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.