Gayle Williams of SERVE Afghanistan was shot on her way to work for "spreading Christianity."
Taliban soldiers killed a Christian aid worker from South Africa in a drive-by motorcycle shooting. Gayle Williams, 34, had been working for the UK ministry SERVE Afghanistan for two years and had recently moved to Kabul for safety. One of her colleagues found her on the pavement at 8 this morning.
Zabiullah Mujahed, a Taliban spokesman, told The Times "The reason that we killed her was because she was spreading Christianity." The Taliban took credit publicly, “saying on its Web site that it killed the ‘foreign woman’ for preaching Christianity in the country and adding that it had been following the woman for some time,” CNN reported.
SERVE Afghanistan’s chairman of the board, Mike Lyth, emphasized to The Times that the organization is not involved in evangelism. “We have a policy of not (preaching Christianity), so she certainly wasn't involved in that. She was only doing missionary work, if that means living a Christian life and helping disabled people. She spoke only a little Pashtun and Farsi."
The Times reports 28 killings of aid workers, 72 kidnappings, and 146 security incidents involving NGOs this year (the 2007 count was 135 for the whole of last year, according to the Afghanistan NGO Safety Office).
The Guardian also spoke to Lyth about the future of SERVE Afghanistan:
Lyth said the charity would now have to take a "long, hard look" at its operations.
"I personally have been very concerned about security for a long time, but we have tried to take all possible measures to reduce the threat."
"We train our people really carefully. We are in daily touch with the security authorities to find out which roads we shouldn't be on, which parts of the country we shouldn't go to."
"Each time something like this happens, you wonder: do you go on exposing people to unnecessary risk? Yet at the same time, you have got the cry of many, many of the Afghans saying, 'Please help us'. You're caught between a rock and a hard place."
Posted by Susan Wunderink on October 20, 2008 12:20PM
Comments
It is a shame that the taliban feels this way about Christians. The only cure is to fight the way God commanded. Go and destroy every man woman and child,and all their animals. It seems that this is the only thing they listen to.
Posted by: J Sabo at October 20, 2008
I would venture to say that Christian aid workers recognize the dangers of working in places such as Afghanistan as they "live the Christian lifestyle and help disabled people". This martyr did not die in vain. However, to resort to street gang-level retribution "destroying every man, woman, and child..." would be a dishonor to the sacrifice of these saints, and the Christ Whom they serve.
Posted by: John Cabrera at October 20, 2008
Is J.Sabo serious or is he attempting to create mischief? He obviously has no conception of the spirit of Christianity as represented in Jesus, who founded it. He or she might fit in well with the Taliban, though.
Posted by: Ted Hewlett at October 20, 2008
I cannot believe this. People of GOD doing good to assist others so we can live a better life. Why can't all religions get along in peace like our GOD tells us to and stop the ones that are Extremist and take things personally. Christian people are people that help others in a positive way and preach the Word of GOD like all other religions. GIVE PEACE A CHANCE. AMEN!!!
Posted by: Rafael at October 23, 2008
Raeael,
You wrote: "People of GOD doing good to assist others so we can live a better life."
It seems to me that People of God do good to assist others so they can live a better life.
Posted by: Larry S at October 23, 2008
people of GOD alway doing there best to assist others and to acheive there purpose and goal on earth,also eternal.beco's of this they are not deserve to be treat like animal,but i know that GOD ALIMIGTHY will figth for them.amen
Posted by: dare at October 28, 2008
Is the death of this woman different from that of Steven? Was not Paul at the murder? And finally, did God use these events for His Glory?
I understand the anger that quotes God in destroying everyone of the enemy. But perhaps He did so that we may learn this apporach is not the perfect solution. If it were, would not the flood have solved this issue once and for all? The perfect solution was to come later. Jesus is the perfect solution. What did He teach? Love your enemy; do the will of God "our" Father. Jesus taught,"Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven". How is His will done, through us! Win the hearts, only love can conquer hate.
Send two for every one they destroy. They can not destroy Christanity, or the Jews would have done it long ago. Let me know how I can help. Send me. johngault03@hotmail.com
Posted by: John at November 1, 2008
These are the Christains who are killing Taliban, their kids , woman even their animals, because a cluster bomb dosen't know if its killing a taliban or a woman or kid .... Christain occupied Taliban's land and start killing them, now if taliban retaliate's then no blame goes on their heads, its a self defence and they have all the rights for self defence, plus, Afghanistan is a war zone and no dutch or Eroupion should go over there.
Posted by: Saif at December 7, 2008
Post a comment