Hassan Ali says his in-laws were among a group of men armed with knives who came to his door in Witu, Lamu County, earlier this month, demanding to see him. He escaped through a window when he heard the visitors questioning his wife about her faith.
His wife and their children, aged seven and four, have been taken back to live with her relatives. Her parents are reportedly insisting the children attend a madrassa (Islamic school).
Hassan was raised as a Muslim but became a Christian about ten months ago. He believes that local Muslims may have noted his lack of attendance at the local mosque.
Meanwhile, two weeks previously, Islamist extremists set fire to two church buildings in Tiribe near Mombasa on October 30.
Pastor Mutuku of Faith Victory Church says his congregation now meet in a tent. Pastor Nyawa of Holistic Church says most of his members have left the church: the remainder are now forced to meet outside, under police protection, but are contending with heavy rains and flooding.
- Pray that Hassan can be reunited with his family and that they will be able to live out their Christian faith in freedom.
- Please pray with Hassan that his wife will stand firm in her faith in Christ, even as she is pressured by relatives to recant her faith.
- Pray for members of Faith Victory and Holistic churches in Tiribe. Pray that God will provide new premises and bless them with new members and fruitful ministries.