Hope Still Hidden

"I look around to find something aesthetically pleasing that I might capture in a photograph to send back to America, but all I see are dirt roads and a few indistinguishable concrete buildings. It takes a long time to 'live' here - washing clothes, cooking a meal, and preparing drinkable water can consume your day. The language of the people is difficult to pronounce and seemingly impossible to understand. There's the raw and rugged reality of the scorching sun, which creates sweltering temperatures that drain your energy and tempt you to misery. I walked past a cemetery and the thought entered my mind, 'Not one of the people buried here is now in the presence of the Lord. They were born into a world with no sign of hope, and they died only praying that God would have mercy on their souls.' Later, I walked the streets, looking for baking powder that was not available in even one store. I was occasionally greeted, but many times I received skeptical looks from passersby who wonder what in the world I am doing here. That evening, I stepped onto my front porch to enjoy the cool breeze, only to see the neighborhood mosque in plain sight. Five times a day I not only see these people bow down before a false god, but also hear the insufferable sound of a man calling out in a language perhaps even he can't understand.

What have I learned today? The sights are not what a first glance would consider to be attractive. I am often inconvenienced by the lack of supplies to even cook or clean appropriately, and the very reason I came here is not admirable in the hearts of the people. In each unpleasant experience, however, hope still remains. The Spirit of the True and Living God will one day permeate the hearts of these people. The Kingdom of God is present in this place. He is at work in my life and in the lives of many people here. I must not forget that salvation is coming."

A new missionary in West Africa

Please intercede for new missionaries who are experiencing the sights, sounds, and temperatures of West Africa for the first time. Pray that God will bond their hearts quickly to their people group, and give them an ear for the language, stamina for the climate, and patience during the transition. Praise God for these new workers, and pray that many others who are hearing His call to come to West Africa will respond in obedience.