Heidi Baker is a resident in one of the world’s poorest and most dangerous countries. Since 2017, ISIS-linked militants have killed over 2,600 people and displaced 700,000 more in their invasion to establish an Islamic caliphate in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province. Al Shabab, a militant terror group, is responsible for the dozens of terror attacks on churches in the region.
According to the U.S. State Department, on March 24, 2021, Al Shabab launched one of the bloodiest Islamic terror attacks in southern Africa, storming the town of Palma, north of Baker’s house, sending many fleeing for their lives. According to Faithwire, dozens of civilians, including 12 foreigners, were killed. Reportedly, some were even beheaded on the beaches of Palma.
Baker, who runs the Christian humanitarian organization Iris Global, has lived in Mozambique for more than 25 years, experiencing firsthand the carnage and suffering. Nonetheless, she claims that the Lord is strongly working across the country. “I’m telling you in the midst of the tragedy, God is doing the most incredibly beautiful things, and He’s wiping away the tears,” she said.
“Churches have been burned, and anyone who is not agreeing with this specific group of terrorists, whatever faith they have, their homes are being burnt as well, their crops are being burnt,” Baker said. Nina Diadara, another resident of Palma, confirmed what Baker said. In a statement obtained by Faithwire after escaping an attack, Diadara said, “They were killing us, they were burning houses, and they were taking our children.”
But Baker just wants to keep preaching the gospel, even amid the militant terror group. “Al Shabab, they are a frightening bunch. I’m not going to be phony, I don’t want to get chopped up, I don’t want to be kidnapped, I want to continue to preach this glorious gospel for many more decades.” But she also said, “If you are a believer in Jesus, you are one of the first who is right on the list.”
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Oliver Strewe
John Paluska has been a contributor for Christian Headlines since 2016 and is the founder of The Washington Gazette, a news outlet he relaunched in 2019 as a response to the constant distribution of fake news.
