VoF - Cracking the Egg

Voices of the Faithful (VoF) is a moving 366-day devotional for men and women from Beth Moore and the International Mission Board. It features true stories of courage, inspiration, and God's faithfulness, written by hundreds of missionaries. There are 38 West Africa specific prayer letters that we will begin to share on this blog. Though God has lead us to partner among the Maninka, some of these devos will reference other people groups and places in West Africa. Please read and then pray for West Africa and for the Maninka. Think of the potential movement of the Holy Spirit generated by God's People joining together in a singular purpose!


Cracking the egg

“This sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. It will break in pieces like pottery.”
Isaiah 30:13–14a (NIV)

Throughout the Bible, names of people and places held great meaning and significance. Who would imagine that same concept would be found in Mali (MAL-ee) with the Dunn people. The name Dunn translates as “egg.” If my name meant “egg,” I’m not sure I would be thrilled, but these people are happy about their name. For many months, this love for being called “egg” was a mystery to me.

From the moment I entered the village, the people were friendly yet cautious. Being the first American in the village, they were just as curious about me as I was of them. They did, however, allow me to work in the fields with them, although they thought my hands were too soft.

Finally, after months of working and talking together, one of them trusted me enough to reveal the significance of their name. One can tell an egg is an egg from the outside, but he has no idea what is inside until he cracks it. No one really knows what is hiding inside the shell.

This definition has proved true in my experience. The people seem friendly, but I still don’t know what is in their hearts and minds.

The exciting part of this journey is that the egg is beginning to crack! May the shell continue to crack by the love of Jesus.

God showed me to ask, what is the egg in my life? What am I trying to hide from the world or from God? Eggs were created to be cracked and used.
—Lori, West Africa

Father, thank You that You are bringing the gospel to the Dunn people group of Mali, West Africa. Continue to “crack the shell” so that Your Word can penetrate inside their hearts. May I examine myself today to see what I am trying to hide from You or others. Amen.

Our Next Trip

We have our dates set for our next trip--February 20-March 1, 2009. These are somewhat flexible depending on our travel arrangements. We'll start training soon, so if you are interested in going, please let us know!!

Following the Jesus Path

Many West Africans who embrace the Christian faith for the first time will often say they are leaving their old ways to follow “the Jesus Path.” Below is a story found in the newest issue of the Go West Africa Magazine about one of our Maninka friends.

*Name changed

"Abdou* couldn't really communicate with the new IMB missionaries who hired him to watch their house on the weekends.

They had just moved to Guinea and were still learning the language, but Abdou* knew they would soon be teaching about the man named Jesus he had heard about in the village years ago.

As the missionaries improved their Maninka language skills, Abdou* studied with them. One day while sitting on the porch of their home, he read through a booklet they gave him called "Saraka Ko", loosely translated as "Sacrifice Business".

He knows the sacrifice business of his people. They sacrifice live animals to appease the spirits. But this booklet explained about how God already sent the final sacrifice for everyone.

He called to his missionary friend inside the house and shared his new revelation.

"We don't need to perform a sacrifice anymore, do we?" Abdou* said, answering his own question. Later, he put his full faith in Christ and was baptized.

Now, in his pursuit to bring his people to the Truth, Abdou* joins the missionaries every week as they visit outside villages to teach the Word. In the meantime, Abdou's* family is presenting him young ladies to marry. He knows he's of the age for a Maninka man to take a wife -- but he's holding out for a believer."

Please join us as we continue to pray for Abdou*. Pray that his relationship with the Lord will continue to grow. Pray that he will find continued peace in the One who was sacrificed for him. Pray for his future wife.