Facing Fearনমুনা

THE POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH

The almost fatal attack on Ali Moses’ life in central Nigeria turned out to be a powerful testimony destined to touch others.

On that afternoon, Ali was heading home to his family after a long day’s work. He got paid that day and like many previous pay-days had something special planned for the family.

On his way home Ali heard gunshots. Panic made him turn around with an urgency to get back to his work place as quickly as possible. But before Ali could make it back, he ran into a group of irate jihadists. The incited protesters were proclaiming the name of Allah in Arabic, shouting profane slogans, and calling for the killing of Christians as infidels. Within seconds Ali found himself surrounded by the violent mob. Brutal blows were raining down on him.

More than eighteen hours later, Ali woke up in the hospital. His swollen body was throbbing and covered with bruises. An Open Doors representative went to visit Ali in the hospital shortly after the incident to bring encouragement and assistance and learned about his near-death encounter with the Muslim radicals. Considering the course of events, it appears the assailants buried Ali alive while in a state of unconsciousness.

Ali refers to the person who came to his aid as the “Samaritan.”

On the morning following the incident, Ado was passing by what looked like a new grave. He noticed movement in the pile of sand and went closer to inspect. To his astonishment, he could tell from the motion that it was in fact a person. Ado immediately called for help.

Military police dug Ali from the shallow grave and rushed him to the hospital. At first, the medical staff found it very hard to believe that he could still be alive after his eighteen-hour ordeal. But hearing Ali’s testimony gave skeptics food for thought. After spending some time in the hospital, he made a complete recovery.

“I am grateful to God Almighty for saving my life from the hole. It is a miracle! God rescued me in a special way…Now I believe that the power of life and death lies in no-one’s hand but the Lord’s. All thanks belong to Him,” concluded Ali.

Today I will live victoriously in the realization that my life and my death are in the hands of my loving Lord.