The Dark Side of Africa

Monday morning I received a wake-up call, in more ways than one. A good friend who works with the mission, Joel, called me and said his wife’s 12 yrs. old niece Cici, who lives with them, had been missing for a day. What struck me was his shaky voice. His fear wasn’t as if she had run away, but that she was missing... in an African sense. From time to time, people (too often children) disappear without a trace and are never found again.

Many generations ago, many people groups in West Africa occasionally practiced human sacrifice, often a child, to the spirits of this world. With the colonization by European countries in the 19th and 20th centuries, human sacrifices were banned and the practice ceased (for the most part). These were replaced by goats and sheep and people were content with it. But over the last 12 years, things have been getting tougher for Ivory Coast, with several coup d’etats and a civil war reeking havoc on their economy, and people have been searching for answers. Unfortunately, some have looked backwards for those answers... and slowly the number of people going missing has risen in recent years.

This is the darkness I heard in Joel’s voice. This was my real wake-up call. It wasn’t my first time hearing about it, but like so many things, it got pushed to the back of my mind. After all, so many of the Africans you meet are wonderful and kind people. I enjoy chatting with them about their day and family. They are genuinely thankful for each visit. It’s easy to forget the darkness that lies within their hearts. That’s not to say that they are inherently evil, but fear grips them and guides their lives day in and day out. For me, it was a stark reminder that though the ministry of bringing physical healing to people is essential, the greatest need is healing the darkness within the human heart.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12) God reminded me of the power of hope found in Jesus’ life-giving light. Later in the day Cici was found safe at the home of her slightly deranged aunt. God had heard our prayers and the scores of others praying back in America. May we pray equally hard for the hearts of the African peoples that they might receive the light that gives life.

New Beginnings

The beginning of the new year reminds us of the importance and need for change. People start working out, they plan to be more organized and they start a reading plan for the Bible. It's also a time when some start new activities and opportunities, both for individuals and organizations. This sense of need for new things and change at the new year is international. New Year's Day is the biggest holiday in Africa. No matter how rich or poor a family is, everybody gets nice new clothing, shares a special meal and visits their friends and family.

One of the most exciting things that this new year brings for the ministry here in Ivory Coast is the growth and new phase for the Association of Christian Churches in Ivory Coast. The Association is made up the various church leaders from all eighteen Christian churches. Since the beginning of the mission here, the overseeing of the church planting and leadership development was done by missionaries. For some time now, the bulk of the preaching and teaching among the Agni and Attie people groups has been done by the various church leaders, however, the mission organized most of the activities. This is the first year that the Association will officially take over the overseeing responsibilities of the work among the Agni and Attie peoples.

It is a huge step in the life of the church here in Ivory Coast. Our goal as a

mission has been more than simply starting new churches in Ivory Coast, but creating an indigenous movement that naturally reproduces both new churches and capable church leaders. It's exciting to see the Ivorian church responding too to Jesus' Great Commission to make disciples. They have many great projects for this year, including starting three new churches, even sending a church planter to a new area of Ivory Coast!

The past several months we have been working hard in preparation for this historical step; we have done some reorganizing of the leadership training program, specific training for the ministry area directors and Executive Bureau, and another first of hiring a full-time ministry coordinator for the Association. Edoukou Jean-Claude, one of our most mature and respected pastors, has taken on this role of organizing the activities of the Association and encouraging the churches in the mission and vision of the Association. Please pray for him in his new role for strength, endurance and flexibility and he travels and learns new things. Pray also for Deahon Tro (known as Papa Tro), the Executive Director of the Association. Pray for wisdom, insight and passion as he leads the Association in these new endeavors.

It is exciting to see how God is moving among the people here and his ministry. I am greatly encouraged by our leaders vision, conviction and desire to serve God and make his salvation through Jesus Christ known to all. It not only is expanding their witness and influence, but has and will continue to free up more time and opportunities for us in the mission to focus more on the Djoula Muslim outreach. Please pray for the Association and Mission as we serve alongside each other to make Jesus and his love known to the people of Ivory Coast.

**The photos were taken during our planning meeting with our ministry area directors. The first photo includes Jean-Claude at front-middle. The second photo has Papa Tro in the back.