Women at the Forefront

countries. We met many marvelous people and countless churches. We were busy extending God’s kingdom here on earth. We had seen

the

generosity of many in the Christian faith who contributed to the work of the Baptist World Alliance. We had seen the growth of faith in some unexpected countries like Russia and some of these other places that had gone through so much.

Indeed, the BWA experience was unparalleled in what it revealed and what it aimed to achieve:

We had seen the hunger for Christ and the Bible. However, we had also witnessed the world’s thirsty, hungry and poor people, some in refugee camps, some after earthquakes and flood disasters. We’d seen the ravages of war and the horrible destruction it leaves

behind. We’ve seen an

indifference and denial of Christ forge its way into men and their cultures. However, Christ has taught us that we must keep witnessing to the world for his church. It is his church and it will not fail.

But when Archie took the position

with the United Bible Societies working in Europe and the Middle East, she groaned. “That’s another trial for me. They asked him to go over there. He’s going to Europe and the Middle East and I’m going to England. I’m gonna be by myself again and I’m not sure I want this!” Even though “the Lord opened up the door [it] doesn’t change the fact that you can be lonely in these positions.” One purpose of her book, she said, was

the importance “to get the message that God helps you through every part of your life.” That includes the lonely times. It was her experience then, and it can be so for others now. “That’s why I go back to the beginning and tell my own story.”

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eat fruits from off the trees. The Nigerian Army bombed the Boko Haram store house and placed a blockade at the Sambisa Forest so they don’t have any means of getting food. They eat fruit from the trees. Amina said six of the girls have died. Three died when the Nigerian Army

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bombed the Sambisa Forest. One girl died from a snake bite. Another died while delivering a baby. One girl was stoned to death. The one stoned to death refused to recant her Christian faith. While they were

teaching the Koran in Arabic, she sang Christian songs of praise. They asked, “Who is making that noise different from the others? If you don’t say who it is we will gun down all of you, we will shoot all of you.” She stood up and said, “I’m the one.” They told her to sit at the front, which

she did. When they resumed reading the Koran she started to sing Christian praise songs again. They said, “Won’t you stop it?” She said, “It is better for me to die

“MARY” FROM CHIBOK, NIGERIA: A Mother’s Pain

The following are excerpts from a June 2016 interview with “Mary” from Chibok, Nigeria, mother of one of the 276 female students at the Government Secondary School in the town who were kidnapped by Boko Haram on the night of April 14, 2014.

mina Ali, the only one of the girls to be rescued (in May 2016), said the girls are in the Sambisa Forest. Most are married. They are living under trees in the forest for all these 26 months without shelter or shade. They

Top: Parents of Chibok kidnapping victims

Right: Amina Ali, the only one of the 276 Chibok girls to be rescued

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