Somali cities are chaotic yet functional. There’s a working public transport, brisk market business, electricity and running water - but people get shot as a normal part of daily life. No one takes notice anymore. They simply wait for the bodies to be cleared then quickly resume business. Armed violence is common; it’s used to deal with disagreements and generally ends in death. Many more deaths follow when the deceased’s fellow gang members retaliate. The hardest part to understand is the fact that ‘human life has lost its value’. It is astounding that there is a Church in Somalia - when believers embrace Christ they embrace martyrdom - prepared to pay the price for their faith. It is too dangerous for believers to meet openly in this strictly Islamic state. Al-Shabaab target converts to Christianity and eliminate them. Aid workers, Christian or otherwise, require tight security due to the risk of abduction.

tPray: hat al-Shabab’s influence will diminish, for Christian radio programmes to bring hope to isolated believers and for more tolerance towards Christians. (Ps.32:7)

More: http://www.worldwatchlist.us/world-watch-list-countries/somalia/