The story of “Bob” and his wife “Mary” started many years ago. Bob lived in a large village with his extended family — all strong Muslims.
The village is located in the country of Mali in West Africa and largely made up of Fulani peoples, though Bob’s family is part of the Malinke people.
About 10 years ago, a volunteer team came to dig wells in the area. As they were passing Bob’s village on their way home, the truck broke down.
Never one to pass up a chance to share, the man in charge decided since they were stuck there anyway they might as well show the “Jesus” film. West Africans love movies, so they had quite a crowd, but no real interest was shown.
They left the next morning and returned home not knowing what they had started.
Bob saw the film that night and was touched. Some time later Bob had a dream in which he was visited by Jesus. Jesus told him to go to Kenieba, a nearby town, and find the ones who could teach him about who He, Jesus, was.
Driven by dreams
Dreams are very powerful things in Africa. People believe in their dreams and the interpretations of them. God speaks to people in their dreams — and in Africa, people listen.
So Bob walked about 80 miles to Kenieba. One day he showed up on our doorstep and told us his story of the films and the dream. We introduced him to our local pastor, and they began studying together.
Bob stayed as long as he felt able to stay away from home, then returned home to his village. He had asked for nothing other than the truth.
He returned as often as he was able, stayed for a few days or weeks, learned more, then went back home. He repeated this process for several years and became a strong believer.
One day he announced, “I want to go and teach others about Jesus.”
So Bob took his family and moved to a remote village on the border of the neighboring country of Guinea. The village, referred to as Yesterday*, was a small, poor village.
Bob moved there as a teacher, and the village promised to help support Bob and his family. Bob soon found out the support was small and insufficient, yet he did not give up. There were many times Bob, his wife and his two children went hungry. Yet he kept teaching and soon had a group of young men who were not only learning to read but also beginning to meet God for the first time.
Bob’s wife was not a believer at this time. She suffered many hardships to be there with her husband and did not even understand why they were doing this. Several times, she returned to her family.
Then meningitis struck the people of their area, and no medical care was available. As a result, they lost both of their beautiful children.
Mary became depressed and sick herself. Finally, Bob brought Mary to Kenieba to see the doctor. She stayed with the pastor’s family during those weeks she was there. It took several months for her to regain her strength and health.
During that time she began to learn about Jesus and why Bob was willing to make the commitment he had made. Eventually she also gave her heart to Jesus.
This did not end their problems. Mary was unable to get pregnant again and returned to Kenieba for medical help. Eventually, a doctor was able to help, and she conceived again. They had a little boy.
However, this child died also before he was two years old. During all of this, Bob and Mary’s family insisted that they return home and give up all of this foolishness. Sometimes Mary went back for a while and then returned to Bob. Bob, however, just continued on.
Then came the day all of our work was stopped in Kenieba and all missionaries were pulled out. This was more than Bob could handle. He finally felt deserted. We were a source of encouragement and training. He felt as if he had been left all alone and finally broke.
He returned home, renounced his faith and moved back into his family courtyard.
A few years later Bob and Mary had a daughter and found a way to live close to their family but not right with them. Bob also returned to the faith. He had turned away for a time, but not now.
He picked up his Bible one day and had not been able to put it down since. He was a believer and could only be a believer.
A prayer for endurance
Bob and Mary asked for prayer. Pray they will know where God wants them to be and what His work is for them. Pray they will be able to provide for themselves if they should choose once again to leave their family.
Pray for their family — the only believers in a very large village. One of the most encouraging things they could receive right now would be another believer to study, pray and worship with.
They have also asked for continued prayer for the village of Yesterday. Even though they are not there, they continue to think of and pray for the village.
Yesterday is still asking for someone to come and teach them. They have not learned enough yet. Pray for someone to go and finish the teaching so they also will know the truth.
*The name of the village has been changed to protect Bob, Mary and the people of this community.
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