News / Thoughts

Cameroon: 1000 letters delivered

In July 2014, Pastor Jean Marcel Kesvere was abducted and killed by Boko Haram militants who attacked his village in northern Cameroon. His wife, Sharifa*, and their eight children escaped with only the clothes on their backs. Though they were welcomed into a new community, the scale of the family’s loss was overwhelming. Open Doors visited them soon afterwards and supplied them with emergency aid and provisions, but it quickly became clear that they needed more than just physical support – so, in November 2014, Open Doors launched a letter-writing campaign to enable Christians worldwide to write to and encourage them.

Amora*, an Open Doors worker, has visited Sharifa and her family multiple times over the last couple of years to deliver letters. This last batch of cards will bring the total number to more than 1,000 letters and cards – each one letting them know that they are loved, remembered and prayed for by their family in Christ around the world. It is clear that these letters have been helping them on their long journey to recovery.

When the final box of letters is handed over, immediately the family start opening them and begin chatting. Sharifa is deeply thankful for the love she has received through the letters. “If someone does not think about you, they can’t write to you. The cards have been a great encouragement to me and my family.

“My children are very much encouraged in their faith by the letters. They are always attracted by the photos or images on the cards and often spend their time considering the images.”

As well as supporting Sharifa with her immediate needs and through letter-writing, Open Doors has provided monetary support for Sharifa to start up her own ice-making business and manage a farm. “I harvested 40 bags of unpeeled rice this last season!” Sharifa shares excitedly.

Thank you!

Thank you so much if you have been one of the many lifting up the Kesveres in your prayers, writing to the family or giving to Open Doors to enable us to support them. Your actions have been making a substantial difference in their lives!

Although this delivery concludes our writing campaign for Sharifa, this is not the end of Open Doors’ relationship with the Kesveres. We will continue to support the family and visit them, and encourage believers around the world to pray for this family.

*Name changed for security reasons

Source: Open Doors

Pray now…

• That the Lord will continue the good work of healing and restoration He has begun in the Kesvere family
• That He will continue to keep them in the faith and give them the strength to hold onto Him
• Sharifa asks that we pray for good health for her and for her children who sometimes suffer from malaria
• Thank the Lord for providing for them, and pray that He would continue to give them all that they need.

Write our own letter…

Although our writing campaign for Sharifa has ended, there are other persecuted believers who need our encouragement.
Find out more now…