on my stomach; and while I was struggling, another hit me on my head. I (don't) know what happened after that point. I just woke up to find my mother screaming for help."
This was not the only time Hassan has been severely injured by militant Somalis in Nairobi. On October 27th, 2011, a gang viciously attacked him after learning that family members had become Christians. The Somali neighbours hit Hassan with a metal bar on his forehead and face, resulting in the loss of two teeth, and then inflicted knife wounds to his hand. Afterwards, the attackers left him for dead.
"Please pray...that God will continue protecting us and heal my son at this trying moment," pleads Hassan's widowed mother of nine children. "We have to move away from this area for the sake of our lives."
Thank you for upholding Hassan's immediate family as they seek another place in which to live. May the Lord sovereignly guide them to a safe haven among a warm and loving community of fellow believers who will provide them needed ministry, healing and encouragement -- especially in the case of Hassan after all he has endured for following Jesus. Pray that this young man's uncompromising, steadfast faith will be a powerful testimony to his unsaved family members who are clearly in need of our Lord's love, mercy, forgiveness and eternal salvation.