Written by: Open Doors Southern Africa
Article source: JOY! Magazine

For Christians across the globe, Christmas marks the sweet celebration of our Saviour’s birth. However, for children like 13-year-old Sele and his family in Nigeria, it is a bittersweet celebration. Each year they are painfully aware of the empty seat at their Christmas table – for many of us this might also be the case this year…

The expression on Sele’s face was priceless when he opened his special Christmas gift. The new shirt, trousers, and an illustrated Bible were just what he wanted. This Christmas gift, which was made possible by the support of Open Doors partners, will bring him hope and joy for the rest of the year.

Father killed for his faith
Sele is one of many Christian children who have lost loved ones to persecution. His father, a farmer who provided in all the family’s needs, was killed in 2011 in an attack on Christians in their town. Although
Christmas is a poignant time of the year for the family and they love to celebrate the birth of Jesus in their community, they are also missing his father desperately.

“The loss of my husband has hit our family hard. When he was alive, we were living peacefully. After he was killed because he was a Christian, I decided to hold on to Jesus for our daily needs. My concern is just to feed my children and make sure they go to school,” says Cecelia, Sele’s mother.

You can spark hope in the lives of persecuted Christian children like Sele this Christmas.

Opportunity to go to school
Sele is a diligent student who loves going to school and completes his homework obediently every day. Open Doors helps by paying the tuition at his Christian school. Here it is safe to pray and share his faith openly. Except from getting the opportunity to study, the teachers also help him to grow as a Christian and understand the faith that cost his father his life. After school he also works very hard on their farm to help his mum put food on the table.
“I am so thankful for the opportunity to go to school. My dream is to save lives and help people, so I work hard to become a doctor in the future. Thank you to Open Doors and their partners for paying my school fees. May God bless you,” says Sele.

A proud mom
Cecelia is proud of her son’s positive attitude and achievements, as well as grateful for the help in sending Sele to school. She says: “I want to thank God for Open Doors, who is helping and visiting me constantly. They always support me with Sele’s school fees. His life is changed by the opportunity to go to school. The hope and joy that he experiences, is an inspiration to others around him. I am so grateful for the help from our brothers and sisters in Christ.”

A bright future
Thanks to the support of believers all over the world, Sele and many others like him are blessed with a special Christmas and a bright future – Sele can study hard at school and feel hopeful for the future. Please pray that the Lord will protect Sele and his family so that they can be salt and light in their community.
You can spark hope in the lives of persecuted Christian children like Sele this Christmas with a gift to transform their lives and give them a brighter future – please make use of the banking details below.

Geopende Deure – Open Doors NPC | Nedbank
Branch code: 198765 | Acc: 113 750 4552 (Business) | Ref: JE2112

Geopende Deure – Open Doors NPC | Absa
Branch code: 632005 | Acc: 160 340 568 (Current) | Ref: JE2112

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Date published: 22/10/2021
Feature image: Photos © 2021 Open Doors International

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