COLOMBIA: Wife of Martyred Evangelist Killed

From Voice of the Martyrs (this is the story in their words):

Alicia Castilla, a widow and mother of three, was killed four months after the National Liberation Army (ELN) demanded she leave her home in Arauca.  On Jan. 7, ELN assassins entered her home and shot her in front of her father, children and a visiting pastor. Before leaving, the guerrillas told Castilla's 18-year-old son, Hernán, that the rest of the family had three days to leave the region. After that, they would return and kill other family members one by one.

Alicia's husband, lay-evangelist Nelson Ramos, was killed by the ELN in January 2011, two years after his conversion to Christianity. The ELN issued its first expulsion order against him and his family a few months after his conversion. He was shot to death at home in front of his wife and two daughters, Rosmy and Jackeline, now 9 and 6, respectively.

According to Hernán, the guerrillas never fully explained why they were so adamant about driving the family out of the area.

Source: World Watch Monitor

Please Pray!

Please pray for the Ramos children, who are now orphans. Pray that they will be able to forgive those who took their parents' lives and that the ELN guerrillas will repent and turn to Christ.

"He will spare the poor and needy, and will save the souls of the needy. He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; and precious shall be their blood in His sight." Ps. 72:13-14

VOM provides a variety of assistance to Christians in Colombia, including Bible training, assistance to widows and ministry

For more information on this story and others like it, please visit the Voice of the Martyrs' website

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