The AGEMPEM, an association that brings together all the evangelical churches and missions in Mali, had an emergency meeting to discuss the extremely disasterous situation in the North Mali. A special crisis commitee was appointed to deal with this situation. They made an official statement in French that I want to summarize in English.
Horrendous crimes are being committed against the population: searching out Christians, maccacres, rapes, enforcing the shariah law, etc. All the churches in Gao and Timbuktu have been destroyed. All the Believers are trying to flee to southern Mali, abandonning all their belongings.
The commitee is making an appeal for Christians everywhere to join together in solidarity behind those who are suffering and to help in any way possible. The churches in the regions of Gao and Timbuktu are filled hunbreds with refugees, from little children to the elderly, who seriously need our help. There is a great need of funds, of grain, of clothing. The AGEMPEM says that all gifts may be addressed to the commitee treasurer, Jean Pierre Doumbia, whose telephone number in Mali is (223) 66.76.36.62 , or to the assistant treasure, Emmanuel Keita (223) 66.73.89.75. The AGEPPEM Crisis Commitee will handle the funds and will provide periodic financial reports for those who give.
For those who would prefer to give through the auspices of Praise International, please write me a message. I need to speak with our leaders in West Africa and see how Praise would handle this.
The committee closes the letter with Matthew 25:35-36, where Jesus asks us to show compassion to the hurting, for in so doing we are doing it unto Him, “I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”
Please make the serious situation in Mali a priority in your prayers and consider how you can help.