Proverbs
16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his
steps.” If there ever was a verse
that sums up a trip this is the one.
In October, a two-man team from Living Hope was able to go down new roads
and into new villages that we have not gone to in the past. As we went from village to village we
could clearly see that God had prepared and ordained our way. The plans we had made as we were
preparing for the trip were being rewritten. God led us along the roads that he had prepared rather than
the ones we had planned to take.
It is greatly encouraging to feel God’s guiding hand and to see His
clear directions as He led us from one hungry soul to another. The Word says in John 10:27, ”My Sheep
hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
We
witnessed the excitement upon the faces of desert dwellers who for the first
time in their lives tasted the living water. We saw a man born again in a birthing room as he heard the
name of Jesus for the first time and was born again. We heard stories of missionaries who came over 20 years ago
and who sowed seeds of the gospel that were finally ready for harvest. One man who heard the gospel 20
years before we came was finally ready to believe. On this trip we saw eight men come to faith in Christ. One can only wonder and be amazed by
how many others may one day believe as a result of the preaching of the gospel
through this trip and the many other trips that have happened and will happen
through those who are faithful to send, to pray, and to go.
We
concluded the week with a time of discipleship. We had the privilege of baptizing a new brother in Christ
and the following day being able to begin discipling him along with others in
the faith as we taught him truth from God’s word. Jesus says in Matthew 9:36-37 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for
them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a
shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful,
but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest
to send out laborers into his harvest’.”
As
I personally reflect on this trip, I am at awe that God orchestrated my return
to West Africa for a second time and I am thankful for the privilege of being a
small part of God’s work among the Songhai as he draws
more people to himself for his glory.
I was encouraged to experience and see how the gospel brings forth light
into darkness. As I sit and ponder
the wonder of this trip and the miracles of seeing men come to faith and baptizing
a brother in Christ, I eagerly await the day when I get to worship and
fellowship with my Songhai brothers and sisters before God’s throne.
- Jason G, Living Hope Baptist Church
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