Wind Report – Niger
Gathering The Scattered Sheep – Ben Stokes
one man’s life-changing moment on the banks of a river in Niger
The moment for which this Fulani Christian had been waiting had finally arrived. The bush taxi came to a stop, and seven gentlemen stepped out. Women and children began frantically rushing to the river, gathering their things and dressing themselves. They seemed embarrassed at the sight of two westerners and five native Fulani men interrupting their bath time. This is not what one would consider to be the typical scene of a baptism.
What took place next was a direct result of a church, who for the last five years, had been faithfully praying and ministering to the Village S. One at a time the two new Christians entered the small river. I stood on the bank observing the miracle that was taking place before my eyes. I couldn’t understand anything that was being said, but I knew the men being baptized were hanging on every word spoken. They understood the importance of what was about to happen.
Their bodies disappeared into the murky water, but only for a moment. As they rose from the water, I witnessed the glow on their faces, etched in my mind forever. The true meaning of baptism became more real to me than ever. The water was not clear, and they were not wearing robes. There was not any special music or family members supporting them. There were merely two Fulani believers that wanted God to be the true Shepherd of their life. They were following Jesus’ example in believer’s baptism.
These baptisms would not have taken place without FBCA answering the call to reach the Fulani of West Africa. FBCA has partnered with a native Fulani Believer who is passionate about making disciples and evangelizing. For the last 3 years, he has poured his life into the village, and as a result these two men were baptized. It was a blessing to get to witness this baptism first hand. Many members of FBCA have traveled to Niger and poured their lives into the Fulani of West Africa and sometimes walked away wondering if they were able to make a difference. I write to you today to say, “Yes, you have made a difference.”
FBCA has brought MegaVoices (audio recorded scripture) to West Africa, met physical needs, evangelized the area of Village S using chronological Bible Stories and partnered with local missionaries. As a result, these efforts have begun to make true followers of Jesus. Many churches in America are taken back by the sacrifices that have to be made in order to accomplish these tasks listed above. Through my three-week journey in Niger, I saw firsthand that God is honoring the sacrifices that have been made. In an area where just 5 years ago Christianity was rarelythought of, we can now see the hand of God raising up Fulani that will no longer believe that, “To be Fulani is to be Muslim,” but will instead say, “To be Fulani is to follow the Jesus Way.”
Despite all the progress that has taken place in Village S, there is more to be done. There are still many sheep that have gone astray and need to be brought into the Kingdom. We need people to go and spread the word. There are Christ followers that need to learn more about the Jesus way. The believers who were baptized need discipleship. We need people to support the missionaries that are there and already partnering with FBCA. Above all we need prayer support. Pray that that God will use all the things we are doing to produce a thriving indigenous church in the village of Village S.
Missions is never done in vain. The Lord promised in John 10:16 that his desire is to bring his lost sheep home. Jesus said, “I must bring them also; they will hear my voice.” Many still wonder how God will fulfill this promis. The answer is through the church. Just as the Father sent the Son to seek and to save the lost, so the Son sends his people.
One Response to “Wind Report – Niger”
Leave a Reply
Ben
Happy to join us in Niger for more ministry.I believe tho lord will use u as a tool to break up the barriers of satan
Billo