I have never done anything like this before…what an opportunity our team has this month!
Take a stroll with me as I take you on a stroll to get a glimpse of ministry this month. We are walking through the rows of huge semi-trucks with little tents set up, hammocks hung, coals burning with teapots resting on top. There are a few women walking by effortlessly balancing baskets on their heads of their goods to sell. Some men are scrubbing the grime off their trucks, some are sleeping, some are playing cards on a mat under their trucks to escape the heat. Sounds of machines and engines fill the air along with the smell of exhaust, garbage and an occasional whiff of a meal cooking which just happens to be fishy.
The majority of the men are friendly and inviting; they offer their gas tank or cot for you to sit even if it means they stand or sit on the dirt. They are curious to why you approach and have open ears to here the message we carry. We dive in with small talk which leads to talking about their religion, their thoughts on heaven, sin, their fate and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. Then if they they want this freedom Christ offers we help them through the salvation prayer and pray over them as well.
The part I am most encouraged by is the follow up with these people who accept the ultimate gift. A few days out of the week is going back and sharing Bible stories with them and pouring the truth into their hearts. Sometimes it’s a short film we show answering the question, “Now what?” after receiving the salvation Jesus offers. We ask how their faith is growing and if they have questions. Their responses are so encouraging in showing how genuine their decision was and see the change.
After a couple of hours you are exhausted from the heat, sweat dripping from every orifice with a layer of dirt caked on every inch of skin exposed. You blow out a few black boogers and chug the last of your water bottle. However, your heart is overfilled and glowing with the joy of God. God’s presence is here and doing amazing things! Please pray for our team as we are practicing our evangelism skills and how not limiting what God can and will do through us here in the ports of Côte D’Ivoire!
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Mark 16:15
Fun Fact: It is a sign of respect to remove your shoes before entering someone’s house. Also, I found the super fruit of the country…Baobab- Africa’s “Tree of Life” only fruit that dries naturally and has tons of health benefits! (look it up :P)
