I received an email April 10 from a friend I’ve named anonymously Glendon, who has been a faithful mentor to me for going on three decades. He has frequently been Jesus in “real skin” for me over the years and I marvel at how God has both protected and prospered this elderly gentleman throughout his numerous trying times. Early on, Glendon had confided in me the details of a mission tour he joined in Nigeria, and how his first visit there coincided with a group of Muslims attacking Christians the day before he arrived!
The next day after the attack my friend Glendon accompanied Simon, a young native Christian, to the hospital witnessing a young woman sitting at the entrance with her hand cut off at the wrist being bandaged up by the hospital doctors. Inside the hospital beds were filled with the wounded from machete attack! Arms and hands were cut off, deep wounds across their backs, chests and even some legs. Of course, Glendon had never witnessed anything like this on any prior mission trips, but this time he had, and as a consequence, his life was never the same.
Later that week when the mission tour personnel learned Glendon had toured the hospital, they scolded him and said it was wrong for him to have visited there. In fact, he was told to never report anything that he had seen at the hospital! And for 30 plus years, up until the April 10th email, he has been as he says, shamefully silent, except for sharing earlier on with me, the events details
He was told then people do not understand Muslims and drawing attention to this event would not be good. The tour personnel tried to explain away the prior day’s event as just being a land problem that had little or nothing to do with religion, being Muslim or Christian. Glendon having already discussed with Simon the situation, knew the tour personnel representing worldwide Christian Churches were lying, and for the decades since, nothing has been said, but Glendon reports neither are those worldwide churches or their mission works prospering.
The good news about this dark Nigerian event in Glendon’s life was that spiritually, it was a turning point for developing in him an awareness to look beyond the obvious to discern God’s truths in the world’s chaos, such as we are increasingly encountering during these last days. And equally important, it was on this tour trip Glendon first met Simon.
At that time, Simon was a young Nigerian man searching to find his place to serve God in his home community and had just recently married. His wife was a school teacher with a salary of $300.00 dollars a year, but often, she did not even get paid. Simon wanted more Bible education in order to teach others. So Glendon with his connections arranged for him to attend and graduate from Bible college. But then he still had no income, and the American mission agency that had arranged the tour Glendon had joined had no interest in helping Simon spread the gospel.
Long story short, Glendon to this day is still arranging support for Simon and his family. He began early on sending Simon money from time to time and he began buying roofing tin and eventually built a small two room cement block building. His home is without electricity and no plumbing that works. The last time Glendon stayed with Glendon he bathed from a bucket of water which came from a cistern while standing in a tub.
Today his wife has diabetes and often suffers from bouts with malaria. Simon’s oldest son is married with 2 children. His other five dependents are now either in school or university. Glendon over the years has remained knowledgeable of their names, ages, and the schools they are attending. Beginning now in April, the Nigerian government requires that two of his daughters must drop out of university and become soldiers for two years. Recently robbers broke into the girl’s dorm and stole their rice, beans and clothing. Life there is very difficult.
Until now when Glendon just gave me permission to share Simon’s last email with you readers of this blog post, no one else except I, had an inkling of this situation, remaining only between God, Glendon & Simon.
Simon now is an evangelist preacher who travels around his area teaching and preaching. A few weeks ago, he estimated once there were over 600 in his audience. As Simon continues to minister to his Christian brothers and sisters in and about his community, he comes and goes with little to spare, but still gives to others who are starving, sick or widows, out of what Glendon provides him. Glendon prays daily and requests you blog readers do the same for this little mission enclave thanking God that Simon can so function there because God is still blessing Glendon as he is soon entering his nineties with good health and the financial means to share with Simon.
Here is part of Simon’s April 10th email
The herdsmen here behave like wild animals
The Muslims are using them in disguise to fight their jihad
This is one of their strategies to wipe out Christianity, just so you know what happened in Afghanistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Lebanon and the rest.
That is also their strategies against America as they have captured Europe, especially Great Britain
The want to Islamize the whole world.
Yemen, Iran etc. are their sponsors who are sponsoring the terrorists.
Christians must be wise but innocent as a doves.
We must watch out very carefully
There are several places in Nigeria that are captured and now are under their control whereby before were Christian controlled areas
They have expanded their territories very fast in Nigeria.
Recently in one of the local government area in plateau state is under serious attack and siege.
Last week they attacked and killed hundreds of people.
Dead bodies are still being recovered
Only God knows the mission and evil they have against Christians.
You on your end may not know how much evil is planned against Christians.
Only God can help.
We are fine
I’m grateful to God to hear that you people are doing good
Praise to God for who He is
Praise God I was able to extend hands to about 5 people of various needs
Thanks so very much Glendon
Remain ever blessed under the Fire of God.
Thanks for praying for me always
It means a lot for me and our ministry.
Greetings to your beloved wife and children.
The new clip below was sent me by my mentor friend Glendon taken from opendoorsuk.org/news 12:30 pm April 20, 2025
Christians among 113 killed in latest spate of attacks in Nigeria
A devastating spate of attacks in Nigeria has killed around 113 people, including Christians. With Easter approaching, believers in Nigeria are even more vulnerable to attack. Please pray for their protection and for other believers worldwide as they mark Holy Week….. Tim Open Doors Team
Christian communities in Nigeria have again been devastated by militant attacks. Around 113 people, including some Christians, have been killed in another spate of horrific attacks in Plateau State, Nigeria, with thousands more displaced. Since the end of March, Fulani militants attacked at least eight communities in the local government associations of Bokkos and Bassa. Alongside those killed (and the number could be higher), a further six are missing and many others injured. Over 300 homes have been destroyed, leaving more than 3,000 people displaced.
The most recent attack was on Sunday night (13 April) in a Christian community in Bassa. “Forty-three people were killed, several houses were burnt down with people inside,” says a local contact. Amongst the other attacks, three Christian farmers were cultivating their land on 24 March when they were killed. Three days later, the militants killed 11 Christians who had gathered for a funeral, including a pregnant woman and ten-year-old girl. On 2 April, at least five Christian women were killed as they gathered for fellowship.
The attacks in Bokkos come as Christian communities continue to recover from a series of attacks in 2023, including one on Christmas Eve in which around 200 believers were killed. A coordinated security response is in place to tackle the ongoing spate of attacks in affected communities.
“Our people are living in fear,” says Titus Ayuba Alams, who serves as a special adviser to the local authorities on workers’ welfare and corporate affairs. “Children no longer go to school, even worship in churches you can’t do it, because you are running for your life.”
Why are the attacks happening now?
The attacks come at the onset of the rainy season, which lasts until October. It’s a crucial time for subsistence farmers, who need to get crops in the ground in preparation for the dry season. Many of those attacked and now displaced rely on their farms for survival, and with many men amongst those killed, women and children have lost their breadwinner, leaving them especially vulnerable. Attacks like these are often tactical and targeted, aimed at crippling families and communities in the long-term. When Christian villages are attacked, it is often intended to fatally undermine and destroy the local church. “Children no longer go to school, even worship in churches you can’t do it, because you are running for your life”
Those displaced are now among the millions of Christians displaced by violence and conflict, not just in Nigeria but throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Many end up at displacement camps that are dangerously ill-equipped to care for people. Through the Arise Africa campaign, your gifts are lifeline to so many of our brothers and sisters, but the need remains acute.
“Let’s pray that the Lord will make provision, because we have four IDP [internally displaced person] camps: one in Bokkos, one in Gombe and two in Hurti. And in Bokkos, we have more than 2,000 IDPs. In Hurti, we have more than 4,000 and the same in Gonde,” says Reverend Arum, the CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) chairman of Bokkos lower government authority. “Let’s pray that the Lord will make provision, and the body of Christ will support the church through prayers and, if they can, support them financially.”
Petition and prayer
The Arise Africa campaign is not only about raising money and prayers – it’s also about raising your voice. If you haven’t already, please sign and share the petition. The aim is to take this to the UK government, United Nations, European Union and African Union, calling for protection, justice and restoration for our brothers and sisters affected by rising violence in sub-Saharan Africa – including those whose lives have been rocked by this latest spate of attacks. Go to opendoorsuk.org for details
And with Holy Week underway, please remember believers across the world as they mark Easter under the heightened risk of pressure and persecution. The attack on Christians in Bokkos during Christmas 2023 is a sobering reminder that Christian celebrations can be targeted by militant groups. Meanwhile, those who attend services can face hostility from their own communities and families. Please pray for God’s peace and presence to surround our persecuted family at this time.
Please pray:
For God’s unsurpassing love, comfort and peace to engulf all those affected by these attacks, and that the forthcoming Easter weekend will breathe precious hope into their hearts.
For the provision of food, shelter safety for the displaced.
For the protection of all gatherings in Nigeria, and elsewhere worldwide, during Holy Week.
Taken from opendoorsuk.org/news 12:30 pm April 20, 2025
Strictly FYI & YPS! (Your Prayer Support)
Post 4/19/25: Aron Lee Raltston; that Aron hears Christ’s call & fulfills his life’s destinies for himself, his children – Leon & Elisabetta, as well as his life’s motto, “There are possibilities in our problems, transformation in our trauma, and blessings in our boulders” and the His best for them is yet to come!
Post 04/21/25: Glendon, Simon and the persecuted Christians in Nigeria, Africa, and Asia…