Solidarity With ChristSample

Sleeping in the storm

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Proverbs 3:24

For displaced people who’ve fled violence, their sleep is plagued with nightmares. But God promises rest for the weary.

Sylvia is over 100 years old. When violence descended on her village in Nigeria, she had to flee. Her home was burned down, her personal belongings were all destroyed and she lost her last living son. “We were running for our lives,” Sylvia recalls.

“All of my things were destroyed, everything I own.”

After being in hiding for four days, Sylvia and her grandchildren were rescued and taken to a nearby camp. A Tearfund partner helped them with emergency supplies and gave them food, soap, and a mattress to sleep on. Sylvia says, “I was happy”.

Almost everything Sylvia held dear has been destroyed. Yet she is still looking to the future. She has enough to feed and care for her grandchildren and she’s got a mattress to sleep on. It may not sound like much, but when you are over 100 years old, not sleeping on the ground is a precious gift.

Syliva is not alone – an estimated 7.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Nigeria. In seven years of conflict, more than 20,000 people have been killed in Boko Haram-related incidents. 

Prayer

Father we pray for the growing humanitarian crisis in Nigeria – particularly in the north east, central and some parts of the north west. Bring safety and comfort those who have been forced from their homes. Bring peace to this nation. Amen. 

Action

In solidarity with those who have no place to sleep, tonight we will sleep on the floor.