For some months I had been in talks with Pastor Jean Komano (The Pastor whose church plays host to our short term outreach program to Koba) about church planting in Tougnifily, a rather large village that is home to Sousou and Baga people, and other surrounding villages. Tougnifily in the Sousou dialect means termite mounds. Jean had made contacts there and as we prayed together it became more and more evident that we could pool our potentials to better impact the communities in question. Our joint maiden trip was set for the 20^th to 22^nd of March. 

I set off at approximately 10am and after two quick taxi rides, found myself at KM36 ready for the first major leg of the journey. There was only a minibus available for the 60 minute trip (it actually took 75). The wooden seats managed to keep me alert all the way while I kept whispering bits of prayer in a bid to keep safe. One is never sure how well the vehicle has been maintained. This first leg passed off safe and smooth. Hallelujah and relief! 

At Tanene, the point of rendezvous with Jean, it took just a minute to locate him, all fixed up in his dark glasses and safari hat, cool and ready.After the usual warm African greetings and enquiries about our various families, we make a quick check on our equipments; flashlights, walking gear and a bottle of water apiece. We head to the next vehicle available for Tougnifily. A Renault 11GTL cab with a plastic gallon for fuel tank, seat covers in tatters and speedometer, heat gauge, fuel gauge and other signals long out of use. 2 passengers (Jean and I) share the front passenger seat; four others occupy the backseat while the trunk cover is tied down with a rope to keep the overload in place, a last drawl on his cigarette by the driver and we are almost ready to go. For its age and condition, the taxi ran surprisingly smooth. Even the second half of the journey that had a good measure of potholes was not much trouble for the experienced driver. Two hours of squeeze, adjust, re-adjust and shift weights later, Tougnifily shows up and I am glad to stretch my legs again and have my blood flow freely again. 

Jean leads the way to where we will be holing up for the next two days. Within 15 minutes I was experiencing again the legendary African hospitality and forgetting I am supposed to be tired. After a quick lunch and some water (how safe is it for me?), we exchange greetings with our host and explain our plans for the visit. Apart from Tougnifly there are two other villages; Katelli (5km) and Tambaya (7 KM) to visit before returning to
Conakry .Mr Kamano, our host is from the same tribe as Jean. He has lived so long in Tougnifily and he has acquired native status. He claims to be a Christian, and that is simply to say he is not a muslim, even though his wife is. 

KANTELLI
Guessing we had enough reserve in time and energy for the 10 Km return trip, we set off for Kantelli the same day at about 1600 hours. Talking, praying and meditating along the way, it took all of 75 minutes to get there. Fortunately, our contact is home, another of Jean’s tribesmen. The only x’tian in the twin village of approximately 1000 adults, even his wife is a Muslim. We encourage him, share scripture and pray together. We listen to how he has defied various attempts to get him convert to Islam in the 8 years he has served as the head teacher of the local primary school, his loneliness in religion and the plans underway to relocate to his own area and people.After a stroll through the village to pray and familiarize, we head back ‘home’ by another route. We agree it had been worth all the efforts to get to Kantelli and praise God. 

TAMBAYA
The next day we set off quite early for Tambaya, the third community in our plans, but not before I had tasted my first cup of Kankeliba tea. Great stuff! I am all the more glad for the tea. I needed all the energy from that cup. The road to Tambaya kept unfolding in endless roll sand and bush path. The West African sun rose up and blazed with intense ferocity as if angry with us. We stopped at a hamlet to rest and shared the good news with the household there before proceeding. After a few more kilometers we get to Tambaya tired and thirsty. It took three deliberate attempts before we could track down Bro. Innocent, our contact person. He had been making efforts at church planting, praying for people and sharing the gospel wherever possible. He took us to the abandoned military garage that his superiors (he is a military personnel) had agreed to let use for a chapel. After praying to dedicate the chapel, we listen o his challenges and appeal for help to acquire furniture for the chapel. We encouraged him and assured him that he was not alone.The return journey proves even more exhausting with the sun very slow in setting. We stop at a river bank to pray and debrief. We are encouraged by all that the Lord had done with us and for us, and request guidance for the way forward. 

DEPARTURE
Our departure from Tougnifily had been planned to coincide with the village market day thus facilitating transport availability. True to form we have no problems getting a taxi ready by the time we got to the taxi rank in the morning. However, some 5kilometers into the journey, the taxi breaks down necessitating boarding another vehicle. The new vehicle has nothing new about it, crawling along and at one point even having a passenger on top of the roof for up to 30 minutes of the trip. And then the driver had to change his fuel tank from the 20 litre plastic gallon to a 1.5 litre used water bottle so we can complete the journey by all means. I have no explanations for this; I only watched in wonder. 

CONCLUSIONS
This trip afforded me an Easter away from every form of Christian community setting. Whiles Christians celebrated the greatest spiritual event in history, I watched as people just strutted about their daily lives without any idea of their predicament or hope of knowing.I was particularly glad for the opportunity be a source of encouragement for the few brethren we met in the place and to see the joy of fellowship as we visited with them.We gained first hand information and experience on the area with a fair idea of the challenges we are up against in our bid to bring God glory among them. I am particularly glad for the times we spent in strategic prayer on the ground.Finally, I lack the words to express the feelings of the first taste of Kankeliba tea!!

My patience was at stretch point. It was obvious that something important was on his mind as he sat across from me. He kept looking at the book in hands, fidgeting with it all the time while I waited for him and meanwhile had started to feel the electricity build in the atmosphere.Adrienne did not visit often. He was on the team that went to Koba last year. It was about two weeks since we returned from Koba and now he was here to visit. I easily imagined that he had come for small talk as our relationship had improved following the time together in Koba. Yet his manner told me differently. So why was he here? Did he need money? Was there conflict with his family? Was he sick? Well I waited.Finally, he raised his head. “I have come to thank you for the time in Koba” he started. “My background is Muslim. My late dad was a Muslim and he insisted that we all go to the mosque. I have been a Christian for a while but I have never had the opportunity to understand the Bible the way you helped me to. I have never been able to share the gospel with confidence and responsibility the way you led us to do. Since returning from Koba, my Bible reading has changed. I understand what I read more and more. I am also more confident about sharing the gospel with my friends” he declared. Adrienne went on to tell me that he has since started nursing the wish to become a pastor. He said the experience from Koba has transformed his Christian outlook. He can discover the truth of God’s words for himself and has come to understand his responsibilities in the ministry of reconciliation.Going on short evangelistic trips with mainly students is increasingly becoming a very important part of our ministry here. During these trips, we have training in leadership and in Bible study. Besides there is Christian mentoring in conduct, service and evangelism as we spend time together. Koba 2007 was the third trip, following Koba 2005 and a day’s trip to Dubreka in 2006. Adrienne’s story echoes the case of many others and we are just grateful for the opportunity to play a part in the building of lives. The church in
Guinea is very young and small. The need for committed labourers can never be overstated at this time. Knowing that young hearts are being won over is very refreshing and motivating. We are encouraged to know that as young men like Adrienne begin to understand their Christian responsibilities to their own people, a solid foundation is being laid that will set the tone for the future. I have seen Adrienne a couple of times since. He will not part with his Bible or let go of the smile on his face. He is growing steadily and building on the foundations from Koba. I am just glad that we are walking in the things that God is blessing. Please join us as we pray that 

§      God will continue the good work He has started in Adrienne and bring to a glorious end.

§      Others like Adrienne will be raised up in this country to demonstrate true Christian conduct and responsibility.

§      God will give us more opportunities, means and the courage to continue in the things that He is blessing.

§      Nothing will succeed in derailing or blurring your commitment to God and the things of God, especially in the face of growing opposition.

§      God will bless you indeed. 

For his Glory alone!!!

We thank God for the new year. We know that we need Him more than ever and so we come to Him in prayer and invite you to join us. You can place your prayer requests in the comments area so we can pray with you too. Here are some items of prayer from our end;

• Violence erupted around the country on the 4th of January, 2008 following the replacement of one minister of state by the president, Lansana Conte. January last year, violent demonstrations led to a broad based government led by a prime minister, and leaving the President as head of state. This act by him is considered as interfering beyond his powers and unacceptable. Please pray that violence and innocent deaths will be avoided at al cost.
• Though the violence was short-lived, Trade Unions have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike from the 10^th of January 2008 if the decree sacking the minister is not reprieved. Please pray that the leaders will find a quick and amicable solution to all this political mess.
• We have been looking for new housing for the past three months. We are hampered by various conditions including cost, heavy advance demand and religious affiliation. Please pray with us that we will have a break through very quickly.
• Please pray with us that our funding will improve greatly. We presently receive only 30% of our required budget. Please pray that God will bless our friends and brethren so they can give willingly and sufficiently to the cause of the gospel in Guinea.
• We thank God for the support received so far to buy a vehicle. We targeted US$5000 and still have US$4000 to raise. Please join us as we pray that God will bless this venture speedily.
• Pray for the ministry of Pioneers in Guinea. Pray for our teammates, David and his wife Billie. Pray for team synergy, pray for sensitivity to God’s Spirit and direction, pray for courage and humility, pray for obedience and accountability and finally pray for the team’s safety and well being on a daily basis.

Thank you for praying and do not forget to place your requests in the comments area so we can also join you in prayer. Just click on comments and you will be led to the comments box. God bless your new year like never.

Yours on bended knees.

They are called the three wise men. Their story is told in Matthew 2:1-12. They came from the east, seeking the newborn king so they could worship Him. They had seen His star and could not resist the tag on their hearts - He deserved their worship.Why are they called wise men? One they read the stars and understand things many will take for granted. It takes skill to read the stars and I confess that on a dark night the white dotted skies hold no meaning for me whatsoever.Secondly, when they see a King, they know what to do. They come to worship. Wise people know how to respond in whatever situation they find themselves. They do not need to be prodded. And they knew where to go asking - Herod’s. Besides what is wiser than to worship the KING?Today we all know where the King is. If you are a Christian, He is in your heart. And if you are wise, you will worship Him right from your heart.That is the point. The wise still worship Him.The question is, how do you respond to the King today? Do you pay Him lip service? Do you acknowledge Him? Or do you worship Him? The apostle Paul defines the spiritual act of worship as the offer of our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. In the heat and rush of our modern world, where pleasure and possessions are the driving forces, where knowledge and selfishness are they cutting edge, where we are so bombarded with information and noise we can hardly hear or see the King. Our spiritual senses are dulled and the King is pushed to the recesses of our hearts. We have become the new king. The devotion is to self. The adoration is to self. The reverence is for self. The worship is now for self and the True King receives but lip service.As Christmas turns the corner again and the church remembers the coming of her saviour, let us look up and see his star. Let us follow his star with joy. We will be wise to emulate the Maggi from the east. We will be wise to come bow down and worship Him. As we celebrate Christmas, let us reflect on our lives as worshippers. Let us endeavour to present our lives as a sacrifice to Him. A sacrifice that is pleasing and Holy to God. Then we can confidently call ourselves wise because the wise still worship HIM. 

Vehicle – we are praying for a vehicle to meet family and ministry transportation needs. We need to raise $5000 to buy a used car. Public transport has become more and more difficult to depend on as family and ministry grow. We solicit your prayers and generous donations. Pray that other brethren will be willing to give generously as well to this cause. ·                              

 Funding – Funding has become our biggest challenge on the field. Pioneers
Africa now manages to give us about a third of our funding in salaries and work funds. The need for us to obtain regular financial support is greater than ever. Cost of living has basically doubled following sociopolitical upheavals at the beginning of the year. ·                              

 Ministry – in response to the field needs identified, we plan to set up a discipleship center as the heart of the work here. Please pray for us as we think through the various issues necessary for an effective center that will meet the needs of disciple making in this setting

Please pray for us as we look for new accommodation. We have been hunting one for the last three months.

We are looking for new accommodation because:

v     Our current place has become too small

v     Our landlord does not favor our faith and activities (prayer times, discipleship, etc…) Not that we are noisy or rowdy. He recently adopted the wahabi sect.

We struggle to find one because:

Ø      All the decent housing we have seen so far fall way beyond our budget. House rents have increased tremendously in recent times.

Ø      Some landlords demand several months rent advance, again beyond our reach

Ø      A few times we have been refused on religious grounds, especially because Djenabou is Fulani and a Christian. It is not acceptable.

Please pray that we will find new accommodation very quickly. That we will be able to find the means to pay for it and that it will be suitable to meet family and ministry needs.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Testimony time is one of my favorite times in church. For one it breaks the liturgical monotony. It is also spontaneous on subject matter. Folks testify to financial breakthrough, promotion and opportunity in job place, healings, divine provisions and safety from danger, travel opportunities, news from or on long lost family members etc… oh! I cannot afford to leave out love and marriage.

In Luke 10:17 –18, 72 disciples return from a mission trip with much joy. They had seen even the demons submitting to them in Jesus’ name. Jesus justifies their testimony with the declaration that He had seen Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

But should we only testify when things are looking up? Does Satan fall only when the skies are blue, and the sun is bright? Can we remain committed and grateful even when the evidence is to the contrary?

Habakkuk ends his short book with a prayer. His prayer demonstrated the resulting convictions of his dialogue with God. Habakkuk had asked God why evil people prosper while the righteous suffers. He couldn’t understand why a just God will allow so much evil to go unpunished. God answered that they won’t; not in the long run. God answered Habakkuk’s struggles with words of hope. That is what inspired his prayer at the end of the book, and more so at the end of his prayer.

Failed crops and dead animals would devastate Judah. It couldn’t get worse than that. But Habakkuk affirmed that even in the period of starvation and loss, he will still rejoice in the Lord. It is true his affirmation does not make sense. Yet his feelings were not controlled by the events around him but by faith in God’s ability to sustain him. When nothing makes sense, when troubles strangle you, when it seems to get more than you can bear, remember that God is the One who sustains. Take your eyes off your difficulties and look to God.

In Luke 10, after Jesus affirms the disciples’ testimony, He continued in verse 20, “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” NIV.

In Romans 8:18, Paul says, “I consider that our present suffering are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” NIV.

If we take our eyes off the things we see and hear and feel, if we focus our sights on eternity and the God of our salvation, then we will cause Satan to fall from heaven not once not twice but always.

God will give His followers surefootedness through difficult times. They will run like deer across rough and challenging terrain. At the right time, His justice will be seen and the world will be rid of evil. Meanwhile, as God’s people, we need to live in the strength of His Spirit and the power of His Word.

I’m not moved by what I see

Halleluyah!

I’m not moved by what I hear

Halleluyah!

I’m not moved by what I feel

Halleluyah!

I’m only moved by the word of God

Halleluyah!

Meet Martha (not real name). She is a family friend, is about 24 and married with one child. Martha is a Muslim by birth and upbringing.

Growing up, Martha’s worldview of Christianity was informed by Islamic teachings and her interactions with catholic schoolmates. She thought of Christians as unclean (religiously), worshippers of idols and several gods (the cross, the image of Christ, Mary and the Trinity). Then she had the privilege of watching my family closely for a couple of years. For a while she complained that we were different, as her expectations were not met. We seemed religiously clean enough and she did not see all the moral vices she associated with the Catholics she knew (her observations). Then she dared to enquire why it was so with us. So we told her that if there was anything different, we only tried to do what the Bible told us, in obedience to the teachings of Christ. Besides we depended on the power of the HS to remain obedient to God.

Her interest was aroused. She asked for a Bible so she could see what was therein. She kept her Bible secret from her husband and family; it was not acceptable for her to even touch it. She has read large portions of the NT. Time and again she comes up with various questions. We try to answer her best as we can. Sometimes there are steps in the right direction, other times she moves backwards. As at now, it is hard to gauge how close she is to believing. Even though she seems convinced sometimes, we know she has to struggle with a number of issues:

• Pride – how could she have been wrong all this while, and her parents too

• Fear – what if her husband found out
• Isolation – what if her extended family found out
• Uncertainty – what if we were leading astray

We continue to pray for her. We continue to interact with her. Do remember her in your prayer times, and others like her. Pray for us too that we will have the right words and message for her at every moment.

I love the name Andrew. Besides sounding really nice, it means a lot to me personally. As someone observed, wherever you meet the original Andrew in the NT, he is bringing someone to Christ; a true evangelist and missionary.

This other Andrew is one that I know personally, a neighbor to be specific. He is the guard at the house next to ours, and he comes from Sierra Leone.  When Andy came, he presented himself as a believer. He was faithful in church and sometimes even led the singing time. But his master is a staunch Muslim.

Soon it was Ramadan, the holy Muslim month of fasting. Andy’s master insisted that he converts to Islam and imposed the name Mohamed on him. Regretfully, he had no choice but to comply or loose his job and livelihood. He was barred from going to church, had his head shaved and forced to participate in the Muslim fast and prayer.

We wished we could have helped by making him independent of his remuneration at his guard job, but then it was even more complicated than that, his boss doubled as a distant relative so that even if he was not in his employment, he still held a certain sway over him.

Then Mohamed had a dream. I did not catch the details of the dream but it came to something like a celestial being warning him that he was going down the wrong road. We had been praying for him all the time, and continued to encourage him even though he felt he had betrayed his faith and brethren. Following the dream, he explained to his boss that he could no longer continue to be a ‘Muslim’ and was ready to quit. This time it was the master who had no choice, though he threatened and warned and cut off almost every fringe benefit. He became very strict and exacting too.

He is still called Mohamed in the household, but he has since returned to church and even assumed a leadership role. We praise God for answered prayer through the dream and courage that He gave to Mohamed, sorry Andrew.

Is he Mohamed or Andrew? It doesn’t matter any more, does it? He belongs to Christ.

This is the typical dilemma that many face as they dare to respond to the grace of God. Some never get the dream and courage of Andy. Others’ are met with violence and isolation. As you praise God for the victory in Andy’s life, remember those in similar predicaments in prayer, moral as well as material support.

God bless and keep you.

Charles Swindoll inspired me when I read the following. See if you will be inspired too.

I know no greater need today than the need for encouragement and joy. Just look around-ours is a world of bad news and sad faces. Our stooped shoulders and deep frowns convey the heaviness of our hearts. If music and films are the pulse of society, then little more needs to be said. Our plays and movies and television dramas depict despairing messages and themes. Watch any late-evening newscast. Read tomorrow morning’s newspaper. Pick up the majority of best-selling novels. Listen to a radio talk show. Believe me, for every positive, joyful sound you hear there will be dozens of depressing and discouraging messages coming through loud and clear.

The longer I live the more convinced I become that the most magnetic quality of the Christian is not faith or mercy or courage or loyalty or even love, but joy. Those other qualities are often seen more clearly after we’ve gotten to know another person, but joy is the contagious magnet that draws people to one another. Joy takes the grind out of life. It is the oil of the machinery of life. Joy is the main quality that keeps the missionary on the field. The missionary without a sense of humor is the one who must come back often for furlough. There is nothing like a superlative sense of humor to get you through the day-to add joy and various dimensions of happiness to life. A joyful person is a balm of healing to hurting hearts. This is an important message for those Christians who sometimes seem to look and act more like basset hounds on the way to the pound than heaven-bound saints on their way to glory.