“Thank God for everything,” said kidnapped Pastor Lawan Andimi, in a video message to his loved ones, as he urged them not to cry or worry about him. “I have never been discouraged because all conditions that one finds himself is in the hands of God. By the grace of God, I will be together with my wife, my children and my colleagues. If the opportunity has not been granted, maybe it is the will of God.”
But Pastor Andimi never did see his family again on earth, for his kidnappers killed him last Monday (20 January 2020).
Pastor Andimi’s beloved nephew, John, shared with Barnabas Fund how Pastor Andimi had been content for God’s will to be done, whatever it was.
A main target of Islamist militants
Pastor Andimi had been targeted by Islamist militants for years. He survived attacks in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Finally, after a warning in December 2019, he was seized on 2 January 2020. An impossibly large ransom was demanded and then he was killed. Why did the militants try so hard and so long to get this one man?
Pastor Andimi, who left Islam to follow the Lord Jesus about 40 years ago, had led many other Muslims to Christ, especially in his home area of Chibok. One convert was his father-in-law, who had been a famous Muslim mallam (Quranic scholar), and is now still serving the Lord, at the age of about 90. Pastor Andimi was therefore a prime target of Boko Haram.
But many other Nigerian Christians have died or been made homeless by Boko Haram and other violent Islamist groups. When Boko Haram attempted to kill Pastor Andimi in June 2015 a whole village was burned down and 113 people died.
Help Barnabas help the survivors
Pastor Andimi will see his wife and seven children again in heaven, but who will support them on earth now that the main breadwinner has been taken from them? The oldest three are married, and his widow Auwa has a small business selling honey and fish - but that is not enough to support four dependent children. Praise God the local government in Nigeria has undertaken to cover their school fees.
Barnabas Fund is sending rice, beans, corn and maize for immediate household food needs. We are also sending funds to help Auwa expand her business so she can increase her income.
Through our “Victims of Violence in Nigeria” project, we help many other Nigerian Christians, including rebuilding homes destroyed by violent attack. Please share with us in the privilege of bringing them aid:
1 sack of rice costs £35 ($46; €42)
1 sack of beans costs £42 ($55; €50)
Typical cost to repair one house £1,300 ($1,700; €1,500)
