Burley Biker Boy

Martin is a college student volunteer who is locating and researching remote villages in Mali that are unreached by the Gospel. He has already traveled hundreds of miles on his bicycle up and down mountains.through sand.across rocky terrain... enduring the heat... alone... never knowing what to expect. Often Martin uses a GPS (global positioning system) to find his way as he bikes to two or three villages a day. Once he arrives, he greets the chief and gathers information about the people group. Although he generally stays in a different village each night, Martin will occasionally extend his stay in a village to learn more about the language and culture of the people. He is building relationships and preparing the way for mission volunteer teams that will come to the area.

God has given Martin opportunities to share his faith along the way. Martin recounts one particular highlight: "A boy I had met on one of my previous bike trips made his way to the village where I was staying. He found me and seemed really happy to see me again. When I shared the 'Creation to Christ' story with him, he listened and agreed that everything I had said was true. After I had finished talking, he said he wanted to follow Jesus. I was overwhelmed. I had thought my bike trip had no point at all, but here was a kid that I had met forty miles away, two weeks prior, who was sitting in front of me and I was leading him in a prayer to accept Christ. This boy's people group brought Islam to West Africa and both of his parents are leaders in folk Islam."

Martin reflects, "During my time in Mali, God has really grown my faith and taught me about prayer and trusting him. Throughout my journeys, I have become more and more aware of how limited we as people are. But God is not limited by anything; where I see a long road that ends with nothing, He sees each person along the way. He knows the name of everyone I pass and has a reason for each person I meet..."

Please intercede for Martin during his last month in Mali. Pray for endurance, strength to make the distance, God's protection from the elements, and good communication skills. Ask God to continue to open doors so that Martin and other mission volunteers will be able to share the Good News of Jesus with many people in this area who have never heard.