Nighttime often provides the best opportunity to meet with individuals from a particular village who are willing to gather and hear a message from God’s word, to watch a film, or to meet for discipleship and prayer. Usually, we are just getting started around 8 to 8:30 pm. This is the time when most of the day’s work has been done or has stopped due to the darkness, so people are more available, yet tired. The message of the Gospel being shared in the evening is a stark contrast to the spiritual and physical darkness present where we work.

There is also something about the night that draws people, as under the cover of darkness they can seek out an opportunity to learn more about the message of Truth that is presented. In John’s Gospel account, chapter 3, Nicodemus came to Jesus by night and stated his understanding of who Jesus was—saying, “we know that you are a teacher come from God.”  Although Nicodemus recognized something special about Jesus, his declaration was not enough to save him. His heart was still not alive unto God. Nicodemus, although very religious, had never received spiritual life from above. Jesus went on to explain to him that he (as is true for all of us) must be born again, and then gave the passage which many of us learned as children, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (vs.16, ESV)

As we work in Sub-Saharan Africa among unreached peoples, our aim is to shine the light of Christ so brightly that he becomes more beautiful than any other attraction—overcoming the darkness in people’s lives. We are reminded that God is at work calling people to Himself through the message of the Gospel. Until Jesus’ return, may we be found faithful taking the Light into the darkness!