Some sad news out of West Africa where a devoted Christian missionary lost his life last week in a terrorist attack.
Mike Riddering, a Christian missionary whose work included serving pregnant women with medical services was killed in the West African nation of Burkina Faso.
A father of four, including two adopted children from Burkina Faso, Riddering and his wife, Amy, left their home and business in Florida five years ago to serve women and children in one of the poorest countries on the planet.
The couple served with a missions organization, Sheltering Wings, which helps orphans and women in six different locations—three in Burkina Faso, one in Kenya and two outside of Africa.
Writing from Burkina Faso, Amy Riddering posted on Facebook:
Heaven has gained a warrior! I know God has a purpose in all things but sometimes it is a complete mystery to me. My best friend, partner in crime and love of my life. The best husband ever. An amazing father to his children and a papa to everyone. My heart is so heavy and I am having trouble believing he is gone. Mike was an example in the way he lived and loved. God be glorified! Mike Riddering I will love you always! You left quite a legacy here. I can only imagine the adventures you are having now.
The assault was carried out by a group linked with al-Qaeda, which targeted a frequent gathering place for Western visitors in the heavily Muslim region. Riddering and a co-worker had arrived early to meet up with a short-term missions team from the U.S. when the attack began.
The co-worker survived the attack.
In addition to Amy Riddering’s post to Facebook, friends and supporting churches in the U.S. voiced their appreciation for the legacy left by their friend, who they describe as a “modern-day martyr”.