Pray For Our Brothers In Mali.

Mali: Christians displaced, churches destroyed.

Hundreds of Christians in the north of Mali have been forced to flee their homes following a coup in the capital which has left the future of the Malian government uncertain.
In January, a large number of Tuareg fighters who had returned from the civil war in Libya launched an attack on the Malian army, with the intention of liberating their fatherland. The Malian army, claiming that the war in the north was being badly handled by President Toure, ousted him in a coup in March. While the military was distracted, the rebel group (MNLA) made rapid advances in Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu. They have since been joined by Islamic extremist groups who wish to impose Islamic law (Charia) on the whole country.

"All the churches are now destroyed"

According to a report by the Alliance of Protestant Churches in Mali, Christians in the northern cities of Gao and Timbuktu have been worst affected. The report states:

"Rebel groups destroyed the government offices, NGO offices and equipment, banks, traders' shops, everything where they could get things useful to their survival... All the churches, development and social institutions are now destroyed. The Bible institute in Gao is occupied and used as the headquarters of the MNLA. (Open Doors)