Teaching God's Love in West Africa

I came to Africa prepared to teach God’s Word to a pagan culture. Instead, what I found was a well-structured church organization that has done a fabulous job of instructing its believers in the ways of Christ.
Before I left America I was aware that we would be coming to the voodoo capital of the world. I had several churches praying with me for people to be freed from this bondage. I began praying that Satan’s power would be broken before I left the States, so it came as no surprise that my site was the only one to be visited by drums, chants, and incantations in an attempt to stop the meetings. Satan knows that his time is short and he will fight back when we dare go on the offensive. I was never afraid, only curious and puzzled because I didn’t know what to expect. We just preached louder and nothing bad happened, because Jesus and his angels were guarding us.
One evening, when I knew the message was especially powerful, I prayed for Satan to leave so people could come and hear God’s Word. About ten minutes after I finished my prayer, the drums began, and a gathering of voodoo practitioners, looking like a parade, wended its way off to parts unknown. In a short time the chairs were filled with people hungry for God’s Word. I take no credit for any of this. God did it ALL, even prompting me to pray.
We had so many children at my site, and early in the evening it is not dark enough to start any of the video programs. Because of this, I started doing extra things with the children. It was just like a mini-VBS! A smile and a tickle or two quickly got the kids over their initial shyness about the “white lady.” It was amazing to have a crowd awaiting your arrival, where you actually need an adult escort to get through so you can set up your equipment.
We also sang songs. I taught the kids a new greeting, consisting of “give me five,” “a high five” and a “thumbs up.” The kids found this uproariously funny and I showed them they can do it among themselves, not just with me. We had a flannel graph Bible story. I tried to get them to respond to questions about the story. It was great fun to hear my interpreter translate my “Papa sheep’s voice” into Fon (the local dialect) as Papa is explaining why they are going into the great big boat that was built by Noah. I caught him off guard, but he did quite well, and the kids were delighted. I look around this country and I see a land of contrasts. It is such a beautiful place, such beautiful people, and such terrible poverty. I really have to think to remember that this land has its national religion headed by Satan, and consider that it was that religion that allowed the people to use each other for sacrifices and slavery. The condition of the country is a deadly example that Satan will never take care of his own. It is only as Jesus Christ has been welcomed into this place that I see the people’s physical and spiritual state getting better.
My favorite part of this mission has been the acceptance I have received. Even without understanding the language, I have made friendships that will go on throughout eternity. When this whole country comes to Jesus and we all get to meet again, we will have a great time rejoicing in heaven.