Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Local Christians in the village of Misha'at Zaafaranah, located within Egypt's Minya Province, are working to get approval to build a place of worship. The required documents have been submitted to the authorities and, for the meantime, the group of believers were meeting in a temporary structure on the land belonging to the church.
Although local officials have no objection to these gatherings, in the early morning of January 6th, an opposing mob converged at the location to protest the construction of the church building. During the protest, the temporary structure being used by the church members was set on fire. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident.
This destructive act of persecution follows a similar attack that happened on December 18th against a church building being built in Al-Azeeb. Details on that situation are available in a previously posted report. Weeks prior to that incident, another had taken place in Minya Province during the month of November, when a mob attacked a Christian man and burned down his house which had been under construction.
Prayerfully uphold our suffering Egyptian brothers and sisters in Christ who have been terribly affected by these recent acts of violence. In each case, may the Lord minister healing from the trauma they have experienced and provide them the financial resources they need to replace all that has been destroyed. Pray that He will also work by His Spirit to soften the hearts of those in opposition to the Gospel, including the perpetrators who were directly responsible for the attacks, leading them to realize the error of their ways and come to a point of sincere repentance and salvation.
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