Nassif in hospital.
Photo: Morning Star News
A nine-year-old boy in Uganda has been hospitalized after his father, a militant Muslim, tied him to a banana tree and set it on fire, as a means of punishing the child for placing his faith in Jesus. Nassif became a Christian when a well-intending neighbour took him to visit a church in another village on June 5th.
According to the pastor of the church, the boy's father and stepmother became very angry when they learned he had converted to Christianity. Upon hearing Nassif's screams for help, concerned neighbours brought him to Kamuli Hospital. His father was subsequently arrested and then later released on bail.
The boy suffered serious burns to several parts of his body, a hospital spokesperson reports. "Nassif has been recovering, but at a very slow pace," he explains. "He might need to be referred to another hospital for specialized treatment."
The neighbour who introduced Nassif to the church now fears for his own life since receiving the following threatening text message: "We know that you are behind the conversion of Nassif to Christianity. You will soon reap what you have sown, which will be a lesson to others. Islam is against such conversion." A relative of the child is hoping to assume custody of Nassif after his release from the hospital.
Please pray for young Nassif's full recovery, both physically and emotionally, and for God's protection over his life when he is released from hospital. May this traumatized child understand how much his Heavenly Father truly loves him, and the fact that He has a wonderful plan for Nassif's life. Ask the Lord to also protect the threatened person who willingly took Nassif to church, as well as the concerned neighbours who brought him safely to hospital. Intercede for the child's parents that they may come to know Jesus as their Saviour too. In general, let's uphold all believers within Uganda who are in need of protection, especially those residing in areas where there is a greater risk of persecution.
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