11/04/2024 DRC (International Christian Concern) – Two days after Kanyere’s family celebrated a peaceful Christmas last year, terror seized their village in the middle of the night.
In the darkness, members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) stormed into their Christian community in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), shouting “Allahu Akbar!” as they indiscriminately fired their guns and bombed a truck.
Two of Kanyere’s children died in the attack. Several bullets also struck Kanyere’s legs, leaving her writhing on the ground in pain. Moments later, the attackers kidnapped several villagers, including her husband, and fled.
Villagers rushed Kanyere to the nearest hospital, which was two hours away. After doctors stabilized her, she could not receive the full treatment she needed because she lacked the funds to pay for it. She returned home broken in body and spirit.
Responding to the attack, International Christian Concern (ICC) learned about Kanyere’s needs and helped her pay for her medical care. She required multiple rods in her left leg to hold it together as it healed.
“When the ADF rebels bombed my village, leaving me hopeless and shattered, I never imagined that help would come from such a distant place,” Kanyere told an ICC staffer. “The love and care that you have extended to me are beyond anything I have ever experienced before. Your compassion has touched my soul in ways I cannot fully articulate.”
ICC also helped Kanyere find adequate housing for her and her two surviving children and helped her pay their rent for six months. We also paid for her medicine and provided her family with food, beds, and other necessities.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude and joy as I speak out these words to express my deepest appreciation for the incredible support and kindness you have shown me,” Kanyere said. “This day that you have surprised me with your generosity will forever be etched in my heart as a memory of hope and light in what had been a dark and challenging time for me.”
Your generous gifts to ICC’s Where Most Needed fund enable our staff to quickly respond to attacks around the world and help our Christian brothers and sisters in their most desperate time of need. You can help others like Kanyere by giving to the fund today.
As another Christmas approaches, Kanyere has no reason to believe her husband is still alive. Still feeling his absence and the loss of two of her children, she expressed gratitude for the unexpected help she received when she needed it most.
“Words alone cannot capture the depth of my gratitude towards you,” Kanyere said. “Your kindness has transformed my life in ways I never thought possible. Thank you for being the ray of light in my darkest hour, for showing me that there are still angels among us who selflessly extend their hands to lift others up.”
To learn more about giving to the persecuted this holiday season, click here.
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