Faith
Baby Ruth: Faith Triumphs Over Tragedy
Faith Facts
- Ruth survived a brutal attack as an infant when heavily armed militants targeted her Christian village in Plateau state, Nigeria.
- Her adoptive family credits God’s grace for rescuing Ruth and sustaining them through ongoing hardship and persecution.
- Despite continued threats, Ruth’s family and community remain steadfast in faith, praying for peace and forgiveness.
Five years ago, Ruth became a living emblem of hope for Nigerian Christians suffering persecution. Her story of miraculous survival and the steadfast faith of those who raised her inspires believers across her homeland.
In 2021, Ruth’s home village, Maiyanga, faced a violent dawn attack by Islamic militants. Amid the chaos, her mother begged for mercy but was killed, and Ruth was left behind in the mud, orphaned and alone.
God’s hand of providence was evident as survivors found the infant Ruth at daybreak and placed her in the loving care of Danjuma and Talatu Danjuma, her aunt and uncle, who already had their own children.
“We know the importance of children,” Talatu said softly. “That’s why we adopted her to stay with us. We thank God for providing for us to take good care of them. It hasn’t been easy, but we believe God will continue to guide us.”
The Danjuma family’s faith became their anchor as they endured continuing loss, including the death of a loved one during a more recent village attack.
“Fulani militias killed five members of our family,” Talatu recalled tearfully. “Only Ruth and our grandmother survived. Now, it’s just our grandparents who remain in the village. We’ve faced so many attacks, but we keep our faith in God because everything that has a beginning will surely have an end.”
Through unshakable faith, their prayers focus on forgiveness rather than retaliation, asking God to reach even their persecutors.
“It has made us stronger,” Danjuma said. “It has drawn us closer to God. We pray not for revenge but for forgiveness—for the attackers to find Christ. Only God can change the heart of a man.”
Ruth now attends school in Jos, celebrated for her gentle spirit and resilience, even as she recovers from trauma.
“Ruth is calm and kind,” shared her teacher, Regina Adu. “She has a bit of difficulty with her studies, probably because of what she’s been through, but I believe she’ll improve. She’s learning to write neatly, and we’re working on her English. She’s a good girl with a bright future.”
In Sunday school, Ruth is often found singing hymns about Christ’s love, learning from her caregivers the Christian path of grace and forgiveness.
“She may not remember what happened,” Talatu said, “but we make sure she grows up knowing that God loves her deeply.”
The region remains threatened by religious violence, with villages destroyed and families displaced, yet the light of faith endures in homes like the Danjumas’.
“This is the reality for many Christian children in Nigeria,” explained advocate Gata Moses. “They’ve seen their parents murdered and their homes destroyed. The violence is systematic—it’s a form of genocide. Yet the government remains silent. We are crying for the world to see our pain and help us.”
The Danjumas pray daily for peace, trusting that Ruth’s education and future are in God’s hands despite their ongoing needs.
“We plead for help with Ruth’s schooling,” Talatu said. “We want her to learn and become someone who can help others one day. We couldn’t complete our own education due to hardship. But we believe Ruth can go further if given the opportunity.”
Their home is a haven for prayer and thanksgiving, even as memories of loss and the need to rely on God remain ever present.
“We’ve lost so much,” Danjuma said, “but we also know that Christ is with us. Persecution reminds us that this world is not our home. It teaches us to depend completely on God.”
Ruth’s healing brings hope to her extended family, with visits from her grandmother providing comfort and a reminder of God’s purposes.
“She calls me ‘Mama’ and hugs me every time I come,” her grandmother shared. “When I see her smile, I know that God still has a purpose for us.”
Let us lift up persecuted Christians in prayer and stand for faith, family, and freedom wherever it is threatened.
Faith Facts
- The World Watch List ranks the 50 most dangerous countries for Christians each year.
- Definitions of persecution are complex, with broad and legal meanings.
- The Watch List identifies multiple ‘persecution engines,’ not just religious bias.
The World Watch List, published by Open Doors, reveals where Christian believers face the harshest threats to their faith. This tool is heavily referenced in discussions on global religious freedom, spotlighting the severe trials Christians experience worldwide.
Some criticize the World Watch List’s definitions, yet most experts agree that persecution includes various forms of mistreatment, discrimination, or violence for one’s faith. The term is used both generally and legally, reflecting the serious challenges many Christians encounter.
As believers, we understand that standing firm for Christ has always invited persecution. The Watch List identifies sources such as religious nationalism, clan oppression, and organized corruption — highlighting that opposition comes from many directions, not just a single worldview.
Including ‘Islamic oppression’ in the list does not label all Muslims as oppressors, just as ‘Christian denominational protectionism’ does not reflect every Christian group. The Bible calls us to truth while praying for those who face hostility for righteousness’ sake.
It is important to recognize that the difficulties Christians experience are real and well-documented, even though Christianity is the largest global faith. Our response should be marked by prayer, advocacy, and a commitment to uphold religious liberty for all, guided by God’s Word.
Let us stand together for brothers and sisters in Christ facing persecution, drawing strength from our faith and the freedoms we cherish. Stay vigilant, informed, and bold in defending Christian values around the world.
Faith Facts
- The Surakarta Blessed Family Foundation (YKAS), a Christian affiliate of Bethel Indonesia Church, has appealed the revocation of its building permits in Central Java.
- YKAS claims the permit removals were done without proper dialogue or legal basis despite complying with all documentation requirements.
- Mass opposition and protests arose as construction neared completion, with local Islamic groups voicing strong objections.
Upholding the right to worship in Indonesia remains a challenge for Christian communities as they navigate ongoing opposition and bureaucratic obstacles. The faithful are called to stand firm in truth while seeking justice through peaceful and prayerful means.
Dendy Zuhairil Finsa, chairman of the Ansor Youth Movement Legal Aids Institute, said,
“The revocation of the five BCAs, which were issued, then corrected, postponed and finally revoked within just three days, constitutes an arbitrary act because there was no room for dialogue with the Surakarta Blessed Family Foundation, the administrator.”
Pressure from various groups has led to governmental indecision and temporary halts in the Christian project, putting religious liberty at risk. Community voices remind us of the importance of fairness and the need for faith-based initiatives to have equal protection under the law.
Setiawan Budi, coordinator of the Interfaith Brotherhood, called the government’s handling,
“A form of alleged arbitrariness… Something like this should never have happened.”
Now more than ever, believers must unite in prayer, advocate for religious freedom, and support our Christian brothers and sisters worldwide. Stand for faith, family, and freedom as we defend the right to worship and uphold Biblical values in every nation.
Faith Facts
- Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, called Putin’s statements about Russia’s war ‘heresy.’
- Putin described the invasion of Ukraine as a ‘holy mission’ during Orthodox Christmas.
- The message has faced criticism for blending faith with national ideology and violence.
Rowan Williams strongly denounced comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin equating military action to a divine mission, warning such views undermine Christian teaching. Putin’s message linking military service to spiritual salvation during Orthodox Christmas has stirred international concern.
Williams cited John 18:36 to emphasize that Christ’s kingdom is not of this world, rejecting the use of violence in God’s name.
“There is something really, really disturbing about the systematic, comprehensive rebranding of Christianity as Russian national ideology,” Williams said.
Christian faith emphasizes peace and self-sacrifice, not using God to justify war. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to raise questions about the proper relationship between faith, patriotism, and power.
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