Day 1: An Introduction

We all have troubles. For some, like our persecuted brothers and sisters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), those troubles might mean losing your home, your belongings or even your life.

Thousands of Christians in the DRC have been displaced by Islamist attacks. These Christians are assaulted, kidnapped or even killed by militant Islamists who burn their homes and churches in attempts to silence the witness of Christians and stop the advance of the gospel.

Despite all this, front-line workers like Daniel and Aline come alongside these persecuted believers to provide support — whether that’s through tangible aid or simply being a listening ear.

Whether or not we face dangerous physical attacks, times of hardship affect all Christians. Physical pain brought on by illness, the emotional pain of strained relationships with family or feelings of abandonment, the mental anguish of regret, and even seasons of spiritual attack from the enemy disrupt all our lives at different points and impact us in various ways. For our brothers and sisters who endure the attacks of militant Islamists, they face:

• Fear. They are afraid to return to their fields and gardens, even if attackers have left the area.
• Physical pain. Wounds must be treated and given time to heal.
• Nightmares. For some, nightmares disrupt their sleep and affect their ability to rest and recover.
• Anger. It is easy to become angry in these times with their attackers or even with God.
• Doubt. They may sometimes question God’s care and provision for their lives.

All of us can likely relate to those feelings of fear, anger and doubt as we experience seasons of hardship and pain.

How can we be inspired by our brothers and sisters in the DRC? What does Scripture have to say when we are brokenhearted or when we share life with someone who is brokenhearted?

Think about a time when you have been brokenhearted or have known someone close to you experiencing heartbreak. What does it mean to offer the ministry of presence to someone in that situation?