THE "JESUS WAY"
The Road Less Traveled

Every shop in town was closed for the 2 o'clock prayer time. The street that is normally filled with people coming to and from the market was vacant. Seemingly everyone in town was praying at the mosque - except for one man. MK, the only believer in this town, was sitting alone outside the shop where he works. Several minutes later, all his friends and the other townspeople piled out of the mosque. Heading back to their daily routines, the large crowd walked toward MK, who sat alone, unwilling to give in to the many social pressures he faces daily.

Fewer than 50 known Mandinka Christians are widely scattered among four countries: Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. In 2007 God began stirring a Mandinka pastor's heart to see these scattered believers come together for a time to worship and fellowship. Pastor SD visited the missionaries who live among the Mandinka in southern Senegal, unaware that they also had the same desire to see the few Mandinka believers come together and realize that they had family in Christ. The unity among all involved was a clear testimony that the idea of holding a first-ever "gathering" of Mandinka believers came from the Lord. During the final months of 2007 Pastor SD traveled over a large area to invite Mandinka believers to this gathering.

In January 2008, most of the Mandinka believers traveled long distances to participate in this unique worship and fellowship experience. This exciting event gave them a better understanding of their Christian family- one that shares their culture and struggles as well as a larger family that shares hope and salvation through the Lord Jesus. Ask the Lord to continue to impart His wisdom and vision to Mandinka believers as they live out their faith before their family and friends. Pray that a church planting movement among the Mandinka will become a reality.

Loneliness and isolation are common experiences for West African Christians who have come from a Muslim background. Please remember to pray for all Muslim Background Believers who are despised, mocked, and often questioned because they choose not to participate in the required fasts and prayers of the local religion. Pray that during challenging moments, these West Africans will find their encouragement, comfort, and identity in Christ.

Many Muslim Background Believers hesitate to share their faith due to fear that they will be banished from their families with no place to go. Ask the Lord to encourage their hearts and provide opportunities for them meet the new family that they have inherited in Christ - a family that will remain eternally, even if their earthly family forsakes them.

The IMB Mandinka Team