Ali was burdened and wanted to follow the Jesus path.
Sitting in the village, I heard the chief say, “I will die on this path.” In my mind, I wondered, “How did he arrive at that point, where he is willing to say that he will follow Jesus until death?” Surrounding us were 15 other men from the village—all Muslim. The chief’s declaration was not to be considered lightly. He had taken the risk and told all who were present that he was a follower of Jesus Christ.
A few days earlier, our team had been holding a discipleship seminar in Village Y. Believers from the surrounding area had been invited, and we were having a wonderful time of study and discussion. During the seminar, we were visited by a man named Ali.* He had heard we were in the region and wanted to talk with us. A few days before the seminar, a believer from a nearby village had shared the Good News with Ali, although this was not the first time he had heard it. For months Ali had been thinking about the cost of following Jesus. Now, he’d come to make his decision known.
As our team met with Ali that afternoon, we learned he had been struggling for quite some time with the path he was on. He told us that his father had been a follower of Christ, but the family had not chosen to follow the same path. Through the years, Ali had become friends with S, the same believer who had just days before shared the Good News with him, and who was also at the seminar. Many times he and S had discussed what it meant to be a believer and follow Christ. Through it all, God was working in Ali’s heart.
Ali told us that his religion was burdensome and hard to follow, and that he could not “obey its laws.” Immediately, I thought of Jesus’ words, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30) That day, Ali gave his life to Jesus, and then asked that we come and share with his people.
Three days following the seminar, we were sitting in Ali’s village hearing his chief also declare faith in Jesus. In addition, the chief challenged the other men who are sitting with us to consider God’s call and to follow the “Jesus path.” He spoke openly, saying, “May God give us faith to believe. May God cause everyone here to believe in Jesus.” Truly, this chief’s heart was passionate about his desire for his people to know the One True God in a personal relationship. Two of the men present responded and received Christ.
In considering these events, I am grateful that our team was in Village Y holding the discipleship seminar at the very time when God was working in Ali’s heart. I am also grateful that God has allowed us to partner with S, the Christian leader in Village B2, who quietly goes about sharing the Good News of Jesus with those who will listen. In this way, the seed of the Gospel is being planted from village to village. Now, S will continue working with Ali to disciple him, so he can take what he learns and share it in his village.
May we all as Christ-followers say with this village chief, “I will die on this path.”
* Name changed for security reasons.
Earlier in 2011, working with volunteers and national partners through Net the Village (NtV), Mission10:14 provided more than 800 treated mosquito nets to Village B2. Funding was provided by a number of sources, including partnering churches and individuals. Practically speaking, this project has made a huge impact on the children in the village by keeping them safer and healthier. With a lesser threat from mosquito bites, the children (and their families) rest more peacefully. In addition, a healthier child means less of a family’s money is spent on medicines for treatment to fight malaria.
In November, one of our volunteer teams spent time with families in the village gathering information and helpful feedback on the impact of this project. Below are just a few of the comments received during our visits.
“The nets have been really useful to us. During the rainy season, mosquitoes multiply greatly, but the nets have protected our children.”—Tidiani
“The nets are a great benefit for our children. They have less malaria, sleep more deeply, and are not bothered by the mosquitoes.”—Aramata
During one of our home visits, we sat down with Mr. F., the oldest man in the village. He was very encouraging to our team, and pleased that we came to greet him—a very important part of the culture. Mr. F had this to say: “We can not express how greatly the nets have helped our people. Every member of the village is pleased. Those who received the nets have slept in peace and have had less sickness. You have done a great work for our village.”
During our visit with Mr. F., we had the opportunity to share the Good News. Like many who are older, he considers himself too old to change, although he likes the message of the Gospel.
Our work keeps us going to people like those of Village B2. We help them in practical ways that improve their lives—like the gift of a mosquito net, and we share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the one message that brings about real, life-changing impact.
Our team arrived in November in Village Nz to take the Good News to the T-people. Almost immediately, God gave us an open opportunity to share from His Word, something that is directly related to the prayers of our partners. The discussion began with the telling of a short parable. Then, as more people joined in throughout the evening, our discussion led to one question: How can I have my sins forgiven? Wow! The Gospel at work, for this is the question that the Good News addresses. Our team was given an open opportunity to share God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ. Following our discussions that night, and then the next morning with the village chief and elders, a small group of men asked if they could have Bibles. They wanted to study and learn more about this “truth” that they had heard. We gave them Bibles, pointed them to John’s Gospel, and will be returning in January to discuss what they have been reading.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.—Isaiah 55:10-11
Before we left Nz, we asked the village chief and elders if anyone had ever come and shared this good news with their village. They replied, “No, this is the first time anyone has ever come with this message.” Amazing, that at the close of 2011, there are still people groups that have never heard the good news of the Gospel. But that’s the context in which we work. And this is true not just in Africa, but in many parts of the world. Currently, according to The Joshua Project, there are still more than 6,900 people groups that remain unreached by the Gospel. The task is still great, and our great God is at work calling out His people to GO and make Him known among the nations (ethnic peoples—Matthew 28:18-20).
“All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”—2 Timothy 3:16-17
Most people in the villages where we work are either non-literate, or read at a very low level of competency. Also, in rural regions, the Bible is not available unless someone brings it to them, either in written or audio form.
Therefore, we believe that Bible distribution serves an import role in planting the seed of the gospel among an unreached people. For those who are able to read and want a copy of the Scriptures, we aim to make available to them a Bible in their heart language. And, we encourage them to share the good news of God’s Word with others as they read.
Bibles are made available due to the generous support of individuals, small groups, and churches. Find out how you can sponsor a Bible!
Learn more about how Mission10:14 distributing an Audio New Testament in partnership with Faith Comes By Hearing using The Proclaimer.
Transformational Projects Meeting Practical Needs
In Mali, West Africa, where subsistence farming is a way of life for most families, 64 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. With a long and hot dry season, growing enough food to feed a family can be a daunting task. When rains do come, they can often be scattered and brief, bringing hardly enough moisture to keep crops alive; or they can be so strong that fields flood and crops become damaged and fail.
In response to these challenges, Mission10:14 is responding to an invitation from the Ministry of Agriculture in Mali by initiating Village Garden Projects that aim to provide a sustainable food source that will be available throughout much of the year. Working with local village leaders, these initiatives are designed to form partnerships with women in the villages to develop improved food sources for their families, as well as provide items that can be traded or sold in the local markets; thereby, providing additional income for a family.
Get more information on our Garden Project page or by downloading this PDF: Village Garden Projects (PDF).
