Add to all those the persecution of faithful Christians in a world of intolerance and hatred.

Whether or not we have personal troubles to bear, the troubles of the world are crushing us all. We are all grieving and mourning. Let us, then, grasp hold of Jesus’ promise to provide for those who grieve “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3)

Our Lord Jesus, who conquered death itself when he rose from the grave on the first Easter Sunday, delights to heal and restore, to cleanse and renew.

Ashes were a traditional sign of mourning, including mourning for one’s own sins (Job 42:6). That is why, in some church traditions, a period of preparation before Easter begins with “Ash Wednesday”.

But our risen Lord will gently brush away the ashes from our heads, anoint our heads with joy, and place on each one of us a beautiful crown. He will take away the despair that is weighing so heavily on us and clothe us with praise.

For Christians in Nigeria, ashes are more than a symbol of sorrow.

Christians suffering violence and injustice

Barnabas Aid, international aid agency to the persecuted Church, has the privilege and joy of bringing practical help to our Christian brothers and sisters suffering violence and injustice.

For Christians in Nigeria, ashes are more than a symbol of sorrow. They are reality.

Thousands have seen their homes, possessions and crops turned to ashes when extremists set them on fire.

Many of them are mourning for loved ones killed in these attacks. Only the Lord can anoint them with the oil of joy, but Barnabas Aid gives them sacks of grain and cooking oil so that they do not go hungry.

Only the Lord can replace their despair with a garment of praise, but Barnabas Aid provides blankets to give warmth at night.

“God, you see and you hear the cries of your people. You send help and you show your love all the time.  Thank you for your servants Barnabas Aid for their care and perseverance in helping your suffering community,” sang a Nigerian believer as he danced in joy when Barnabas-funded aid arrived in his village for survivors of an anti-Christian attack.

New homes for displaced Santal Christians

Nigeria is just one of many countries where Barnabas Aid is helping Christian victims of violence.

In Bangladesh, Barnabas Aid has provided 100 new brick homes for displaced Santal Christians – and construction is well underway on another 100 homes.

Their old wooden homes were burned to the ground in 2016 when around 5,500 Santal Christians were forcibly evicted from their tribal land by police, aided by local extremists.

“God is so good,” said Sunil as his family moved into their new home. “We did not expect such kind of blessing but God surprises us.”

Can you help Christian victims of violence?

Your gift could help Barnabas Aid provide more help to suffering Christians.

• A gift of $30 could provide two weeks of food for a Pakistani Christian family still suffering after the anti-Christian riots in Jaranwala last year.
• A gift of $70 could pay for one day’s training in trauma healing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Christians are enduring repeated attacks.
• A gift of $174 could provide a women’s bathroom, shared by the women and girls of 10 families, for Santal Christians given new homes by Barnabas in Bangladesh.
• A gift of $420 could provide a corn-grinding machine for a Nigerian Christian widow whose husband died in anti-Christian violence. This will enable widows to earn a living and support their children.

Join us in making a difference for persecuted and suffering Christians worldwide!