Tabitha

ContextTabitha is a Nigerian widow living in a village near Jos, on the central plateau of Nigeria. Before 2001, Christians and Muslims coexisted peacefully in the region, but everything changed when Islamic extremists launched coordinated attacks against Christians in September of that year.

The TrialOn September 8, 2001, Tabitha was at home with her husband, Pastor Musa Bot, when they heard shouts and gunfire. Extremist Muslims invaded the city of Jos, burning churches and killing Christians. While going to fetch his daughter from school, Musa was intercepted by radicals who saw his Bible. He refused to deny his faith, even when threatened with death. He was beaten, stoned, burned, and thrown into the river.

Faith and OutcomeAfter seven days of searching, Tabitha identified her husband's body in the river, recognizing him by his socks. In her grief, she found comfort in the Bible, especially in the passage that says Jesus is the husband of the widow. Today, she raises her four children alone and maintains her unwavering faith despite persecution.